Do you have a garage or back room filled with outdated computer
equipment?
Do you have a garage or back room filled with outdated computer equipment?
There is now an option other than stacking the electronics higher. Residents and businesses can get rid of the gear at Western Recycling, 16290 Railroad Ave.
There is no charge for the disposal. Western has begun collecting not only computers but also monitors, televisions and more, according to Ernie Regalado, the firm’s manager.
“We’ll take anything electronic,” Regalado said Monday. “All we need is your address and phone number. One guy is bringing in 20 televisions.”
He said they need that information because they must provide it to ASL – Asset Service Limited – the recycling company in San Jose that accepts the equipment from Western, also free of charge.
The program is funded by a point of sale fee now collected from consumers, sent to the state Board of Equalization, which distributes it to certified recycling companies, such as ASL on a per-pound basis. Fees, which range from $6 to $10, have been added to equipment purchases since Jan. 1.
Western Recycling, which is located on the east side of the railroad tracks just north of Tennant Avenue, also accepts discarded metal.
Anthony Eulo, who runs the city’s environmental programs, said he has wanted such a service to be available to local residents for some time.
“It’s a great thing,” said Eulo.
South Valley Disposal and Recycling, the company that collects Morgan Hill’s trash and recycling, also takes electronic equipment and appliances, though on a more limited basis.
Julie Osborne, South Valley Disposal’s spokeswoman, said customers should look for a two-sided voucher in their May bill.
“One side is a recycle voucher; the other a clean-up voucher,” Osborne said. “They can bring up to two residential electronic waste items, monitors, TVs, computer towers per recycle voucher.”
Lost vouchers cannot be replaced and are distributed in the November and May bills.
Residents with vouchers should take the equipment to the San Martin Transfer Station, 14070 Llagas Ave., San Martin. Details: www.sunsetscavenger.com/svdr/ or 842-3358. Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, Saturday 8am-1pm and Sunday 8am-noon.
Western Recycling, 16290 Railroad Ave. 779-1781. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
