E-waste gets the heave-ho at recycling day in Loomis

Don't call it junk -- it's e-waste. In its prime, perhaps only a year or two ago, it was the largest monitor, the fastest computer, the "best buy" TV.

Today, it's e-waste: outdated, unwanted electronic equipment, plucked from closets, spare bedrooms and garages and transported Saturday to E-Waste Recycling Day at Del Oro High School's parking lot.

E-waste recycling days are proving to be a good fundraising option for high school groups, convenient for discarders who otherwise aren't permitted to dump the stuff with regular trash pickups, and good for the environment.

On Saturday, the public discarded all sorts of electronic clutter for free at the high school in Loomis.

"Hey, this is great," said Wally Moore of Loomis. "Next week they should do paint cans and tires."

Moore recently had upgraded his TV. He was dropping off an old 48-inch RCA Home Theater unit, the size of a kitchen range.

"Got a 61-inch flat screen with HD (high definition)," he said.

Why all the fuss about tossing electronic gear?

Laws place restrictions on where and how the public can dispose of electronic equipment. Some components can be recycled while others contain dangerous levels of toxic substances and shouldn't be placed in garbage headed for landfills.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board says each computer monitor and cathode ray tube television contains 5-7 pounds of lead. Mercury, cadmium and other substances are also found in e-waste.

Recycling days allow the public opportunities to be environmentally responsible by ridding themselves of e-waste at no cost.

Lori Paskey of Meadow Vista dropped off cell phones, a "crashed hard-drive" and computer monitors.

"They were stored, but I didn't know where to dispose of them without it costing a fortune," she said.

Diane LaRose of Penryn said her family was on its fourth generation of home computers.

"We've now moved from desktops to laptops," she said. "The old stuff is obsolete. If you had a garage sale you'd have to say, 'I'll give you 50 cents to take it away.' "

Companies like California Electronic Asset Recovery Inc. of Mather recycle electronic equipment that has become obsolete or discarded for newer versions.

CEAR worked Saturday's fundraiser for Del Oro High School's new dance program. Dance teacher Dawn Kenniston of Roseville said the program would receive 10 cents a pound.

"My girlfriend did one at Oakmont High and they made about $700," Kenniston said.

Ninety minutes into Saturday's recycling effort one large truck had been filled and more workers were called in to help. That's right, they unload and stack the equipment.

Ricky Fletcher, CEAR vice president, said 12 to 15 bins were filled during most recycling days at area high schools. He predicted Saturday's take would be more than 20 bins once everything had been packed after the busy, four-hour, drop-off period. During one point, cars, pickups and SUVs were lined up all the way to Taylor Road.

"This is my second trip," said Ron Morris, owner of Secret Ravine Vineyards in Loomis. "My wife asked me to take an old TV that was on the back porch and I forgot it the first time."

About the writer:

• The Bee's Dan Vierria can be reached at (916) 321-1119 or dvierria@sacbee.com.