ProAct eRecycling event pulls in tons of material
More than 90 vehicles carrying e-waste rolled into ProAct in Red Wing for the “Keep it Beautiful” electronics recycling collection event.
“I think the community is very happy that they have an outlet to get rid of it and that most of it is free,” said ProAct eRecycling Services Manager Tim Hovey. ProAct individuals received 10,500 pounds of material in the four-hour event that day and more than 30,000 pounds over a seven-day period, he said.
Cones lined ProAct’s back lot and individuals directed traffic while people unloaded cars under brisk winds. The materials were sorted into large gaylord boxes surrounded by a canopy, where people organized their efforts.
The event was timed to coincide with “America Recycles Day,” when special collections are held by nonprofits aligned
with Virginia-based CyclePoint, which receives the sorted materials and sells them. ProAct is one of 40 CyclePoint members and the only member in the upper Midwest. An additional event is being planned for the spring.
“Everything we collect represents more hours we can work,” said Hovey, whose operation has grown to 11 part-time and three full-time jobs. Materials are received five days a week and pickup service is offered to businesses with large amounts of electronics for disposal.
Most items are received for free, but a price list is available on ProAct’s website for devices that incur a charge, mainly tube TVs, CRT screens and large appliances. Call 651-388-7108 for information.