West Dundee officials: Electronics recycling program 'at an impasse'

Citing an anticipated increase in materials, manpower and cost, West Dundee officials are considering alternatives to Kane County's electronics recycling program.

Previously one of four, West Dundee may soon be the only remaining daily drop-off location in the county.

Geneva and Batavia ended their programs last year, and St. Charles officials recently gave the county 60 days notice of their intent to close their site.

West Dundee hasn't yet decided whether to cancel its contract with the county, Public Works Director Eric Babcock said.

"But as it sits right now, it is becoming a less and less feasible program," he said. "Being the last man standing now in the county, so to speak, is only going to intensify those problems."

In recent years, West Dundee has seen an influx in electronics, especially TVs, left at its drop-off site outside the public works building, 900 Angle Tarn, Babcock said.

To cut down on pickup costs, the village last year started using large trailers for collecting items on site.

However, Babcock said, the trailers are difficult to load and pose a greater risk of injury to employees.

The public works staff spends roughly 10 hours a week managing the recycling operation, even with the St. Charles program still intact, according to village documents.

"That's taking away from other maintenance programs and things that public works needs to be doing," Babcock said.

In the past, recycling companies would pay communities for collecting recycled materials, Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said Monday. Now the tables have turned, he said, and Kane County is negotiating a new contract with eWorks that would require West Dundee to pay a fee if its trailer is under weight.

The program does have its benefits, Cavallaro said, as it offers a convenient way for county residents to properly dispose of their electronics.

"We want to continue to try to be a good neighbor," he said. "This is a service that has to be met from the community standpoint."

If officials decide to close the daily drop-off site, Cavallaro said, the village may partner with surrounding communities to hold biannual recycling events limited to residents with a 60118 ZIP code.

The county holds drop-off events April through November, and Cavallaro said the village would advertise other nearby options.

Before making any decisions, Cavallaro said, village officials want to discuss their concerns with Kane County.

"The current system is at an impasse," Babcock said. "Kane County is at the position where they have to come up with something else."