By Jessica Ahrenholtz
NextStep Recycling Executive Director
Got a bunch of old computer parts, TVs, speakers, toasters, alarm clocks, and more taking up space at home or work? Why hang on to it? We want it! Bring it by NextStep’s Donation Center, and we will refurbish it and safely remove your data and personal information before giving it to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to technology. If we can't fix it, we recycle it for you, working with eSteward and R2 Certified Recyclers.
Unwanted computers, monitors, and TVs–referred to as electronic waste or “e-waste”–is the fastest-growing waste stream in the U.S. With technology constantly changing, many of us replace our electronics every few years. Last year alone, Americans generated about 232 million units of computer and TV-related e-waste, and only 18 percent was recycled. In addition, it’s estimated that 235 million more units are stored in our basements, closets, and garages.
E-cycling is a better option than disposal because it conserves natural resources. Electronics contain valuable materials–including copper, gold, and aluminum–that can be recycled and used in new products. Recycling these materials prevents the need to extract virgin materials, conserving natural resources.
Using recycled materials consumes less energy than using virgin materials to make new products because less energy is consumed and fewer greenhouse gases are emitted. Electronics contain a host of hazardous substances. Even small amounts of these toxins can be dangerous if released into the air, water, and soil. E-cycling protects our health and environment by keeping these substances out of our landfills and incinerators.
The NextStep process
NextStep Recycling receives donations of obsolete electronics, including computer hardware (desktop computers, laptops, handheld games, cell phones, etc.), household electronics (clocks, radios, lamps, etc.), “white goods” (microwaves, stoves, dryers, etc.) and “brown goods” (stereos, VCRs, DVD players, etc.).
Through our ePower Our Community Partnership program, NextStep gifts computers directly to children and adults living in foster care, persons experiencing disabilities, family members leaving domestically violent relationships, migrant worker families, underfunded schools, and nonprofits.
We often hear of groups receiving computers that they can't use because they haven't gone through a process to update them, they are missing cords, or the software doesn't work. The items end up sitting in storage for years and never get used. Help these deserving recipients use your donated items by sending them to NextStep first. We will update them and get them to those in need. If they are too old or broken, the electronics are recycled correctly and kept out of the landfills.
By informing our community how they can recycle items that would otherwise be extremely harmful to our environment, NextStep hopes to encourage individuals to change their behavior and way of thinking. We hope to keep our community safe from waste to meet our priority of empowering people to protect their planet.
Are you interested in donating? The Eugene Donation Center is located near the corner of Jackson St. and W. 2nd Ave. in the Whiteaker neighborhood.
About the author
Jessica is going on six years with NextStep Recycling. She became NextStep’s executive director on April 1, 2023.
NextStep Recycling: Kelly Bell, Lane County Master Recycler Program Coordinator, suggests you bring your older and unwanted electronics to NextStep Recycling in Eugene to give them a second life! Learn more at nextsteprecycling.org.
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