by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
When it comes to recycling, aluminum cans and cardboard are not the only materials that can be spared from the landfill, the manager of UNM's recycling program said.
An event Saturday will collect electronic equipment to be recycled including computers, microwaves, televisions, irons, cell phones and toasters, Linda McCormick said.
She said the Safety and Risk Services Department will collect any type of e-waste, which is anything that has a cord or uses a battery.
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The department will accept items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the west end of T Lot on Lomas and University boulevards.
"It is the first time it has ever been done at UNM," she said. "It is an extension of our ongoing initiative to make recycling more accessible to the campus."
McCormick said personal information should be removed from cell phones and computers before they're brought to be recycled.
McCormick said she works with the Safety and Risk Services Department at UNM, and the event is to extend the success of the program.
"Recycling is doing really well at UNM, but you know you can always do better," she said. "This is just a way that we can help the University do better."
E-waste is generally made out of materials that are harmful to the environment such as lead, copper and mercury, McCormick said. Electronic equipment is expensive to recycle, she said.
But Enchantment Electronic Recycling agreed to come to the University and recycle the equipment for free, she said.
Joel Belding, owner of the company, said they usually charge for e-waste recycling, but it's important to raise public awareness about electronic recycling.
Belding said his company will count the cost of recycling the equipment as advertising.
"We're able to absorb some of that cost," he said. "We feel like it is important to raise awareness, and it is good for the environment."
McCormick said UNM's recycling department will accept e-waste throughout the year.
"I'm going to have continuous pick up for recyclable e-waste," she said. "If someone wants to recycle, just bring it over to us, and we will take it."
To remove personal data from computers, go to Tinyurl.com/32jnuo. For cell phones, go to Tinyurl.com/2f4ue4.
