COLUMBIANA COUNTY Recycling programs gain popularity in area
In Columbiana County, nearly 5,000 tires and about 21 tons of appliances were dropped off last year.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Recycling programs for hard-to-get-rid-of items are proving popular. In the years since the programs began, hundreds of people have used them to rid basements, garages and closets of clutter.
Mohammed Chowdhury, director of the Carroll-Columbiana-Harrison Joint Solid Waste Management District, said the efforts have been instituted at various times since about 1996.
The agency periodically has collection days for items such as old tires, used appliances and retired electronics, including computers and televisions. Scrap metal is also accepted.
There's no charge, except for tires.
Chowdhury is pleased with the response.
In April 2000, for example, 5,000 old tires were brought in for recycling and nearly 21 tons of old stoves, refrigerators and other appliances were dropped off in Columbiana County alone, Chowdhury said.
Deal worked out: The district has worked out a deal with the Elkton Federal Correctional Institution, which has inmates process discarded electronics for recycling or reuse.
Besides televisions and computers, the electronics program accepts old VCRs, microwaves, fax machines, telephones and typewriters.
The district hasn't kept a record of electronics, but the growing popularity of computers and the fact that machines are often outdated after a few years is likely to create an increasing need for a place to discard them.
"This is going to get bigger and bigger," Chowdhury said.
Getting rid of your junk also could get easier in the future.
The district is formulating a plan for a year-round program.
The plan will be circulated among communities in the district later this year for approval.