New electronic waste rules to affect Manchester and Lakehurst disposal

Manchester and Lakehurst residents looking to discard old electronics will have to do things a bit differently starting around the new year.

The Electronic Waste Management Act enacted last January states that, beginning Jan. 1, 2011, "no person shall knowingly dispose of a used covered electronic device, or any of the components or subassemblies thereof, as solid waste."

For Manchester residents, this means that electronic items including computers, televisions and printers will not be pick up at the curb except on the two yearly bulk pickup days, said Recycling Coordinator Tracy DeLuccia. 

"They can still put it out at the curb, but it will be picked up by a separate truck" on specified days, she said.

Manchester residents can also bring electronics to the recycling center located on Sam Pitts Road in Whiting at any time. 

Lakehurst announced that it will no longer offer curb side pickup of electronics. Starting Dec. 27, residents must bring the unwanted items to the public works yard located at 800 Myrtle Street.

"So if Santa Claus brings you a new TV, bring the old one to public works," said Municipal Administrator Norbert MacLean.

Dave Winton, superintendent of Lakehurst Public Works, said that electronics recycling is "a wonderful idea."

With old electronics going to Brick for recycling, Lakehurst will not have to pay to dump items at the Ocean County landfill in Manchester. 

"Every pound we keep off sanitation is a help," Winton said.

MacLean said at a recent council meeting that the recycling could one day bring in money for the borough. "Depending upon how much volume there is, there's a possibility in the future that we would get a rebate," he said.

According to a N.J. Department of Environmental Protection news release, electronic waste "is growing two to three times faster than any other component of the waste stream" as consumers continually upgrade their equipment. These electronics can contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium, the release stated.