Old TVs, computers and cell phones are just some of the electronic devices that can clutter spaces and homes. With landfills no longer accepting electronics in North Carolina, several collection events in the Elon area have served as a way for community members to properly dispose of unused electronics.
Elon University will host its third E-Waste collection event Nov. 17 in the Arts West parking lot. The event will allow Elon faculty, students and staff, as well as the surrounding community, to donate any unwanted electronics. All collected pieces will either be reused and donated to Goodwill or properly recycled and kept out of landfills.
According to junior Meredith Bayer, a student helping coordinate the event, donating items not only helps those in need, but can also have major environmental benefits.
“By simply dropping of their electronics at our event, people can help reduce the number of toxins carried in electronics, such as lead and mercury that can leach into our groundwater and soil if thrown away improperly,” Bayer said. “Recycling also saves energy, reduces the amount of landfill space used and can reduce air and water pollution.”
David Worden, the director of Environmental Services at Elon University, is helping to coordinate the event. According to Worden, the idea for the event came after North Carolina landfills began to decline discarded electronics in 2011.
“Electronic waste is prohibited from being taken to the landfills now, so we are making this offering of collection for Elon and the surround community to assist those in need,” Worden said. “It offers a local, convenient way to recycle e-waste and shows we care enough to give [people] peace of mind to know they’ve disposed of their electronics appropriately.”
Similar events have not just taken place locally, but are common in other states as well. Freshman Kat Pallotta attended an e-waste collection in her hometown in New Jersey.
“We donated an old desktop computer and fax machine,” Pallotta said. “It made me feel really good because I knew something that we were no longer using could actually go to use and others would benefit from it. It was much better than throwing it away or letting it sit in our house.”
According to Bayer, the most commonly donated electronics are computers, cell phones and TVs, however numerous other items are accepted.
“People can bring other materials such as clothing, shoes, and things usually brought to Goodwill and donate them,” Bayer said. “All people have to do is show up on Saturday and drop off their e-materials and we will take it from there.”
Additionally, Worden encourages anyone who wants to learn more to stop by the event and the people working will be happy to answer any questions.
The event will fall at the end of National Recycling Week, which serves to create more environmental awareness and encourage the practice of good conservation habits in the community.
“Recycling is an important aspect of out culture here at Elon and it is important for us to foster that culture by creating awareness and subsequently, participation,” Worden said.