When it comes to recycling electronic equipment, Moore County has been ahead of the pack since January.

The county expanded that service in time for a new state law that took effect July 1. That law was crafted primarily as protection against water contamination.

“The response so far has been overwhelming,” said Chad Beane, solid waste manager for the Moore County Public Works Department. “We’re excited about it. Folks have really been receptive to recycling.”

Moore County initiated the electronics recycling project in January at container sites in Carthage (Hillcrest) and Eagle Springs in January.

Before July 1, Beane had electronics recycling containers available at sites in Aberdeen, Cameron (Cranes Creek), Robbins and West End. That leaves only the Midway site (between Robbins and Carthage) without electronics recycling capability. That’s because the site is not large enough to accommodate the larger container needed for television sets and computers.

Beane said the other four sites will become operable as soon as the company delivers the special containers.

In addition to preventing ground water contamination, the recycling of electronics offers the benefit of reducing the amount of heavy waste products taken to the lined landfill near Troy. The county pays a poundage fee at the landfill.

“Electronics weigh a lot,” Beane said. “Every pound we keep out of the landfill saves the county money.”

The county charges no fee for recyclables, and all residents are encouraged to take advantage of the new recycling service.

However, Beane said residents who have large items, especially heavy television sets, to bring a friend or family member to help move the discarded equipment from vehicle to recycling container. The county does not have personnel available to help with such weighty objects at all times.

Beane also asks the public to help the county keep the recycling sites as clean as possible.

“We pride ourselves on keeping these places neat,” he said. “Although it’s a dump, we don’t want it to look like a dump.”

The county has a contract with an accredited company that picks up electronics turned in at county container sites. The service is free of charge.

Although the law is limited to television sets and computers and related items, the Moore County program accepts a wide variety of electronics.

Among other items accepted are keyboards and mice, servers, cell phones and PDAs, video games, iPods, MP3 players, network equipment, scanners, printers, copiers, GPS (geographic positioning system) equipment, typewriters, telephone systems, rechargeable batteries, ink and toner cartridges and consumer electronics. Computers accepted include PCs, hard drives and laptops.

Manufacturers of electronics and retailers are charged a fee for products made and sold, and the state distributes a portion of those fees to counties and municipalities with recycling programs. Those fees are used locally to offset recycling costs, such as payment for purchase and upkeep of containers.

In February, the state distributed more than $6,000 to Moore County. Statewide, $465,500, was distributed for local government recycling, based on population.

Recycling of television, computer and related electronics offers numerous opportunities. Workable components may be removed and used to repair old equipment or reconstitute equipment. Other materials, such as metal and glass, can be crushed and reused.

Cadmium and mercury are among the dangerous elements that are used in the manufacture of electronics, and these are the primary materials the state wants to keep out of landfills.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.