Free Electronics Recycling Event

Submitted by Lisa Starbuck on Wed, 2008/01/09 - 4:14pm.

One day only event - free recycling of selected electronics
Drive Through, Drop Off, Leave
That's how easy it is!

Behind STAPLES & BEST BUY
Town & Country Cir
Knoxville, TN 37922
Saturday
January 12, 2008
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Snow, Rain or Shine

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We are rerouting the traffic in order to eliminate most of the congestion. Please plan to come out and bring your old electronics. We look forward to seeing you.

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Drive through, drop off, leave. That's how easy it is.

This one day free eCycle event collects old computers, laptops, parts, peripherals, and a few other electronic items. All of these items have hazardous materials and should not be disposed of with your regular garbage. This event provides the community with the opportunity to properly recycle these items.

Acceptable Items
Computer equipment such as: PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, powers strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, small TVs (no consoles) and cell phones.

Unacceptable Items
Microwaves, electronics containing hazardous chemicals such as lab equipment, small refrigerators (contain freon), small stoves, small appliances, cardboard, scrap metal, aluminum cans, or newspapers.

Involved Charities
There are no fees being charged to drop off equipment, but monetary donations will gladly be accepted and will benefit Goodwill Industries, East TN Children's Hospital and the Optimist Club of West Knoxville.

Why Recycle?
Computer monitors and televisions are hazardous because they contain significant amounts of lead. Printed circuit boards contain hazardous metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury, with significant variation depending on the board. Mercury-containing components like switches and relays are found in some electronic and electrical products. PCBs may be found in televisions and computers made before the early 1980s. The OEA encourages residents to take advantage of local recycling opportunities. Recycling old electronic equipment keeps hazardous materials out of waste and makes it possible to recover resources. Recyclers typically disassemble units, salvage reusable parts, and send materials to final processors.

For more information:

Link...



Acceptable Items Computer

Acceptable Items
Computer equipment such as: PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, powers strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, small TVs (no consoles) and cell phones.

My usual drivel.

It is highly recommended you remove your hard drives from any computers (PCs, laptops, etc.) and destroy the hard drive in some manner. We've been known to drill a couple of holes through the actual drive. It isn't easy. Even if you reformat your drives the data may be retrievable by some geek.

Also, don't forget to clear out any phone numbers or personal information from fax machines and cell phones.

j4's picture
drive erase

You can find a number of freeware utilities to format to dod standards -

Link...

Although I find beating the hell out of them with a sledge hammer to be more cathartic.

I have a couple of old vcrs

I have a couple of old vcrs and a stereo receiver...I assume those are ok?

R. Neal's picture
I have a couple of old

I have a couple of old vcrs

In addition to drilling hard drives, I would highly recommend removal of any potentially, uh, "embarrassing" homemade tapes from VCRs before depositing them. :}

j4's picture
You mean like the 'head'

You mean like the 'head' cleaner tape?

Microwave I have a dead

Microwave

I have a dead microwave in my garage. I tried to get it fixed, and was told it would cost more than I paid for it. So, right now it's taking up space I need for other nonfunctioning things. Where can I take it?

pgs

Pam Strickland

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut

Hazardous waste

There's no specific mention of microwaves that I can find, but small appliances as well as household hazardous waste are both accepted at the City's transfer station at Baxter Avenue. Go on the first Saturday of the month (amnesty day) in case they consider it garbage, not hazardous waste (which is always free).

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