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Where to dispose of those worn-out TVs? County has the answer

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Washington County Planning Commission receives calls daily from people who want to know how they can get rid of their non-functioning televisions.

Lisa Cessna, executive director of the planning commission, announced recently that her department is instituting a monthly electronics collection at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 North Main St., Arden, beginning with one from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.

Other dates are Feb. 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 14, July 5, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 13, all from 2 to 5 p.m. No collection is planned for August because of preparations for the annual Washington County Fair and Agricultural Exposition.

The electronics will be collected in Hall No. 1, the fairgrounds’ main exhibit hall. Those dropping off appliances containing freon will have to pay a $15 removal fee. People will be charged $1 per compact fluorescent bulb, also known as CFLs, and for 4- and 8-foot fluorescent tubes. Only cash will be accepted. JVS Environmental of Rockwood, Somerset County, will handle the electronic waste according to guidelines of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Cessna has coordinated the electronics’ collection dates with the Washington County Fair Board.

“It’s very difficult to get rid of a TV anymore,” Cessna said. “Trash haulers won’t take them.” The planning commission found the need to dispose of televisions was exceeding the county’s annual or biennial collections.

People will be limited to unloading one television each month per carload. Other items to be collected include computer monitors, towers and bases; mice, keyboards and speakers; notebook and tablet computers; and printers.

Any participant bringing more than 20 items must notify the planning commission at 724-228-6811 in advance.

No hazardous chemicals, laboratory or testing equipment will be accepted at electronics collections.

The website www.co.washington.pa.us has more details.

Jason Theakston, Washington County’s recycling coordinator, noted that at the July 25 electronics collection, approximately 450 cars brought 32.38 tons of devices.

The county also collected 50 Christmas trees Jan. 2-25 at Mingo and Cross Creek County parks. Eighty-nine vehicles hauled 22 tons of tires to a recycling drive held May 30 in the fairgrounds’ parking field. At a July 18 household chemicals collection, 474 vehicles representing 521 households brought 21.15 tons of hazardous waste to the Washington Mall parking lot.

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