Are you e-xcited about e-cycling?

After unveiling a new electronic-waste recycling program in May 2011, the Village of Lynbrook is already seeing dividends — but that’s just the beginning.
Since the program’s inception almost a year ago, the village has recycled 35 tons of e-waste, including televisions, keyboards and computer towers, and they are able to get rid of it at no cost. But according to Mayor Bill Hendrick, the village may soon get paid for the hi-tech trash: Department of Public Works Superintendent Phil Healey is currently looking into vendors who would pay for the village’s e-waste so there could be a profit turned in the near future.
“Within the next year or so we hope to get a couple of dollars a ton, maybe as much as $120,” Hendrick said.
Although estimates are starting to come in from e-waste vendors, Healey and the village board are waiting for the right offer. “We don’t want to go with a fly-by-night,” Hendrick said. “We want a long-term contract we can depend on and a vendor that won’t go out of business in three months. We want a good, reputable place to sell our e-waste.”
The village pays and estimated $70 per ton to Covanta Energy for the waste that is discarded from residents. Healey said there used to be more than 10,000 tons discarded during a 12-month period, but that number has been reduced to an estimated 9,500 tons. Cutting 500 tons of waste saves the village approximately $35,000.
Currently, the village is recycling about 11 to 12 percent of the materials that could be recycled, including e-waste, plastics, paper and cardboard. Hendrick said if that number was to grow to 25 percent, their savings would more than double.
Residents are still throwing out a lot of plastic products, including soap and detergent containers, Healey said. Hendrick added that if people recycle the plastics with the designated triangle on them (usually found at the bottom of the container) then the village costs would be vastly reduced.