Joplin Recycling Center resumes charging for old electronic equipment

(From the City of Joplin)

Old electronic equipment (e-waste), including Analog and CRT type televisions, has been accepted at the Joplin Recycling Center for many years. At times there has been a charge, and other times the City, with resources from grant funding, were able to absorb the cost, allowing residents to drop off their old televisions with no fees.

Due to the escalating volume of old-style televisions being dropped off for recycling at the Joplin Recycling Center along with the increasing cost to recycle these items, the City will start charging $7 for each Analog/CRT type television. This fee goes into effect on Friday, April 1, 2016.
Mary Anne Phillips, Joplin Recycling Coordinator stated, “As residents replace their televisions with LED or LCD flat screens, understandably they want to recycle those old-style units. Charging patrons a fee is not an ideal situation however, the volume of televisions is overwhelming our current financial situation and we want to continue to offer the service in a sustainable manner.”

When dropping off an Analog or CRT type television, payment can be made at the Recycling Center with a check or money order. Customers paying with cash or debit/credit cards must first pay at the Finance Department, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 602 South Main Street (M-F 8-5), then provide the paid receipt when dropping off the television at the Recycling Center at 1310 West A Street.

Phillips reminds citizens that recycling e-waste is important because items dumped in landfills may leach out toxic materials. Additionally, electronics are made with materials that are recyclable. Using these recovered materials in the production of products generates less energy and creates less pollution than the manufacture of virgin materials. These recycling activities create jobs and contribute to Missouri’s economy.

At this time, the TV fee is the only fee charged by the Recycling Center. All other qualifying items are freely accepted on a regular basis, including cardboard, fiberboard, magazines, office paper, newspapers, books, plastic #1 and #2 bottles with necks, all colors of container glass, metal, packing peanuts, #2 and #4 plastic shopping bags, all batteries, cooking oil, limited household hazardous waste, plus e-waste. E-waste items that are accepted without a fee include computers, monitors, speakers, keyboards, computer mice, adding and answering machines, pagers, all types of telephones, printers, audio and video equipment, digital cameras, facsimile (fax) machines, computer peripherals, flat screen monitors and flat screen televisions. Large photocopiers are never accepted.

The Center is located at 1310 West A Street. The center is open on Tuesday and Thursday from Noon to 6 p.m.; and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, contact the Recycling Department at (417) 624-0820, ext. 501.