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Nearly One Million Pounds of Electronic Waste Recycled Over Earth Day Weekend:
E-waste recycling events provided Californians an opportunity to preserve and protect the environment
SACRAMENTO--Californians recycled nearly one million pounds of electronic
waste at 45 electronic recycling collection events held during Earth Day weekend
at participating Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores across the state. These events
were conducted in partnership with local recyclers and the California Integrated
Waste Management Board (CIWMB).
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At the Earth Day events held at Wal-Marts across California,
e-waste workers sorted and stacked different recyclable components onto pallets.
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Receiving areas were staged in the parking lots of participating stores
providing local residents with a free and convenient opportunity to drop-off and
recycle their electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is a popular, informal name
for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Six million
computer monitors and televisions are estimated to be stockpiled in California
garages, closets and attics due to the development of newer technologies. This
electronic equipment can be harmful to the environment and human health if
thrown in the trash and not recycled. "Wal-Mart and Sam's Club provided California communities with a convenient
solution to recycle their e-waste," said Henry Jordan, regional general manager
with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We will continue with efforts to increase customer
awareness about eRecycling in hopes of reducing the amount of electronic
material that ends up in landfills." |
| In addition to these collection events, there are hundreds of locations
throughout the state where electronic devices can be conveniently dropped-off
for recycling year-round--most often free of charge. These locations can be
found by visiting
www.eRecycle.org or calling 1-866-218-6103. "The nearly one million pounds of e-waste collected from Californians
statewide over the weekend demonstrates the great need to continue consumer
education and awareness of how to safely dispose of e-waste," said Margo Reid
Brown, CIWMB Chair. "Earth Day--and everyday--should be an opportunity to
reuse, refurbish or recycle your electronics." |
Collected e-waste from Earth Day eRecycle event palletized and shrink wrapped awaiting transport to recycling facility. |
The CIWMB reports that the total weight of covered e-waste collected in 2005
was approximately 65 million pounds. In 2006, the total weight of covered
e-waste collected more than doubled from 2005 to approximately 129 million
pounds.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading
authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever
possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting
public health and safety and the environment. The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within
the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores,
Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across
America or log on to its store
online .
The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving
back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that
are important to customers and associates right in their own
neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local
communities in the United States. To learn more, visit
www.walmartfacts.com,
www.walmartstores.com, or
www.walmartfoundation.org. |
