Electronics recycling offered in Evergreen

Have an old cellphone, printer, DVD player or computer to get rid of after Christmas?

Pacific Steel and Recycling in Evergreen has expanded its recycling services and is accepting electronics year-round.

“The response has been pretty good,” sales associate Rich Evers said of the business’ new service.

“It’s just like anything else, slow at the beginning with people realizing that we’re getting into this scope for recycling.”

Pacific Steel and Recycling accepts old cellphones and batteries, as well as computer towers, printers, DVD players and flatscreen televisions, Evers said.

It also accepts old tube TVs, but customers must pay a minimal, per-pound rate to dispose of them.

The business pays out for some of the electronics it accepts, but those prices vary from month to month with market conditions. Last week it was paying 4 cents a pound for whole computer towers.

It does not accept microwave ovens, Evers said.

Opening the needed shipping and distribution channels to start offering the electronics recycling service in the Flathead Valley was a challenge, with the area’s remote location.

And the amount of electronics collected has been minuscule compared to traditional recyclable materials, but that was expected.

Last year the business purchased 820,000 pounds of aluminum, 351,000 pounds of aluminum cans, 9,300 tons of tin, almost 9,300 tons of scrap iron and 155,000 pounds of stainless steel, Evers said.

“It’s not like there’s a big industry where electronics are always coming through a particular company. It’s all household. That’s how we’re seeing this here in Kalispell,” Evers said.

But the service is now available.

“Bring your old stuff by after Christmas if items aren’t salvageable or are flat-out broken,” Evers said.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.