Dauphin County is conducting its tenth semi-annual Community Recycling Day May 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harrisburg Area Community College.

The event will be along Industrial Road at HACC’s parking lot entrance W2.

Dauphin County’s e-cycling event has been a tremendous success, collecting 366 tons of waste since it began in 2001.

Potentially dangerous heavy metals, including lead, mercury, silver, chromium, zinc and cadmium, are the reason electronic equipment needs to be disposed of properly, not just put out with other garbage. Computer monitors and televisions contain leaded glass, making them one of the largest sources of lead in our municipal waste stream. Other electronic equipment contains mercury, a neurotoxin linked with mental retardation in infants, and vision loss and high blood pressure in adults

Compounding the risks posed by such heavy metals is the relatively short product life of many consumer electronic products. It is estimated that Americans will have disposed of more than 500 million obsolete computers by 2007.

Dauphin County’s collection focuses on electronic wastes, such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, radios and the like. The electronics will be recycled by EnviroCycle Inc. of Hallstead, Susquehanna County. Other items will be accepted for reuse, including wearable clothing and miscellaneous household items.

There is no charge for the collection, except for tires. The charge is $2 per passenger tire, and $4.50 per truck tire.

Household hazardous wastes, such as pesticide or paint, will not be accepted, but Dauphin County residents can call toll-free 1-800-449-7587 for free curbside pickup.

For more information, call Dauphin County’s recycling hotline at 717-780-6351.

5/12/2006