Prouty: Electronic recycling in Alachua County

Letter to the editor

A recent letter to the editor titled “Please recycle e-waste” had some helpful general information about the issues with e-waste management. However, I wanted to provide your readers with some helpful insights and information about e-waste management in Alachua County. While improper disposal of electronics in Asia and Africa is still a problem, Alachua County does its part to be a part of the solution.

Alachua County has operated a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility since 1999. In addition to e-waste, we also collect a variety of hazardous materials, including poisons, pesticides, cleaners, pool chemicals, paint, paint thinners, used oil and lubricants and oil filters, gasoline, fluorescent lamps, single-use and rechargeable batteries, used cooking oil, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, ammunition, fireworks, and pharmaceuticals.

Residents of Alachua County are able to drop off, for free, all of these materials at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park or at any of the five Rural Collection Centers year-round. We also provide residential drop-off services for hazardous waste for Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Nassau, Putnam, and Union counties under a Florida state grant. Overall, Alachua County properly disposes of over 1.1 million pounds per year of all types of hazardous waste, helping to protect people, property, and the environment for future generations.

Regarding e-waste management, Alachua County has in the past and continues to use certified SERI (R2 Certified) electronics recyclers, who, as part of their certification, have to ensure that all of their downstream recyclers follow the highest environmental standards for refurbishment, deconstruction, reuse, and recycling, as well as secure data destruction. We can also help small businesses with their hazardous and electronic waste disposal needs for a fee, as well as with hard-to-recycle electronics like solar panels or electric vehicle batteries.

For additional information, along with hours and locations, please visit www.alachuacountyhazwaste.us or contact us at (352) 334-0440.

Josh Prouty, Alachua County Hazardous Waste Coordinator

The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.