Students, faculty and staff dropped off their old and neglected electronics at the quad during the third annual E-Waste Drive on Oct. 16.
Electronics accepted at the drive included cell phones, cables, printers, computers and other outdated, unused devices.
It is dangerous for these products to be thrown in the garbage, so these products are collected and recycled.
The drive was held by Facilities Management’s Zero Waste Coordinator Helen Lee to promote recycling of electronics.
“It helps us with our zero waste goal, and we’re trying to get people thinking about recycling their outdated devices,” Lee said. “A lot of people hoard their electronics at home… and people don’t really know what to do with it, so we wanted to provide a service for staff, faculty, and students to dispose of their waste safely,” she said.
Batteries and other devices, when disposed of conventionally, end up in landfills where they can contaminate water and soil, potentially creating health problems for those who come in contact with the contaminated water or soil, according to AU’s Zero Waste website.
Matt Sacco, the international programs coordinator for the School of International Service, dropped off his old phone to be recycled.
“I know it’s a great cause and it will go into use somewhere else,” he said.
Sacco also said drives like this one are a great way for curious students and faculty members to learn more about the risks of electronic waste
Despite the drives learning opportunities, few of the donations came from undergraduate students.
“We have observed in the past three years… that most of the turnout is based on faculty, staff, and graduate students… undergraduate students are taking their e-waste back or taking it home during move out,” Lee said.
