Whitley County Solid Waste Management District issues Earth Day challenge
Collection drive for e-waste, unused medication slated for April 25, no charge to participate
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The Whitley County Solid Waste Management District is celebrating Earth Day 2008 in a unique way – by challenging local residents to participate in Earth Day Challenge 2008.
The initiative is a challenge from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to collect one million pounds of electronic waste and one million unwanted pills from the Great Lakes Region.
According to director Jorell Tucker, the Whitley County Solid Waste Management District is asking residents to bring electronic waste items and used, expired or unwanted medications to their facility on South Line Street in Columbia City on Friday, April 25 from noon-4 p.m. to dispose of them. The WCSWD office is located at 701 South Line Street.
Tucker said there is a three item limit on the number of CRT devices that can be recycled per household. CRT devices include televisions, computer monitors and other similar items. Unlimited small electronic devices will be collected. There will be no fee to dispose of these particular items.
There is no limit to the number of medications that can be brought in. The medications will be collected by the Whitley County Drug Task Force.
Tucker clarified that no trash, paints, chemicals or tires would be collected at this time and that fees would apply to bringing in any large appliances.
For more information on the Earth Day Challenge 2008, visit the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/greatlakes/earthday2008/