North Salem Adds Electronics To Recycling Options

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. – North Salem residents can now recycle e-waste simply by delivering it to the Highway Department garage at June Road and Route 116.

In an agreement with WeRecycle!, the town will now accept the computers, TVs, cellphones and other obsolete electronics that are accumulating in your basement or attic. WeRecycle!, provider of the walk-in containers at the highway department, will sanitize and/or physically destroy all hard drives. The company will also provide certificates of destruction to businesses and municipalities.

Disposal of hazardous waste through general garbage collection is illegal because electronics contain materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, toxins that can damage health and the environment if released into the ground or the air.

The new service comes at no cost to the town or its residents. “In fact, we’ll get paid by the pound by WeReycle!,” said Town Council member Amy Rosmarin. “The town will also benefit because these items will no longer add to the weight of our garbage pickup arrangement with BRIA. We pay them by the pound.”

Household items such as irons, coffeemakers and vacuums and even larger appliances such as washing machines and dryers can also be dropped off. 

Refrigerators and freezers can be recycled by calling NYSEG, Rosmarin said. A free pickup can be scheduled and NYSEG will pay you $30. Arrange a pickup by calling 877-691-0021 or by going to www.nyseg.com/energyefficiencyprograms/.

“If your computer or other equipment is working, but you want to get rid of it, you can post in on www.freecycle.org," Rosmarin said. "If you want to sanitize your hard drive before passing your equipment on, there are free downloadable programs, such as Darik’s Boot and Nuke and Active@KillDisk.”

The North Salem Highway Department garage on June Road at Titicus Road (Route 116) is open for recycling from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. A key is available at the department office on the south side of the building.

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