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The Andalusia Chamber of Commerce continues its April Clean and Green Initiative with an opportunity for businesses and residents to dispose of unwanted electronics.

Currently underway and continuing through Friday, April 21, certain electronics can be dropped off on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. No drop-offs will be taken outside of those hours. The program is free.

Coastal E-cycle has placed a trailer at the AACC office, located at 700 River Falls St., where the unwanted electronics can be placed. The Pensacola company is owned and operated by John and Ginger Watkins, the latter being an Andalusia native (formerly Ginger Petty). Coastal E-cycle provides businesses, medical facilities, schools, government agencies and individuals a safe and convenient option for responsible disposal of unwanted and obsolete electronics, all while meeting EPA compliance. The company also ensures that data on devices is permanently destroyed.

According to AACC Executive Director Laura Wells, the need for responsible electronics disposal is a need across the community.

“A lot of people have reached out to us asking about how they can get rid of their older electronics. They don’t want to just put those type items in the trash to go to a landfill, so they’ve been holding on to it. We are excited to offer this service to the community,” Wells said.

Among the items accepted for e-cycling are cable and satellite boxes, power strips, cell phones, circuit boards, DVD/CD/cassette players, hard drives, iPads and tablets, laptops, monitors, printers, small home appliances, telephones, flat-screen televisions, video game consoles, and more.

Items not accepted include CRT monitors, CRT televisions, glass bulbs, household batteries, and large home appliances.

The chamber’s Clean & Green initiative ends on Saturday, coinciding with Earth Day. Throughout the month, chamber members have been competing for the title of “Trash Collector of the Year.” That program, Clean Up Covington County, is a partnership between the chamber and Alabama People Against a Littered State (PALS). The winner of that contest will be announced during a live Facebook stream on Earth Day. The business that collects the most trash wins the title.

“There has been a lot of excitement and competition for this year’s contest and we look forward to announcing the winner on Earth Day. We want to thank all of those who are participating to keep Andalusia looking clean and green,” Wells said.