askHRgreen.org and Cox Communications, through its Cox Conserves national sustainability program, have partnered to raise awareness about the importance of electronic recycling by promoting where residents can drop off their unwanted electronics for safe and responsible recycling.
“As your ‘Friend in the Digital Age,’ Cox is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Gary McCollum, senior vice president and general manager for Cox Virginia. “By helping the community properly recycle e-waste, we provide our neighbors an environmentally-friendly and secure way to dispose of their hard drives, cell phones and other electronics that may contain personal information.”
Throughout the year, Cox will run commercials and include information in their quarterly customer newsletter, pointing residents to the askHRgreen.org site which lists how to donate working electronics and where to recycle electronics that have reached the end of their life.
“We are very fortunate to be able to partner with Cox Conserves to remind people to not throw away their electronics, but to instead visit askHRgreen.org for a list of sites that offer responsible electronics recycling,” said Julia Hillegass, public information and community affairs administrator for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
New versions of electronic devices are being unveiled faster than one can say, “reduce, reuse, recycle.” When faced with upgrades, individuals also are faced with the question of what to do with their old devices. Unfortunately, few are choosing to recycle. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 percent of unwanted electronics end up in landfills. That poses a threat to the environment because electronics contain hazardous waste such as lead, mercury and cadmium. When released into the air, soil and water, the chemicals can cause health and environmental risks. Electronic devices also contain precious metals which can be recycled into new products.
askHRgreen.org, which encourages Hampton Roads residents to implement practices that will make them good environmental stewards, advises everyone to think before they toss. If the electronic device still works, donate it to a second-hand store or re-sell it to further its life. If the electronic device does not work, take it to one of the locations listed at legacy.askhrgreen.org/electronics-recycling.