A debate over electronic fees at the landfill may soon be over.

Your monthly garbage bill may increase about 12 cents, but in return, you'll be able to lug that 40-pound, fake wood, out-of-date boob tube to the landfill and toss it for free.

But remember, it wouldn't be free to put it in your garbage can.

The Casper City Council will hold a public hearing today to discuss banning electronics from the landfill. It will also vote on a resolution to increase monthly garbage rates and allow free electronics recycling.

Right now, each electronic item costs $10 to recycle. It's currently legal to dump them in garbage cans, but it's also bad for the environment and the landfill, according to Solid Waste Division Manager Cynthia Langston.

Most electronics have quantities of lead and mercury in them and prove hazardous for the landfill cells. The metals leach through the garbage and then have to be processed at the waste-water treatment plant.

"And, we recycle it all," Langston said of the electronics. "They even break down the plastics around computers, [and] there's very little that's not recyclable."

One council member asked in an earlier work session if there could be depots to drop off electronics around town similar to the green recycling bins so customers don't have to drive to the landfill.

Langston said bins for larger items aren't practical because people often will throw garbage into the bins, contaminating the electronics. The current slots for items such as paper, cardboard and glass are thin enough to discourage garbage and other non-recyclables.

If the council approves these changes, Langston thinks it will prevent some of the late-night deposits of televisions and computers on the doorsteps of nonprofits and in alleys.

The process began after Poverty Resistance owner Mary Ann Budenske asked the council for recycling relief for her large number of old and unwanted TVs. With the $10 fee, Budenske said the nonprofit thrift store was burdened with trying to appropriately deal with the electronics.

The change to outlaw electronics from the landfill needs three approvals by the council before it's official. The rate changes, however, require only one vote, which will be final tonight.

It will be a 12 cent per month, or $1.44 per year, increase for Casper residents. For residents in the county and other municipalities, the rate increase will be determined by the independent garbage collection company.

If approved, recycling electronics will be free on Dec. 1. The rate change will start Jan. 1 and the ban will come into effect on April 1.

The council will also hold a public hearing to discuss widening alleys. The change may mean some people will no longer be able to park in convenient spots behind their houses.

City staff members told the council in an earlier work session that garbage trucks and emergency vehicles often can't drive down alleys because vehicles and branches crowd the path.

By widening the alley to 15 feet from the current 10-foot requirement, Langston said she thinks this will allow the city to better serve Casper residents.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

To attend:

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. today in City Hall, 200 N. David St.