Queens SAFE Disposal e-waste collection event sets new record

ALBANY (Scrap Monster): The New York City SAFE Disposal event organized by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) on April 30^th has set a new record in e-waste collection. The event turned out to become the largest collection event of its kind in the history of New York City. The event was conducted in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) and Veolia Environmental Services.

SAFE Disposal events

The DSNY SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, and Electronics) Disposal Events throughout the year in all five boroughs in order to help residents dispose of harmful household products safely. The events, supported by ERI and Veolia are organized 10 times every year. The events accept only NYC residential waste and no commercial vehicles are allowed. Residents are required to provide proof of NYC Residency such as NYS driver’s license or utility bill.

Accepted items

The collection event accepts a wide range of items including automotive products such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and spent batteries; personal care items like unwanted medicines or cosmetics; thermometers; syringes (clearly labeled and packaged in a “sharps” container or other leak proof, puncture-resistant container); household products such as pesticides, paint, hazardous cleaners, spent compact fluorescent light bulbs and electronics.

Significance

The SAFE Disposal events help NYC residents to dispose of hazardous household products and end-of-life electronic items safely and responsibly. The materials collected during the event are either recycled or blended for fuel, or sent to licensed hazardous waste treatment facilities for safe disposal. Electronics are responsibly recycled or refurbished for reuse through e-cycleNYC- the free and convenient electronic waste recycling service provided by the NYC Department of Sanitation and ERI. Also, unwanted medications are managed by environmental police and incinerated to prevent unintentional poisonings or entry into the water supply. The electronic waste is responsibly recycled or reused by the ERI. Household hazardous waste is handled by Veolia, whereas DSNY’s Environmental Police Unit takes care of the collected pharmaceuticals.

Queens event

The e-waste collection event was held on April 30^th at Baseball Field Parking Lot, Cunningham Park. The event reported record participation, thereby making it the largest such collection event in the entire history of the New York City. More than 3,100 vehicles and 1,730 pedestrians arrived at the collection site. A total of 270,456 lbs of electronic waste and other toxic household items were collected as part of the event. It took 12 tractor-trailers to carry the collected e-waste.

Comments

Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia noted that the extraordinary turnout at the Queens event shows the popularity of the event. According to John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI, the record-setting participation in the event reiterates people’s need to get rid of unwanted and useless electronic devices and other toxic materials. ERI is honored to participate in the event in collaboration with the City of New York and Veolia, he added.

Upcoming SAFE Disposal events

Similar SAFE Disposal events are scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 14 at Orchard Beach Parking Lot, Bronx and on Sunday, June 26 at Columbia University/Teachers College, Manhattan.

About DSNY

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) promotes a healthy environment through efficient management of the City’s solid waste and environmentally sound long-range planning to handle New Yorkers recycling and garbage. DSNY is the world’s largest sanitation department, collecting more than 10,500 tons of residential and institutional garbage and 1,760 tons of recyclables every day. NYC businesses generate another 13,000 tons of garbage daily, which is collected by private carting companies.

About Veolia

Veolia is the world’s leading provider of environmental solutions. It helps customers address their environmental and sustainability challenges in energy, water and waste. It offers complete range of environmental solutions to meet the challenges of cities, governments, campuses, businesses and industries.

About ERI

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste and the world's largest cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company, is certified to de-manufacture and recycle every type of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. ERI processes more than 275 million pounds of electronic waste annually at eight locations, serving every zip code in the United States.