2007 News

July 18, 2007

Commissioners Applaud Record Turnout at Latest Household Hazardous Waste & Computer Recycling Program
Bucks County Single-Day Best 1,915 Households Participate July 14 at Warwick Twp.’s Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

Making a bold statement about the importance of recycling in Bucks County, a one-day record total of 1,915 households took part in the July 14 segment of the 2007 Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Computer Recycling Program.

According to preliminary figures, the unprecedented county turnout also included 1,775 participating cars and 9,948 pounds of lead-acid batteries deposited in an environmentally friendly fashion at Warwick Township’s Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT).

“This program continues to gain in popularity among Bucks County residents, and we are proud to support it,” said Charles H. Martin, chairman of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, which sponsors Bucks County’s five HHW venues along with the county Planning Commission. “Furthermore, we are extremely pleased that all three events this year have drawn a record number of participants at each location.”

Over the last four years, the MBIT turnout has risen from 1,357 in 2005, to 1,475 in 2005, to 1,621 last year to last weekend’s peak. According to county Recycling Coordinator Lale Byers, many participants waited more than 45 minutes to drop off materials. “Everyone at the MBIT site was appreciative and remarkably patient in their effort,” Byers noted.

In addition to the MBIT record, on May 7, at the Lower Makefield Corporate Center South, a site-record 1,093 residents participated. On June 9, at the Upper Bucks Area Vocational Technical School in Bedminster Twp., a site-record 733 participants were involved.

Since 1991, more than 41,000 residents have taken advantage of the program, which recycles dangerous chemicals and computer parts that might otherwise harm our environment. The final two Bucks County HHW events are scheduled for Aug. 18 at Bristol Township’s Bucks County Technical High School, and Sept. 29, 2007, at Quakertown Borough’s Community Pool.