Recycling of old electronics is great help fiscally to town
Telegram & Gazette
Jan.21, 2002

SPENCER -- Old TVs, computer monitors, microwave ovens and other broken electronic equipment from about 100 households in town produced 311/2 tons of material the state classifies as hazardous waste.
The items, which once would have been tossed out with the family trash, will be recycled, remanufactured or reused by ElectroniCycle of Gardner, one of the state's largest recyclers of electronic equipment.

The collection day, Jan. 12, held at the transfer station on South Spencer Road, was a continuation of Spencer's effort to remove hazardous materials contained in electronic equipment, batteries, mercury thermometers, mercury switches, fluorescent light bulbs and household chemicals from the waste stream, health agent Lee Jarvis said.

Residents paid a small fee for disposal of the unwanted items.

Daniel Shields of the Board of Health termed the collection a "great success," and encouraged residents who are not currently recycling to do so.

"With the ban on hazardous waste at the Wheelabrator (incinerator) facility, these collection days are an excellent way to ensure the proper disposal of these items," he said.

John S. Alphin, coordinator of the South Central Recycling Association of Massachusetts and a member of the North Brookfield Board of Health, said the mercury and lead present in most electronic components, particularly cathode ray tubes, represent a significant threat to the environment when placed in a landfill or incinerated.

Mr. Alphin said North Brookfield residents are able to drop off computer monitors, television sets and other electronic components for a fee whenever the transfer station is open.

The next electronics collection day for Spencer residents is scheduled for May 25.

"Our cost of disposing of a ton of trash has climbed to $76.55 per ton, while the cost per ton for diverted recyclables has fallen to less than $20 per ton," Mr. Shields said. "Without the participation of all households in the recycling program, the Board of Health will not be able to meet its budgeted amount for trash disposal this year."

Spencer will take part in the household hazardous waste collection days at the regional hazardous waste disposal site in North Brookfield. Pesticides, chemicals and fertilizer may be brought to the site adjoining the transfer station from 9 a.m. to noon April 27, June 29, July 27, Aug. 24 and Sept. 28.

Residents with questions about recycling and hazardous waste disposal should contact the Board of Health at (508) 885-7540.