University faculty and staff, along with the local community, helped divert an estimated 200 tons of electronic waste from landfills at the annual e-waste recycling event recently.
Some of the 200 tons of e-waste collected for recycling recently by U-M and Ann Arbor Public Schools. (Photos courtesy of Office of Campus Sustainability)
A record-setting 5,000 vehicles passed through the drop-off locations during the three-day event, April 24-26. The community’s collective efforts filled 19 semi-trailers with recyclable electronics including laptop and desktop computers, televisions and microwaves.
“The turnout for this event continues to stay strong with each passing year even with the growing number of opportunities to recycle e-waste throughout the year,” said Barbara Hagan, sustainability administrator for the Office of Campus Sustainability.
“Our community demonstrates their commitment to living Planet Blue by taking advantage of this service to dispose of their electronics in an environmentally responsible manner.”
Hosted by OCS in partnership the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the event is designed to help area residents, small businesses and non-profits dispose of electronics in an earth-friendly way.
Following 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 worldwide and frequently contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which can adversely affect the environment and human health.
Since 2008, the event has filled a combined total of 125 semi-trailers, diverting more than 1,600 tons of electronic waste from local landfills, and supports the university’s broader sustainability initiative known as Planet Blue.
Tina Wells
Thank you for making this event fast, easy and free! Thank you to the volunteers who get you in and out SO fast! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kelly Chatain
Congratulations on a superbly organized and executed event!
Mary Spaan
Very efficient; didn’t take us much time to drop stuff off. Could have had better signage for entrance to drop off.
Cris Carbonneau
Will another electronic waste pick up be scheduled for any other dates this year.