Second Annual Electronic Recycling In Pocahontas Brings In A Trailer Load Of Unwanted Computers, TV’s And Other Devices

Marlinton, WV – The second annual electronics recycling collection in Pocahontas went very well, collecting enough to fill a tractor trailer. Mary Clendenin, Secretary for the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority, told the SWA Board about the recent County wide participation.

“We did the electronic recycling at Green Bank on Friday and Marlinton on Saturday” says Clendenin. We ended up with 36 participants at Green Bank, and NRAO sent us two truck loads of computers. We also had 30 participants at Marlinton and PMH also sent down a couple vehicle loads of electronics.”

“Altogether we collected 115 TVs, 180 computers, and 174 other electronics like microwave ovens, printers and fax machines. And we did get enough to fill a 48 foot tractor trailer.”

Clendenin says that the contractor, Scott Recycling is willing to return at no cost, anytime the SWA has accumulated either 10 pallets or 10 Gaylord boxes (very large carboard box used for shipping). The contractor would bring a box truck with a lift gate to facilitate loading at the landfill storage unit.

Clendenin also told the Board that she had conducted an hour long training session with the Green Box attendants. The training stresses the need to keep contaminates out of the recyclables and that loads with contaminants will be rejected by the recycling contractor.

In a related note, the Board accepted a bid from Pocahontas Recycling for $2,200.00 per month to recycle materials other than electronics. An amendment to the original specification was added by Board Chair Ed Riley. He wants to ensure that recycling at the schools will continue at no cost to the school. The amendment passed and the bid was accepted. Pocahontas Recycling was the only bidder.

Secretary Clendenin read an excerpt from a letter to the Board from 40 year county resident Elaine Hodges in response to the SWA’s recent letter about the Green Box Fee.

“In your letter of Marcy 14th, 2011 you stated that property owners who have not paid their bills are being sued” reads Clendenin. “The Pocahontas Times reports that at a meeting on April 27th, 2011, that two members did not want to pay the attorney to collect past due accounts and that one member, Doug Bernier, is being sued by the SWA. I find this incredulous; how do you expect residents to pay their fees when board members don’t and some don’t want to pay the attorney to collect past due accounts.”

“You the SWA are not only undermining the legitimacy of your authority, you are still projecting unfair practices in collecting payment from all residents. Either you get your act together or I will not pay this fee and I will do everything I can to publicize past and present collection and non collection of the fees.”

Board member Buster Varner made the only comment from the Board.

“I think everybody should pay the fee personally, but I don’t like to keep paying an attorney without seeing more results.” Varner says “If she can do better she can sit here.”

The next meeting of the Pocahontas County SWA is Wednesday July 27th at 8pm.

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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