May 1, 2013 3 min read

Two recycling events will be held in Greene County as a result of the efforts of state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, and the Greene County commissioners.

A document shredding event will be held from 9 a.m. until noon May 30 and an electronics recycling event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. July 20, both at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

“We’ve had similar events like these in Washington County, and they’ve been really popular,” Solobay said. “It seems like a lot of people don’t know how or don’t get around to properly disposing of certain things around the house. These events give them a quick and easy way to get it done.”

DocSolutions, a subsidiary of Community Action Southwest, will be providing its services for the shredding event, which helps residents dispose of documents that might contain personal information that could lead to trouble if allowed to sit in the regular trash. At an event in Canonsburg last week, residents brought more than 5,000 pounds of documents for shredding.

The shredding service is available free to residents. Businesses should contact DocSolutions for pricing on business documents.

“I’m happy to be partnering with Sen. Solobay and the commissioners to host these events,” Snyder said. “I know the residents in my legislative district find them a convenient, safe and secure way to reduce clutter.”

Pennsylvania law now prohibits disposal of many electronics items in residential trash and the July 20 event is aimed at helping residents do it the right way to protect the environment. Among the items barred from trash collection under Pennsylvania’s 2010 Covered Device Recycling Act are computers, printers, televisions and similar electronic devices.

“Whenever you get a significant change in the law like this, it’s convenient and educational to have a big event that reminds everybody what the new rules are and gives them a convenient way to comply,” said Chuck Morris, chairman of the Greene County commissioners. “The county is pleased to be able to provide an accessible location like the fairgrounds for both of these events.”

Electronics contain heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium and mercury that could remain dangerous for decades if dumped in landfills. A typical cathode-ray computer monitor could contain as much as seven pounds of lead.

“The new law has created some confusion, but it will go a long way to making sure dangerous chemicals don’t find their way into our soil and out streams,” Solobay said. “We just have to work together to make sure everybody gets the word.”