NYC Recycles 360,000 Pounds of E-Waste
In a record-breaking event held in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), New York City collected over 360,000 pounds of e-waste in a weekend-long collection.
As part of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NBC Universal’s “Green Screens” event, TVs, cell phones, radios, cameras, VCRs, speakers, telephones and other electronics were collected for free by ERI. As the largest e-cycler in the world, ERI processes more than 140 million tons of e-waste annually.
“Recycling is not just about metal, glass, plastic and paper. Electronics are an important part of the waste stream and we need to do a better job capturing them…” said Bloomberg.
ERI promises to recycle all e-waste “100 percent ethically and lawfully,” using a bar code tracking system to ensure that e-waste does not end up in the hands of other companies, local landfills, and is not illegally exported to other nations.
Timothy McGrady
posted on December 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Is Earth 911 sure about their figures? 360,000 tons (720 million pounds) seems unlikely. 360 tons (720,000 pounds) is more believable, and 3,600 tons (7,200,000 pounds) would be a great accomplishment. But 720,000,000 lbs collected in a weekend? That would require 36,000 truckloads at 20,000 pounds each, which is highly unlikely. I am guessing it was closer to 36 truckloads (720,000 pounds).
Can Earth 911 comment on this?
Jennifer Berry
posted on December 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hi Timothy,
Thanks so much for checking in with us. We think accuracy is one of the most important aspects of our news reporting, and take it very seriously. The figure should have been “pounds” and not “tons,” and you should see the correction above. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Thanks!
Timothy McGrady
posted on December 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Thanks, Jennifer. That makes more sense.
Chris
posted on December 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I have an eight year old VCR and a ten year old television. They are both perfectly functional. I really don’t want to recycle them just yet, because they work fine. Is there any place that would take these items? I also have about 200 video cassettes. Would you recommend any institution or recreational place that might want to put these electronics to good use?
Ed
posted on January 29th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Dose this machine seperate the metal from every differnt type of plastic (styrene and ABS sperate) that is made – if not the machine is grinding several itmes together and making mixed junk.
the mateiral can not be reused if it is all mixed. No one can us ground plastic with ground metal and other materials in there.
over 20 years not I have not truly heard of direct person who buys and uses this ground material here in the states – 98% of recycled material goes to china or India – our cost in the US is to high.
And I know for a fact that these companies ship there material there –
We just have to make sure it is sold properly there.
Michael Bloomberg Supports E-Waste Campaign | NewsBits
posted on April 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am
[...] Earth911.com’s November 24, 2008 issue ran a short feature on a record-breaking event that took place in New York City when 360,000 tons of e-waste was collected in…. [...]
Michael Bloomberg Supports E-Waste Campaign | NewsBits
posted on November 5th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
[...] Earth911.com’s November 24, 2008 issue ran a short feature on a record-breaking event that took place in New York City when 360,000 tons of e-waste was collected in one weekend. [...]