I rang the EPA. I had to spell it out for them........ polychlorinated biphenyl.
"Is that a hazardous substance"
"Yes, it is carcinogenic and an accumulative environmental pollutant. You're not supposed to throw them (the capacitors) into the bin"
"OK, can we get back to you?"
I eventually get a phone call back from some guy who has no idea about what PCB's or capacitors are, but just plucks a few waste disposal companies phone numbers out of the phone book and recommends Veolia in particular as they do pickups. Like I couldn't have done that myself! Duh! In fact I already had - a complete waste of time - if the electronic waste isn't computer or DVD player related they haven't got a clue and will reject the items when I explain to them what it contains.
However I hadn't yet rang Veolia at that stage, so I gave them a try. Still no clue about what PCB's or capacitors are but they inform me that they could likely pick it up for $400, but recommend instead that I drop it off to another disposal company called IWS (integrated waste management) for a much smaller fee. "OK, thanks". So I ring IWS. "Peeee Ceeeee Beeeeesssss.........". Still no idea what I am talking about but when I mention the hazardous nature of the substance I get the response "oh, no, we are not licensed to handle hazardous chemicals of that nature, I recommend you contact Veolia".
Arrggghh! So I mention that it was Veolia who put me onto them. The lady on the phone says words to the effect that that was rather daft of Veolia and recommends I contact the EPA instead. but "it was the EPA who put me onto Veolia!" "Oh, sorry, I really don't know what else to recommend in that case".
So, I get back on the blower to Veolia, as they had previously informed me that they could perhaps pick the waste up. Well, I get the same lady on the phone who I had previously spoken to, who had put me onto IWS. I explain why I am back on the phone with her. "Oh" she exclaims, "that isn't any good as IWS is where we dispose of the items after picking them up from you". For a f%$#ing exorbitant fee I might add!
Having reached a dead end at that point she takes my name and phone number with the promise that her manager will ring me back with a possible solution to my dilemma. That was several days ago now, still no phone call.
So where the hell do I go from here?