Will County to continue electronic recycling at five sites

JOLIET – Will County will continue to offer five electronic recycling sites through intergovernmental agreements approved at the Thursday, Feb. 16, County Board meeting.

Talks are under way to add two more.

In addition, the Board also agreed to pay $25,000 to Naperville toward its permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility and approved a $91,600 contract with the Joliet company, A-Team Recyclers, to sort and pack the electronics. Additional sites can be added at an annual cost of $13,800 each.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh said continuing to offer electronic recycling is important to the local environment and to residents. “In 2016, our recycling sites took in 2.16 million pounds of electronics at our recycling sites and two one-day collections.

    “That is more than 2 million pounds of electronics that we helped our residents legally dispose of and kept from being dumped in ditches and our forest preserves. We hope to continue adding sites to make it even more convenient.”

The action complements an agreement approved last month with Electronics Recyclers International, a California-based firm, which supplies semi-trailers and supplies, but does not provide labor for electronic recycling collection.

Land Use Department Director Curt Paddock said “Because providing labor to pack and load the materials is critical, we fully fund these activities. However, we ask residents to assist with the unloading of their vehicles because that reduces the overall labor required to offer this service.

    “A good rule of thumb is, if it takes two people to put the item in your vehicle, bring two people to unload it.” 

In accordance with the agreements, Lockport Public Works, 17112 Prime Blvd., Lockport, will continue to operate from 6 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

New Lenox Township, 1100 S. Cedar Road, New Lenox, will accept electronics from 5 to 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.

The Peotone Police Department, 208 E. Main St., will operate from 5 to 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Romeoville Public Works, 615 Anderson Drive, Romeoville, will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Joliet and Will County will continue to work jointly to collect unwanted electronics from 5 to 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Marta Keane, the Land Use Department’s Recycling Program Specialist with the Resource Recovery and Energy division, said Joliet officials are pleased with the cooperative effort. “They are receiving many positive comments from residents.”

All sites will be closed on holidays. Keane reminded users they will be required to provide proof of Will County residency and are limited to two televisions per vehicle.

In 2016, the county collected 2.16 million pounds of electronics at the five sites and a pair of one-day collection events. Keane said she hopes to increase the number of one-day events from two to five in 2017.

For Will County residents who have household hazardous wastes to get rid of, The Naperville Regional HHW  facility, 180 Fort Hill Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, except for holidays. In addition, the Resource Recovery and Energy Division is planning to offer three one-day collection events this spring.

For information about what is accepted for electronic or HHW recycling, go to www.willcountygreen.com.