Recycling

Today I'm back on the topic of computers.  With today's focus on the trip to the recycler's yard.  I had an old computer monitor (the big heavy ones, with a thick glass front).  Those things actually cost money to recycle!  In order to properly turn the monitor in for disposal (at least around here, it seems), there is a service charge per monitor that is turned in.

The reason for this is that the big glass tubes are chocked full of hazardous materials.  So they have to be treated with special handling.  Special handling equals service charge.  How much?  This depends on the recycle business (and probably regional location). 

I made some phone calls and found a recycle business in the area that will accept computer monitors for FREE... as long as there is a computer tower turned in with it.  Shazam! That's the answer I needed.  I had a computer and computer monitor that needed to be gone.

I'm in a small town, so I had to drive about 20 minutes to get to any of the recycle locations.  The one offering free monitor drop-off happened to be located a few miles from another small town.  The business was right off a highway, neighbored by corn fields.  I drove past it the first time (small sign!), turned around, drove back and finally found the correct entrance. 

Basically, this business is a large metal warehouse (like a farm machinery shed) surrounded by a dirt track. Lots of bins hold all sorts of things that get turned in.  Cars (like mine) and small trucks bring in small loads of recyclable materials.  Recyclable things are sorted, and then big trucks drive around the dirt track and get loaded with big loads of material to ship out to their next destination.

This place looked like a scene from a movie.... in the warehouse where the "deal went wrong".  It's pretty dirty, very noisy, and not my idea of a "happy place".  I got out of there as soon as my stuff was in the bins.  Maybe I'll have a look around at the other recycle businesses next time.  Maybe that service fee is worth it?

In the end, I was able to turn in my very old computer and monitor for no fee.  A few more things left the house today.  Successful trip? Yes.  (^: