Californians Encouraged to Celebrate Earth Day by eRecycling: Electronic waste recycling events provide opportunity to preserve & protect the environment, April 12, 2007, Press Release

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California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

Californians Encouraged to Celebrate Earth Day by eRecycling: Electronic waste recycling events provide opportunity to preserve & protect the environment

SACRAMENTO--In celebration of Earth Day, 45 electronic recycling collection events will be held at participating Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores across the state in partnership with local recyclers and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). California residents are encouraged to drop-off and recycle their electronic waste (e-waste) over the Earth Day weekend at a participating store in Northern, Central and Southern California locations.

Receiving areas will be set up in the parking lots of participating Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores where recyclers including Amandi; ARC International Corporation; ASL; Electronic Recyclers; e-Recycling of California; eWaste Center, Inc.; IMS Electronics Recycling; and M-Cubed, LLC will collect and recycle the e-waste.

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Cars line up between green bins at Earth Day eRecycle event as people drop off electronic waste.

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." It is estimated that over six million computer monitors and televisions are stockpiled in California garages, closets and attics due to the development of newer technologies. This electronic equipment can be harmful to the environment and human health if not recycled. Many Californians are unaware that it is illegal to throw certain electronic items, such as televisions and computer monitors, in the trash because of the environmentally-sensitive materials they contain.

"Earth Day serves as a reminder that we should all be doing our part to preserve and protect our environment," said Margo Reid Brown, CIWMB Chair. "These events are meant to inform consumers that electronic products can be conveniently reused, refurbished or recycled."

Wal-Mart and Sam's Club has been partnering with the CIWMB on a number of programs to promote eRecycling options and information to customers including posting eRecycle materials in their stores, conducting employee training and hosting collection events.

"Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are pleased to provide Sacramento area residents a convenient solution to recycle their e-waste," said Henry Jordan, regional general manager with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "By hosting these events, we aim to increase our customers' awareness about eRecycling and to further our efforts in reducing the amount of electronic material that ends up in landfills."

eRecycle workers help to unload computer monitors for proper disposal at Earth Day eRecycle Event.

In addition to these collection events, there are hundreds of locations throughout the state where electronic devices can be conveniently dropped-off for recycling – most often free of charge. Companies such as Amandi; ARC International Corporation; ASL; Electronic Recyclers; e-Recycling of California; eWaste Center, Inc.; IMS Electronics Recycling; and M-Cubed, LLC are striving to provide convenient recycling opportunities for e-waste in California.

These eRecycle events are being held on the heels of the CIWMB's recently launched eRecycle Consumer Education Program – a two year, statewide program designed to educate the public about how and where to recycle unwanted electronic equipment.

The eRecycle program was created as a result of California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, which went into effect January 1, 2005. This landmark legislation requires electronic retailers statewide to collect a small Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (between $6 and $10 on most televisions, computer monitors and laptop computers depending on size), for each covered electronic device that has been purchased.

Collected fees are deposited into an Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Account managed by CIWMB and are used to offset the cost of properly collecting and recycling these types of products at the end of their useful lives.

The CIWMB reports that the total weight of covered e-waste collected in 2005 was approximately 65 million pounds. In 2006, the total weight of covered e-waste collected more than doubled from 2005 to approximately 129 million pounds.

About CIWMB

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes a zero waste California in partnership with local government, industry and the public. This means reducing waste whenever possible, promoting the management of all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.