Friday, June 2, was the last day Overland Park residents could drop off electronics at the city’s recycling center.
The vendor city leaders use is experiencing a downturn in the market, much to the chagrin of residents like Pat Zielinski.
“It’s convenient for us. It’s a one-stop recycle center. We can recycle everything. So why not bring the electronics out here," Zielinski said. "I just wish there was a better market for the electronics, and I don’t know what we can do about that.”
Jim Twigg is the Environmental Programs Coordinator for the City of Overland Park. He said one computer, for example, can create more than 4 tons of waste.
“It went from where they (Surplus Exchange, the vendor used by Overland Park) might have been making a few cents per pound, to where it’s maybe costing them 15 to 20 cents a pound to move it forward," Twigg said.
That’s why city leaders are working on finding an alternative. That can’t come soon enough for Zielinski.
“We don’t want to throw them in the landfills. We need some place to recycle them and this is convenient," Zielinski said.
The Overland Park Recycling Center collects more than 200,000 pounds of electronics every year. As of right now, city leaders are referring residents to the Surplus Exchange location, 518 Santa Fe St, in Kansas City, MO. You’ll have to pay a fee.
