I can’t believe I just found out about this. Did you know Owensboro has a place that recycles old electronics, computers, and small appliances? Green Works Recycling will take them, disassemble them, sort the different metals, stock pile all the recyclable components, and then ship them off when there’s a big enough load.
I was amazed when I walked in the warehouse. I’ve never seen so many computer parts in my life. There must have been 100 different stove-sized cardboard bins overflowing with motherboards, CD/DVD-Roms, and other components. Keyboards, mice, cables, modems, TVs, fax machines; virtually everything computer or electronics related. There were five guys diligently disassembling and sorting, one of which was quick to give me a hand to carry in the two CPUs I brought to recycle.
“Our goal is to help businesses get as close as they can to achieve zero waste to landfill industrial ratings,” says founder Bill Stewart. “And of course, we’ll also take anything from anyone who wants to recycle and keep their outdated computer equipment and electronics out of landfills.”
It turns out that this kind of recycling is big business. Since it began in 2007, Green Works has moved several times because they outgrew their facilities. They now have a 22,000 sq. ft. warehouse on 15th Street just off Bluff Avenue between Chautauqua Park and 18th. Last year alone they recycled over 1 million pounds of computers and electronics that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.
Over the past several years, Green Works has partnered work with public and private companies, government agencies, educational institutions, hospitals, banks, and non-profit organizations in western Kentucky and southern Indiana. Other services include hard drive shredding for sensitive data, EPA electronic recycling certificates for companies who are interested, and pick up for large quantities.
With the exception of TVs, all items are collected for free. For a list of what they accept, visit their “about” page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/GreenWorks-Recycling/106874006048703. For other questions, call Bill Stewart at 270-215-0200.
