Community Corner

Electronic Recycling Program Scheduled Saturday

Area residents are welcome to bring electronic waste to a recycling collection in Shelby Township.

Anyone looking to unload unused, outdated or broken electronics can take advantage of a free monthly recycling collection Saturday in Shelby Township.

Since the program launched two months ago, more than 100,000 pounds of electronic waste has been dropped off.

Marietta Crabtree, organizer of the event and chair of the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee, said she was thrilled with the response from the first drop off at the township’s municipal hall on Jan. 29.

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“I think the fact that we had 30,000 pounds dropped off and bad weather conditions, signifies people want to do the right thing and preserve the land for our future generations,” she said.  As the word spread, 75,000 pounds of waste was collected the next month.

The township is so thrilled with the collection, that it has decided to dedicate the last Saturday of every month -- with the exception of December -- to the event. The drop off will always be from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shelby Township municipal grounds, 52700 Van Dyke Avenue.

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The recycling program is free and can be used by all Macomb County residents, churches, government facilities and schools.

Under the previous recycling program, which was done by a waste-hauling company once a year, only Shelby Township residents of single-family homes could bring their electronics and household items to the Household Hazardous Waste Day.

In the fall, Illinois-based Vintage Tech. Recyclers Inc. approached the solid waste and recycling committee with the opportunity to take part in the program.

Shelby Township was the first city in the state to accept the deal and hold a monthly event.

The Vintage Tech Recyclers’ program was made possible to Shelby Township after Michigan passed the Electronic Takeback program in 2008 as part of a law established to promote electronic waste recycling.

The law requires electronic manufacturers to register with the Department of Environmental Quality and establish a free and convenient electronic recycling program for households and small businesses.

Nine of some of the largest electronic manufacturers have hired Vintage Tech Recyclers to collect electronic waste in five states, including Michigan, free of charge for residents.

“Everything went very well and the company that handled it had a very good work crew there,” said Crabtree.


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