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If you're like most people, you have what Megan Smith calls an "e-waste graveyard" somewhere in your home: a spot where discarded cell phones, VCRs, laptops and other unwanted or outdated electronic devices go to...well, die. "It's usually in a corner of the attic or basement," says the Director of Marketing for Gault Energy and Stone. "It's part of the craze to have the latest and greatest gadget. Once the cool toy is obsolete, people are like, 'Now what do I do with it?'"
There are three options for discarding e-waste, says Megan. The first is to throw it away in the garbage, a bad choice because improperly discarded electronics end up in landfills where they leak toxic substances into soil and ground water. The second, she says, is to do nothing with outmoded items. Owners often opt for this non-option because they know they shouldn't toss their old computer in the trash but aren't sure what to do with it instead (hence the graveyard phenomenon). The third, and best, choice is to recycle e-waste. Not only does this protect the environment, but valuable materials like copper, glass and plastic can be harvested from electronic devices. In fact, the 2010 Winter Olympic Committee created its Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in part from the more than 140 tons of e-waste that otherwise would have been sent to Canadian landfills.
Unfortunately, it's not as easy to e-cycle as it is to toss your bottles and cans in the appropriate bucket. With no mandated programs in place, individuals are often faced with having to contact their municipalities if they want to do the earth-friendly thing. That's why Gault teamed with radio station WEBE 108 to launch "Recycle Roundup." For the next month, Fairfield County residents can drop off their small electronics in a roomy bin at Gault's showroom (11 Ferry Lane West, Westport), where they'll be safely repurposed by Meriden-based company WeCycle. All participants are eligible to win a Nicolock stone firepit, valued at $500, compliments of Gault Stone. For more info, call 203-227-5181.
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