GOODBYE, COMPUTER

What do you do with that old computer that can’t handle the newest games or that old scanner you’ve used a total of four times in the past decade? In past years, most people probably would have simply chucked them into the trash can. But in 2012, most electronics were banned from landfi lls in Illinois. Instead, electronics companies were required to participate in an electronics recycling program. Illinois’ program recycled 42 million pounds of electronics in 2012. To keep electronics out of local landfi lls, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health is hosting an electronics recycling event. Vintage Tech Recycling, the company assisting the department, will wipe data from any electronic storage medium, and you don’t even have to get out of your car; they’ll unload your old gear for you. Just don’t bring any refrigerators, hazardous chemicals, washers/ dryers, stoves, dishwashers or batteries. The event is planned for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 8 in Lot 21 (Gate 11) of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. For more information, visit www.scdph.org. To fi nd a site to recycle electronics year-round, check out the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Bureau of Land online at www.bit.ly/recyclesites.