Christopher Swain helps dispose of an unwanted computer monitor.
The following was submitted by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce:
Last year, the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce (MCOC) became the first organization in New England to sign the Electronic Waste Code Of EthicsTM, a global set of standards developed by environmental educator Christopher Swain. To celebrate, they held an Ethical Electronics Recycling Event, which netted nearly 8,000 pounds of used electronics.
MCOC Executive Director, Ann Marie Casey said, “Last year, we wanted to inspire the local businesses to get the best outcomes for the environment and human rights when it came to their unwanted electronic devices. This year, we are asking the entire community to join us in ethically recycling their e-waste, and we are hoping to beat last year’s record and do some good at the same time.”
Casey knows it is no easy task to convince folks to dig old computers and TVs out their attics and basements and then pay to recycle them--especially during a recession.
So this year Casey plans to reward folks who attend the event, which will be held outside the Chamber’s offices at 62 Pleasant Street, in a few different ways.
First off, every attendee who recycles their electronics will receive 5% of their recycling fee back in the form of Marblehead Money that can be spent like cash at local businesses (starting with those at the indoor sidewalk sale held that same weekend at the Chamber Offices).
Second, everyone who recycles at least 20 pounds of used electronics in conjunction with the event will have their name entered into a drawing for a brand-new iPad2.
Finally, like last year, there will be hot coffee and free donuts for everyone who attends.
“We want to make it easy to do the right thing,” says Casey. “We asked two of our members, the Digital Docs, and My Print And Copy, to donate the iPad2 for the giveaway , and these two community-minded business were happy to help.” For more information on these two sponsoring businesses, please visit thedigitaldocs.com and
myprintandcopy.com.
The Chamber’s Annual Ethical Electronics Recycling Event will be held in conjunction with the Indoor Sidewalk Sale on Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12, from 11 — 4, both days--rain or snow or shine. Assisted by the crew from Ethical Electronics Recycling, they plan to collect thousands of pounds of used electronics from local residents and business owners in the parking lot outside their offices at 62 Pleasant Street (Masonic Lodge building). And, of course, all materials collected will be processed in accordance with the Electronic Waste Code of EthicsTM: the highest and most comprehensive set of electronics lifecycle standards in the world.
The Electronic Waste (e-waste) Code Of Ethics includes a mandate to educate youth about the global problem of Electronic Waste as well as a pledge to prevent e-waste from being dumped or deposited into solid waste landfills or incinerators. It also requires that electronics not be dumped in developing countries, or processed by child or prison labor.
Materials that will be accepted include: Televisions, Computers, Monitors, Phones, Laptops, Keyboards, Drives, Cables, Cords, Peripherals, E-Readers like Kindle and Nook, Copiers, Printers, Fax Machines, Scanners, Laptops, Stereo Equipment, Speakers, CD & DVD Players, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, Remotes, VCR's, Projectors, Still and Video Cameras (film and digital), PDAs, Radios and Radio Equipment, Answering Machines, Camcorders, Electric Typewriters, Game Systems, Games, Pagers, Fans, Vacuums, Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, Air Conditioners, Microwave Ovens, Toasters, Blenders, Small “dorm-room style” Refrigerators, Power Tools, Ink Cartridges, Toner Cartridges, USB Media, CDs, DVDs, and Magnetic Media like Zip Disks, Video Tapes, Audio Tapes, and Floppy Diskettes. Cell phones will be accepted at no charge. Filing cabinets and office furniture are okay, too.
Incoming electronics will be weighed, and attendees will be charged an Ethical Recycling Fee of $1 per pound.
For more information please contact: Ann Marie Casey at acasey@marbleheadchamber.org or 781.631.2868. For more information on the Electronic Waste Code of EthicsTM, please visit: http://www.toxtour.org.
