BAY CITY, MI - If you live in Bay County and did some decluttering to pass the time during the pandemic and discovered old electronics that need to go, you’re in luck.
The Bay City Recycles initiative is sponsoring an electronics recycling event in a partnership with Bangor and Hampton Townships on Aug. 5-8 for all Bay County residents.
“Residents are encouraged to responsibly dispose of their unwanted electronics at this event. Improper disposal of heavy metal containing electronics can contaminate our soil, groundwater, and waterways,” said Bay City Parks and Environmental Affairs Manager Tim Botzau.
Computer monitors and tube and flatscreen TVs can be dropped off for $10 each, with no projection TVs allowed. The following items can be dropped off for recycling at no cost: desktop and laptop computers, desktop printers and scanners, fax machines, tablets, gaming consoles, DVD players, VCRs, cellphones and handheld electronics.
Electronic items can be dropped off at three locations in Bay County:
- Bangor Township Hall, 180 State Park Drive. Wednesday, Aug. 5, noon - 3 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 6, 8 a.m. - noon.
- Hampton Township Department of Public Works, 959 N. Wagner Road. Thursday, Aug. 6, noon - 3 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 7, 8 a.m. - noon.
- Bay City Recycles Drop-Off Center, 2900 N. Water St. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Business and commercial waste will not be accepted at the event. According to the City of Bay City, secure destruction of all hard drives and data will be provided.
Attendees are asked to maintain social distancing and to wear masks when dropping off items to be recycled. The public is asked to place electronics in the trunk of their car for easy removal by event staff, according to the City of Bay City.
The event comes after a spring Earth Day event scheduled for Saturday, April 25, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event was an over 25-year-old Bay City tradition that would have included electronics and appliance recycling drop offs.
The Earth Day event was also supposed to be residents’ first chance to see the new Bay City Recycles Drop-Off Center location at the transfer station on 2900 N. Water St. The drop-off center was made possible due to a $50,000 grant from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The public is advised to use Woodside Avenue to access North Water Street to see the new recycling center.
