The annual fall two-day computer, television and electronic waste “e-waste” recycling collection event will be held Oct. 25-26 at the Montezuma County Landfill baler building.
Electronic waste will be accepted by appointment only from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, to accommodate businesses, schools, governmental agencies and residential customers with large quantities of electronics.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, no appointment is required to bring in material between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Since 2002, no commercial, industrial or institutions have been allowed to dispose of electronic waste in Colorado landfills. Beginning this year, no one can throw away electronics in Colorado landfills.
Montezuma County Landfill sent in 3 tons of electronics for the entire year of 2002. The landfill hosts two events annually and last year’s fall event resulted in 10.85 tons sent to Natural Evolutions in Tulsa, Okla., an E-Stewards certified (international standards), R2 Solutions (U.S. standards) certified e-waste vendor.
“Our community is ahead of many of the large cities in responsible handling of the waste stream as our citizens understand there is a cost to recycle the more hazardous portions of electronics,” said Deborah Barton, landfill manager. “This biannual event is our effort to help businesses, schools, agencies and private citizens have a means to properly dispose of their computers and televisions through a vendor that has third party audits to ensure its e-waste handling and disposal meets internationally recognized environmental and public-health standards.”
Materials that will be accepted include TVs, CPUs, monitors, keyboards, laptops, mice, printers and other computer peripherals as well as copiers. A $15 fee will be charged per monitor or television set up to 27 inch in size, larger units are $30 plus $1 per inch over 30 inches. CPUs, printers, scanners, multifunction machines, or fax machines will be charged $5 each. Large electronic items or disassembled electronics will be charged by weight. There will be no charge for other computer or related items such as keyboards, cables, mice, and cellphones.
“Do not bring typewriters, microwaves, home appliances, or other equipment,” Barton said, “because they are not included in the e-waste definitions, and we can’t include them.”
Customers are reminded that normal landfill operations will be ongoing so please be safe and patient and follow all instructions.
In case individuals miss the event at the landfill, the city of Durango Recycling Center takes e-waste material every Saturday. The Durango Recycling Center phone number for information is (970) 375-4834. For further information on Montezuma County Landfill operations, contact (970) 565-9858.
