By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) — The University of Hawai‘i is aiming to reach a goal of helping Hawai‘i responsibly recycle and dispose of five million pounds of ewaste through the statewide Education & Government eWaste Disposal Days program.
Public and private schools, City, County, State or Federal/Military branches, non-profits, small businesses (of less than 100 employees), and private citizens are all encouraged to participate by dropping off unwanted ewaste that will be accepted free of charge October 25 through 27 at seven sites on four islands.
This is the fourth installment of the UH biennial recycling program, which began in 2006 under sponsorship of Apple. Amounts collected to date have been 1.2 million pounds of ewaste in the initial year, 1.75 million in 2008 and 1.3 million in 2010. If 750,000 pounds of electronics are collected this year, the five million cumulative pounds goal will be achieved. Every ounce counts towards the goal.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, “The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away about three million tons each year.” Up to 60 different elements can be found in complex electronics, much of it caustic and hazardous to living beings and the environment.
Participating in UH’s recycling effort will help eliminate some of the negative impact that improper ewaste disposal has on Hawai‘i and the world. All ewaste collected will be shipped to certified recycling centers in North America where the equipment will be processed in an environmentally safe manner.
Today, October 25, and Friday, October 26, are designated as equipment drop off days for the following groups who are required to preregister through the program’s webpage, www.hawaii.edu/ewaste, and indicate the amount of equipment that they wish to recycle:
- All public or private schools or universities
- All City, County, State or Federal/Military branches
- Small to medium sized businesses (of less than 100 employees)
- Non-profit organizations
No preregistration is required for Hawai‘i residents who wish to recycle their unwanted personal electronics free of charge at any of the sites on Saturday, October 27.
Drop off sites will be located on O‘ahu at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Windward Community College and Leeward Community College; at UH Hilo on Hawai’i Island; at UH Maui College on Maui; and at Kaua‘i Community College on Kaua‘i. The Hawai‘i State Department of Education will host a drop off site at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona. All seven sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. However, only three sites will be open on October 25 so check the program’s webpage at www.hawaii.edu/ewaste for a complete schedule, maps to drop off locations, and a list of the equipment that will be accepted.
“The University of Hawai‘i System and our campuses work hard to ensure responsible disposal of our own ewaste. Working with our partners, this program gives us a great opportunity to share a responsible no-cost disposal opportunity with Hawai‘i residents, schools, small businesses, non-profits and government agencies,” said David Lassner, UH vice president for information technology and chief information officer.
United States government researchers estimate that consumers have, on average, two to three obsolete computers in their garages, closets or storage spaces. UH’s Education & Government eWaste Disposal Days program is a great opportunity to recycle that equipment safely and responsibly. Every ounce counts!