Flat Screens and More: Electronics Recycling on Rise

Westporters are depositing more used electronics for recycling than ever before, according to official figures.

Since July 2010, 42 tons of e-waste has been collected at the town transfer station and recycling center on Sherwood Island Connector, or approximately 4.7 tons per month.

Steve Edwards, director of the Department of Public Works (DPW) hopes the increase was due to better recycling awareness, rather than the rapid rate of replacing items such as computers and televisions with newer versions.

People are "more aware of the opportunity to dispose of it,’’ said Edwards. "I would like to think that’s the major driving force. ‘’

Still, "we’re starting to get flat screens already,’’ he said. "That’s kind of disturbing.’’

For the 12 months through June 2009, 52 tons was gathered for recycling, or 4.4 tons per month, according to the DPW, which presents fiscal year data. In the previous year, 41 tons was collected.

According to Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection, electronics waste is one of the fastest growing portions of the trash stream.

Westport’s waste center began accepting electronics in 2008, two years before new rules forced towns to take those items for recycling. The e-waste collected in Westport is then handled by WeRecycle!, a Meriden-based company specializing in electronics recycling.

Since January 2011 in Connecticut, covered electronic devices, or CEDs, such as printers, monitors and televisions, have been banned being deposited with the rest of the trash.

Edwards said he was looking forward to giving recycling in Westport a boost with the introduction of the single-stream method.

Beginning July 1, residents will be able to recycle a far greater range of items in their blue boxes, with no separation necessary. Still, he urged people to hold off co-mingling their recycling before that date.

"I’m looking forward to reinvigorating the recycling program,’’ said Edwards. "Recycling has been taken for granted.’’

Figures prepared by the Department of Public Works for the Connecticut DEP show that 16.6 percent of waste in Westport was recycled in the year through June 2009. In the previous 12 months it was 15.1 percent.

Alternatives to recycling for usable electronics items:

– accepts any electronic items in good condition and computers less than four years old. For a list of local store locations and donation information visit www.goodwillwct.org.

Freecycle.org – the email message group has 5000 members in Westport and surrounding ares and promotes the giving and receiving of usable items for free. For more details see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleWestportCT/