Clean sweep not offered at fairgrounds
Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law, bans all electronics from landfills and incinerators, because almost all electronics contain valuable reusable materials, including plastics, metals and glass. Recycling or reusing these materials, lessens environmental impacts and economic costs, by reducing the need for virgin materials in new products.
Many electronics also contain harmful materials, including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other heavy metals and chemical flame retardants. When improperly disposed of, these chemicals can pollute soil and water, and harm human health.
Improperly handled e-waste may also pose health risks to workers in the United States, and in developing countries.
For the past 20 years, Chippewa County residents have been able to drop off and recycle their appliances/electronics, at spring and fall clean sweep events, held at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Because of recent changes, Chippewa County will no longer accept appliances and electronics at that location.
Instead, Chippewa County has contracted with First Choice, 525 Park Ridge Rd., Eau Claire, to accept items during business hours. Residents can recycle appliances and electronics for free, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Items that must be recycled, are TVs, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, flashdrives, e-readers, DVD players, VCRs, DVRs, fax machines, cellphones and major appliances, such as air conditioners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and microwaves.
The only charges are for freon appliances, batteries and fluorescent bulbs.
