There are tidal waves of old computers and pong games out there, collecting dust in the basements and closets of nearly every American. Only a general sense of environmental responsibility, nostalgia and fear of giving up personal information keeps this wave from crashing through the dam and into garbage dumps around the country or into illegal dumps in the poorest nations in the world. The problem is even more acute in New York City, where old electronic equipment takes up precious room in our tiny apartments. Why keep your old Colecovision around when you need space for a sofa?
This morning, The New York Times reported on the growing electronic waste problem and the recent e-waste recycling trend. [And so did WorldChangingNYC's David Leon recently, in this post on an eCycling law being considered by the New York City Council - Ed.] You can access this informative article here . More importantly, if you are a New Yorker who is currently sitting on a server instead of an ottoman, the following links could help you clear some room in an environmentally responsible way:
Local Electronics Recycling
* The Lower East Side Ecology Center
* PerScholas
* NYC Department of Sanitation
Take-back Programs
* Dell
* Hewlett Packard
* Apple
Even better, The Times is reporting that the New York State Legislature will be considering a new e-waste law this year when they get back in session in Albany. Given the the expense and difficulty of recycling electronics, a statewide legal solution may be the best option for New Yorkers and our environment. I'll be keeping a close watch on the bill as it is considered in the coming months. Stay Tuned!
Image: EPA eCycling web page
