For immediate release - September 23, 2005

County residents can recycle electronic items free of charge

TAVARES — Lake County residents are encouraged to participate in a new program titled “E-Cycling.” Citizens may bring their discarded electronic items to the Lake County Landfill or any residential drop-off facility for recycling at no charge.

In addition to eliminating the disposal fee for electronic items, residents of unincorporated Lake County can now schedule curbside bulk pick-up of televisions (19 inches or larger) and heavy computer monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) by contacting their household garbage hauler: Waste Services Inc. (formerly Florida Recycling) (352) 323-0824; Onyx Waste Services (352) 429-2009; and Waste Management Inc. (352) 787-4416). Commercial businesses may continue to deliver discarded electronic items to the Lake County Landfill Recycling Center for a small cost-recovery fee.

Five years ago, Lake County became the first Central Florida county to start an electronic waste recycling program with a kick-off collection of more than 22 tons of electronics. Collections this year total 97 tons, and projections for next year estimate nearly 150 tons of electronic items. Ten-year projections estimate a staggering 1,542 tons of electronic recyclables will be collected.

E-Cycling accepts electronic recyclables such as:

• Audio and visual equipment
• Cameras
• Capacitors
• Cell phones
• Circuit boards
• Computer equipment
• Cords and wires
• Electronic components
• Fax machines
• Mainframes
• Modems
• Monitors
• Motors
• Power supplies
• Printers
• Telephones
• Test equipment

Recycling unwanted electronics is an important initiative. Electronic components containing lead, mercury, and cadmium create environmental waste that could result in negative impacts to surface and groundwater. Other components of steel, nickel, aluminum, gold, copper, silver and plastic are all materials that can be recycled when properly handled and processed. For more information, call the Lake County Department of Environmental Services at (352) 343-3776.

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Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us