MORE”than ever Napa has several options for the proper disposal of e-waste MAy / J U N E 2 0 1 3 49 “RECYCLE Did you know that it is illegal to dispose of electronic waste in the trash? It is estimated that millions of outdated computer monitors and televisions are stockpiled in California garages, closets and attics. This electronic equipment can be harmful to the environment and human health if not properly recycled. In fact, a typical older television or computer monitor, for example, can contain seven pounds of lead. With the restriction on placing electronic waste in the trash, there are often questions about what options exist for proper disposal. In recent years, the Napa community has been provided two main options to appropriately get rid of old electronic items—an annual e-waste collection event held every June at Napa Valley College, and free year-round drop-off at the Napa Recycling and Compost Facility at 820 Levitin Way (off Highway 29 and Tower Road in American Canyon). Napa residents also occasionally see flyers left at their doors offering free pick-up of electronic waste— however, these pick-ups are often done by businesses operating illegally in the City and for which it is often not clear whether the electronic waste is handled in a legally and environmentally sound manner. As of April 2013, the City of Napa in partnership with Napa Recycling and Waste Services (NRWS) and the Napa Sanitation District began a program called Recycle More, which offers curbside pick-up of electronic waste at no charge simply by calling NRWS to set-up an appointment. The Recycle More program offers a much more convenient option to NRWS customers in the City of Napa. The new program allows the City to collect those items that are important to recycle for environmental and legal reasons and/or that have positive market value. In addition, the program will also pick up large metal items over 36 inches (anything smaller metal that is not e-waste can go in the blue cart) and appliances, as well as cooking oil. This will help keep it out of the drains and be used to produce renewable biodiesel fuel. This program will make it easier to have these items removed from the home and be properly recycled. The City of Napa, in partnership with Napa Recycling & Waste Services (NRWS), Napa County and Napa Valley College, will still hold the annual June e-waste collection event. This year, the event will be held on June 8th from 9:00 am-2:00pm in the Napa Valley College parking lot next to the soccer field. This event provides the Napa community the opportunity to bring “Anything with a Cord” for proper recycling, including electronics such as computer equipment, televisions, and cell phones; metal appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, and water heaters; and smaller kitchen and household appliances such as vacuums, blenders, microwaves, and table fans. As always, all e-waste and appliances are accepted in any quantity, free of charge. The electronics collected will be recycled by Fresno-based Electronic Recyclers International (www. electronicrecyclers.com), the largest recycler of e-waste in California. At this facility, the electronics are carefully disassembled into different components (metals, plastic, glass, etc.). This material then goes to manufacturing facilities to be reprocessed into new products. The Fresno facility assures that the electronic waste is legally recycled. The facility is approved by the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Toxic Substance Control as an authorized outlet, and all activities are monitored by a state-of-the-art surveillance and security camera system. Electronic Recyclers International is also certified by the E-Stewards program (http://e-stewards.org). This designation helps assure the e-waste is handled in an environmentally responsible manner and will not become a pollution problem in California or in foreign countries. While this event offers a convenient opportunity to drop off anything with a cord and the Recycle More program offers free curbside pick-up, the City of Napa’s Recycling and Composting Facility will still continue to accept e-waste and appliances for no charge year round at its facility located at 820 Levitin Way (off Highway 29 and Tower Road in American Canyon.) The facility is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More information about electronic waste, including opportunities for donation and reuse of some items (which is environmentally preferable to recycling), can be found at www.naparecycling.com.
NVLife_MayJune_2013
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