E-Waste and Large Rigid Plastic Recycling Event Planned

PORTSMOUTH, RI—Ever since the town lost e-waste recycling capability at the transfer station, the town’s recycling coordinator has been working hard to find a solution.

ORS, the company that previously handled e-waste at the station, abruptly pulled out last month, eliminating an important component of the town’s overall goal of reducing garbage and increasing recycling rates.

Now, the town has worked out a plan with Indie Cycle to host one e-waste and bulky plastic recycling event this weekend with plans for similar e-waste events every other month.

On  Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Portsmouth High School, Indie Cycle will accept ”anything with a plug,” which means TVs, computers, portable devices, battery backup systems, printers, toner cartridges, power tools, toasters, microwave ovens and more.

They’ll also be accepting awkward plastic items that don’t fit in the recycling bin, like large playhouses, sandboxes, climbing equipment, large totes or bins, garbage cans and if you can stomach the heartbreak, that Cozy Coupe your youngster could once fit inside.

Indie Cycle will process all items for proper recycling.

Foam and hazardous waste will not be accepted.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Phyllis and Antony Hutnack at Indie Cycle who will help residents recycle their broken electronic and electrical devices,” said Sanne Kure-Jensen, Portsmouth’s Recycling Coordinator. “We appreciate the dedication of all the volunteers on the Portsmouth Solid Waste/Recycling Committee.”

Residents with working electronic equipment or appliances that you no longer need, consider posting them on www.craigslist.com or www.FreeCycle.org or donate them to Big Sisters/Big Brothers or the Salvation Army.

Retailers like Staples at 870 West Main Road, Middletown, recycles computers, printers, cell phones and other electronics as well as printer cartridges. Depending on the product, they may offer a trade-in credit. Learn more at www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/easy-on-the-planet/recycling-and-eco-services.html or call the Middletown store at (401) 848-0100.

Residents may drop off televisions, monitors and computers (including laptops and tablets) free at

• Little Compton Transfer Station: 122 Amy Hart Path

Winter hours are Mondays and Fridays 1 to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Barrington Recycling Center: 84 Upland Way

Hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8 am to 4 pm and Sun. 8 am to noon.