Press
Release:
Phone: 431-0815 Email: recycle@savemobile.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
E-RASE YOUR E-WASTE: RECYCLE ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT IN
HELENA AT SPECIAL EVENT
CONTACT: MATT ELSAESSER, SAVE FOUNDATION, 431-0815; JENNIFER MCBROOM,
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION DISTRICT, 457-8584; or BOB BIERS, STAPLES
STORE MANAGER, 441-1529.
Every year, millions of computers, printers, fax machines, and other
electronics equipment are thrown away at local landfills or shipped
to developing countries, where copper, lead, and other metals are
recovered in a way that pollutes the environment.
But, on Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m., Helena area residents and businesses will have a chance
to recycle their old electronics equipment at Staples, 2930 Prospect
Ave.
Called E-Rase Your E-Waste, this electronics equipment recycling
event is the first-ever in Helena, and is sponsored by Staples,
in conjunction with the SAVE Foundation, Montana Department of Environmental
Quality, the Lewis & Clark City-County Health Department, Water
Quality Protection District, and the Solid Waste Department.
Full computer systems (CPU, monitor, keyboard, and mouse), copiers,
laptops, fax machines, scanners, printers, VCRs, DVDs, and televisions
will be accepted at this event. v(For people recycling their computers,
they can clean their hard drives by following the instructions at
http:dban.sourceforge.net.)
Each item can be recycled for $10; a full computer system will be
considered one item. For the two-day event, Staples will donate
the $10 to the Helena School District. In addition, participants
will receive $10 off a $40 purchase from Staples for supporting
the proper disposal of e-waste.
Smaller items, such as cell phones, PDAs, and the chargers and batteries
that power them, can be recycled at no cost every day at any Staples
store nationwide. Staples also offers customers a $3 off coupon
towards a future purchase for each used ink or toner cartridge they
return to any Staples store.
Businesses can recycle electronics too, but there is a 10-item limit
for businesses that bring items directly to Staples. For businesses
with more than 10 items, they need to pre-register by calling the
SAVE Foundation at 443-6323 to arrange for collection before the
event, along with other details. This will help prevent congestion
during the event itself.
“We’ve been asked about electronics recycling by many
businesses and individuals,” Elsaesser said. “We’re
very excited that Staples is providing this opportunity in Helena.”
According to the International Association of Electronics Recyclers,
one billion computers will be scrapped worldwide by 2010, at a rate
of 100 million units per year.
The Consumer Electronics Association predicts that cell phone sales
will reach 90 million units in 2005, and cell phones are normally
replaced every one to two years. Broadcasters nationwide will be
encouraging consumers to upgrade to digital televisions before 2009,
when over-the-air analog broadcasting is supposed to end.
Many of these electronics equipment contain hazardous metals such
as lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and chromium. When electronics
are not disposed of or
recycled properly, they can cause pollution.
“Safely recycling outdated electronics can promote the safe
management of hazardous components and supports the recovery and
reuse of valuable materials,” said SAVE’s Elsaesser.
For more information, call the SAVE Foundation at 443-6323 or check
online at www.savemobile.org.
For more information about Staples’ electronics recycling
programs, please visit http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/environment.html.
