Future of free electronics recycling sites in Lake County questioned
Free options for Lake County residents to drop off electronics for recycling could evaporate pending potential action by the agency overseeing the program.
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is digging in its heels on the cost of dealing with unwanted electronics dropped off at five sites it operates free to the public, and its top executive is suggesting the sites could close as of May 1.
"We can't keep spending money without any hope of resolving this," said Walter Willis, executive director.
The agency board, which represents most communities in Lake County, is having what is described as an emergency meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hainesville village hall, 100 Hainesville Road, to consider its next move. There are variables that could change the situation in the future, but Willis' suggestion is to reject a proposed contract with a recycling company - set to begin April 1 - that would cost the agency an estimated $62,400.
"It's not a decision we take lightly," he said.
Under state law, manufacturers are supposed to pay to recycle a set weight of items sold two years earlier and hire companies to do the work. In turn, agencies like SWALCO that oversee collection sites hire recycling companies to deal with the materials that are dropped off.
However, electronic devices are getting lighter and heavy items, such as old TVs people want to get rid of, account for the allotted weight before the contracts with the agencies are up. That means recyclers have to foot the bill for the rest of a contract or the cost has to be picked up by the agencies, and subsequently many sites throughout the suburbs have closed or limited hours.
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County had a contract with a recycler through 2016, but the company has exercised an option to end the contract as of May 15.
"Quite frankly, they're doing us a huge favor by absorbing the cost of our program without any manufacturer support," Willis said.
The agency has been negotiating with another recycling company but the stipulation is that it be paid to deal with items, such as stereo equipment and microwave ovens, not covered by state law. SWALCO's executive committee has recommended not funding the program in 2016 because it is an "unexpected and unbudgeted" expense.
"The thing people don't realize is it's not a SWALCO problem. It's an Illinois problem," said board president Larry Mount, a Round Lake Beach village trustee.
Willis said his agency spent about $230,000 last year subsidizing electronics recycling sites he argues should be funded by manufacturers. He also estimated the annual in-kind value of the manpower and associated costs of the five collection sites, including Grayslake's public works facility, at $150,000.
On a broader level, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has recommended changes in the law. Stakeholders, including public agencies, recycling companies, manufacturers and others, met Tuesday in Springfield for the first round of talks about the electronics recycling program.
"That's a lot of our frustration and concern - why are we getting stuck with these costs and why isn't the law working as intended?" Willis said.