Electronic Recycling

Free E-Waste Offer Creates Stockpile

Updated: Jan 9, 2009 04:08 PM CST



Inside KWQC.com

Free E-Waste Recycling In Scott & Rock Island Counties








Did you get a new TV for Christmas? Apparently you are not alone.

The Waste Commission of Scott County is getting an unprecedented amount of electronic waste, as people get rid of their old TVs. Since December 22nd, they've had more than 66,000 pounds of electronic junk turned in. That's almost 3 times what they got last year. About 26,000 thousand pounds of that are just from TVs.

"We think it has a lot to do with the digital switch over. That people took advantage of the holidays as an opportunity to buy a new television for their family," said Erin Robinson with the waste commission.

By law, TV stations must switch their broadcast signal from analog to digital on February 17th. That means older analog TVs, that rely on an antenna, will need a converter box. You can still use old TV's through a cable or satellite service, without a converter box.

Another reason for the stockpile is because on December 22nd, the waste commission started offering free e-waste disposal to keep old TVs out of the landfill. Usually they charge 20 cents per pound for recycling things like computers and TVs.

Take items to the E-Waste Demanufacturing Facility located at 1048 E. 59th St. in Davenport. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Davenport and Bettendorf residents can set-out e-waste on bulky-trash/recylcing pick-up days.

The offer for free e-waste recycling of TVs, computers, monitors, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, cell phones, cameras, printers and scanners continues until February 27th. All Scott County and Rock Island County residents are eligible.