Recycling Depot To Accept Televisions Free, Effective May 1
WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board of director voted unanimously to accept televisions with no fee, effective May 1.
At the regular monthly of the board Tuesday, April 16, Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer made a motion to change the district’s policy on accepting televisions. The motion was seconded and approved.
Prior to the vote, the board discussed the merits of eliminating the old policy that included a fee of $5 per television and an occasional amnesty period that included no fees. Thallemer wondered if televisions could be broken down for the reusable components.
“I know it costs to dispose of them, but is there any recycle value to any of those things?” Thallemer asked.
Tom Ganser, KCSWMD director, said televisions have some recyclable elements, but added that the district disposes of the small screens at a cost of $12 to $15. “So, you’re subsidizing every TV even at the $5,” Ganser said. “However it’s working.”
Ganser said there was also no way to completely eliminate abuse of the system. “I do think we’re getting some from out of county,” he said. “But, we check IDs at the door.”
In the recycling depot’s most recent collection, Ganser said 136 customers turned in 267 televisions. “We’re getting multiples in,” he said.
One board member argued that by eliminating the fee and the occasional amnesty period, the depot would experience a steady influx of television deposits, rather than extreme ebbs and flows.
Ganser told the board that advertising had already been purchased announcing schedules under the old system.
“You don’t want to have a confusing message to the consumers,” said Thallemer.
The board ultimately decided that with a change May 1, those consumers who arrive to drop off televisions expecting to be charged due to ongoing advertising could just experience a pleasant surprise.
“We’re here to serve,” said board member Cary Groninger, referring to reducing costs for residents who recycle.
The board also approved an additional appropriation for projects at the recycling depot, which includes the filling in of a large pit that is primarily located outside the building, but which also has cavities under the facility. The board appropriated an additional $40,000 for the project.