Recycling Extravaganza slated Aug. 23

Free event to offer drop-off for a wide range of items
Area residents are invited to participate in the third annual Recycling Extravaganza, taking place Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eagle River Elementary School.

This free event offers a convenient, one-stop drop-off for a wide variety of recyclable items and hard-to-dispose-of materials.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring an unexpired, nonperishable food item to support the Vilas County Food Pantry.

Accepted items include:

Drug take-back items: Prescription and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, vape devices (with batteries removed), pet medications, and medication vials.

Plastic bags and film (must be clean and dry): Grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, air pillows, pallet wrap, case overwrap, and plastic shipping envelopes.

Electronics: Cords, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, scanners, hard drives, TVs, monitors, cell phones, tablets, laptops, routers, modems, servers, audio equipment, DVDs, VHS tapes, Blu-ray players, holiday lights (no garlands), and microwaves.

Miscellaneous items: American flags, crayons, eyeglasses, hearing aids, bread tags, ink and toner cartridges, bowling balls, and old gift or key cards.

New this year: Scrap metal and Freon appliance recycling, which includes AC units, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, grills, lawnmowers, outboards, bicycles, and metal appliances and furniture.

Organizers said that batteries, fluorescent lights, LED bulbs, and propane tanks will not be accepted.

Handcarts will be available to help participants unload their items. The event may end earlier than 1 p.m. if collection containers fill up.
Eagle River Elementary School is located at 1700 Pleasure Island Road.

The Recycling Extravaganza is presented in partnership with NexTrex, the Eagle River Lions Club, the Eagle River Police Department, Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations, the Northland Pines School District, Don Scharf Automotive, and others. Electronics recycling is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.