ANN ARBOR—Climate Savers Computing Initiative @ the University of Michigan, in conjunction with local partners at all three campuses, is hosting three free e-waste recycling events designed to help southeast Michigan residents, small businesses and non-profits responsibly recycle electronics they no longer need or want.

In Ann Arbor, e-waste events, sponsored by Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, are:

• General public: 9 a.m. -2 p.m. May 9, Pioneer High School (Main Street entrance), 610 W. Stadium Blvd.
• Local business and non-profit organizations: 9 a.m. -2 p.m. May 7-8, WISD- District Office Parking Lot, 1819 S. Wagner.

In Flint, e-waste events, sponsored by the Genesee County Land Bank are:

• General public: 9 a.m. -2 p.m. May 9, W. Hemphill and S. Grand Traverse at the Genesee Business Center (formerly Great Lakes Tech Center).
• Local business and non-profit organizations: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 7-8, W. Hemphill and S. Grand Traverse at the Genesee Business Center (formerly Great Lakes Tech Center).

In Dearborn, e-waste events, sponsored by Ford Land, are:

• General public: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 9, Ford Fairlane Program Center, 780 Town Center Drive.
• Local business and non-profit organizations: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 7-8, Ford Fairlane Program Center, 780 Town Center Drive.

“Many individuals and organizations don’t realize what to do with electronics they no longer need, and those items end up in landfills,” said Bill Wrobleski, project director of the CSCI @ U-M. “By offering free recycling, our goal is to help responsibly dispose of old or unused electronic equipment without creating more waste, and without putting data at risk.”

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the country and frequently contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which can adversely affect the environment. E-waste includes everything from laptops to desktops to televisions and telephones. Throwing away electronics like this consumes landfill space and wastes precious raw materials that could be reused to manufacture new materials.

This is the second year U-M has hosted free e-waste recycling. Last year’s e-waste events filled 11 semi-trailers, keeping 145 tons of hazardous e-waste out of local landfills.

An EPA-certified company will responsibly recycle all e-waste items dropped off at the events. The collected equipment will be destroyed and recycled in the U.S. in accordance with all local, state and federal guidelines, regulations and laws pertaining to the collection, transportation and recycling of electronics equipment.

The CSCI @ U-M is a green computing effort focused on saving energy and conserving natural resources. The two-year project aims to spread awareness about computers’ energy consumption, promote best practices and change behaviors on and off campus.