Yuba-Sutter Joining Battle Against E-Waste
By Eve Hightower/Appeal-Democrat
Photos by Dave Nielsen/Appeal-Democrat
February 3, 2006
February 3, 2006
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| David Stroud sorts through some of the electronic gear Thursday that has been dropped off at Yuba-Sutter Disposal Inc. in the last few days. Starting Thursday, it will be illegal to toss household electronic waste into trash bound for California landfills. "You have to consider the bigger picture," said YSDI's Jackie Sillman. |
Throw away those old batteries, busted telephones and broken stereo equipment,
and you'll be breaking a new law.
Effective Thursday, it will be illegal to toss household electronic waste into trash bound for California landfills.
It may seem like one little AA battery to you, but those add up, said Jackie Sillman, recycling coordinator for Yuba-Sutter Disposal Inc.
"A lot of people think it's just a little battery, but you have to consider the bigger picture," she said.
Californians use more than 500 million batteries a year. They safely dispose of less than 1 percent, according to a 2001 report by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Many electronic goods contain low levels of hazardous metals such as lead, mercury and chromium. These and other metals in e-waste are toxic. As those toxins add up, they contaminate soil and water.
Lead, for example, can affect nearly every bodily organ. Low levels raise blood pressure, weaken the body and fingers, wrists, can cause anemia and host of other problems. High lead levels can cause brain and kidney damage, miscarriage and even death, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Products the state Department of Toxic Substance Control has deemed "universal waste" will be processed separately. Universal waste is the sort of toxins-containing products found in nearly every home and office, including electronic-waste (e-waste).
Electronics may be safe when they are intact and well taken care of, but their
toxic components can become exposed after they are tossed into the garbage
heap.
"Once it gets here, it is messed up and broken, so it is much harder to recycle. Breakage is like spilling oil," said Maggie Johnson, YSDI compliance program manager.
This can a huge problem for a disposal company and the community it serves. YSDI accepts about 20,000 pounds of e-waste per week, Johnson said. Last year, it processed 330 tons of e-waste.
"Our equipment emphasizes compaction. That's why we can't have these things in the trash," Johnson said.
In order to contain e-waste, Yuba-Sutter residents will have to take advantage of YSDI's electronic waste recycle service.
People can take e-waste to the YSDI Transfer Station. There is no additional charge for e-waste. Charges will be based on weight if other trash is dropped off at the same time. Sillman said customers should not take electronic waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility until the facility is modified to except it.
Customers can, however, take batteries, fluorescent and high intensity discharge lights to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Schools and businesses should make an appointment before bringing their material to the facility, Sillman said.
Johnson said she is concerned the sudden change will surprise people. But YSDI has been preparing for years. Four years ago, homes and small businesses were granted an extension on mandatory participation in the recycling program until Feb. 8.
Johnson said YSDI simply will not pickup cans with electronic waste in them.
"If your trash isn't picked up, be patient, call in and we'll work with you," Johnson said.
In addition to complying with the law, Sillman said, people need to be good stewards of the land today and not expect future generations to deal with problems that result from e-waste.
"If we don't do it, who will?" she said.
Johnson figures people want to do right by the environment.
"They just have to figure out what 'right' is," Johnson said.
Where to Go:
Effective Thursday, it will be illegal to toss household electronic waste into trash bound for California landfills.
It may seem like one little AA battery to you, but those add up, said Jackie Sillman, recycling coordinator for Yuba-Sutter Disposal Inc.
"A lot of people think it's just a little battery, but you have to consider the bigger picture," she said.
Californians use more than 500 million batteries a year. They safely dispose of less than 1 percent, according to a 2001 report by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Many electronic goods contain low levels of hazardous metals such as lead, mercury and chromium. These and other metals in e-waste are toxic. As those toxins add up, they contaminate soil and water.
Lead, for example, can affect nearly every bodily organ. Low levels raise blood pressure, weaken the body and fingers, wrists, can cause anemia and host of other problems. High lead levels can cause brain and kidney damage, miscarriage and even death, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Products the state Department of Toxic Substance Control has deemed "universal waste" will be processed separately. Universal waste is the sort of toxins-containing products found in nearly every home and office, including electronic-waste (e-waste).
Electronics may be safe when they are intact and well taken care of, but their
toxic components can become exposed after they are tossed into the garbage
heap."Once it gets here, it is messed up and broken, so it is much harder to recycle. Breakage is like spilling oil," said Maggie Johnson, YSDI compliance program manager.
This can a huge problem for a disposal company and the community it serves. YSDI accepts about 20,000 pounds of e-waste per week, Johnson said. Last year, it processed 330 tons of e-waste.
"Our equipment emphasizes compaction. That's why we can't have these things in the trash," Johnson said.
In order to contain e-waste, Yuba-Sutter residents will have to take advantage of YSDI's electronic waste recycle service.
People can take e-waste to the YSDI Transfer Station. There is no additional charge for e-waste. Charges will be based on weight if other trash is dropped off at the same time. Sillman said customers should not take electronic waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility until the facility is modified to except it.
Customers can, however, take batteries, fluorescent and high intensity discharge lights to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Schools and businesses should make an appointment before bringing their material to the facility, Sillman said.
Johnson said she is concerned the sudden change will surprise people. But YSDI has been preparing for years. Four years ago, homes and small businesses were granted an extension on mandatory participation in the recycling program until Feb. 8.
Johnson said YSDI simply will not pickup cans with electronic waste in them.
"If your trash isn't picked up, be patient, call in and we'll work with you," Johnson said.
In addition to complying with the law, Sillman said, people need to be good stewards of the land today and not expect future generations to deal with problems that result from e-waste.
"If we don't do it, who will?" she said.
Johnson figures people want to do right by the environment.
"They just have to figure out what 'right' is," Johnson said.
Where to Go:
- The YSDI Transfer Station is located at 3001 N. Levee Rd., Marysville. It is open from 7:30am to 4:30pm every day.
- The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at 134 Burns Dr., Yuba City. It is open Saturdays from 8am to 4pm
- For more information, call YSDI at 743-6933.
- Appeal-Democrat reporter Eve Hightower can be reached at 749-4724. You may e-mail her at ehightower@appeal-democrat.com.