A Community Effort to Protect Our Environment

Unwanted computers and electronics to be collected for proper recycling by local charity

WINDSOR, ON, June 10 /CNW/ - On Saturday June 12th from 9AM to 4PM, CAW Local 200 Computers for Kids in partnership with Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, will be holding an e-waste collection event. This special event will be held at Colasanti's 1550 Road 3 East in Kingsville. Both residents and businesses will be given the opportunity to drop-off their unwanted computers, television sets and electronics free of charge. Whether working or not, all equipment will be accepted.

This event is deemed necessary with the increasingly high rate at which we replace our computers and electronic devices. This high rate has made electronic waste the fastest growing waste stream in the world today. It has been estimated by industry experts that the average lifespan for a computer is approximately 2 years in developed countries. The average lifespan for a cell phone is less than a year. This high turnover rate means high volumes of waste is being generated and the pace is only growing.

Unfortunately the proper recycling of e-waste is not commonplace as current estimates have less than 25% of e-waste being recycled in a responsible manner. Commonly it is buried in our landfills or shipped overseas to 3rd world countries which do not practice safe recycling methods. When e-waste is not recycled responsibly it can cause severe harm to our environment as well as cause serious health problems such as cancer.

However, the charity Computers for Kids which is located in Windsor, Ontario is providing a solution to this problem by collecting and properly recycling these unwanted and potentially toxic items. Equipment recycled by the charity is directed towards a province-wide recycling program called the Ontario Electronic Stewardship. Their status as an approved collector under the program ensures environmentally safe methods are used in the recycling of all the equipment they collect. If the equipment is deemed to have re-use value it is directed towards their re-use and refurbishment program which provides low-income families with children computer access. Their program last year alone saw over 400 computers placed with worthwhile families referred to the organization through social services agencies and elementary schools.

The charity hopes this event will raise awareness to the environmental issues we currently face with electronics. "We all need to step up and do our part to ensure our environment is protected from undue harm," said Chris Davies, Computers for Kids Executive Director. "By choosing to donate your unwanted equipment to our program you not only do your part to better our planet, you enable us to continue providing in-need children in our community with computer access to better their education."

The partnership with Colasanti's will continue beyond this one-day event. The company has once again demonstrated their strong relationship with the community it serves with the agreement to collect e-waste for Computers for Kids year round at their facility. Equipment can be dropped off at Colasanti's anytime during regular business hours. Items which will be accepted include: computers, computer accessories, monitors, televisions, cell phones, printers/fax machines and most electronic items. Visit www.cfkcanada.org to find a complete list of items.

With generous support and hard work from many donors and volunteers, Computers for Kids has been able to recycle over 2.5 million pounds of e-waste and donate over 1,700 computers to young people over the past six years.

Computers for Kids also accepts equipment donations year round at their location in the west side of Windsor. To drop off your items, visit Computers for Kids anytime between 9:00am-6:00pm Monday through Friday or 9:00am-3:00pm on Saturdays. They are located at 4150 Sandwich St., Windsor, Ontario.

About Computers for Kids:

Computers for Kids was founded in January of 2004 with the vision of providing refurbished computer systems to children who may not otherwise have access to one outside of school. Since then, the organization has helped one child at a time, growing to provide public computer learning centres as well as becoming a full service computer and electronics recycler.

For further information: Rob McLean, President, Chris Davies, Executive Director, CAW Local 200 Computers for Kids, 519-253-KIDS (5437), www.cfkcanada.org