OT: Successful electronics recycling collection at Steeplegate Mall

[Larry Cook]

This is from NHDES Environmental News - November/December 2002
http://www.des.state.nh.us/news/news112002.htm
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Recycling event nets over 7 tons of computer components!

On October 4 and 5, DES helped sponsor the first electronics recycling 
collection held in New Hampshire at a shopping mall—and it was a tremendous 
success! Students from the Deerfield Community School brought a variety of 
used computer components to the recycling drive. Items accepted included 
computers and monitors, laptops, televisions, copiers, cell phones, and 
anything else with a cord.

The collection, which was held at the Steeplegate Mall in Concord, was 
sponsored by the Northeast Recycling Council with assistance from DES, the 
City of Concord, and Steeplegate Mall.

During the two-day event, 121 cars dropped off over seven tons of electronics 
for recycling. An average of 127 pounds per vehicle resulted in a filled 
52-foot trailer. Approximately 42 percent of the material came from the 
Concord area and the remainder came from across the state. One family drove 
from Cornish to attend the event!

Despite having to pay a $10 disposal fee, this event shows the willingness of 
the public to recycle their outdated computers rather than disposing them in 
landfills or incinerators. By recycling their computers, they keep a myriad of 
harmful wastes out of the environment, including lead, mercury, and plastics.

The event was funded by a grant from the Electronics Industry Alliance. 
Co-sponsors included Panasonic, Sharp, JVC, Phillips, Circuit City, Zero 
Waste, Bagel Works of Concord, and Wheelabrator Industries. Electronicycle of 
Gardner, Mass., was the recycling contractor.

For more information on computer recycling or the universal waste rules (which 
cover the disposal of computer components), go to the DES website at 
www.des.state.nh.us/pcas, or call the DES Public Information Center at (603) 
271-2975.
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