Texas State, PSC partner for 4th annual electronics recycling event

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
March 8, 2012

Texas State University-San Marcos is partnering with PSC Environmental for the 4th Annual RecycleNow Electronics Collection and Recycling Event.

The event, which has collected and recycled more than 66,000 pounds of electronics from the community, will be held in the Strahan Coliseum Parking Lot on the Texas State University campus on 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 24. It is a drive-through event (rain or shine) and all items will be removed from your vehicle by trained volunteers.

Old electronics such as computers, TVs, printers, cell phones, etc., can contaminate our ground water with toxic metals if they are improperly disposed of in the household trash. It ultimately is disposed of in landfills that after time can leach chemicals into the underlying water sources. In 2005, the EPA estimated that more than 300 million computers were considered obsolete. Old electronics are the fasted growing segment of solid waste entering our local landfills. The RecycleNow collection event will provide a free, safe and environmentally friendly alternative for the community to rid themselves of old obsolete equipment. It will be safely recycled in the United States.

PSC and Texas State have worked together to secure many local sponsors to provide materials, equipment, in-kind services and monetary contributions for the event. All net proceeds from this event support sustainability efforts on the campus and the international charity World Bicycle Relief.

“This is a great opportunity to promote the responsible recycling of end-of-life electronics for the residents of Hays and surrounding counties, the City of San Marcos as well as the campus community,” said Cherri Taylor, PSC business manager. “It is truly a collaborative effort between local sponsors from the community, staff and student volunteers from Texas State and PSC.”

Universal Recycling Technologies of Fort Worth is generously providing the recycling and transportation of the electronics. Unacceptable items are appliances, microwaves and household hazardous waste. Texas State students, faculty and staff may bring personal items only. University-owned items must continue to be processed through the Central Receiving Warehouse.

To protect identity and security, electronic devices may be cleaned of personal information by using tools on the following website: http://security.vpit.txstate.edu/awareness/ecycling_idtheft.html.

For additional information on the RecycleNow Electronic Collection Recycling Event, contact Cherri Taylor at ctaylor@PSCNow.com or Lisa Arceneaux, Texas State, at ea20@txstate.edu.