E-waste Receptacles at UW - Eau Claire
Installing e-waste receptacles at UW – Eau Claire would promote sustainability
by providing convenient access for electronics disposal on campus, creating awareness
about the University’s desire to further environmental initiatives, and potentially serving
as a Work-Study or research opportunity. Copper, a main component in most e-waste,
can still be valuable when recycled. This would reduce the need to mine copper ore,
decreasing water contamination, energy use, and other negative environmental effects
associated with mining and processing. Assessing the outcomes of this program will
involve sorting and quantifying the electronics deposited in the receptacles weekly and
keeping detailed records of the data. These records would quantify the amount and type
of electronics collected so that the impact of this effort can be measured.
There will be a total of four receptacles and they will be located in Hibbard,
Davies, Hilltop Center, and the McIntyre Library. There are definitely opportunities to
expand the project, especially with the addition of the new student union center. Our hope
is that the new student union center will open up a room for storage opportunities in the
future. The purposes of this room would be to serve as a drop-off location for larger
items, storage of collected items, and a data logging center. Another expansion of the
program could involve installation of additional e-waste receptacles in other academic
buildings and residence halls. In order to narrow the scope of this project, the number of
receptacles on campus could be reduced to one. The program could be altered to only
accept electronic items of no charge from First Choice Recycling Center (e.g. keyboards,
cables, ink cartridges, software, cell phones, power supplies, and small batteries)
After receiving funding, set up would take about a month. Building the
receptacles will entail constructing stationary Plexiglas casings to contain removable
bins. The supplies can be purchased locally and assembled by members of the Student
National Environmental Health Association and volunteers. Each casing will have a slot
and hinged lid which can be locked to prevent tampering. Also, meetings with University
planners must be scheduled in order to discuss where the receptacles can be installed. A
checking account must be opened and managed by student and faculty representatives in
order to fund transportation and costs.
This project provides a learning opportunity for all campus members by
increasing awareness of electronic recycling and resource sustainability. During the
planning and construction process, posters at proposed sites and elsewhere on campus
can inform students, faculty, and staff of the upcoming recycling initiative. Once
installed, when passing by the receptacle, people will be able to view a display regarding
the detriments associated with improper disposal and the benefits of supporting the
recycling of electronics. The display will also include a list of items that are considered
acceptable e-waste.
The benefit resulting from strategic placement of receptacles in high-traffic areas
is visible self-promotion. Using a Plexiglas casing enables observers to monitor the
program’s progress, encouraging continued participation. It is necessary, with the
increase in the use and disposal of electronics in our society, to both educate and provide
access to proper recycling procedures. With greater education and awareness, e-waste
recycling will become common practice here at UW- Eau Claire, assisting in the current
effort to move our campus culture in a more sustainable direction.
The processing of e-waste under this initiative will be in partnership with First
Choice Recycling Center of Eau Claire. Another affiliate with our program will be the
Surplus Property Department on campus which will aid in storage and transportation. In
addition, positions can be available offering student employment, promotion, and
research opportunities.
Quantitative and qualitative data can be obtained by recording amount and type of
waste received. These figures are important for determining large scale estimates of
recycled metals and other constituents. The program’s data can be useful for research in
various fields such as economics, sustainability, and waste management. Furthermore,
the results will enable the campus community to gauge the success of the program which
will encourage an ongoing movement towards sustainable practices in the future.
References
Pinto, Violet N. "E-waste Hazard: The Impending Challenge." E-waste Hazard: The Impending
Challenge. Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Aug. 2008. Web.
21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796756/>.
"Frequent Questions | ECycling | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. 23 June 2010.
Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/faq.htm>.