Electronic Recycling

Last Monday as I walked up the sidewalk to the YMCA I couldn't help but envision myself in Bambi; yes, the Disney movie. I felt as if I could be gallivanting through the forest with cute fuzzy animals in tow whistling chipper show tunes while orchestrating complex (for woodland animals) dance numbers. It was spring, and it felt great for those four days.

Flash forward to the disappointment of this weekend's washout. What is there to do in March when it's raining outside? SPRING CLEANING of course! I vacuumed, dusted, organized and washed. What did I discover after hours of scrubbing and moving? A computer, broken speakers, a Playstation, radio, a broken fan, and camera; all of which had long outlived their usefulness. These electronics had not been used, or usable in years, but I didn't know what to do with them until now.

Now is the perfect time to do your spring cleaning. Find all those old electronics because you can now recycle them for FREE at this weekends Electronics Recycling Drive held by the Middlesex YMCA Earth Service Corps! Here are a couple of reasons why you should recycle your electronics this weekend:

1. Old electronics take up a lot of useful space
2. Many places charge for the recycling of some electronics: this weekend it's FREE
3. Electronics can leak harmful chemicals into your house or a landfill if you throw them out: Arsenic found in some integrated circuits can cause damage to your digestive tract, and Beryllium found in battery contacts can be carcinogenic after long term exposure.
4. All cell phones will be donated to the New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter. Help support those in need in your community.
   

So you found all your old electronics and you want to recycle them; what are the specifics?

• The drive will be held at The Computer Recycler in Cromwell. The building is located west of the police department just off Rt. 372 at 400 Corporate Row.
• The Drive is on Saturday, March 20th from 9am-2pm.
• Bring your cell phones, computers, computer accessories, digital cameras, power tools, stereos, gaming systems, and most other used electronics (no TV's) and just drop them off.
• Cell phones with chargers are appreciated, but not necessary. We will collect them and drop them off with the New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter in Middletown.
• For more info (including directions) visit www.midymca.org and scroll to the bottom right corner of the page, or go to www.thecomputerrecycler.com for a complete list of items, or go to Facebook and search for Middlsex YMCA Earth Service Corps.

Now you have all the info you need to keep your community clean and safe. We hope to see you there on Saturday!