Fees for waste electronics change at Joplin Recycling Center

(From the City of Joplin)

Old electronic equipment (e-waste) has been accepted at the Joplin Recycling Center for many years---either at no charge, or for a $7 fee per old-style television. The cost of recycling the e-waste has been borne by the City, limited recycling fees, and grant funding from Region M Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Because of the escalating volume of waste electronics, especially old-style televisions and the increasing cost to recycle those items, the City will now charge $10 for every type of television, every type of computer monitor and every microwave oven. All other forms of electronics can still be dropped off at no charge. The new fees start on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

Should the City’s cost change due to their competitive bidding procedure and change in processors, the City will announce the new fees. Fee changes will be posted two weeks in advance at the center, in the media, and the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org.

Mary Anne Phillips, Joplin Recycling Coordinator stated, “Charging patrons a recycling fee is not an ideal situation, but the volume of e-waste is overwhelming our current financial situation and we desire to continue to offer the service in a sustainable manner.” Phillips continued, “People may think that there is money to be made from recycling the precious metals from the computers, but all e-waste combined, actually has a negative dollar value.” Across the country, most solid waste management entities charge recycling fees and many landfills have banned certain types of e-waste.

When dropping off a television, computer monitor, or microwave oven, 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.
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 $10 fee on designated electronics 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, plus limited household hazardous waste. E-waste items that are accepted without a fee include but are not limited to computers, speakers, keyboards, computer mice, adding and answering machines, pagers, all types of telephones, printers, audio and video equipment, digital cameras, facsimile (fax) machines, and computer peripherals. 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.