This Earth Day weekend technology-laden consumers will have the opportunity to rid themselves of obsolete or unwanted machines while doing something good for the planet. Goodwill and OfficeMax will partner to recycle electronic waste Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22, at OfficeMax locations in Lakewood, Cerritos and Torrance, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
E-waste contains hazardous lead and mercury, and these toxic substances eventually leak and contaminate landfills. It is illegal to dispose of e-waste in the trash because residential waste eventually enters the municipal waste stream.
By recycling e-waste, everyone can help to divert toxins from entering the local environment. The four-hour collection drive gives local residents the opportunity to safely dispose of their computer monitors, televisions and cell phones.
The three participating OfficeMax locations are at 4949 Lakewood Boulevard in Lakewood, 12865 Towne Center Drive in Cerritos and 3665 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance.
The State of California categorizes e-waste into two general types: covered electronic waste (CEW) and consumer electronic devices (CEDs). CEW consists largely of computer monitors and televisions with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) that contain hazardous lead. CEDs comprise fax machines, cell phones, computer towers, printers, keyboards and most other computer peripherals.
April’s weekend e-waste collection drive will not be able to accept commercial, industrial or large-scale e-waste or household hazardous waste, fluorescent tubes or batteries. Fax machines, printers, computer towers and most other computer peripherals and electronics will be accepted.
The donation drive is free to residents and the qualifying items donated are tax deductible.
Proceeds from the collection drive will allow Goodwill to continue to fund its skills development and job placement programs. These programs help low-income and at-risk youth and adults transition back into the workforce.
For more information on this event or other Goodwill programs, contact Goodwill at (562) 435-3411 or visit www.goodwillsolac.org.
