TRUCKLOADS OF old, unwanted electronic devices were collected by the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority in recent weeks.

On Saturday, the authority held its third annual electronics recycling collection at the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville. The previous week, the agency held a similar event in Jefferson County, where nearly 200 vehicles brought items for collection.

The electronics recycling program is one of many special events coordinated by the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority and its two divisions – Keep Belmont County Beautiful and Keep Jefferson County Beautiful.

Old televisions, VCRs, DVD players, computers, monitors, electronic games, cell phones, telephones, fax machines, printers, chords and other related items were collected as part of the program.

These types of items are not accepted during the regular community cleanup events that are held in the local townships, usually during the springtime. These popular community cleanups accept heaps of junk, scrap metal, old furniture, tires, and other clutter that is often too large to set out with your trash.

The electronic recycling collection takes items that should not go into the solid waste stream, particularly because of the heavy metals and other content that shouldn’t be placed in the landfills.

During the recent electronic recycling collection, the solid waste authority hired e-Scrap Solutions of Cleveland. The company collects the items and recycles some of the units. Those items that have simply reached the end of their useful lives are broken down completely, and everything is recycled – from the metals to glass, plastics and other recyclable items. Nothing ends up in a landfill, officials from the company said.

We commend the Jefferson-Belmont Solid Waste Authority, volunteers who help during these community collections and the people who take advantage of these free programs. These cleanups are beneficial not only to the residents who wish to take care of their properties and properly dispose of unwanted items, but also to the environment, as well.

These are just a few of the successful programs offered by the authority to educate and serve the public in an effort to prevent litter, promote recycling and reduce the amount of materials put into the solid waste stream. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these important community programs when they become available to the public each year.