May collection brought in tires, electronics and more for recycling

Here’s a follow-up from the recent twice-a-year collection of household hazardous waste and electronics recycling.

The event, which took place May 6 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, netted more than one full semi trailer load of tires. A second trailer was brought into service and was filled about one-quarter of the way.

In all, more than 800 passenger tires and 232 tractor or larger tires were collected, according to Carolyn Grace, director of the St. Joseph County Conservation District.

The Centreville-based agency has taken over the collection from St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee.

Meanwhile, the collection also landed about 8,000 pounds of electronic items that otherwise might have been discarded into a landfill, Grace said.

Nearly 4,900 pounds of paint were collected. That quantity can be recycled into 250 gallons of usable paint in 21 colors.

Also, 7,000 pounds of hazardous waste were collected.

The second of two collections this year will be held Oct. 7.