eCycling opportunities coming to Pella and Oskaloosa

PELLA, IOWA — April 7, 2011 — They lurk in basements, closets, garages, even under beds. Don’t let unused computer monitors, VCRs, televisions and other electronics take up space in your home. Instead, recycle them. Pella Corporation and other eco-conscious companies are providing an environmentally-responsible way to dispose of obsolete electronics.

Pella Corporation, the City of Pella Public Works, Vermeer Corporation, Precision Pulley and Idler, Van Gorp Corporation, KAL Services, Mahaska Communication Group, Rosenmann’s Inc. and Midwest Electronic Recovery are teaming up to offer electronic recycling (eCycling) the morning of April 16 for residents of Marion County.

Pella Corporation team members in Macomb, Ill., and Shenandoah, Iowa, will hold their Earth Day eCycling events on April 16 as well. Pella Corporation’s Sioux Center, Iowa, location and MCG’s Mahaska County location will hold their Earth Day events on April 30.

“Give old electronics a new life by recycling them and keeping them out of landfills,” said Pella Corporation recycling champion Don Argo. “Pella encourages local residents to clean out their homes each spring and safely recycle old cell phones, monitors, keyboards, video gaming systems and other unused electronics.”

Since the eCycling program began in 2005 in Pella, Iowa, nearly 240,000 pounds of electronics have been diverted from landfills and safely recycled.

Community eCycling opportunities:

• Pella, Iowa — April 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pella Corporation, parking lot near the intersection of Clark and South Streets
• Macomb, Ill. — April 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pella® Windows & Doors manufacturing plant, 3600 E. Jackson St.
• Shenandoah, Iowa — April 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Eaton Corporation manufacturing plant, 1600 Airport Roa
• Sioux Center, Iowa — April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pella Windows & Doors manufacturing plant, 1800 N. Main Ave.
• Oskaloosa, Iowa — April 30 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mahaska Communication Group (MCG) parking lot (south of Hy-Vee by the basketball courts), 112 First Ave. W

Funding for eCycling events is provided by the partner organizations. Although there is no charge for eCycling services, donations are accepted at each location. All donations are used to support local charities and schools and to promote environmental stewardship.

Acceptable electronic items include computer monitors, personal computers, televisions, printers, video gaming systems, VCRs, stereos, cell phones, keyboards and laptops. Items like microwaves, toaster ovens or dehumidifiers are not accepted.

Why eCycle?

Over 100 million computers, monitors and televisions become obsolete each year in the U.S. In addition, about 300 million other consumer electronics, including cell phones and DVD players, become obsolete each year in the U.S. Discarded electronics can contain hazardous materials. If disposed improperly, they pose a potential threat to human health and the
environment. E-waste accounts for 40 percent of the lead and 75 percent of the heavy metals found in landfills, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR’s) website. Proper disposal of electronic waste can also help protect your privacy and lessen the risk of identity theft. Before donating or recycling
your electronics, remove all personal information from your system or use a reputable organization that provides that service.