E-waste recycling event planned

Area residents will have a chance to responsibly dispose of electronic waste at an upcoming recycling event in New Baltimore.

In celebration of Earth Day, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling of Anchor Bay will collect all unwanted electronic items that require batteries or have a cord. The event is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to noon April 20 in the west parking lot of New Baltimore City Hall.

“We did this last year for the city. It worked out really well,” said Steve Warren, owner of the local veteran-operated franchise, at an April 8 New Baltimore City Council meeting. “We did it strictly for the residents of New Baltimore and we got just over a ton of e-waste recycled last year, so it was about 2,200 pounds.”

With the goal of keeping even more e-waste out of landfills this year, the event will welcome residents of all communities.

“We’re hoping to do really well this year,” Warren said.

Items that will be accepted include the following:

• Flat screen TVs

• Computers, laptops, desktops

• Printers and fax machines

• Vacuum cleaners

• Microwaves

• Toasters

• Electric kettles

• Video cameras

• Audio equipment

• Electrical tools

• Blenders

• Coffee makers

• Food processor

Warren, a resident of New

Baltimore, said the franchise also collected 1,000 pounds of e-waste during a similar recycling event last October.

“When we do this stuff it keeps everything out of the landfill,” he said. “One hundred percent of it gets recycled.”

Hard drives will be shredded at Basic Metals Recycling.

Proper electronics recycling helps conserve resources and natural materials, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics also avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing new products.

Safe recycling of electronics also supports responsible management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury, according to the Macomb County Health Department. Most electronic devices contain a variety of contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium or brominated flame retardants that can enter the environment.

Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The New Baltimore City Council unanimously approved the special event permit requested by Warren at the April 8 meeting.