E-Waste Recycling Week to be held at convenience center

The speed at which today's cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology becomes tomorrow's Model A or Royal typewriter is astounding.

As a result, the advances in technology are creating a new kind of trash known as "e-waste" - broken or obsolete electronic equipment.

Lincoln County, in partnership with Electronic Recycling Services (ERS) of Norcross, will host "E-Waste Recycling Week" Saturday, December 8, through Saturday, December 15.

During this time, a special e-waste collection trailer will be stationed at the Lincoln County Convenience Center on New Petersburg Road. The center's hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

ERS has agreed to pick up and dispose of the e-waste at no charge to the county or the consumer. Basically, the electronic equipment will be transported to the company's plant in Atlanta, dismantled, and shipped to recycling facilities.

The company will only accept office related electronics. The list includes:

.. Computers, monitors, and printers.

.. Telephones. .. Fax machines. .. Copiers. .. Calculators.

.. Cell phones.

.. Rechargeable batteries and wet or dry lead acid batteries.

.. Medical/testing equipment.

.. All types of cables.

.. Power supplies and back-up power supplies (UPS).

.. Hubs, switches, and routers. Items not on the list are: .. Televisions. .. Microwaves.

.. Radios.

.. Household electronics such as stereos, blenders, or mixers.

"E-waste is a point of concern, being that many components of such equipment are considered toxic and are not biodegradable," said Jim Butler of the Lincoln County Code Enforcement Office. "If the waste is not disposed of properly, it is a major source of carcinogens and toxic materials such as mercury, cadmium, lead, nickel, sulfur, and PCBs. However, if treated properly, electronic waste can be a valuable source of secondary raw materials.

"Solutions are in place, but in most cases, a legal framework, collection systems, and other services are not in place to encourage the recycling of such products," he continued. "We hope that all residents will take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of their e-waste in an environmentally friendly way."

In other comments, the code enforcement officer pointed out that researchers estimate that 75 percent of obsolete electronics are in storage due to a lack of knowledge as to how to dispose of them properly, while the remaining 25 percent are sent to landfills where toxins from these items may leak into the soil and ground water supply.

Electronic waste is becoming one of America's fastest growing problems. A study conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that e-waste accounts for four percent of the United States municipal solid waste stream and is growing at a tremendously accelerated rate - two to three times faster than any other waste stream.

According to Eric Moncrief, regional program director for ERS, the company's goal is to develop corporate environmental solutions and in the process, reduce environmental liabilities.

"Our recycling processes are approaching zero waste and an exemplary reuse rate," said Moncrief. "We are committed to making the environment safer through recycling by working with strategic partners in the development of dynamic environmental programs. We appreciate the efforts being made by Lincoln County to make a difference in Georgia and lead the way in keeping the USA a greener and safer country for future generations."

He went on to note that glass and plastic e-waste can be used to make football helmets; automotive parts, including dashboards; electronic equipment; stained glass windows; and a host of other products. Materials such as lead, copper, and aluminum can be reclaimed as well.

ERS is an international electronics recycler, with global recycling partners. The company is uniquely positioned to provide a broad range of both recycling and asset recovery services to its preferred working partners.

Established in 2001, ERS currently has facilities in Atlanta; Toronto, Canada; and Gujarat, India. This past summer, a 2,000 lbs/hr media shredder was installed at the company's Atlanta plant to guarantee that all electronic data will be destroyed to an unrecoverable level.

Some interesting facts about ewaste are as follows:

.. Only 10 percent of American households are currently recycling their unwanted electronics.

.. Nearly three million tons of consumer electronic waste was generated in 2003 alone.

.. It is estimated that there are over 130 million retired cell phones in the United States.

.. Cell phone batteries, particularly the older ones, may contain nickel and cadmium.

.. Each year we dispose of roughly 250 million computers. In 2003, the National Safety Council predicted that between 315 and 618 million computers will become obsolete within the next few years. In California alone, 6,000 computers become obsolete each day.

.. Computer and television monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain four to eight pounds of lead on average as well as barium and cadmium. All of these materials can cause damage to human nervous and respiratory systems.

.. Flame retardant plastics used in electronics casings can release particles that damage human endocrine functions, according to an article by Andrew Zangilli.

For more information about "EWaste Recycling Week," contact the Lincoln County Code Enforcement Office at 706-359-5522.