AMBOY – After collecting thousands of pounds of tech trash, the county’s new electronics recycling program is closed down for the winter, but it will return in April.

The Lee County Highway Department started offering residents the free electronic recycling service in May to fill a gap in the area created after Secure Recycling Services in Dixon closed its doors at the end of last year.

“It’s really the only option a resident has to get rid of their electronics, and it provides a valuable service to the public,” County Engineer David Anderson said.

Residents could drop off a wide array of electronics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the department, 1629 Lee Center Road in Amboy, and Anderson said they filled about five semitrailer loads in 6 months.

The county has a deal with Pontiac-based Advanced Technology Recycling to pick up the electronics for $400 per load.

It’s affordable for the county and accessible for residents, who don’t have to worry about missing an annual megacollection event and having to wait another year to discard their electronic gear, he said.

“It’s worked so well, and we hope to continue to do it,” he said. “All in all, we’re very pleased.”

When the program resumes in April, items should be dropped off only during normal hours and must be residential electronics, not from businesses or other institutions.

Acceptable items include computers, monitors, printers, laptops, copiers, modems, telephones, cellphones, scanners, TVs, VCRs, stereos, camcorders, cameras, electronic motors, answering machines, hand-held electronics, adding machines, faxes, calculators, shredders and pagers.

Unacceptable items include microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, dehumidifiers, white goods, air conditioners, smoke detectors, fluorescent bulbs, washers and dryers, dishwashers, vacuums, batteries, fans, stoves, blenders, and toasters.

Secure Recycling is a former branch of Kreider Services and closed on Dec. 31 after months of cutting back services and staff at the facility at 629 Palmyra Road because of the decline in commodity prices, funding from the state, and business via contracts with the state.

THE PROGRAM

The Lee County Highway Department's electronic recycling program is closed for the winter but will return the first week of April.

You must be a Lee County resident and drop off acceptable electronics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the department, 1629 Lee Center Road in Amboy.

Call 815-857-4141 or go to leecountyil.com for a list of acceptable items and more information.