E-Waste Collections; New Web

Faster than Bill Gates can create a new Windows operating system, electronic product reuse and recycling efforts are expanding in California and across the country. In January the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) unveiled a national, industry-led effort to encourage consumers to reuse and recycle used electronics such as televisions, PCs, VCRs, and cell phones.

The effort, named the Consumer Education Initiative, or CEI, includes a Web site, www.eiae.org. The site lists local charities, needy schools, neighborhood and community demanufacturers, and other local and national recycling programs that collect used electronics. "With the growing number of obsolete electronics, it is essential that the U.S. high tech industry proactively develop programs to preserve and protect the environment, and the Consumer Education Initiative is a big step in that direction," said EIA President Dave McCurdy. The Web site includes a list of reuse and recycling programs in California, as well as links to sites of electronic industry businesses participating in the program. These sites provide more detailed information on manufacturers' services.

A number of communities in California are coordinating collection events to divert electronic products from landfills. In February the City of Los Angeles held one in a series of electronics collection days at Pierce College. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation, the event yielded more than 40 tons of old computers, television sets and cell phones for recycling. Hundreds of cars lined up to drop off equipment, and the response from participants was very positive. All Tech Computer Recyclers, the organization contracted to organize the event, will send the computers to a used computer or parts dealer. The recycling program also accepts cables, telephones, televisions, video games, stereos, VCRs and electronic toys. More events are planned for the Hollywood/Los Feliz area and possibly the East Valley or Mid-Wilshire area. For event details and more information, call 1-800-988-6942. 

The City of Torrance has scheduled their second annual electronics collection event for April 21 at Torrance City Hall parking lot, 3031 Torrance Boulevard, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Torrance is expecting a good turn out based on the success of their first collection event held on Earth Day 2000. Organizers had expected 200 cars, but by the end of last year's event they counted 600 cars and collected more than 52,000 pounds of material. All Tech Computer Recyclers is coordinating this event for the City of Torrance. For more information on the event, contact the Torrance Street Services Department at (310) 781-6900 or All Tech Computer Recyclers at (310) 978-2790.

In Northern California, Napa County has scheduled an electronics collection event for June 8 and 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Businesses and residents are encouraged to bring their unwanted electronic products to the event at Napa Valley Community College, located at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway. Asset Recovery Group will manage the items collected, which include computers, computer monitors, televisions, fax machines, printers and similar equipment. Participants must be customers of Napa Garbage Service (which serves most of Napa County). For more information contact Kevin Miller at (707) 257-9520, ext. 7291, or visit www.cityofnapa.org .

New "Electronic Products Management" Web site
Chances are you have visited the CalMAX Web site to list or find materials (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/CalMAX). Now additional resources are available to help you find ways to reuse and recycle electronic products at the CIWMB's new "Electronic Products Management" Web page. "Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing segments of our solid waste stream," asserts Board member Michael Paparian, "and this addition to the Web site provides important information to businesses, local governments and individuals." The new site lists organizations that reuse and recycle electronics, provides links to industry-sponsored programs, and profiles recent studies on electronic waste. Community collection events are listed as well. While focusing on California, the Web site also includes information about national efforts, workshops, and conferences on electronics product management. 

Take a few minutes to visit the new site and learn about ways to reduce electronic waste.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008