CHESAPEAKE
Green-minded Chesapeake residents wouldn't dream of dumping poisons like mercury or lead into the environment.
But that's exactly what could happen as a result of carelessly disposed of and obsolete electronics. Those items contain chemicals and toxic heavy metals, including lead, mercury, barium, chromium, cadmium and beryllium.
"Electronics contain certain hazardous waste that can be released into the air, soil and water causing health and environmental risks," said askHRgreen.org team leader Julia Hillegass in an email.
We all have scores of unwanted electronics and don't want them cluttering and littering our homes. So, what's a responsible resident to do?
To solve the problem, the Special Programs Office of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism - in partnership with askHRgreen.org, Goodwill and Stealth Shredding - are sponsoring a Chesapeake Electronics Recycling Day from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 15 in the Greenbrier Mall parking lot between Dillard's and J.C. Penney.
"This will give citizens the opportunity to dispose of electronics properly," said Gladys Jones with the Special Programs Office, which oversees many anti-litter, recycling and beautification initiatives in Chesapeake.
Working with askHRgreen.org will help maximize the message of recycling and proper disposal, she added.
Accepted items include almost anything with a plug, excluding televisions. Typical items are cell phones, computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, fax machines, land-line telephones, printers, and such consumer electronics as DVD players/recorders, CD players, stereos, alarm clocks and hair dryers.
The green effort - in observation of America Recycles Day and with planning assistance from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission - will keep poisons out of the environment while re-using many of the discarded items.
According to Rebekah Eastep, environmental planner with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the collected electronics will be cannibalized and disassembled.
"The individual items are broken down to component parts or raw materials," she said. "These are used to create new electronics or entirely new items."
Jones added that the materials and parts are then shipped out to manufacturers throughout the country for re-use.
With recycling in mind, Goodwill will also be on hand collecting gently used clothing, shoes, household appliances and home decor. In addition, Stealth Shredding will collect household papers and documents for proper shredding.
For more details about Chesapeake Electronic Recycling Day call Special Programs at 382-6411 or visit askHRgreen.org and keep those poisons out of the environment.
Eric Feber, 222-5203, eric.feber@pilotonline.com