The City of Allentown is announcing a change in the electronics recycling program for the recycling of televisions, computers, printers and other electronics. Beginning Saturday, June 2, 2018, the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste is implementing a “By Appointment Only” system to address the increasing demand for electronics recycling.

Previously, Allentown utilized a first come first serve basis and Allentown taxpayers waited in line, at times up to 45 minutes, until they could be serviced. That system created traffic and safety issues at the intersection of Oxford Drive and Fish Hatchery Road.

With the new By Appointment system, Allentown residents will be given a time slot to come to the site. The residents will also be asked to remove the items from their vehicle to avoid vehicle damage and insure employee safety. Assistance to remove the items will be available for those who need it.

“The Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste has seen an increase in demand for this free service and we found that we didn’t have the space to get all participants off the road. By scheduling a time slot for the resident, the City can control the traffic into the site and eliminate the hazardous line-up of cars on Oxford Drive,” stated Ann Saurman, Manager of the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste.

Allentown is fortunate to have a contract with an electronics recycling vendor for the proper handling of the material and therefore, can offer this free service to its taxpayers. Most neighboring municipalities do not provide a free service while others coordinate events where their residents have to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 per TV.

Residents must call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729 or visit the website at www.allentownpa.gov/recycle under Electronics - Additional Information to request an appointment. The Bureau will issue a voucher by mail or email to the resident which must be brought to the event at their appointed time.

The City has implemented a three (3) TV or CRT limit per address per year, which is a reasonable amount that a household would dispose of in a year. There is no limit for other electronics such as printers, keyboards, laptops, CPUs, etc.

For more information and for alternative disposal options, please call the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste at 610-437-8729 or visit www.allentownpa.gov/recycle.

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