Bradley County adds electronics to recycling program

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Bradley County is expanding its extensive recycling program to include electronic equipment.

The county will begin accepting what it's calling "e-scrap" at its Peerless Road recycling center during usual business hours. Everything from desktop computers, fax machines and keyboards to CD-ROMs, medical equipment and more will be accepted.

The county chose the Peerless Road site because it has a covered area, officials said.

The announcement was made Friday at the Cleveland/Bradley County Keep America Beautiful annual awards breakfast.

KAB Executive Director Joanne Maskew reviewed the group's accomplishments in the past year, including its first electronic recycling event in December 2008.

Ms. Maskew said KAB recycled more than 106 tons of waste, which she called a "phenomenal figure."

That included aluminum cans, newspapers, mixed paper, cardboard, glass tires, batteries, white goods, items from the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day and electronics, she said.

She said she hopes the recycle numbers will double for next year.

"Let's work with our local governments to see how we can expand or reinvent ways to get local citizens to think green and take action," she said.

The county's separate e-scrap recycle effort was announced on behalf of County Mayor D. Gary Davis.

In a news release, Mr. Davis announced an agreement with Creative Recycling Systems to offer the electronics recycle program at no cost to county taxpayers.

KAB AWARDS

* Volunteer of the Year: Tammy Beaty

* White Glove Award (commitment to environment): Habitat for Humanity

* Business of the Year: Santek Environmental Inc.

Source: Cleveland/Bradley Keep America Beautiful