People turn out in droves for recycling collection event

During the city’s six-hour fall recycling collection event, a reported 701 drivers cruised their vehicles to the Mercer Island Community and Event Center on Oct. 30 and unloaded a total of 60,870 pounds of material.

Here’s a collection breakdown:

* 26,800 pounds of appliances, scrap metal and electronics

* 17,560 pounds of confidential paper, shredded onsite

* 10,860 household batteries

* 6,660 pounds of cardboard

* 98 used tires

Also at the event, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation volunteers collected food gift cards and donations totaling $6,500 to benefit the city’s food pantry.