Landfills urge recycling of e-waste

Many New Brunswickers woke up to new electronics under the Christmas tree and that means their old televisions, telephones, computers and video game consoles will soon be tucked away in closet.

However, some solid waste commissions are urging people to recycle those electronics.

Erin Klinghammer, a spokesperson with the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation, said there is a noticeable increase in the number of electronics that find their way to the landfill around the holidays.

Klinghammer said most of the electronic items can be completely recycled.

"Any electronic waste we take: stereos, any of your cords, TVs, any kind of e-waste. Any kind of electronics, video games, video recorders, anything like that," she said.

The solid waste corporation can find a way to recycle almost every piece of electronic equipment that comes through its doors.

"Most of the electronics can go in your blue bag at the curb. The only thing that we don't take, won't be picked up at the curb is monitors," she said.

"Your old monitors are considered and your flat screen monitors are considered to be hazardous waste because they have lead or mercury in them."

Klinghammer said people can bring monitors and flat screen TVs to the solid waste corporation or drop the items off to the mobile unit when it goes around in the fall.

Piles of e-waste

Even if solid waste commissions can handle e-waste, many people are often unclear about what to do with their old equipment.

Scott Eagles said his family made out well in the electronics department this Christmas with new gaming devices and computers.

But now he realizes some things can no longer stay in the house. Eagles said his family must now start getting rid of all of their old equipment.

He said it's something he hasn't gotten around to over the years so he is facing a growing pile of e-waste. Eagle said he just doesn't know where to put his used electronics.

"I've always thought about getting rid of it. You never know what to do with it. So we just keep it until something comes along," he said.