Getting rid of those bulky used appliances and tires is about to get easier for people in Rock Island County. A curbside recycling program is starting up next week.
Rock Island County had a curbside recycling service for years. It was stopped last October because of a contract dispute with the recycling company. Since then, people had to take their used appliances and tires all the way out to the Scott County Landfill. Now Rock Island County Waste Management has a new contractor and plans to pick up where the service left off.
"Refrigerators, washers, dryers, even water heaters, those kinds of items," said Gena McCullough with the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency.
Starting next week that program is back up and running. A new recycling company, but same, old curbside service, and it is free. All it takes is a phone call. "Households put their appliances or used tires out at the curb and they'll come and pick those up," said McCullough.
Curbside recycling is an easy service that in the past many Rock Island County households took advantage of. In the last year, more than 2,800 appliances and 3,500 tires were collected to go on to a better place. "They are de-manufactured, parts are taken out and recycled. Those that are considered hazardous will be disposed of properly," added McCullough.
Bringing back curbside recycling to Rock Island County is also expected to lower the chance that something like an old washer ends up somewhere it does not belong. "They do end up sometimes in the ditches and on the sides of the roads. So this is a way to help that illegal dumping and reduce the number our communities have to pick up," said McCullough.
The number to call is: 1-877-934-5378. Residents have to set a date for the collectors to pick something up. The service picks up only used white goods like refrigerators, washers and dryers, or water heaters, and tires. There will be a limit of four appliances and up to ten tires per household, per year.
The county's new contract is for ten years with Weikert Iron and Metal Recycling, based out of Muscatine.
