Free Electronics Recycling, New Prices at Orcas Transfer Station

— from Jennifer Brennock for Orcas Recycling Services —

On Monday, July 21, The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services implemented a new price list with adjustments to some of the garbage and recycling services they offer.

Many of the changes to the price list are for new services that The Exchange/ORS has introduced since taking over operation of the Orcas Transfer Station in September. These include collection of batteries, used cooking oil, green waste and fluorescent tubes.

“Our job is to serve the community by managing our waste stream with the best practices possible,” ORS director Pete Moe said. “We are excited to be offering new services, and we will continue to do so. We are a community-driven nonprofit committed to the sustainable, responsible management of Orcas Island’s waste stream.”

Other regular services have had price adjustments. Recycling of most electronic devices previously cost $15. After becoming a member of a statewide e-cycle program, The Exchange/ORS can now offers this service free of charge for TVs, CPUs, and computer monitors.

Televisions and computer monitors contain toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. One television contains five to eight pounds of lead. These toxic substances contaminate groundwater when put directly in the landfill.

This week The Exchange/ORS also is introducing two new pilot programs: Free Aluminum collection, and discounted ‘clean green’ yard waste collection. You can now drop off your aluminum cans and other pure aluminum for free at the transfer station.

Clean green waste–totally free of any other garbage, animal waste and noxious weeds–will be accepted at a 66% discount ($100/ton). This material will be composted. Participants will need to be certified to participate in this program. Certification details are available at the transfer station.

Also this week the prices for dropping off garbage and recycling have increased. A 32-gallon can of mixed recycling now costs $4.00 and a can of garbage costs $9.00. There will be no change in the price for self-haulers using the scale.

“The board of The Exchange/ORS worked very hard on a mid-year budget revision that was driven by the changes in the increased cost of recycling, and our improved understanding regarding the realistic costs of managing our island’s garbage,” board president Tim Blanchard said. “These new prices get us on a stable footing, while remaining significantly lower than what we were all paying before we took over the operation last fall.”

A complete list of the new prices can be found at The Exchange/ORS website.