JORDAN PATTERSON
Staff Writer
Fredonia and company are looking to save a piece of the environment while giving a little back to the students.
The University will play host to an e-recycling event on campus. In collaboration with Time Warner Cable, Senator Catherine Young and Sunnking, Fredonia is welcoming the public to drop off any electronics it wants to dispose of this coming Saturday.
On April 23, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Lot 7 — located directly across from Forever Wild — there will be a free e-recycling event to get rid of any unwanted electronics that may be taking up space in one’s house.
The expectations for the event are to match, or even top, the turnout of last year. The previous year saw 1,176 vehicles swing by the Fredonia campus, and enough unwanted electronics were unloaded to fill up eight semi-trailers.
Young will be present at this year’s event to help unload trucks. She was also at last year’s event in 2015 and said that “cars were lined up as far as the eye can see.”
The event was originally put on in 2008 where 29,241 pounds were collected. The event peaked in 2011 where 81,849 pounds were dropped off, but the following years saw a slow decline in participants and consequently, in the amount of electronics being delivered. 2014’s 66,753 pounds was the lowest turnout since the second year in 2009, when the even was still new and started with just 36,819 pounds.
Back in 2015, Kevin Cloos, the director of Facilities Services, went searching for a new company that would be willing to recycle electronics for the annual event.
“I reached out to Sunnking, and they had partnered with Senator Young and Time Warner in the past for similar events,” said Cloos.
Sunnking is a company that sells refurbished computers, equipment and accessories. Along with that, it recycles old electronics, and its slogan on its website says it all: “we rule electronics recycling.”
Getting all the pieces in the right spot for this to work wasn’t an easy process, but when everyone was willing to collaborate, it became that much easier.
“First, we need the e-recycler to be willing to host the event and receive the many electronic items, then we need Time Warner and Senator Young to be willing to provide the financial support and publicity for the event,” said Cloos. “Next, I work to determine a date that is acceptable to everyone and then work to find faculty, staff and students willing to volunteer to unload vehicles and to direct traffic.”
Cloos’s job doesn’t end there, as he will be at the event setting up and directing traffic to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Young and collaborators began planning the event back in January in order to properly promote an event like this.
“As we all begin our spring cleaning, many of us have old or broken electronics that we no longer use,” said Young. “Ensuring these devices are disposed of properly, and in a safe manner so that our area landfills are free of hazardous e-waste is an important part of everyone’s spring cleaning.
“This event will provide Chautauqua County residents with a free, environmentally-friendly way to recycle their unwanted electronics,” she added.
Acceptable items range from laptops and monitors to telephones and microwaves. The complete list of items being accepted are posted on Sunnking’s official website.
Young was very pleased with the turnout last year, and she hopes in the future there can be more events like this on other campuses in her district. According to Young, a portion of all the money that is raised after the materials are recycled will be donated back to Fredonia to put towards scholarships. On top of that, the Senator expressed her concern with people dumping these electronics “irresponsibly.”
Cloos seconded Young’s concerns.
“The event provides a free, sustainable way for people on campus and in the community to properly recycle their unwanted electronics and avoid placing items in the landfill. The electronics contain potentially harmful items to the environment,” he said. “In addition, this is a great way to bring together the campus and the community in positive way.”