Some Frequently Asked Questions About Messiah’s Electronic Waste Collection Event
July 20-21
Location: Palmer Income Tax lot
Why collect electronic waste?
Electronic waste is an increasingly serious environmental justice problem in the developing world. Our gadgets become their toxic waste. The average CRT television has about 6 pounds of lead in it, which when shipped overseas ends up being a serious environmental contaminant in countries with loose regulation. Plastics are often burned, leading to the release of dioxin. The people who dismantle the electronic waste are forced to choose between poverty and poison, as they work for about $1.50 a day extracting the gold, copper, platinum and microprocessors for reuse. Please watch this video to get an overview of the problem: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903n
What’s special about this electronic waste collection? I see a lot of them advertised.
The recycler that we’re working with, All Green, is e-stewards certified. This certification arose because the United States is the only developed nation not to have signed on to the Basel Accord, which forbids the export of toxic waste from the developed world to developing nations. E-steward certified recyclers are verified to not export any hazardous waste, and to do all of the dismantling and processing here in the United States, where environmental laws protect workers and communities. Please see here for more specifics: http://e-stewards.org/certification-overview/
Why at Messiah?
We have an opportunity to spread the word about the problem of electronic waste to the community at large, and show that there are responsible alternatives. We can raise the profile of Messiah. We can get the attention of potential members who are concerned about issues of environmental justice and being “green”.
Who is running this event?
Messiah is doing all of the promotion and outreach as a community service. The Green Team wants the event to be educational, as well as a great way to get Messiah’s profile raised in the community. All Green Recycling will direct traffic in the Palmer Income Tax lot, unload cars, and load the truck. And they will pay us up to 10 cents a pound for valuable waste, depending on how well we promote the event!
What is recyclable? Can I bring batteries?
Electronic waste of all kinds is recyclable at this event. This includes high-value items like cell phones, laptops, televisions, network servers, computers. It also includes items the recycler will not be reimbursed for, such as remote controls, cables, toasters, toys, glucose monitors…you get the idea. Anything that can be plugged in or is battery operated is fair game. All reusable electronics (eg. cell phones that can still work) will be diverted for reuse. Batteries however, are not collectible at this event—please call your trash collector or city to determine what to do with them. Messiah also has a collection box on Sundays on the literature table for batteries. Just don’t throw them in the trash!
How can I help?
- Sign up with Sabrina van Engelen (mrsvanengelen@gmail.com) to be a Messiah Ambassador at the collection event. This means hang out for 2 hours on either day and greet the community. Be a presence for our church.*
- Distribute fliers to the community. Encourage businesses you patronize to contribute their outdated electronics (we can arrange a free pickup—ask Sabrina how!). Fliers are available on the table at coffee hour.
- Get informed and spread the word to family and friends. Offer to bring donations to the event (but get a log form from Sabrina).
*If you would like an extra-cool, green Messiah t-shirt that helps to get the word out about our wonderful, growing, green church, let me know! If you volunteer to be an ambassador at the event, you will receive one courtesy of Jurgen and Sabrina van Engelen. Otherwise, they can be had for $20.
Useful Links:
Nice Post!! pretty informative..thanks for providing such a nice post.
ReplyDelete12v dc Inverter