Waste Disposal
From Wittenberg Green Guide
Lot of things in our lives are filled with chemical compounds that can not be safely stored in landfills. This page talks about some of them, and provides some options for safe reuse, recycling, or disposal of those matierals.
Contents |
Electronics and High-Tech Waste Products
Almost all electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, monitors, MP3 players and myriad other devices all contain hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, other heavy metals, and environmentally hazardous plastics and petrochemicals such as PCBs.[1]
Want to know more about the issues surrounding the disposal of computers and other electronics? Read High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics, and Human Health by Elizabeth Grossman (Island Press, 2006 -, available from OhioLINK.)
Cell Phones
If you have a functional cell phone (even if you stopped paying for service on it), you can donate it to Project Woman here in Springfield. They would love to have the accompanying phone charging equipment, but they will accept phones without it.
Rechargeable Batteries
Some area stores have kiosks where Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium batteries can be dropped off. Individual plastic bags are available at the kiosk. Lowes and Home Depot stores offer this service.
Computers
- The Full Circle Group in Cincinnati will accept most old PCs (486 or better, which means just about any computer less than 10 years old)
- Where to donate computer hardware w/in 100 miles of Springfield - other listings of computer reuse organization (most want computers less than 5 years old)
- The following two organizations are signatory to the Basel Action Network Pledge of True Stewardship, self-described as "The World's Most Rigorous Environmental and Social Justice Criteria for Recycling E-waste":
- Intechra - Columbus: 1120 Morrison Road, Gahanna, OH 43230 ; Phone: (614) 481-4320 ; Fax: (614) 866-1298
- Redemtech Columbus - 3650 Brookham Drive, Columbus, OH 43123 ; Phone: (614) 305-7102 ; Fax: (614) 801-9032
- Montgomery County Material Reuse Facility - Dayton, OH
Computer Parts
Printer Cartridges
Some replacement printer cartridges come with postage-paid envelopes with which you can send your old cartridge back to the manufacturer for reuse or recycling.
An alternative to manufacturer-direct recycling, depleted cartridges may be donate for reuse. The Child Welfare League of America's Safe Space Program takes inkjet cartridges for recycling. Contact Prof. Lori Askeland in the English Department to donate your inkjet cartridges through this program.
Clothing
Fleece and other polyester fibers
- The Patagonia clothing company recycles many of the polyester and cotton garments that it produced, and can also recycle anything bearing the Polartec® brand label or baselayers (underwear and long underwear) made from Capilene. For information on where to send worn-out garments, see the Patagonia: Common Threads website.
Household Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio - Franklin Co. 614-871-5100
Miscellaneous
If you're still looking for a place to recycle or dispose of a tricky item, try typing in your zip code at earth911.org.
References
- ↑ Grossman, Elizabeth. High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics, and Human Health. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2006. 6-7.
