KANSANS URGED TO RECYCLE ALL YEAR ON
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
KDHE Pilots E-Waste Projects

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas Business and Industry Recycling Program (Kansas BIRP) joined together at the Shawnee County Recycling Center in Topeka on America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, 2004, to urge Kansans to recycle and to buy recycled products. KDHE also highlighted its newest recycling effort involving e-waste (electronics) which is now underway for residents of Seward, Lyon and Chase Counties.

"While it's difficult to imagine, every Kansan produces more than three-quarters of a ton of trash a year," Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of KDHE. "However, many items that are being thrown away could be recycled, therefore, greatly reducing the amount of materials going into Kansas landfills, and helping us to protect and preserve our environment for our children and grandchildren."

This week KDHE launched two pilot projects for e-waste in an effort to manage the growing number of electronic products going into Kansas landfills. E-waste is electronics such as old cell phones, computers, printers, monitors, televisions, and VCR's. Residents and private business owners in Lyon and Chase County can drop off e-waste at the City of Emporia Recycling Center, while Seward County residents and businesses may drop off e-waste at the county landfill located in Liberal. There is no cost to drop off e-waste items, which will be accepted through Nov. 23 at the two locations.

KDHE officials expect to collect 50 plus tons of recyclable e-waste, which will be collected by a contractor, then dismantled and recycled. Lead components in the e-waste will go to a smelter for reprocessing; and plastics, metal and glass will be recycled into new projects.

"E-waste is one of the biggest waste management challenges our state will face in the coming decade," Bremby stated. "What we learn from these pilot projects can be applied to possible future collection projects across the state."

While many Kansans are choosing to recycle products such as paper, plastics, and glass, state officials hope more will join them. This year, more than 500,000 tons of materials are expected to be recycled at the 1,600 plus recycling centers in Kansas. In addition, last year facilities around the state produced more than 155,000 tons of compost from materials that would have gone to landfills. There were only three KDHE-permitted composting facilities in the state in 1993. Today there are more than 100 programs serving 58 counties. Also, in just the last year, 3.5 million pounds of household hazardous waste material was collected and more than 500,000 pounds of it was reused.

"America Recycles Day is a great reminder of the simple things we can all do to make such a big difference for our environment," said KDHE Division of Environment Director Ron Hammerschmidt. "Recycling programs vary throughout the state, so check with your community to determine how you can recycle many of the products your family typically throws away."

"Businesses can also play a very important role in recycling in Kansas," said Chiquita Cornelius, Executive Director of Kansas Business and Industry Recycling Program. "We encourage all businesses in the state to get involved in recycling programs and to become a partner with their community on recycling and waste management issues. In addition, we encourage businesses to promote recycled products."

"America Recycles Day is an opportunity for everyone to think about what they can do to protect their environment by recycling or buying recycled products, " Cornelius stated. "But to really make a difference it must be something we do all the time, not just once in a while."

The Kansas Business and Industry Recycling Program (Kansas BIRP) is a private non-profit organization established in May 1983 to promote voluntary recycling in the state. Kansas BIRP is co-sponsoring "What a Wonderful World," an America Recycles Day Festival on Saturday, Nov. 20, at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, from 2 - 5 p.m.

Performers will include the Topeka High Drum Line and Topeka High Jazz Band. Admission includes one new product made with recycled content. Collected items will be donated to the Topeka Rescue Mission.

For information on local America Recycles Day events throughout Kansas, go to:

www.kansasrecycles.org/

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