Burlington County limits electronic recycling collection

PITTSBURGH (Scrap Monster): Burlington County's electronic recycling program is on the brink of getting tossed as officials move to limit how much is collected while state legislation is still pending.

Burlington County's Resource Recovery Complex will remain open for residents to bring unwanted electronics, but the county is limiting the disposal to two items per household since officials say much-needed changes to legislation, which would eliminate a foreseeable financial burden for the county, have yet to be passed.

As of Monday, the county has stopped accepting electronic waste from schools, businesses, nonprofits and local governments, according to the county. 

Two televisions or computer monitors per household will be accepted at the recycling complex until March 1. If residents want to dispose of more than two items, a $20 fee is required. 

The restriction, and first-time fee for service, is the result of last month's pocket veto of amendments in the law by Gov. Chris Christie. 

The legislation, which the Burlington County Board of Freeholders urged to be passed and signed into law, would change the funding formula in the 2009 Electronic Waste Management Act.

The amendments would provide full funding to counties and municipalities statewide to keep the program free for residents. 

Without the changes that would put sole responsibility on equipment manufacturers to cover the cost of pickup and proper disposal of materials, officials fear the free programs won't be around much longer.

As municipal programs are on the brink of ending, with some already starting the process, the county has attempted to get a head start on what could turn into an increasing number of electronics being dumped on the sides of roads and at the county dump. 

Until the legislation is passed, county officials have decided to keep their program open and free to residents by limiting how many materials are collected. 

The bill, which has been reintroduced, must work its way out of committees, and be approved by the Assembly and Senate, before it would go before the governor again to sign it.

On Thursday, the bill cleared the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and could make it to the full Senate for a vote as early as Wednesday. Mirrored legislation is scheduled for a vote in the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on Monday.

If the Legislature avoids delays, the amendments could pass in the Senate and Assembly by the end of February. 

The Resource Recovery Complex is in Mansfield at 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road.

Courtesy: www.burlingtoncountytimes.com