FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2006
WasteCap and City of Hastings Collect Over 8 Tons of Universal Waste for Recycling
CONTACT: Carrie Hakenkamp, Director of WasteCap Nebraska
(402) 436-2384,
, http://www.wastecapne.org/<chakenkamp @ ERASE-THIS.wastecapne.org>
Hastings, Nebr. — On Wednesday, September 13th, 2006, WasteCap Nebraska held a collection drive for businesses to recycle electronics and universal wastes. Through funding from The Nebraska Environmental Trust and in partnership with the City of Hastings Solid Waste Department, WasteCap was able to invite local businesses and individuals to recycle their hazardous electronic waste, fluorescent lighting, cell phones and toner cartridges at a reduced cost. Around 100 vehicles participated in the event.
Recyclables are unloaded
from vehicles by volunteers.
According to Carrie Hakenkamp, Executive Director of WasteCap, "we were very pleased with the participation from folks around Hastings, especially since this was the first time Hastings businesses were given the opportunity to recycle their electronics through this type of collection." In total, WasteCap collected 16,000 pounds of universal waste, including 179 computer monitors and nearly 250 fluorescent light tubes. On average, each vehicle participating in the collection brought 168 pounds of electronics and other wastes to be recycled. The event diverted approximately 3,500 pounds of plastic, 4,900 pounds of leaded glass, and 6,800 pounds of metal from the landfill. These materials were collected for recycling by Retrofit Recycling, a St. Paul-based electronics company.
Due to the potentially hazardous nature of electronics waste, businesses cannot dispose of old computers, office equipment, and other electronics in the landfill. WasteCap Nebraska is pleased to be able to present an alternative disposal method for these materials. The total cost of recycling the equipment is paid for in part by a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. WasteCap hosts several computer collection and e-waste awareness events in Nebraska throughout the year.
If you missed the September 13th collection and need to properly manage electronics or other universal wastes, please contact WasteCap Nebraska, 402-436-2383 or
, to find out about WasteCap’s services or to learn about other electronics recycling opportunities. The WasteCap website, www.wastecapne.org, also includes details of upcoming events and local recyclers<info @ ERASE-THIS.wastecapne.org>
Volunteers help load the recyclables into trucks