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Tons of electronics given to “E-Cycling” drive

Saturday, November 03, 2007
KVUE News

Central Texas unloaded some of its old electronic junk in an electronic recycling event designed to breathe new life into old equipment and help the environment.

Saturday morning dozens of volunteers filled the highland mall parking lot to help unload car after car piled high with all kinds of used electronics.

The free computer recycling event is sponsored by Dell, the City of Austin, Goodwill and other groups to show that old stuff shouldn't go to waste.

State Senator Kirk Watson authored House Bill 2714, which passed this spring. It mandates computer manufacturers in Texas offer free recycling for consumers by 2008. "The component parts of some of these computers are hazardous and toxic, and so recycling them allowing for reuse is a better way," said Sen. Watson. "This is really the first of it's kind legislation in the rest of the country, so I think Texas is going to be a leader in computer recycling. And I think that's a great place for us to be."

Organizers estimate they'll collect as much as 20 tons of unwanted materials, and a majority of this equipment will find new life with goodwill.

"It'll be fully tested, rechecked out by technicians priced and sold," said Zac Haines with Goodwill. "I'm hopeful we can fill 4 or 5 full tractor trailers if we're lucky."

It wasn't just Austin-area folks though; other cities in Texas and across the nation are also taking part in today's e-recycling event.