Big, fat, ugly television sets from the 1980s and ’90s, ancient fax machines and other dinosaur devices will finally get the boot during the PA CleanWays Electronic Recycling Event Friday in Bradford.
The annual event, scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bradford Public Works Barn at 112 Holley Ave., is open to Twin Tiers residents, said Justin Lund, recycling coordinator for the McKean County Conservation District. Lund replaces former coordinator, Jim Clark, who has retired from his position as Penn State Cooperative Extension educator. Clean Ways, a nonprofit project, is an affiliate of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program.
Lund said other Items that will be accepted during the drop-off include flat screen televisions, answering machines, copiers, duplicators, electric typewriters, hard drives, mobile phones, pagers, printers, radios, remote controls, stereos, tape players, telephones and equipment, testing equipment, VCRs and satellite receivers. Electronic items aren’t accepted with regular garbage pick-ups for landfills because they typically contain toxic heavy metals and hazardous chemicals.
Lund said the collection will not accept medical equipment, and limits one television set per vehicle during drop-offs. In addition, freon-containing devices cost $15 each. Fees are also charged for damaged tube televisions. The items will be hauled away by JVS Environmental Services.
“People really do appreciate that they can get rid of this stuff free,” Lund said of the event.
He heard the gratitude from people at last year’s event which was very successful.
“I’m going to guess we got 150 plus (vehicles) last year,” Lund recalled, while noting a number of vehicles were from outside of Bradford. “Last year, (JVS) came back the following Monday because there was so much stuff” dropped off.
Lund said individuals from neighboring communities, counties or New York state are welcome to drop off electronics.
“This is more of a way for people to get rid of the stuff, rather than having it tossed over the road,” Lund explained. “They don’t even need to get out of the car, they just need to let us know what they have and if it’s in the back seat or the trunk.”
He said the items and devices are recycled by a third-party vendor. In addition, hard drives for computers are wiped clean of personal information so it isn’t available after the item is recycled.
Lund said staff from the conservation district, as well as individuals from the McKean County Adult Probation Department, will be on-hand to help. In addition, individuals from Clean Ways will help with the collection.
Chip Comilla, director of public works for the city, said the event had been held in the past at the recycling center on High Street. Comilla said he invited Clark to hold the event at the city barns approximately three years ago because there are a lot of people in the area who need to get rid of electronic items.
“It’s only (held) four hours, but you won’t believe the amount of junk we’ll get,” Comilla said of the event. “There isn’t much involvement by the city employees, it’s an all-volunteer group and they do a fantastic job.”
On a related note, Lund said the collection has made a difference with illegal dumping in the area. He and others with the conservation district staff have noticed fewer dumps in the area.
“So far, I’ve seen a little less of televisions and electronics over the side of the road,” he remarked. “We’ve done some illegal dump cleanups of tires by the road because people don’t have a way to get rid of them.”
For more information on the event, or to volunteer, call the conservation district at 887-4001.
