Residents can properly dispose of their outdated or unwanted electronics and reduce unnecessary clutter in time for the upcoming holiday season at the Fall Electronics Recycling Event. The city of Valdosta Public Works Department, in partnership with Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful and Atlanta Recycling Solutions, will host the community recycling event for all residents of Lowndes County on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Mathis Auditorium parking lot, located at 2300 N. Ashley Street.

Items that will be accepted are cell phones, laptops, disk and floppy drives, test equipment, modems, circuit boards, typewriters, cables, computer accessories, video machines, stereos, video cassette recorders (VCRs), CB radios, scanners, speakers, camcorders, and cameras.  Televisions will also be accepted; however, there is a $20 charge per television and a $10 charge per CRT monitor to cover the costs of dissembling for the recyclable parts.  

A number of volunteers will be available at the event to help unload recyclable items from residents' vehicles. This "drive-through" feature makes disposing of these items very convenient to participants—providing no reason for residents to get out their vehicles.

This event is one of two annual e-recycling events and other year-round efforts that support the city's recycling program by providing residents with a viable solution to properly dispose of their electronics. During the spring 2017 event, the city collected 31,833 pounds of e-waste. Since the inception of the e-recycling events in 2006, the city has saved more than 645,855 pounds—or 323 tons—from the landfill.

"The city is proud to host these events each year," said Richard Hardy, City of Valdosta Public Works Director. "Citizens are encouraged to discard used or unwanted electronic equipment in this convenient and environmentally responsible manner and therefore play a major role in the preservation of our community."

Items that will not be accepted at the Nov. 18 event include items such as vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, gas-powered equipment, non-electronic equipment and other non-recyclable items. For a complete list of e-recyclables or for more information, call the Public Works Department at 229-671-3640.