PLAINSBORO — Electronics recycling is currently suspended in town and in most municipalities in Middlesex County.
During the past several years Plainsboro and most towns in the county have contracted with Middlesex County for the recycling of electronics (computers, televisions, printers and accessories), but due to unforeseen circumstances the county is no longer providing this e-cycling service.
Consequently, Plainsboro residents are no longer allowed to bring their electronics to Plainsboro’s Recycling Center.
Plainsboro is currently seeking alternative recycling sources and hopes to resume this service locally by its next Bulk Waste Day on April 4.
Cranbury Township Business Administrator Denise Maribello said Monday that the community is awaiting guidance from the county as to how it should proceed.
“We don’t have a plan (to deal with this),” she said.
When contacted about the e-cycling service on Monday, Middlesex County officials said since 2011, the e-waste recycling program costs have been the responsibility of the electronics manufacturers.
Each manufacturer is assigned an “allocation” from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which is a minimum amount of e-waste that they must collect.
These manufacturers are responsible for submitting plans to the NJDEP and choosing locations for residents to bring their unwanted electronics.
From 2011 to 2014, Middlesex County had a contract with a recycler that partnered with a manufacturer to collect e-waste from a county drop-off site as well as from most municipalities in the county.
In keeping with the law that requires manufacturers to pay the costs, there was no charge to the county for this service.
This recycler moved out of state in mid-2014. Middlesex County went out to bid for this service, but did not receive any awardable bids, according to county officials.
The NJDEP has reminded the county that neither the county, nor municipalities, is required to pay to have e-waste recycled.
NJDEP also emphasized that residents should take advantage of the state recycling program, which uses many conveniently located major electronics retailers who provide free disposal of e-waste.
This service is provided for by the state at no extra cost to the local taxpayer.
Middlesex County remains hopeful that a recycler (who is partnered with a manufacturer) will reach out to the county and enable it to restart this program, county officials said.
The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management wants to remind residents that recycling of computers and televisions is required by state law.
The NJDEP has compiled a list of drop-off locations at several electronics retailers at www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html.
The list is also available by calling 866-DEP-KNOW. Residents should call the retailer ahead to confirm this service is ongoing and applicable.