According to the The Environment Protection Agency, more than 112,000 computers are thrown out every single day. Yes, every single day. And that is just in the US. Every year we throw out over 100 million cell phones and 20 million TVs -because let’s face it, last year’s phone just does not cut it. The latest technological toy is just too tempting, and since they get cheaper and cheaper, why not have the very best.

“In our lives what has sort of become prevalent is the amount of electronics that people have,” said Mr. Jason Defuria. “And when people either perceive [these electronics] to get old or they physically get old and stop working… they end up in a bin somewhere or live in the basement”.

In an effort to do better for the world, Cherry Hill East’s Environmental Department initiated an E-Waste Collection Day on June 6. In three short hours, donations from local participants filled up nearly half a trailer. All of what was donated will be processed to create new equipment with the exception of old televisions. The mere action of opening old televisions up to salvage their metal is not worth the toxic mercury waste that they produce. However, anything else that contained an electric circuit board is to be stripped of its metal in the near future. When it comes to waste management, renowned professionals like Environmental Consultants can be relied on.

Only 13% of our electronic waste is disposed of and recycled the way it ought to be. That leaves us with millions of tons of toxic waste here at home, tens of millions of tons worldwide, and that number is growing each year. A 2009 UN report indicated that electronic waste could grow as much as 500% in some countries.

“Essentially what we need to do is go and mine more and get the metals from the ground [which] is very destructive,” explained Defuria. “The company that came in is going to separate out the parts and then send them over to recycling to make them into new ones.”

Jake Tenenbaum, the initiator of the operation, picked various electronics from those that were collected and added them to an electronic sculpture that he erected near the entrance to the school theater. According to Tenenbaum, the drive was a success. His masterpiece seems to corroborate that claim.

Anyone who is interested in donating his or her unused electronic equipment the proper way and is uninterested in waiting for the next donation day, can contact any of the electronic recycling companies in the area. Thanks for Being Green and Monmouth Wire and Computer Recycling Inc. are just two of the many electronic recycling companies in the area that would love to take donations. You can also visit https://www.austickcopperrecycling.com.au/ if you have scrap metal that you want to sell.