For the second year running, residents will have an opportunity next week to dispose of their antiquated electronics with a collection drive put on by the Tribe.
Wrangell Cooperative Association’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program will be working with residents and businesses both to gather together e-waste, items ranging from fax machines and scanners to tube televisions, charger cords, adapters, cellular phones and computer towers. The drive will accept all video and music players, cameras and other monitors.
Basically anything with a power cord or processor chip, explained Kim Wickman, Wrangell IGAP’s technician. Her office has already arranged to collect old hardware from several businesses and by Monday had three loads already palleted and prepared for transport.
“I’ll be working with the school to pack up any added electronics they have,” Wickman added.
IGAP is hoping to collect 15 pallets this year, up from the 13 they shipped out during last year’s run.
“We had a really good turn out last year,” she said.
As with last year’s collection, an IGAP grant will cover transport south for items’ reprocessing through Total Reclaim, a recycling firm. On its website the Seattle-based recycler estimates it has so far processed 535,803,000 pounds of goods, including electronics, home appliances, light bulbs and refrigerants. Its Alaska branch has been operating since 2005 and has worked with 125 different communities around the state on electronics reclamation.
Wickman explained the intent of the drive is to get as much electronic waste off-island as possible. Such items are often bulky, taking up more space than necessary at the local waste transfer facility. Items’ bulk can also make shipping difficult, with the expense dissuading many from shipping it off. So it tends to collect in people’s storage areas, Wickman said.
With e-waste, environmental effects at the landfill can also be disconcerting. Components can contain toxic elements such as mercury, cadmium, nickel and lead, which can leach out and make their way into surrounding water systems.
“There are a lot of things in our electronics that don’t belong in our surroundings,” she commented.
Sent down to Washington for collection and reprocessing abroad, these materials, along with precious metals like gold and reusable plastics, can be removed or salvaged.
The collection will be held at the WCA Cultural Center on February 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The IGAP office can collect goods beforehand as well. Those unable to make next Saturday can call the WCA office during weekday working hours at 874-4304 to set up an appointment.
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