BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

The Merrill Noon Optimists will hold their Second Annual E-cycle Event with the Good News Project on June 2 and 3, 2023, at the Merrill Festival Grounds (times were not yet finalized as of this writing). (Email merrillnoo[email protected] to schedule a time or for more information.)
This is the opportunity for area businesses and residents to get rid of old and outdated electronics, and funds raised during this event will be used by the Merrill Noon Optimists to help organize, sponsor, and/or fund events for local youth. In the past, the Merrill Noon Optimists helped with/sponsored the free winter movie event, after graduation party, Make a Difference Day, Food For Kids, Law Fair, the scholarship program, the backpack project, and the Normal Park All-Access Playground and security cameras.
Last year’s Merrill E-cycle Event collected 34,602 pounds of e-waste.
Electronics is the fastest growing segment of waste and it is projected 57.4 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2021 with only 17.4% of that being properly recycled. E-cycling, or proper recycling of electronics, is important because it enables rare materials used in electronics to be harvested for re-use and it also keeps harmful materials out of our landfills.
There is a cost to e-cycle properly. Please plan accordingly.
• Smoke detectors that contain radioactive material (ionization is shown on unit) are a flat $15 each to e-cycle at this event.

The Merrill Optimists/Good News Project E-cycle Event charges 45 cents per pound and accepts/collects/recycles the following electronics:
• Computer towers, laptops, printers, keyboards, fax machines, external hard drives, flash drives, mice, speakers, etc. (anything you can plug into a computer), as well as computer parts
• Cords, Christmas lights, A/C adapters, surge protectors
• Microwaves and toaster ovens
• Stereo equipment and speakers, including car stereos
• GPS units, e-readers
• Video game systems, DVD players, VCRs, cable boxes
• Landline telephones and answering machines
• Outdated cell phones and chargers
• Vacuum cleaners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners
• Blow dryers, toasters, coffee makers, and other small household appliances
• Dorm size refrigerators
• Televisions of all sizes, computer monitors, intact or disassembled (limit two at this price if disassembled)
• Fluorescent light ballasts only (no bulbs)
• “Just about anything with a circuit board and/or electric cord that is smaller than a large appliance”

Please note: This E-cycle Event cannot accept large appliances (call Yaeger Auto Salvage at 715.359.3606); light bulbs or batteries (call Batteries Plus Bulbs at 715.355.9201); toner tubes or cartridges or ink cartridges (call OfficeMax/Office Depot at 715.359.9961); CDs, DVDs, video game disks/cartridges, cassettes (these can be put in with your regular garbage); or liquids, paints, and chemicals.