Almost five tons of small computers and other plastic-covered household mix electronics were collected during Forest Park’s annual electronics recycling and cleanup week last month.

The effort, initiated by former Commissioner Rachell Entler, was held from May 20 through 25.

“All in all, I would say the event was a huge success,” Village Administrator Tim Gillian said at the June 10 Village Council meeting. “I’m not sure that an event this size and scale is offered anyplace else in the western suburbs.”

In addition to thanking Entler for starting the annual event, he also thanked the village public works crews for “making it happen.”

In addition to the plastic-covered household mix electronics, the effort recycled television sets, paint, batteries and light bulbs.

Gillian said 9,927 pounds of plastic-covered household mix electronics were collected, along with 1,150 pounds of television sets, three full recycling bins of batteries and two full bins of light bulbs.

He added that 757 gallons, 126 quarts and 22 five-gallon buckets of regular paint was collected, along with 118 gallons, 127 quarts, two pails and 103 spray cans of oil-based paint.

In addition, miscellaneous trash picked up by public works crews from residents’ alleys and front yards filled 14 20-yard dumpsters.

Robert J. Lifka