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Curbside collection for Eagle residents’ e-waste

A pile of electronic waste on a roadside in Guiyu. Much of modern electronic equipment contains toxic ingredients and as much as 4,000 tonnes of toxic e-waste is discarded every hour. Vast amounts are routinely and often illegally shipped as waste from Europe, USA and Japan to countries in Asia because it is easier and cheaper to dump the problem on poorer countries with lower environmental standards. Workers involved in dismantling e-waste are exposed to serious health hazards.
(c) Natalie Behring-Chisholm/Greenpeace | Greenpeace International

With new rules in effect governing the disposal of electronic devices, dumping an old computer or television at the county landfill is prohibited. However, Eagle residents can use the town’s curb-side recycling program to rid themselves of electronics that have outlived their usefulness.

And while those old laptops and televisions are no longer needed in Eagle homes, by recycling them through the town’s provider, Eagle residents are giving work to disabled Colorado citizens.

“This is a new service that is being offered, but it is also the law,” said Eagle Town Manager Jon Stavney. “The service is for occasional e-waste recycling needs.”



Launched this summer, Senate Bill 12-133, also known as “Electronic Recycling Jobs Act,” prohibits the disposal of electronic devices (e-waste) in Colorado landfills. Vail Honeywagon, the company that contracts with the town to provide recycling services, is collecting e-waste that is left out on regular recycling days and hauling the material to Blue Star Recyclers in Colorado Springs.

Matt Donovan of Vail Honeywagon said once the e-waste is hauled to the Front Range, the material is donated to a program called VERN (Vocational Electronics Recycling Network) where workers with disabilities are employed in a program that safely harvests usable materials from trashed electronics.

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“We sent out our first truckload of material to Colorado Springs last week,” said Donovan. “There was a couple of loads of waste electronics that is being put to good use. It is a win-win program.”

Convenience is key

Donovan said with the new e-waste regulations in place, Vail Honeywagon wanted to offer responsive customer service.

“We are trying to make it easy for people to dispose of their electric waste when they need to, and not have to wait for special recycling events,” he said.

There is a laundry list of items that are now prohibited from disposal at the landfill and Vail Honeywagon has defined its price structure for e-waste recycling:

Computers and computer monitors — $10

Printers — $10

DVD players and VCRs — $10

Peripherals such as keyboards and mice — Free

Radios and small stereos — $10

Small fax machines — $10

Video game consoles — $10

Laptops and notebook computers — $10

Ultrabooks, netbooks and tablets — $10

Flat screen televisions 20-inch or smaller — $10

Flat screen televisions 21 to 36 inches — $20

Vail Honeywagon also will arrange for special pick ups for large or heavy items such as older model (CRT) televisions that are larger than 20 inches, flat screen televisions that are larger than 37 inches and large printers or fax machines:

CRT televisions 21 to 27 inches — $55

CRT televisions 28 to 36 inches — $85

Flat screen televisions 37 to 35 inches — $40

Flat screen televisions 46 to 60 inches — $55

Flat screen televisions more than 60 inches — $85

Vail Honeywagon stated that during pickup, drivers will note any e-waste items they collect and the company will bill accordingly. If a customer has a large item, he or she can call to request a pick up. Vail Honeywagon can be reached at 970-476-3511.


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