Event: Austin-wide electronics drive offering free electronics recycling to the community
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 17
Where: Collection point for electronic waste is at Lot 39 of the LBJ parking lot. A map can be found at online at http://tinyurl.com/ewasteDriveLocation.
Background: The Student Engineering Council at The University of Texas at Austin, along with Goodwill Computer Works, will hold an Austin-wide electronic waste (e-waste) drive to collect unused and disposable electronics and electronic parts that cannot be disposed of through standard methods of waste collection and recycling.
The public is invited to drop off any personal electronics to the event and receive free recycling.
Examples of acceptable items: Computers, fax machines, scanners, printers, copiers, DVD/VCR players, televisions, cables or wires, MP3 players and cell phones.
Unacceptable items: Non-computer plastics, hazardous materials, iron-containing metals, paper or wood, refrigerators, other appliances.
Organizers estimate that about 160 volunteers will be involved in the event.
This is the second e-waste drive hosted by the university’s Student Engineering Council. Last year the group coordinated 100 volunteers and collected more than 6,400 cubic feet of electronics from Austin-area citizens. This effort preserves finite resources and prevents health hazards which often occur as a result of improper electronic waste disposal. The groups hope to collect double the electronic waste collected last year.
Participating engineering organizations will earn points based on the help they provide in preparation before and during the event. Other organizations will earn points based on their help during the event. Organizations with the most points will win cash prizes.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 82 percent or 1.8 million tons, of televisions, cell phones and computer products ready for end-of-life management are disposed of primarily in landfills. Computers, cameras and cell phones are filled with highly toxic materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants.
For more information or to volunteer, go to http://sec.engr.utexas.edu/index.cfm/activities/ewaste.
Note to Editors: Video footage or live shots can be scheduled the day before the event at the Goodwill Computer Works Store where the processing and recycling takes place. Video footage or live shots can also be scheduled the day of the event.
