Fort Macleod residents had a chance to dispose of unwanted electronics Friday, thanks to a local 4-H club.
Fort Macleod Midnight Riders hosted an electronics recycling round-up in the parking lot of the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre.
The 4-Hers, who run the round-up as a fund-raiser, were able to fill most of a sea can as they accepted items from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
“People are grateful that we’re here because it’s hard to throw away electronics that you know can be useful,” said Madison Kisinger, vice-president of the Midnight Riders.
The 4-Hers got paid for each computer, TV, fax machine, printer and laptop. For all items that don’t fit in those categories, the 4-H club got paid by the pound.
People dropped off a variety of items for recycling, including a huge television that took up an entire bin by itself.
There was a smart board from a school, computers, laptops, printers, speakers, stereos and all manner of electronics.
“There’s a lot of things in here that aren’t renewable resources and should be re-cycled,” Kisinger said.
The electronics are transported to recycling facilities in Alberta where they are disassembled into metals, glass, and plastic.
The metals, glass and plastics are then shipped to companies for further processing or manufacturing into new products.
In addition to earning the club some money, the electronics recycling round-up helped to get the Midnight Riders’ name out in the community.
The club is rebuilding this year, with just six members — none of whom come from Fort Macleod.
“We’re trying to make a little bit of a name for us,” Kisinger said.
The 4-Hers were pleased with the response to the electronics recycling round-up and support from the community to make the event a success.
“Anything that helps our community and we make some money from is worthwhile,” Kisinger said.
Fort Macleod Midnight Riders 4-H Club vice-president Madison Kisinger puts a monitor into a bin during the electronics recycling round-up.
