E-rase Your E-waste Set For May 3-4 In Sidney, May 4 In Fairview

It’s that time of year again! Let us help you clean out your closets this spring! The annual E-rase your E-waste collection event is coming up on Friday and Saturday, May 3-4 in Sidney and Fairview (Saturday morning only) and everyone is invited to bring their damaged and outdated electronic equipment for free recycling. You need not be from Richland County to participate. Now in its 15th year, E-rase your E-waste has recycled nearly half a million pounds of electronic waste to date!

Yellowstone E-waste Solutions of Billings is again the e-cycler for the event and provides their services for FREE, with a couple of exceptions. Participants wanting their hard drives removed from their computers or needing documentation certifying that their hard drive has been destroyed will need to pay a small fee of $5 for each of those services.

Collection Location / Times

The 2019 E-rase your E-waste collection in Sidney will again be held at the Richland County Shop at 2140 W. Holly in Sidney, next to the Fairgrounds. Signs will be posted. Times for the Sidney event are Friday 3-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please note, the county shop is available for drop offs during event times ONLY.

In Fairview, e-waste will be accepted on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fairview water depot on 9th street as part of that community’s annual spring clean-up day. Seniors or others needing assistance in Fairview may call City Hall at 742-5616 prior to the event. On Saturday ONLY, call 489-2624.

What Can I Bring? These…

Nearly all electronic devices are accepted, including computers and their components (printers, scanners, keyboards, flat screen monitors, etc.), cell phones, cameras, VCRs, cable TV boxes, fax machines, copiers, stereos, game boys and specialized electronic equipment used in businesses such as hospitals, law enforcement, manufacturing and even the oil field.

Even electronics damaged in recent flooding are being accepted, but please wipe away mud and drain all water out of items to be recycled and, please, identify them as flood damaged when dropping them off for the safety of those handling the items at the recycling facility.

But Not These….!

Organizers noted that there are a few item limitations again this spring. Unfortunately, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors or televisions of any kind are still NOT being accepted, only flat screen models. Also NO projection TV units or consoles. Other limitations include the standards: NO consumer white goods, vacuums, light bulbs, CFLs, mercury thermometers, alkaline batteries (rechargeable are okay), or items containing refrigerants (including dehumidifiers), oils, or acids.

If you are unsure whether your item qualifies check out the handy “What to Bring...” handout posted on the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab’s e-waste website at https://www.ars.usda.gov/pa/nparl/ewaste or call Beth Redlin at 406-433-9427. In addition, a handy “Items List” recycling form is also available at the website to further speed processing for participants bringing both large and small amounts.

Recycling Large Amounts

Local businesses, agencies and organizations with large amounts to e-cycle are asked to make an appointment to drop off their items by calling Beth Redlin at 406-433-9427 or email [email protected].

Where possible larger recyclers are also encouraged to palletize their own items, or send extra staff to help get it done. Details on acceptable items and how to palletize them can be found in the “What to Bring...” handout posted to the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab’s e-waste website noted above.

The “E-rase your E-waste” effort in Sidney is coordinated by members of the Richland County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and the USDA Agricultural Research Lab in Sidney. The Richland County Public Works Department also makes their facilities freely available for the collection event.