What to do with e-waste

[AbbyR]

I just got this press release, and thought some of the ecologically-minded among us might be interested:


High-definition televisions, digital cameras, MP3 players and flash media will be filling Santa's sleigh as thousands of Arkansas families add new electronic gadgets to their homes this Christmas.
So what happens to the stuff of Christmases past - all those outdated electronic items?
They become e-waste - electronic items that are at or nearing the end of their useful lives.
The glut of unwanted electronics could seem insurmountable. However, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and UNICOR federal prison industry have partnered to offer all Arkansas residents the opportunity to recycling their old electronics at no charge.
Project GreenFed, a pilot program offered only to Arkansas residents; accepts unwanted household electronics for recycling. The program provides boxes, shipping instructions and free shipping. The phone calls are even free.
The process is simple: .
• Call 1-866-896-8528 or visit www.unicor.gov/recycling to request shipping boxes. The box(es) and packing instructions are sent directly to your home.
• Fill the box(es) with computers, monitors, laptops, cell phones, power supplies, etc.
• Call FedEx at 1-888-777-6040 for free pick-up.
The packages are shipped to Texarkana, where parts will be salvaged and used again.
Unusable parts are recycled and any proceeds are used to support the UNICOR electronics recycling program.
Don't wait to recycle, though. Like Santa, Project GreenFed is here for a limited time.
The pilot program is scheduled to end in August 2006.
Through community electronics collection programs and events and Project GreenFed, Arkansans have recycled more than 506 tons of old electronics at UNICOR.
Beginning January 2008, all electronics will be banned from Arkansas landfills.
For more information, contact ADEQ Recycling Branch Manager Robert Hunter, 501-682-0814 or hunter @adeq.state. ar.us.