Virginia Aquarium E-Cycling
Dispose of old electronics responsibly at the Virginia Aquarium’s E-Cycling event on January 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, presented by PRA Group. Rain or shine, participants can recycle old cellphones, used vehicle batteries, personal electronic items, unneeded prescriptions, and more. The event will be a drive-through in the Aquarium’s East Parking Lot, with participating vendors including AAA Tidewater Virginia, Goodwill Industries, Virginia Beach Police Department, NexTrex Plastic Recycling, and the 911 Cellphone Bank, where old cellphones will be refurbished and donated to victims of human trafficking.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Virginia Aquarium’s mission, and E-Cycling events like this one provide a responsible and eco-friendly way to dispose of electronic items. The hard plastic in many of these items will never decompose in a landfill. In items such as car batteries, the acid or chemicals in the products can end up in the ground or water run-offs and are corrosive and harmful to the environment. Many old electronic devices contain toxic substances that include lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium, polyvinyl chloride, and chromium. When e-waste is tossed into landfills, these chemicals seep into the soil, polluting the ground water and the air.
Electronics are made of components that contain valuable raw materials and can be repurposed for new devices when they are recycled. As a result, energy is saved, pollution is reduced, and there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. Recycling old devices saves energy. It also means that fewer raw materials need to be drawn from nature to create new devices. Additionally, reusing electronics can help members of the community who would not otherwise have access.
Items that will not be accepted during the event include hazardous waste, CRT tube TV’s and commercial copy machines. If you have these items in your home, check your local landfill site for drop off options. If you have these items in your home, check your local landfill site for drop off.
The events are free to the public, but donations are appreciated and will go to the Aquarium Foundation to support additional sustainable practices.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2838631-0
