DUNMORE -- Beginning on January 24, you will no longer be able to kick your old electronics to the garbage can.
The state is requiring all old televisions and computers to be recycled rather than tossed out in the trash.
Apex Waste Service in Dunmore has prepared for this change for the past year and already collected 88 tons of TVs and PCs. Workers said the change will help the environment.
“Rather than put these things in the landfill and waste the resource and waste the landfill space, we’re now recycling them by sending them to processors that take them apart, separate out the metals and the glass and the plastic, and turn those materials into new products," said John Hambrose, a Waste Management Spokesman.
Robert Chapman helps unload recyclable items in Lackawanna County. Chapman said he's surprised at the number of people who are using the program already, but said it's very simple.
"It’s free. You pull up to the front office, give your information, come around here, one, two, three, that’s it," said Chapman.
If you are unable to get big televisions or computers to a recycling center in your area, several boroughs and townships will be willing to pick them up at your curb, but only a few times each year.
"We’re going to pick them up curbside every quarter. We also do quarterly tire pick up. Any tires without rims, we try and keep them off the streets," said Gino Marriggi, Duryea Street Supervisor.
The people at Duryea's Street Department said they hope this initiative keeps residents from tossing electronics in the trash.
No matter which recycling method you choose, northeastern Pennsylvania recycling centers said they'll be ready.
"They’re starting to come out of the basements and the garages, and we’re going to recycle them for them," said Hambrose.