Schuylkill County has started planning its annual Fall Cleanup for September.
The event gives county residents an opportunity to properly dispose of items that are not collected by garbage trucks, like tires, electronics, appliances and bulky items.
The cleanup will start Sept. 12 and end Sept. 24.
It is funded through the county commissioners and the state Department of Environmental Protection, which reimburses the county up to 50 percent of the costs.
There will be 13 collection sites throughout the county. Although some locations are still being finalized, they will be in Pottsville, Minersville, CES Landfill, Girardville, North Manheim Township, Pine Grove, Tamaqua Transfer Station, Ringtown and Tremont.
Since 2013, federal law has forbidden trash haulers from collecting electronic devices such as TVs, computers, keyboards, printers or air conditioners. These items must be recycled as they may contain hazardous waste not suitable for a landfill.
A cost may be associated with some items. The county still has to solicit bids for electronic collection services.
Last year, the county did not receive any bids to collect electronics. It wasn’t until within a month of the event that Vintage Tech Recyclers, Philadelphia, agreed to haul the electronic waste away free of charge.
The 2015 event collected:
60.59 tons in tires
288 tons in electronics
65.66 tons in scrap metal and appliances
79.08 tons in bulky items
Exact locations and further information will be listed on the county website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/Offices/Recycles.