By: Lynne Hart
KALB recently partnered with the Better Business Bureau and the Athens Police Department to hold a shredding, electronics collection, and drug take-back event. It was a huge success with over 200 cars coming through to utilize services.
I did learn one important fact as I spoke to nearly all of the people who came through the line. Of those I asked, 90% were unaware that electronics can be recycled at our Athens-Limestone Recycling Center on Lucas Ferry Rd. Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. We know there are some who cannot get to the center with electronics during those hours, and that’s why we participated in the collection event. We were, however, very surprised at the number of people who were unaware that we accept electronics all year long.
When bringing your electronics, you can pull up onto the scale by the front door. Let someone in the office know and they will send staff out to help unload. If you can’t get out of your vehicle, please honk your horn.
If you have large appliances, please call the center at 256-233-8746, and let them know you are coming so they can be prepared to direct you and assist with unloading the item(s).
What are considered electronics?
Anything that uses electricity or batteries to operate is considered electronics. That includes computers, monitors, telephones, microwaves, printers, household appliances, crock pots, electric fry pans, clippers, VCRs, and much more!
Television sets are accepted with a $10 recycling fee per TV. All other electronics are accepted free of charge.
Items you may not know we recycle:
- Motor oil: There is a tank to the right of the building into which you can pour your oil, or you can leave motor oil in a sealed container near the tank.
- Cooking oil: Cooking fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can be recycled by taking a free FOG container available in white metal cages at the recycling center, at the KALB office on East St., or at the Utility Building on Wilkinson St. Fill the container and return it to the bottom shelf of any of these cages.
- Glass bottles and jars: Yes, we do recycle glass, but ONLY bottles and jars. Please do not bring window glass, ceramics, dishes, windshields, or any other type of glass.
- Gas canisters and fire extinguishers: ONLY IF EMPTY!
Items you should NEVER bring to the Recycling Center:
The items listed below represent just some of the things that should never be brought to the recycling center. I have included information with some of the items on alternative ways to dispose of them. Please remember that any items we cannot recycle end up in the center’s dumpster which must be paid for each time it is dumped. The center currently pays about $6,000 per year for dumpster service. The majority of items filling the dumpster are things people have dropped off that we cannot recycle. This is very costly to the center, which is part of the KALB non-profit organization.
- Antifreeze: You can take antifreeze to most radiator shops for recycling.
- Car parts: Only metal parts can be recycled. Parts made of other materials should not be brought to the center.
- Scrap wood
- Plastic toys, lattice, pools, pool liners or any plastic items other than bottles and jars.
- Furniture unless it is 100% metal. No wood or plastic.
- Paint of any kind. Latex paint can be disposed of properly by letting small amounts dry in the can, then recycling the can. Larger amounts of paint can be poured into a cardboard box lined with a trash bag. Add kitty litter, shredded paper, or purchase paint dry powder. Once the paint is dry, it can be placed in your household trash. Oil-based paint and Kilz-type products must be disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection. Please let your city councilman and/or county commissioner know there is a need. We have not had a household hazardous waste collection since 2008.
- Construction debris
- Tires: NO tires accepted at the recycling center. The Limestone County Commission has recently received a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for tire recycling. Collection trailers will be at the garages to begin the program in a few weeks. This is for use by individuals and farmers. No dealers will be permitted to recycle tires at county garages.
By: Lynne Hart
Executive Coordinator – Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
