New Village contract expands services
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (January 1, 2019) – “Current Lansing residential customers can now schedule a television or computer monitor pick-up online or by phone,” reads the flyer distributed by the Village of Lansing. In response to perceived need in Lansing and in partnership with Homewood Disposal, the Village is entering 2019 with a plan for addressing e-waste. The first part of that plan addresses TVs and computer monitors specifically
Since May of 2016, when a sponsored e-recycling opportunity was overrun with hundreds of residents, many of whom had to be turned away when the provider could not accept any more TVs, the Village has been looking for ways to help residents dispose of electronic waste responsibly. In contract negotiations with Homewood Disposal, which already provides regular garbage pick-up for Lansing, Village Administrator Dan Podgorski requested e-waste pick-up as well.
Environmental stewardship is one of Homewood Disposal’s core values. They have been providing residential recycling since 1990, and today serve 80 communities, including Lansing. Their state-of-the-art facilities process tons of materials each year, so they are well-equipped to handle outdated electronics responsibly. The 2012 Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act bans many electronics from going into landfills because of the hazardous materials they contain.
In an effort to avoid a glut of monitors again, the Village has set the following parameters for the first phase of the new e-recycling program, TV and computer monitor pick-ups:
- Pick-ups must be scheduled in advance. Call 708-798-1004 or go online to schedule. TVs and computers placed curbside without scheduling will not be removed.
- Pick-ups must be placed at the curb. When a pick-up has been scheduled, the owner can place the item at the front curb on his regular garbage pick-up day. Homewood Disposal will send a special truck to pick up and recycle the monitors. The truck cannot navigate alleys, so any items placed in alleys will not be removed.
- Pick-ups are limited to two per year. Each Lansing address has a limit of recycling two TVs or computer monitors each year. The Homewood Disposal system will be able to track calls per address.
Village Communications Director Ken Reynolds assures residents that the e-recycling service is included with regular residential garbage service at no additional charge. All residents who already receive garbage pick-up as part of the Village Municipal Contract are eligible for e-waste services now.
While the immediate focus is on TVs and computer monitors, the Village plans to roll out more e-recycling opportunities soon. Logistical details are still being finalized.
Residents with questions about the Village e-waste program are invited to call 708-895-7200 for more information.
Residents who are ready to schedule a TV or computer monitor pick-up are encouraged to contact Homewood Disposal directly:
- 708-798-1004
- www.mydisposal.com/ewaste
