Township helps residents’ spring cleaning efforts

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — This spring, eco-conscious residents can responsibly rid their homes of electronic waste, unwanted medication and sensitive paperwork.

Bloomfield Township will host its electronic waste recycling, medication disposal and paper shredding event 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The event is free and open only to township residents, who must provide proof of residency to participate.

“We do check their IDs as they drive in, so we ask that they have that available,” said Katie Fotherby, the township’s public works manager. “They can also use a water bill or a tax bill that shows that they are a township resident.”

The event, township officials said, allows residents to clear their garages, attics and closets of outdated electronic devices, unused or expired medication, and paperwork that needs to be shredded.

“It’s a very popular event that easily gets anywhere to 1,000-1,500 residents. It actually seems like it has been increasing in popularity because the numbers seem to keep going up,” Fotherby explained.

On the day of the event, there will be two event entrances to the township’s main complex at 4200 Telegraph Road — south onto Andover Road from Long Lake Road or west onto Andover Road from southbound Telegraph.

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles while volunteers unload everything from their cars.

“It’s a drive through event, so it’s very easy and convenient for the residents, and it addresses a couple of waste streams that typical solid waste haulers don’t address,” said Public Works Director Noah Mehalski.

“We have been doing the event the same way for a long time now, so there is a lot of efficiency to it,” Fotherby added. “We do move people through as quickly as possible.”

Electronics eligible for recycling include: computers and servers; laptops and tablets; LCD-only computer monitors; printers and fax machines; toner cartridges; switches, routers, computer cords and cables; docking stations; keyboards; mice; battery backups; computer parts; phones and phone systems; cellular phones and accessories; digital cameras; cable boxes and modems; satellite receiver boxes; DVD and VCR players; game consoles; LCD, LED and plasma televisions; portable MP3 players; and rechargeable batteries.

Smoke alarms will not be accepted at the event, but Fotherby said they will be accepted during a planned household hazardous waste event this fall.

“People tend to get rid of old TVs or old printers, faxes — the kinds of things that pile up in their garages,” Fotherby said.

As for paper, the township asks residents to limit their paper drop-off to five banker’s boxes in order to keep the car line moving.

The event also aims to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription and non-prescription drugs.

“The one thing we ask them not to bring is medical sharps, but they can bring those to the household hazardous waste day this fall,” Fotherby explained.

The township will hold a household hazardous waste drop-off day on Oct. 7.

“Our trash contract is up this year, and going forward with our new contract we specifically have written these events into the new contract so that we can gain some stability with them, and those will be paid through the trash contracts,” Fotherby said.

Residents who are not able to participate in the event can find a complete list of businesses and organizations that provide disposal services year-round on the township’s website at www.bloomfieldtwp.org. Prescription medication can be dropped off anytime at the Bloomfield Township Police Department at 4200 Telegraph Road. All medication must be in a sealed container in a zipper-lock bag, and no needles or over the counter medications will be accepted.

For more information, call the Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works at (248) 594-2800.