The environmental impact of recycling a computer system is equivalent to taking half a car off the road, according to University Campus Sustainability.
Students can lower their carbon footprint by participating in an electronic waste drive on campus on Nov. 4 near the Student Union on Tower Drive.
The University will partner with Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council to offer the University an outlet to keep the retired electronics’ pollutants out of landfills.
CACRC is a nonprofit designed to give individuals and businesses an environmentally friendly way to dispose of e-waste. In 2012 alone, it recycled more than 1,200 tons of e-scrap.
The University Campus Sustainability guide states that recyclable electronics contain materials that can contaminate water and soil — threats to both human and animal health.
There is lead in computer monitors and screens, cadmium in the laptop batteries and mercury inside audio equipment, phones, scanners and flat screen televisions, according to the International Association of Electronic Recyclers.
Manager of University Campus Sustainability initiatives Sarah Temple said the e-waste recycling collection is intended to become an annual event.
“We want to increase our recycling rate to 50 percent or higher, and it’s currently at roughly 40 percent,” Temple said.
Allowing e-waste to rest in a landfill is not only detrimental to the environment, it’s also a direct violation of University and state policy.
Property Management must be utilized for disposal of state property to make the process efficient and environmentally safe, according to Title 34, Government Contracts, Procurement and Property Control.
Temple said there will also be a raffle at the e-waste collection event.
“You can put your name in a box for a chance to win tickets to the Swine Palace Theatre,” Temple said.
E-waste items welcomed at the drive include computers, monitors, cellphones, radios, telephones, MP3 players, printers, faxes, etc. that are broken or retired. E-waste does not include refrigerators, microwaves, televisions or copiers.
If University students or faculty can’t participate in the e-waste collection on campus, CACRC provides instructions for proper e-waste disposal on their website.