Village to offer free electronic waste pickup

The Valley Stream Village board of trustees has signed a contract with Mount Vernon’s WeRecycle! to recycle electronic waste products at no extra cost to taxpayers.

The action follows a state law that took effect Jan. 1 prohibiting e-waste from being dumped in landfills.

“Every pound we get out of the waste stream, we’re saving money,” Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare said. “We make about 12½ cents for every pound they take away.”

The village will offer curbside pickup free of charge. Fare said in the past, a fee of $7.50 was charged for each item that was picked up. “Residents didn’t like it,” he said.

Along with curbside pickup, there will be several “drop off” days throughout the year as a way to encourage schools and businesses to get rid of their own e-waste. The first will be held April 14 at the Village Green on South Central Avenue.

Residents can also drop off their own e-waste at the village’s sanitation facility at Arlington Yard, Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The village currently is accepting televisions, computers, printers, fax machines, VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, video game consoles and cellphones.

For more information on the e-cycling program in Valley Stream or to request a special pickup, call the Sanitation Department at 516-825-8108.