Metrowide electronics recycling event ends today

Elizabeth Flores, Dml - Star Tribune

Eagan-based Materials Processing Corp. workers gathered crates of recycled computers the Mall of America.

An ambitious electronics recycling drive is scheduled to wind up today the Twin Cities, with dropoff sites that should be very familiar to Minnesotans.

Star Tribune

Last update: April 12, 2008 - 6:57 AM

An ambitious electronics recycling drive is scheduled to wind up today the Twin Cities, with dropoff sites that should be very familiar to Minnesotans.

At no charge, people can bring their unwanted electronics to the following locations April 12 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Rd. S., Shakopee.

• State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av., Falcon Heights.

• National Sports Center, 1700 105th Av. NE., Blaine.

• Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie

• Ecolab Schuman campus (April 12 only) Eagan Building F, 655 Lone Oak Dr., Eagan.

The companies said the locations were chosen to "provide residents with the most convenient drop-off location options."

The drive, backed by Sony Electronics Inc., Richfield-based Best Buy Co. and Waste Management Inc., "is forecast to be the largest in Minnesota history," the companies said in a news release.

Demand in the Twin Cities for free dropoff services was evident last November, when a three-day effort at the Mall of America to collect electronics for recycling was cut short because of overwhelming public response. Some counties and communities have programs, but some of the designated collection spots charge $5 to $50.

That demand is projected to increase between now and February, when television stations switch from analog to digital signals.

Waste Management has been collecting electronics in Minnesota for more than 10 years and says it has the largest electronics-recycling operation in the state, with 21 permanent e-waste collection sites (find the list at www.wm.com/sony or call 1-877-439-2795).

PAUL WALSH