Getting the lead out
Electronic waste is not something that is created by hitting the delete button. It is, in fact, one of the most toxic fastest growing segments of the municipal waste stream and ironically is potentially one of the largest sources of recycled material.
Businesses in the area will have an opportunity later this month to recycle their used monitors, printers, keyboards, VCRs, batteries, cell phones, terminals, cables, fax machines, radios, modems, CRTs, telephones, TVs, CPUs, copiers, scanners, DVD players, typewriters, and stereo equipment. A special collection event for electronic waste will be held Friday, Oct. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at 400 Stockade Drive in Kingston. Pre-registration is required.
“This will be set up to efficiently service business, institutional and local governments,” said Frank Funicella, a vice President at Advanced Recovery Inc., which is arranging the logistics for the recycling effort. The company has operations in New York, headquartered in Port Jervis, as well as in New Jersey and North Carolina.
The problem of e-waste is a growing one. In 2008, Americans generated some 3.16 million tons of electronic waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, up from 3.01 tons in 2007. While nearly all of this material could potentially be recycled or reused, in fact, only 13.6 percent was recycled in both years. That makes it the fastest growing segment of the garbage stream, for while all other categories of municipal waste decrease, e-waste grew significantly.
And the material is not innocuous, but comprised of components with lead, cadmium, mercury and other hazards. While trashing electronic equipment ultimately leads to it ending up in the environment, recycling allows for the safe handling of such materials.
Funicella noted that in a 36-inch television screen, there is 4 pounds of lead, used to protect viewers from X-rays. A typical computer monitor has 1.5 pounds of lead. “If you just throw it away, when the glass cracks that lead leaches out into the ground.” He said his company disassembles the machines and sends the materials to companies for proper re-use or safe disposal.
The Oct. 29 event is sponsored by The Mac Works and implemented by Advanced Recovery, Inc. The event will be a benefit for Sustainable Hudson Valley, which will receive a portion of the collection fees. Sustainable Hudson Valley (www.sustainhv.org) is a regional nonprofit promoting greener communities and industries,
For businesses, fees are ten dollars per cathode ray tube from computer monitor or television set, and free for all other pieces of equipment. For consumers, it is ten dollars per carload.
For pre-registration call Bob Travers, 845-858-8809 or email btravers@advancedrecovery.com.