Berkley electronic recycling and shredding event returns

For the first time since the pandemic struck, Berkley is again hosting its annual electronic recycling and paper shredding event for residents.

"We’re trying to push people to recycle more often," said Shawn Young, director of the city's Department of Public Works. "And we want to make it easy for them to do so."

The upcoming event is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in the parking lot outside of the Berkley Parks and Recreation building at 2400 Robina Ave.

Young said the event is a good opportunity for residents to properly dispose of old electronic items and shred sensitive documents while doing their spring cleaning and help the city "continue to be good stewards of our environment."

Berkley is partnering with the Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority on the event.

SOCRRA is a regional trash and hazardous material disposal consortium for 12 south Oakland County communities.

SOCRRA operates a Transfer Station in Troy on Coolidge north of 14 Mile Road, and a compost site in Rochester Hills. The Troy facility receives and compacts the mixed municipal solid waste for transfer to a private landfill for disposal. SOCRRA also operates a Material Recovery Facility on Coolidge north of 14 Mile that receives recyclable materials collected at curbside by the member municipalities.

On May 20, Berkley residents can drop off items such as TVs, computers, cell phones and DVD players, and Styrofoam objects.

Young said a large, industrial paper shredder will be on site for residents.

"Even if you have boxes full of papers, bring them in and they’ll be safely shredded," he said..

Other items that can be disposed of include glass bottles and jars, plastic containers and metal cans.

Scores of residents have shown up for prior Berkley recycling events, which were done annually until the last one was done in 2019.

"This year we’re giving people more options on what they can recycle" at the event, Young said. "We’ll also be giving out more information on recycling," he said.

Items that will not be accepted for recycling at the Berkley event are large appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges.

Residents also refrain from bringing household hazardous waste, including cleaning products and solvents, fertilizer, motor oil, paint, tires, brush or general refuse.

SOCRRA disposes of household hazardous waste at its drop-off recycling center at 995 Coolidge Highway, between 14 Mile and Maple, in Troy. Those who want to drop off recyclables need to make an appointment online at socrra.org.

Berkley's public recycling program is scheduled to remain an annual event. However, if many people turn out May 20 that could change.

"If it's popular we’ll do more of them," Young said.

Sign up for email newsletters