Berrien County’s Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams is rightfully proud of the amazing track record amassed under her watch. Since The Berrien County Community Recycling Events were first launched 25 years ago, more than 34,000 people have participated in the series of annual events. As a result, 1.9 million pounds of household hazardous waste have been recycled or safely disposed, and 1.2 million pounds of electronics have been diverted from the landfill for recycling. Adams says, “Thank you for recycling Berrien County.”
Adams wants everyone to have the opportunity to continue to add to the long-running success of the county’s recycling efforts and is announcing that local residents will have a number of opportunities throughout the year to recycle and safely dispose of household and garage chemicals and oils, batteries, home medical waste including sharps, electronics, pesticides, and more.
You can find a full list of the community recycling events, and a detailed list of accepted items, at this link: http://www.berriencounty.org, once there, simply click on Recycling Services. You can also email to recycle@berriencounty.org, or call the County Parks Department at 269-983-7111 x8234 for additional information.
The 2021 recycling event season kicks off with the annual Reduce Reuse Recycle Day on Wednesday, April 14th from 3 pm to 7 pm at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Items accepted will be household chemicals, electronics, foam and documents for shedding.
On Saturday, May 15th and Saturday, October 9th, from 8 am to 12 noon, household chemicals, electronics, foam, and documents for shredding will be accepted at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center located at 3200 Chamberlain Road in Buchanan.
On Wednesday, June 9th, from 3 pm to 7 pm, residents can bring household chemicals and electronics to the New Buffalo Township Fire Station/Water Department on Clay Street.
On Saturday, September 18th, from 9 am to 1 pm, residents can drop off household chemicals, electronics, and foam at Silver Beach County Park, located at 101 Broad Street in St. Joseph.
These recycling and safe disposal events are for Berrien County residents only, and the events are drive-through only. All participants must stay in their vehicle and allow staff and volunteers to unload materials for them.
There is a fee on computer monitors ($10 each), televisions ($20 each), and items containing Freon ($10 each). Payment for electronics is made to Green Earth Electronics Recycling. Other items are free to drop off, however, donations are accepted by the Berrien County Parks Department to help defray the costs of collection events.
