Portsmouth sets special collection/recycling events

PORTSMOUTH — What to do with that old TV set, those sensitive personal papers, or that broken children’s playground equipment you’ve been meaning to get rid of?

Don’t sweat it. The town has scheduled several special recycling and collection events that will make it possible to dispose safely of any of the more problematic items in your household.

The first event is an electronic waste collection, open to any Rhode Island resident, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 10, at Portsmouth High School. Three other events will be held June 12, Sept. 11 and Nov. 13 at the same times. Appointments are not required.

To minimize social contact, the collection provider, Indie Cycle, has requested residents have their electronic waste ready for unloading and that they remain in their vehicles as much as possible.  

Items accepted at no charge include televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, routers, computer parts, cell phones and other hand-held devices, mice, keyboards, ink-jet printers, toner cartridges, CD/DVD players, radios, network equipment, wires, stereos, plastic speakers, telephones, cameras, microwaves, small household appliances, and acid lead batteries including auto/marine/laptop with battery back-ups. 

There is a $10 disposal fee for each laser printer, air conditioner, dehumidifier, and other coolant-containing devices and wood-cased speakers ($5 for small speakers). 

Items that will not be accepted are light bulbs, single-use batteries, tapes/disks, glass, cardboard, styrofoam, broken TV tubes, or any other type of non-electronic recyclables or any hazardous material.

More events

Here are some other special collection events on tap:

• Shredding — From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 22, at Clements’ Marketplace. This is for Portsmouth residents only, and there is a three-box limit.

• Hard plastic — From 8 a.m. to noon (or until the container is full) on Saturday, June 12, at the Portsmouth Transfer Station on Hedly Street. A transfer station sticker is required to participate.

• Scrap metal — From 8 a.m. to noon (or until the container is full) on Saturday, July 17, in the lower area of the Portsmouth Transfer Station. This event is open to any Portsmouth resident.

If you have any questions about the collection events or what materials will be accepted, contact Portsmouth Recycling Coordinator Ray Antaya at 401/643-0359 or rantaya@portsmouthri.com.