Electronics recyclers will close

A five-year-old Clark County electronics recycling program will close to the public after Wednesday, giving way to a new state law requiring manufacturers to take back old electronic equipment.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1., but the county won’t accept equipment after Wednesday, allowing time to clear its inventory of old computer monitors, televisions and other electronic equipment before the end of the year.

The county expects the new electronics recycling law to provide more options for recycling or donating old equipment after the first of the year.

The county’s collection program was always envisioned as a stopgap to minimize the amount of electronic equipment headed for landfills, county solid waste specialist Jim Mansfield said.

“The county was just filling in until something else came along,” he said.

In 2006, state legislators approved a law requiring television and computer manufacturers to pay for a statewide electronics recycling program.

Wednesday will be the last day residents can use the county’s main drop-off point at the Jail Work Center, 5197 N.W. Lower River Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Next weekend will be the last opportunity to drop off electronic equipment for recycling at two transfer stations in the county: Central Transfer and Recycling Center, 11034 N.E. 117th Ave., which will accept electronics from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and West Van Materials Recovery Center, 6601 N.W. Old Lower River Road, which will accept electronics for recycling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Erik Robinson: 360-735-4551 or erik.robinson@columbian.com.