County Executive Greg Edwards announced a new recycling incentive for Chautauqua County during a press conference Friday at the North County Transfer Station in Fredonia .
The three county transfer stations will now accept recyclables as well as disposing of electronic devices free of charge.
"We have always been aggressive of recycling but there have been holes," Edwards said.
Last year, the transfer station saw 220 tons of recycled cardboard, 530 tons of mixed paper, 82 tons of recycled electronics, 158 tons of recycled plastic and 130 tons of recycled glass.
In the past, the transfer station charged a fee for recycling and fiberboard was not accepted. Transfer stations are now able to accept fiberboard due to a newly signed contract, according to Edwards. Fiberboard, also called boxboard, is what non-styrofoam egg cartons, shoe boxes, cereal boxes and other various food containers are made of.
With the addition of fiberboard, the transfer station will be able to help cut the cost of waste disposal for county residents, as well as county businesses, Edwards said. In an informal research study he conducted in his home, Edwards learned that 10 percent of all his waste was fiberboard.
"It is amazing how many different combinations of boxes you can recycle and save from the landfill," George Spanos, director of public facilities for Chautauqua County, said.
Another change Edwards announced is the collection of electronics for disposal. Individuals are now able to dispose of their electronic devices, such as computers, televisions and stereos, free of charge. There used to be a charge for disposal of electronics, Edwards said.
Besides fiberboard, the public is invited to bring tin and aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, clear and colored glass to the transfer stations to recycle free of charge. There is a charge for air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators and freezers.
"I promote and encourage people to (recycle)," Edwards said.
The three transfer locations in Chautauqua County are the South County Transfer Station in Falconer, the North County Transfer Station in Fredonia and the West County Transfer Station located in Sherman. There is also a Landfill Transfer Station in Ellery.
"All four stations are the same except (Ellery Transfer Station) cannot accept electronics," Kelly Rhinehart, county landfill sanitation supervisor, said.
For more information, including hours, directions and a listing of acceptable recyclables, visit www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/departments/dpf/landfill.
