Group offer electronic recycling

Floyd Marshall, one of the volunteers with the Tillsonburg Sailing Association, adds a television to the pile of electronics that will be recycled. The group fills the container every two to three weeks. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Unsure of what to do with your old electronic devices after receiving new ones for Christmas? If this is the case, a collaboration of local groups is offering a solution that will benefit the community.

Traditionally, the Tillsonburg Scout Association, which was associated with former Camp Jackson, used to collect used electronics for recycling. When this group disbanded, the Tillsonburg Sailing Association, which was associated with the Tillsonburg Sea Scouts, ran the electronic recycling program. The Sea Scouts became a victim of COVID, and the minds behind the group decided they would continue their efforts to help the community.

With drop-off for the electronics at a container across from the Station Arts Centre, half of the money goes to that group. The other half goes to St. Paul’s United Church’s As One That Serves (AOTS) group. This group then distributes money to various local charities, such as the Helping Hands Food Bank.

Electronics can be dropped off anytime on a table outside the container, which volunteers collect and put inside twice per day. The range of accepted goods is diverse, from older tube televisions to radios.

“Anything with a cord we’ll take,” said Dave Palmer, one of the organizers. He added that no white goods, such as washers, dryers, fridges or stoves, can be accepted.

Volunteers are at the location on Saturday mornings. Palmer suggested only bringing computers or phones on Saturday mornings, as items could be taken off the table beside the container when no one is there.

“Anything with private information on it, take on Saturday,” he said.

The donated items are shipped to Collingwood for recycling.