Today, computers are almost essential for every type of business, but a business will have a trouble with the computers when it needs to trash them. The county and the Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce will have a one-day collection service for unwanted computers and other electronic wastes to help businesses solve the dilemma.

State law does not allow electronics such as computer CPUs, monitors and televisions to be wasted in a landfill and bans businesses from dumping them for garbage collection, according to Randy Tuchtenhagen, Director of the Department of Environmental Services.

Instead, they need to hand unneeded electronic products to a specialized recycling company, which costs $15 to $20 per item.

The special collection on Aug. 8 will charge only $10 for each unit. And the county will issue a certificate of destruction to prove the waste was disposed of appropriately.

These products contain lead, mercury and other toxic heavy metals, and sometimes PCB, all of which impose a threat to the environment, Tuchtenhagen said. Currently, 1 percent of all waste in the state includes such toxins, according to a state report.

The collection will take place between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds. A customer of Waste Management can choose to register by Aug. 5 to add the charge to their monthly bill.

&uot;This will provide businesses an opportunity to carry out the best management practices for waste,&uot; Tuchtenhagen said.

For more information call Environmental Services at 377-5186 or the Chamber of Commerce at 373-3938.