WECT TV6 - WECT.com - Wilmington, NC news and weather - Big Switch Minute: Electronics Recycling *New Date*

Big Switch Minute: Electronics Recycling *New Date*

By Jim Hanchett - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The big switch to digital television on September 8th has the potential of creating trouble for the environment.

If you use an antennae to get your TV signal, you can buy a converter box to be ready for the digital transition or you can buy a new TV. All of them are now digital ready.

But what do you do with the old set? Electronics recycling events offer the best solution.

If you just dump that old TV in the trash it has the potential to do damage to the environment.

About a million tons of old phones, computers and TVs ended up in landfills last year.

Useful materials from those items like glass, plastic, and metals all went to waste.

You can drop off your items, but no microwaves, smoke alarms or large appliances, such as refrigerators, are accepted.

Since March, the New Hanover County Environmental Management Department has diverted over 70 tons of electronics from the landfill thanks to concerned citizens, Keep America Beautiful of New Hanover County, and area Wal-Mart stores. 

The next collection day is set for Saturday, September 27 from 9:00 am until 2:00 PM at the Wal-Mart store at 5226 Sigmon Road, just off Market Street.

If you can't make it to this event, New Hanover County will collect obsolete electronics and other household hazardous waste on Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 am until 2:00 PM at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, between South College Road and Eastwood Road. 

Volunteers are also needed for the October 25 collection day. 

Contact Jennifer O'Keefe, 798-4404 or Lynn Bestul, 798-4410 to volunteer your time and keep hazardous wastes out of our landfill.

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