by Cory Bilicko
Staff Writer
Who knew trash could be so complicated?
During the Political Correctness movement of the ’90s, most of us became enlightened about recycling as we learned to conscientiously segregate paper, plastic and aluminum from the soiled coffee filters, contaminated raw-meat packaging and slimy mango peels that we were throwing out.
But what of that PC that finally succumbed to all those viruses? Or that flip cell phone that became a relic overnight when the iPhone was unleashed? And, now, there’s that television that was perfectly fine eight years ago but now just seems so passé, even though a converter box would render it compatible with February 16’s big switch to digital broadcast.
With all our technological leapfrogs comes a proliferation of e-waste— discarded electronic equipment like computers, TVs, digital clocks, cell phones, scanners and so forth. Electronic waste that can actually be recycled is sometimes sub-classified as a “commodity,” while e-waste which cannot be reused is distinguished as “waste.” Both types of e-waste have raised environmental concerns since many components of such equipment are not only not biodegradable, but also toxic; televisions, for example, contain lead, cadmium, and beryllium, which are all hazardous materials that will lead to toxic chemicals leaching into groundwater over time if not properly disposed.
Implementing the Electronic Waste Recycling Act, California became the first state to pass legislation that makes it illegal to throw specific covered electronics in with municipal solid waste.
Accordingly, last Saturday, the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) hosted an e-waste drive at the north division police substation. BKBIA Executive Director Blair Cohn said the drive yielded a high turnout. “Residents came in droves to drop off computers, monitors, TVs and other waste harmful to the environment,” he said. “There was a steady line of cars in and out of the parking lot dropping off the materials.”
For those who missed the Bixby event, the Environmental Services Bureau of the City of Long Beach and the Office of Councilmember Suja Lowenthal are hosting their 3rd Annual Electronic Waste Drive on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10am to
1pm at the northeast corner of Broadway at Long Beach Boulevard.
Lowenthal said an issue with the current abundance of electronic equipment is the expansion of an e-waste disposal industry consisting of collectors who are more concerned with profit margin than environmental impact. “These collectors send e-waste overseas to Third World countries where giant e-waste stock piles leach highly toxic chemicals into the soil,” she said. Because of the challenge and high cost of recycling used electronics, as well as lenient enforcement of legislation regarding e-waste exportation, large quantities of used electronics have been shipped to countries such as India, China and Kenya, which have lower ecological standards and working conditions, making e-waste processing more lucrative.
“I recommend that people go online to www.takebackmytv.com or similar websites to find responsible collectors in their areas,” said Lowenthal. “I represent a very pro-active, environmentally conscious group of residents who are very supportive of our efforts to green this city. We are a nationwide leader in diverting waste from landfills, we have taken steps to get all of our residents recycling and we have become very proficient in collecting e-waste.”
In addition to the electronic equipment’s being responsibly disposed, cell phones will be set aside for a worthy social cause. “All cell phones will be donated to Interval House and Su Casa Domestic Abuse Network to help battered spouses and children successfully transition out of abusive homes,” said Lowenthal.
Excluded from the upcoming e-waste drive will be hazardous waste such as paint, fluorescent light bulbs, used oil, oil filters, pesticides or batteries. Hazardous waste disposal is available at the Gaffey Street Collection Center, 1400 N. Gaffey Street in San Pedro, which is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am to 3pm.
For more information on the e-waste drive, visit www.longbeach-recycles.org or call (562) 570-4694 or (562) 570-6684.
