Electronics recycling event planned for Ogle County residents

OREGON – The next Ogle County Solid Waste Management electronic recycling dropoff will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the County Annex Building, 909 Pines Road.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guidelines put in place by the OCSWMD for acceptable electronic items (up to five) are:

• Residents must register before noon Sept. 23 to request a free Electronics Recycling Permit. Information needed: your name, address, town, email, and phone number. People without a valid permit will be denied service. Permits will not be available the day of the recycling event.

• All residents must show a valid Ogle County identification (driver's license, voter registration card, recent utility bill)

• Residents must stay in their vehicles at all times with the windows closed.

• Electronic items must be clear of original packaging and must be loaded into trunk, truck bed, trailer, or rear of a van or SUV, and easily accessible to workers to remove.

• A limit of seven bulky items per vehicle will be accepted (a box or tub loaded with smaller items is considered one bulky item.)

•. Microwave ovens are $5 per unit. Tape an envelope with payment to the outside of the device before arriving with cash or check (exact amount only; no change available), payable to Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department.

• Anyone feeling ill or those who have items from a residence where someone tested positive for COVID-19, are asked to recycle at a later date.

Accepted items include all televisions, computers, computer monitors, computer hardware and cables, printers, fax machines, copiers, scanners, video gaming items, VCR-DVD players, cable and satellite boxes, cellphones, tablets, laptops, radios, stereo equipment (no wooden speakers), digital clocks, holiday light strands, extension cords, phone systems, calculators, shredders (no plastic tubs), rechargeable batteries, CFL bulbs, and printer ink cartridges.

Non-acceptable items are: smoke detectors, coffee makers, toasters, bread makers, vacuum cleaners, fans, heaters, air conditioners or dehumidifiers, lamps, power tools, alkaline batteries, LED bulbs, exercise equipment, medical equipment of any kind, toys or drones, business or institutional electronic items, and any packaging from electronic items such as boxes, plastic wrapping, and Styrofoam.

Recycling events may be canceled or abruptly ended due to weather conditions, warehouse volumes, staffing issues, events related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, or for other uncontrollable events or situations.

Call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, go to oglecounty.org, or Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department on Facebook for more information.