Back to Recycling "In The News"
In short - No TVs…No computer monitors! The new rule, agreed upon by the town’s Recycling Committee and Bob Malley, Director of Public Works, at a meeting on October 20 is an attempt to keep this mercury laden “Universal Waste” out of the town’s trash stream and comply with Maine state law that goes into effect on January 1, 2006.
Effective immediately no TVs, computer monitors or any electronic equipment containing a CRT (“cathode ray tube”) may be left at the Cape Elizabeth Swap Shop, even if it is in good working condition. Failure to comply may result in the closure of the Swap Shop. Universal waste (including florescent light bulbs, mercury devices such as thermometers and thermostats and any non-alkaline batteries) may not be discarded in household trash in 2006. All residents should accumulate these items, along with other “hazardous waste” and bring them to the next scheduled collection on May 13, 2006. Ongoing town compliance with the new law is under study.
Current Swap Shop practices allow residents to drop off TVs and computer monitors in working order. If those items are not claimed within a week they are dumped into the hopper along with all of the other unwanted treasures. That becomes illegal after January 1, 2006. For a limited period of time Public Works will experiment to see if the concept of a self-regulated open Swap Shop can operate under the new state mandates. If TVs, monitors or any other universal waste continue to show up at the Swap Shop the town may have to consider closing it down. New signs at the Swap Shop will also announce the change.
According to the last formal survey conducted by the Recycling Committee 75% of households in town use the Swap Shop. Let’s not jeopardize this popular town service. Remember – No TVs…No computer monitors!
Jeff Van Fleet
Recycling Committee