Here is the article I wrote for my newspaper
If any of you are looking for some free advertisement then I suggest you write an environmental piece also.... it works wonders.
E-waste? What’s that?
Sadly, the vast majority of Americans still don't know what e-waste is. E-waste is all end-of-life electronics and is classified as a hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency. It includes all hand-held devices, computers, printers, fax machines and the bane of the waste stream: CRTs and televisions.
In 2009, 2.59 million tons of e-waste went to the landfills, and only 600,000 tons were recovered for recycling, according to EPA. The years since haven’t been better, and although the statistics aren’t out for 2010 or 2011, the EPA projects the amount of e-waste being recycled is less than that sneaking into landfills.
In July of 2011, the state of Indiana made it illegal to send electronics to the landfill and offered no affordable outlet for these electronics. So what are we to do with all this waste that is growing every year? Many owners have resorted to just letting electronics sit in their alleys or yards, and irresponsible urban miners are destroying them, making a mess in the owners’ yards and spreading hazardous waste all over the ground, for which the owner could be fined.
While many computer manufacturers have jumped in and aided in rectifying this problem, including Dell and Microsoft working with Goodwill in the Dell Reconnect program, other computer giants such as Lenovo are doing very little to help.
With that in mind, e-waste recycling companies are jumping up all over the country to fill the gap. Nationally, Goodwill industries will accept electronics for recycling, and Staples will collect monitors.
Locally, there are at least two drop-off locations working with a new e-waste recycling company.
Harrison and Daughters Electronics specializes in repairing electronics, allowing people to continue enjoying their electronics and saving them from burning a hole in their pocket. Not all electronics can be saved, however, and they will accept end-of-life electronics for recycling. Their phone number is 574-722-1434. Please call as space is limited.
Additionally, Computers Plus, which repairs computers, has opened its doors for collection on Thursdays only, and it accepts only computers and computer peripherals. The number is 574-753-3041. Please call first as space is limited.
JM Recovery and Investments will also pick up electronics and serves Cass, White and all surrounding counties. All pickups in Cass and White counties are free. Please contact us at 574-516-7375 or by email at jmrecoveryandinvestments@gmail.com.
John Blickenstaff, owner, JM Recovery and Investments
