Brockton residents have taken a huge step in keeping electronic waste out of the landfill.
Bruce Davidson of the Environmental Advisory Committee says 60 thousand pounds of old televisions, computers, and other electronics were collected for recycling, filling four transport truck trailers full.
He says it’s a record for the Stratford-based organization that collects it.
He says a lot of people are getting rid of those big, old wooden cabinet TV sets, or are switching to flat-screen computer monitors.
Davidson says electronic devices take up a lot of space in landfills, and old computer monitors contain toxic materials like cadmium, mercury, and lead that should be kept away from water sources.
Mayor Charlie Bagnato says before the electronic waste day was held, 30 tonnes of e-waste had already been diverted from landfills in Brockton, and now another 30 tonnes have been diverted.
The mayor says he’s extremely proud of the efforts the Environmental Advisory Committee, and that volunteers are behind most of it.
Davidson says another e-waste day could be held in the spring, and they’re looking at ways to make it easier for people to get rid of large objects.
He says it’s difficult for seniors to move things like large TV sets they don’t want anymore.