Photo provided
Huntingburg Library Director Lisa McWilliams (left) and Solid Waste District Director Carla Striegel-Winner show the new recycling bin for phones and tablets at the library. There is a bin at each of the five libraries in Dubois County.

By Herald Staff

Residents have a new way to recycle old cellphones and tablets.

Secure recycling bins are now located at the five libraries in Dubois County.

The bright red bins, which are made from 97% recycled milk jugs, have a slot in the front just the right size for accepting old cell phones, tablets, and their cords.

The Dubois County Solid Waste District obtained funding for the bins through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Community Recycling Grant. The district paid for a portion of the bins and the grant matches that cost as well as the in-kind time of library and district staff in collecting and recycling the electronic devices.

The solid waste district was looking for an easy way for residents to be able to recycle small devices. The eight county drop sites are already tasked with accepting so many types of items, district Director Carla Striegel-Winner said.

“Partnering with the libraries was a no-brainer,” she said. “We have two great library systems in the county. They are welcoming community places that have convenient hours and many residents use their electronic devices at the libraries regularly. Being able to properly recycle them there makes sense.”

To recycle small electronic devices, residents can visit the Huntingburg, Jasper, Dubois, Ferdinand or Birdseye libraries during open hours and find the red recycling bin with pictures of phones and tablets on it. Items can be placed in the slot.

Devices stay locked in the bin until staff removes them for recycling, Striegel-Winner said. The solid waste district uses a secure electronics recycling vendor for recycling the items, she said.

Additional information on other district services, including recycling other electronics, can be obtained by calling the district office at 812-482-7865, checking out district’s Facebook page or visiting its website at www.duboiscounty recycles.org.