Properly disposing of old and unwanted electronic devices is a great way to have a meaningful impact, which is why I’m hosting another electronics recycling event to make it even easier for Central New Yorkers.

Electronic devices have become a staple in most people’s lives, from televisions and video game consoles to smartphones and smartwatches. These devices can be recycled, but the logistics of doing so are often confusing and inconvenient.[1] According to the United Nations, around 80% of electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is sent to landfills or informally recycled, primarily by workers in developing countries exposed to hazardous substances in these electronics.[2] Recycling these items properly helps preserve natural resources, prevent pollution and keep hazardous waste out of landfills and incinerators.[3]

I’m holding my next electronic recycling event on Saturday, Aug. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at East Syracuse Minoa Central High School, 6400 Fremont Road, East Syracuse. My event, co-sponsored by Sunnking Electronics Recycling, is free, but a timed ticket is required for entry. Please visit form.jotform.com/sunnking2020/esyr to register. Some drop-off times have already filled up, so don’t wait to sign up.

Eligible materials for the event include mobile devices like cell phones and tablets; computers and accessories, such as printers and monitors; office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers and scanners; home entertainment equipment like TVs, sound systems, VCRs and DVD players, and gaming systems; small home appliances like microwaves and toasters; and other miscellaneous items, such as rechargeable batteries, wires and cables, power tools and cable boxes. Materials that are not accepted include large appliances, air conditioners and alkaline batteries. For a complete list of items that can be recycled, visit my webpage at https://www.nyassembly.gov/stirpe.

From devastating droughts, wildfires and floods to glaciers melting as the sea level rises, we’ve seen the undeniable impacts of climate change intensifying throughout our nation and world, and it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to reverse these devastating changes.[4] Protecting our natural resources can feel like an impossible task to tackle at an individual level, but there are many small actions, like properly disposing of e-waste, that can make a major impact.

To advance our clean energy goals at the state level, I also helped pass legislation that reduces single-use plastic waste by prohibiting hotels from providing small plastic hospitality bottles for personal care products (A.5082). Additionally, I helped pass a bill that will establish a postconsumer paint recycling program to keep burdensome paint waste out of landfills (A.6373 of 2019). This new law will take effect next year.

At my last e-waste recycling event, more than 200,000 pounds of electronics were collected. I hope you’ll join me in helping protect our environment by recycling your unwanted electronics. Together, we can help ensure our children and grandchildren inherit a clean and healthy planet.

If you have questions or concerns about this event or any other community issue, don’t hesitate to contact my office at 315-452-1115 or StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.

[1] www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_A_New_Circular_Vision_for_Electronics.pdf

[2] unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-report-time-seize-opportunity-tackle-challenge-e-waste

[3] epa.gov/americarecycles/us-recycling-system

[4] nytimes.com/article/climate-change-global-warming-faq.html