ASHLAND - The borough council decided to host an electronics recycling day next month during its March 12 meeting.
The council approved the event, sponsored by the Schuylkill County Office of Solid Waste and Resource Management, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 at the borough wastewater treatment plant at 400 Oak St. The plant is the same site used for the county's drop-off recycling program. All Schuylkill County residents may take part in the recycling event.
Schuylkill County's Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator Lee Raring said electronics recycling events were scheduled last year after the passage of the state's Covered Device Recycling Act, which bans the disposal of certain types of electronic equipment.
"After the passage of the Covered Device Recycling Act last year, I set up four collection events quarterly," Raring said Tuesday. "Ashland was the last of the four that I set up. I haven't set up any more, but I do believe there will be some more in the county."
According to the legislation, a "covered device" is a covered computer device (computers, keyboards, monitors or printers) or covered television device (an electronic device that contains a tuner that locks on to a selected carrier frequency and is capable of receiving and displaying television or video programming via broadcast, cable or satellite) that is marketed and intended for use by a consumer.
Raring has contacted Schuylkill Haven, Rush Township, Pine Grove Township and Saint Clair about similar electronics recycling events and is waiting to see if they are interested in participating.
Vintage Tech Recyclers will conduct the recycling event in Ashland. Raring said the company is based in Chicago, has an office in Philadelphia and is recommended by the state Recycling Markets Center and by the state Department of Environmental Protection because of its certification.
"This collection is open to anyone in the county. It will be staffed by Vintage. It's no cost to the community because (Vintage) will provide the truck and manpower," Raring said. "The company is providing it for free."
Accepted electronics items include cables, cable boxes, cash registers, cellular phones, computers, computer peripherals, all computer parts, copier cords, CRT monitors, DVD players, external drives (all types), fax machines/scanners, keyboards, laptops, LCD monitors, mouse, MP3/iPods/etc., networking equipment, PDAs, printers, printer cartridges, toner cartridges, projector, satellite dishes, servers, stereos, televisions, typewriters, uninterrupted power supply units, VCRs and video game consoles.
Accepted household items are blenders (without glass), bread makers, cameras, carpet sweepers (corded or rechargeable), coffee makers (without glass), clocks, curling irons, electric knives, electric toothbrushes, fans, food-sealing equipment, fryers, hair cutters, hair dryers, heaters, holiday lights, irons, landline phones, massagers, metal tools (drills, screwdrivers, small saws, sanders, etc.), microwave ovens, mixers, remote controls, radios, shaving equipment, toaster ovens and vacuum cleaners (without a bag).
Items not accepted include ballasts, capacitors, freon-containing items (air conditioners, dehumidifiers), gas cylinders, lightbulbs, liquids (including items containing liquids), household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, lithium batteries), medical equipment (including any material that is considered or has come in contact with biohazards or radioactive material), VHS cassette tapes and white goods (refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers).
Questions can be directed to Raring at 570-628-1220 or at lraring@co.schuylkill.pa.us.
In other business, the borough council:
- Formally adopted an ordinance approving the franchise agreement with Service Electric Cablevision Inc. The ordinance officially renewed the 10-year agreement with Service Electric for the company to provide cable television service from Nov. 12, 2015, to Nov. 11, 2023. The borough council renewed the agreement with no franchise fee. Since a franchise fee is normally passed on to cable TV customers, the council decided not to add the fee to the agreement. The previous agreement also did not have a franchise fee.
- Approved a request from American Hose Company No. 1 to close Walnut Street and restrict parking between Fifth and Ninth streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the housing of its new 1996 Pierce Lance Pumper. A fire truck parade will be held at 1 p.m. before the housing.
- Approved Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau repository sales of 1305 Centre St. to ARH Properties, LLC, at $700; 702 Walnut St. to Jeremy Hunter at $1,550, and 1004 Brock St. to Hunter at $2,150. The borough council rejected the sale of a property at 1011 Market St. to Schuylkill County Properties LLC.