Annual electronics drop-off day has record year

Imagine a garbage heap of televisions, small electronics, printers, appliances, computer monitors, dehumidifiers and batteries weighing the equivalent of four adult African elephants.

In all, 61,087 pounds of recyclables were collected at New London Utilities on June 6, well beyond last year’s 46,750 pounds.

With help from Appleton’s RecycleThatStuff.com and New London Utilities, 108 tons of trash has gone to the recycling center rather than to the landfill since the first event was offered in 2012.

New London Utilities worked with RecycleThatStuff.com to provide an event drop-off site and assistance with unloading recyclables at no cost to residents. This was the fourth annual recycling event that New London Utilities has helped coordinate and sponsor since.

“We appreciate that so many local residents have gone to the effort of bringing their items for these events every year, which demonstrates just how many items can be recycled rather than thrown in the trash,” said Steve Thompson, General Manager at New London Utilities. “This ability to recycle appliances and electronics allows us another way to help preserve the environment.”

Refrigerators and freezers were not accepted, but those who still have older, inefficient refrigerators or freezers to recycle may contact Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy-efficiency program, to schedule a free pickup appointment and earn a $40 rebate. To learn more about the program, call 855-398-5226 or go to www.focusonenergy.com/appliance.