E-recycling comes to Sanders County

THOMPSON FALLS – Piles of old computers, unused keyboards and televisions covered the ground as the Sanders County community participated in a e-recycling event, getting rid of old, unneeded electronics.

Dusti Johnson, from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, was on scene organizing the large amount of electronics. Area schools and businesses also participated in the drive, using the opportunity as a way to get rid of unwanted technology.

“It’s a very good turnout,” said Johnson. “It’s not just the citizens. It’s nice to see the schools and some of the businesses that took part in this too. That helped.”

The electronics will be calculated by pounds and numbers should be available this week sometime.

The day was wet, one filled with rain, but that did not dampen the spirits of Johnson and Justin Eaton from Collective Recyclers.

The duo worked together to pack the electronics into boxes, readying them to be shipped to either Livingston or Three Forks.

According to Eaton, the electronics would go through a shredder, breaking down the devices to metal, glass and plastics. The company advertises less than two percent waste.

“It’s a little more than we originally thought,” Johnson said of the amount of electronics donated. “It was a good job by everyone.”

In all, Johnson estimated that 75 percent of the donated items were computers, a number Eaton found startling.

“There’s a surprising turnout for the computers,” Eaton said. “Generally there are lots of tube televisions.”

Collective Recyclers typically hold a drive once a month, although they are spread around the state.

Since the turnout was impressive for the first ever drive, the hope is to bring more to the area, although Johnson said it would be few and far between.

“If you continue them regularly, you don’t get as much stuff,” Johnson explained.

Johnson credited Kathy Conlin for her hard work in getting the word out.

“I’m really indebted to her,” Johnson said. “It took her pounding the streets and calling a lot of people. You couldn’t go anywhere without seeing posters and reminders. She put a lot of work and effort into it.”

Not only were electronics donated, textiles were also brought to the drop location. Those textiles were to be recycled by Collective Recyclers to avoid the dumping of them into the landfills.

Johnson stated they did not receive as many textiles as they had hoped and Collective Recyclers may in the future reach out to thrift stores in the area to work in a collaborative effort to ensure that old clothes are being reused and not dumped.

The drive started as a collaborate effort between Conlin and Johnson to bring more recycling opportunities to the area. At first a recycling meeting was held to wage the amount of interest there was in the community. From there, the duo realized the need for one of these drives, bringing it to the heart of Sanders County where people could more easily access the site.

The central location helped bring people in from Noxon and Plains, as well as other outlying communities.

The two-day drive spanned Friday, Aug. 15 to Saturday, Aug. 16, although the hours were shortened for Saturday’s event.