New guidelines will limit the number of TVs that can be turned in at Kane County’s Electronic and Books Recycling Event beginning this weekend in an effort to handle extra-long lines as people take advantage of a free television set disposal.
Kane County is currently offering free recycling, but the county’s recycling partner, eWorks Electronic Services Inc., needs to implement a fee. Its costs are going up because manufacturers’ contributions toward recycling old television sets is not keeping up with the volume, officials said.
The new fee, between $25 and $35 depending on the size of the set, will begin as soon as the county meets a total collection of 1.2 million pounds, Jennifer Jarland, Kane County Recycling program coordinator, said. She anticipates the fee will begin sometime this summer. All other electronics will continue to be free.
Last month’s event drew 1,600 cars in 4.5 hours and the recyclables collected filled eight 53 foot semi-trailers, mainly TV sets, Jarland said.
Crowds are expected again Saturday.
Under the new guidelines, a maximum of three TVs, of any type, size or age, per car will be accepted. The event is only open to Kane County residents, and businesses are not allowed to use it to recycle electronics.
The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 540 S. Randall in St. Charles, across the street from the Kane County Fairgrounds. Those who are dropping off items should approach from the south and line up along the east shoulder of Randall Road.
There is one entrance to the event and one exit. The Kane County Office of Emergency Management and St. Charles police will have traffic officers guiding drivers.
Officials are warning people that they should not attempt to enter through the entrances off of Prairie or through the Colonial Café parking lot. Those entrances are for plaza businesses only.
Jarland said people should expect delays. Last month, the wait time was up to an hour, she said. It is recommended that people arrive no later than 11 a.m.
A complete list of accepted items, and more information can be found at countyofkane.org/Recycling
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter.
