Salisbury Public Works   

   A Team of Teams Making A Difference !   

Introduction.   Obsolete Electronics contain toxic materials, such as, lead, mercury, barium, beryllium, silver, copper, zinc, etc, which are harmful to the environment. These electronics can be recovered and put into the recycling stream, thus reducing landfill space and potential contamination.  Over 150,000 tons of electronic waste is generated each year in Maryland.  By 2010 an estimated 680 million personal computers will become obsolete.  The City initiated the "eCycling" at the suggestion of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the settlement on an enforcement action on the City's NPDES Permit in December 2000.  The City agreed to perform eCycling as part of a Supplemental Environmental Project, commonly abbreviated as a SEP.  The SEP was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for violations of Section 309 (g) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1319. 

The Plan.  Salisbury Public Works provides free curbside recycling of old electronic items, called "eCycling", to City residents and businesses.  To maximize participation, an eCycling day is scheduled after the December holiday season when new electronic items may be given as gifts and old items need to be discarded.  We schedule this pick-up on a Saturday when many residents will be home.  eCycling pick-up will also be scheduled on the week of the free bulk pick-up in the Spring and Fall.  If there is rain or snow on either pick-up day, we will provide an alternate pick up day.  

• Set electronics at the curb between 7 & 8 a.m., unless there is rain/snow, when no collection will be made.  

• Please place small items in a clean dry cardboard box or basket.
   

What Can Be Recycled.  

• Computers - all types, parts and attachments such as printers, scanners, speakers, keyboards, monitors, and modems.

• TVs, VCRs, Stereos, and Radios.

• Recording Devices and Players - all types and all parts.

• Telephones - all types and parts.

• Copiers, Duplicators, Fax and Transparency Machines.

• Microwave Ovens, Electronic Typewriters, Pagers, Printed Circuit Boards, Remote Controls, Testing Equipment, Uninterruptible Power Supplies.

Why do we eCycle?  The eCycle goals are:  

• Collect discarded computers, televisions, and other electronic parts and equipment; and...

• Divert these items from the regional landfills’ very valuable space; and...

• Put them in the appropriate reutilization waste stream.  As a result, various metals (lead, barium, copper, mercury, silver, zinc, etc.) and components within the electronic items can be extracted and reutilized in new products.

Our Results.  Our first year (January 2003) results were outstanding.  On January 4th and 11th, 2003, we collected over nine tons of recycling materials.  This success has prompted us to continue the program and to expand it to include collection of eCycling components from businesses.  Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) published our success in their newsletter.   The newsletter can be read using Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking here.   The story is on page 5.

Additional Information.  If you have any questions concerning recycling or trash collection call the City of Salisbury Recycling Coordinator, Mr. Harry White,  by:

• Telephone at (410) 548-3177 or

• E-mail at hwhite@ci.salisbury.md.us

Salisbury was the first municipality in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and District of Columbia to collect recyclable electronics at curbside.

Related Websites.

•  Maryland Department of the Environment at:  http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/LandPrograms/Recyling/eCycling/index.asp

•  Environmental Protection Agency.  

•  City of Salisbury.

•  Wicomico County Recycling.  The County provides centralized collection locations throughout the County.  Four sites are in/or near City limits and click here for additional information.  

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If you have any questions, corrections, or comments on the Public Works web pages, please contact the City of Salisbury Department of Public Works at (410) 548-3170.