Township Embarks on County-Wide Initiative Intended to Start Full-Time Computer Recycling

Matthew Hersh

In an effort to make it easier for residents to get rid of old electronic gear, Princeton Township, along with the Mercer County Improvement Authority, launched its full time computer recycling program yesterday.

Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand said the step was an "environmentally-friendly" one that would keep electronics from being disposed of in the trash, and help prevent chemicals and other toxins in the devices from polluting groundwater. A typical computer monitor, she said, contains up to four pounds of lead.

Currently, Princeton Township and West Windsor Township are working with Mercer County in the program. The County has brought on the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) to hire Supreme Computer Recycling, Inc., an independent contractor, to handle the processing of the recycled electronics. MCIA is also responsible for much of the county's glass and recycling pick-up.

The municipalities launched the program at the Township's public works garage yesterday with a news conference that included Brian Hughes, Mercer County executive, Mayor Marchand, and Shing-Fu Hseuh, mayor of West Windsor Township.

Beginning this week, residents can drop off electronics at the public works garage at the intersection of Valley Road, Route 206, and Witherspoon Street after making an appointment by calling (609) 688-2566, ext. 478 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"We're building on the success of the previous events," Mayor Marchand said. "At least this way, it's responsibly disposed of."

Residents can get rid of and recycle CPUs, monitors, printers, scanners, cables, modems, external hard drives, keyboards, computer batteries, and most other electronic equipment associated with personal computers.

Mr. Hughes said that while only two municipalities were participating now, he expects that the entire county will join the program. He added that as the form of the personal computer continues to evolve, the county will see a higher volume of older models enter the "waste stream."

"We're going to see a higher rate of computers than ever before and we want to make sure they stay out of our land fills, because that's where the real damage is," he said.