FREE E-WASTE COLLECTION FOR LYON AND CHASE COUNTY RESIDENTS, NOV 13-23

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the City of Emporia are cooperatively sponsoring a special e-waste collection program for the citizens of Lyon and Chase Counties. Residents and private business owners can drop off e-waste at no charge at the City of Emporia Recycling Center from November 13 to 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The recycling center is located at 3100 W. South Street in Emporia.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is old, worn out, or broken electronic equipment, like computers, TVs, cell phones, VCRs, etc. As technology continues to improve and frequent upgrades are necessary, people are generating more and more obsolete electronic products. Some electronic waste is heading to landfills, but most is being stored in basements, attics, and storerooms.

"Electronic waste management is a challenge for Kansas and the rest of the country," Governor Kathleen Sebelius said. "This project is a great opportunity for the residents of Lyon, Chase, and Seward Counties to recycle these bulky items and conserve valuable landfill space."

"The volume of E-waste is growing quickly and it has the potential to take up a great deal of space in our landfills," said KDHE Secretary Roderick L. Bremby. "There are also hazardous materials in e-waste such as lead and other heavy metals. For these reasons and because there are recyclable components in all e-waste, it is preferable to divert these wastes from landfills to recycling facilities."

The Emporia e-waste collection and recycling project is part of a two region pilot project sponsored by KDHE as part of the Kansas Don't Spoil It Program and local America Recycles Day activities. The other location is Seward County in southwest Kansas.

KDHE anticipates collecting 50 or more tons of recyclable e-waste from these locations demonstrating the magnitude of the problem. Lessons learned in the pilot project can be used to formulate an appropriate statewide program in coming years.

"We are really excited that Emporia was given the opportunity to be part of this unique pilot program," said Keith Senn, with the Emporia Public Works Center.

Senn is looking forward to a great turnout.

"Through this, we are giving more than 40,000 people a chance to recycle their e-waste," Senn noted.

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