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Elkhorn, Whitewater set to host computer round-up this Friday

ELKHORN — April showers bring May flowers.

And spring cleaning brings a big pile of stuff to put out on the curb.

But if you've got old computer equipment to get rid of, you should consider recycling it instead of throwing it away.

Why?

Computers and other electronics contain a number of hazardous materials that if disposed of in a landfill could leach out and contaminate the soil and groundwater.

Computer hardware also contains many materials—aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and plastic—that can be recovered and reused. And computer components also contain copper, gold and other materials valuable enough to reclaim.

Businesses, schools, municipalities and households can bring old computers to the Walworth County Computer Round-Up on Friday. Drop-off sites are available in Elkhorn and Whitewater.

The county has offered a computer collection since 2001, and it's been a success from the beginning, coordinator Janet Cline said.

"Every year we get more," she said. "We keep thinking we must have it all now, but we never know what to expect. I think people are finally convinced they can get rid of this old technology that's sitting around … and they want to get rid of it responsibly."

To date, the county has collected more than 317,500 pounds of material from almost 2,400 participants.

Cascade Asset Management of Madison will process the material collected at the event. Computer components with memory will be wiped clean or shredded so personal data cannot be accessed. Obsolete equipment will be properly recycled, and salvageable material will be refurbished and sold or donated.

The collection event is sponsored by the solid waste division of the Walworth County Public Works Department. Funding for the event is provided in part by the town of Darien Mallard Ridge Landfill Fund.