Individuals looking to unload broken or unwanted electronics in an earth-friendly way are encouraged to stop by the free e-waste recycling event sponsored by U-M and Ann Arbor Public Schools, April 25-27.
The Office of Campus Sustainability, which serves as the focal point for sustainable campus operations, is coordinating the three-day event, which is open to the public, local businesses and non-profits.
An assortment of electronics will be accepted at the event, including laptop and desktop computers, televisions and telephones.
Collections will occur at Pioneer High School and at the U-M Tennis and Gymnastics Parking Lot. Logistics for equipment drop-off are:
• General public: April 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Pioneer High School, 601 West Stadium Blvd. Enter from Main Street at the corner of West Stadium Blvd.
• Businesses and nonprofits: April 25-26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the U-M Tennis and Gymnastics Parking Lot, 2250 South State St. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure adequate staffing.
“We are pleased to continue to provide the community with an environmentally safe method for disposing their electronics,” said Andy Berki, manager of the Office of Campus Sustainability. “Engaging the local community in this annual event helps increase awareness of proper e-waste disposal and the effort to keep harmful materials out of the landfills.”
After the collection, equipment is properly disassembled, shredded and recycled into raw materials by a fully licensed recycling facility in North America, and manufactured into new items.
Electronic waste is the fastest-growing type of waste in the country and frequently contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which can adversely affect the environment.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 2.4 million tons of electronics were ready for end-of-life management in 2009, with only 25 percent collected for recycling.
This is the sixth year the university and Ann Arbor Public Schools have sponsored the event. Since 2008, the event has filled a combined total of 89 semi-trailers and diverted a total of 1,168 tons of electronic waste from local landfills.
The e-waste event supports the university’s overall commitment to sustainability known as Planet Blue.