Talkin' Trash & More

Talkin' Trash Newsletter
Volume 15 - Issue 3
Tri-County Resource & Waste Management Council

Providing recycling news for communities,
businesses and schools

In the Newsletter

Six Months and Counting for Landfill Ban

The Future of HHW Collections

Township Collection Totals

New and Free Collection Programs

Must Do Dates...

Where to Recycle Your CFLs

Where to Take Unwanted Meds

Six Months & Counting for Landfill
E-Waste Ban

landfill X

If you thought you were informed about the changes in e-waste due January 1, 2012, think again.

Illinois Representative Daniel Bliss has finished his first legislative session passing several crucial bills - such as Senate Bill 107 and Senate Bill 2106. Both bills are aimed at improving human rights, public safety, environmental protection, economic development, and fiscal responsibility.

"Senate Bill 2106 is an important bill for two reasons," said Bliss.
"First, it creates a dump for electronic waste, which is essential considering the electronic waste landfill ban will begin next January; and secondly, it encourages the rapid growth of the e-recycling industry by supporting small businesses around the state that have created thousands of new jobs in recent years."

The new SB 2106 will go beyond the "big four" of computers, monitors, printers and televisions that were banned in PA 95-0959. Now there are 13 more electronic items that have been added to the banned list.

Electronic keyboards
FAX machines
Videocassette recorders
Portable digital music players (MP3s, iPods)
Digital video disc (DVD) players
Cable or satellite receivers
Digital video disc (DVD) recorders
Small scale servers

The Tri-County Regional Collection Facility has accepted all of the listed items FOR FREE for the last six years, and the facility has recycled 1,425,277 pounds of electronics over that time period.

The facility is located at 510 North Pearl Street in Macomb, and open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and the first Saturday of the month from 8:00 am to Noon. For more information, call (309) 331-4781.

Those Were the Days, My Friend

HHW

Little did we know how lucky we were to have HHWs!

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Household Hazardous Waste Program (HHW) is still on hold due to funding issues. Even if the funds are reinstated, it will be several years before there will be a collection event.

Please buy only what you need and use all of it up according to the directions. If you find HHWs in your home and are unsure what to do with them, call the TCRCF at (309) 836-5926 for possible solutions.

Examples of HHWs are:
- Aerosol paints
- Antifreeze
- Insecticides
- Paint thinners
- Oil based paints

Township Totals: Lookin' Good in 2011

Township stuff

Washers, air conditioners; you name it and it's collected!

The following township totals are in pounds.

Eldorado

Paint: 890

Electronics: 170

Scrap metals: 3,655

Hale

Paint: 625

Electronics: 2,365

Scrap metals: 6,300

Industry

Paint: 1,475

Electronics: 2,065

Scrap metals: 4,210

Macomb

Paint: 780

Electronics: 200

Scrap metals: 3,100

Scotland

Paint: 690

Electronics: 1,780

Scrap metals: 2,100

Williamsfield

Paint: 1,800

Electronics: 2,865

Collectively, the township totals amount to 66,260 pounds of paint, 9,445 pounds of electronics and 32,195 pounds of freezers, washers and dryers and other scrap metal.

New, Free Collection Programs!

Now you can recycle thermostats & rechargeable

batteries at the Tri-County Regional Collection Facility!

As of July 1, 2011, all thermostats will be banned from landfills. The Tri-County Regional Collection Facility (TCRCF) will provide a collection program for thermostats using the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC). The TRC is a collection program that is open to everyone including businesses. Call (309) 836-5926 for details.

The TCRCF will also begin to collect rechargeable batteries (not alkaline, non-rechargeable or wet cell batteries). The program will be coordinated with the Call 2 Recycle group. Phone (309) 836-5926 for details.

The Tri-County Resource & Waste Management Council (TCR&WMC) represents and meets the solid waste management needs of incorporated and unincorporated communities in McDonough, Mercer, and Warren counties. The council's Solid Waste Coordinator provides a comprehensive approach to solid waste issues. For more information about the TCR&WMC, call 309-331-4782.