Changes coming to Kane County electronics recycling program
The Kane County electronics recycling program has downsized over the last year, while many surrounding counties closed down their electronics recycling programs or started paying to continue their programs. The electronics-recycling issue is serious and statewide, stemming from low collection goals set in the Electronic Products Reuse and Recycling Act.
Right now, Kane County is still offering electronics recycling, but be forewarned: More changes are coming. First the bad news, then the good.
The two last remaining Kane County electronics drop-offs at the public works departments in St. Charles and West Dundee will be closing at 3 p.m. Friday, April 8. Until that date, the drop-off will remain open to receive electronics, including TVs, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Please do not dump equipment during closed hours. These drop-offs are open to Kane County residents only.
The St. Charles and West Dundee programs are being discontinued at this time. Mike Burnett, environmental services manager at St. Charles Public Works, says that the electronics recycling program has taken crews away from the regular work of maintaining water mains, sewers, parkway trees, sidewalks and streets. This extra time ultimately bears a cost, as does the liability risk associated with moving large TVs and heavily loaded pallets.
While the volume has been more manageable at the West Dundee Public Works site, the village board decided to discontinue its electronics drop-off program in the wake of St. Charles' announcement that it would close April 8. At that point, West Dundee would have been the only remaining permanent collection point for all of Kane County, and village officials were concerned that the volume increase would be far more than staff could manage.
Municipalities have no financial incentive to operate a labor-intensive program that serves the whole county. Some people have chosen to drop off general garbage, such as beds, scrap wood and even hazardous wastes like paint and chemicals. Many people have also dumped their equipment outside of the gates during weekends, holidays and when the drop-offs were closed, despite signs that prohibit dumping. Kane County's electronics recycling collection events will continue, until further notice, to offer an option for Kane County residents to recycle their electronics responsibly. The service remains free, but check the Kane County Recycles website regularly to check on that status.
The next two dates will be 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, April 9 and May 14, at 540 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. Note: There is no recycling event in St. Charles Saturday, March 12. It is always good to check the website for the most up-to-date information at www.countyofkane.org/recycling. The April 9 event will offer more than just electronics recycling. Kane County Recycles also will be offering book recycling, document shredding and liquid latex paint recycling (a per-can fee applies). The May 14 event will be recycling electronics and books only. Wait for this event if you have only electronics and/or books to recycle.
For all you ever needed to know about recycling in Kane County see the Kane County Recycles webpage and also sign up here to receive an electronic copy of the new Green Guide each spring.