Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs is teaming up with Surplus Exchange of Kansas City to sponsor its annual electronics recycling event on October 9 from 8 a.m. to Noon, in Pink Hill Park, 2715 Park Road, Blue Springs. The 2010 Electronics Recycling Event is open to all residents and businesses from Blue Springs and surrounding areas. Residency is not required to participate in this event. The 2009 Electronics Recycling Event collected more than 39,000 pounds of unwanted electronics including personal computers, printers and TV units.
“As families upgrade to flat screen TV’s and newer computers, the used TV’s and monitors end up in landfills. This electronic waste is of concern because of the toxicity and carcinogenicity of some of the substances” said Jim Holly, event coordinator.
Electronic waste includes toxics such as lead, mercury and cadmium and carcinogenic substances such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). A typical computer contains 6% lead by weight. Without proper disposal, these substances can end up in landfills where there is a potential for the toxins to eventually end up in the water or air.
“Because of the community’s great support, our electronics recycling events continue to be well received, collecting a significant amount of electronics to be recycled” said Holley. “It’s wonderful to see the level of involvement and concern our community has in doing their part to help preserve our environment.”
The following fees will apply in order for proper recycling of the electronics:
• TV's - $10 for 19" or under, $15 for 20"-27", $20 for 27" and up and $30 for console TVs
• Computer Monitors: $10
• Small Items (Desktop Printer/Fax/Scanner) $5
• Free Items: Most other home electronics including CPUs, keyboards, mice, VCRs, CD players and stereos, cell phones, pagers and hand-held video games or devices
• Items containing refrigerant or have broken bulbs will not be accepted. Light bulbs, lamps and appliances are also not accepted.
For specific item questions, call Surplus Exchange at (816) 472-0444. This event is presented by the City of Blue Springs Community Development Department. For more information about the event, call the City’s Recycling Hotline at (816) 228-0228 or visit www.bluespringsgov.com/recycling. The City welcomes volunteers for the electronics recycling event. To sign up as a volunteer to assist in unloading cars, please call (816) 220-4504.