White goods collection, but not just whites, this Saturday         

[APRIL 19, 2006]  Do you have a stove or refrigerator that has seen better days or an aluminum storm door left over from last year's remodeling project? Would you like to dispose of these items in an environmentally friendly way for little or no charge? The Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency in collaboration with the Lincoln streets and alleys department will sponsor a white goods collection on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Recyclers will need to enter the fairgrounds using the Short 11th Street entrance, the south gate.

Logan County residents will have the opportunity to dispose of household appliances such as stoves, washers, dryers and dishwashers; water heaters; automotive items, including engines, transmissions and radiators; barbecue grills (no propane tanks); bicycles; and aluminum items, including doors, windows (remove all broken glass) and siding. There is no charge for disposal of these items.

A $5 fee will be charged for each refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner and humidifier to defray the costs of recapturing refrigerant gas. The reclamation of ozone-depleting substances used as refrigerant is regulated by the Clean Air Act in an effort to preserve the Earth's ozone layer, which filters the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Potential health and environmental consequences exist if these materials are not properly handled and disposed of. A diminished ozone layer allows more radiation to reach the Earth's surface, increasing exposure to ultraviolet rays, which can lead to health issues such as skin cancer and environmental issues such as reduced crop yields.

Logan County residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to responsibly dispose of nonworking and obsolete appliances and other scrap metal items. Area residents can contact the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency for recycling information, including the white goods collection.

[Mitzi Rohlfs, coordinator, Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency]