Welcome to University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Public Schools' informational eWaste recycling site. We’re glad you have taken the first step with us in conserving natural resources by recycling your unwanted end-of-life electronics in an environmentally sound manner.

What is eWaste
eWaste is a popular informal name for consumer and business electronic equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. Over 130 million mobile phones alone were discarded in 2005. The National Safety Council projects that nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next 5 years, amounting to an estimated 3.2 million tons of eWaste. Researchers have estimated that nearly 75 percent of eWaste is in storage. We are providing and opportunity for FREE safe and environmentally sound and friendly disposal and recycling.

Why recycle

Natural Resource Conservation
Recycling is a resource conservation issue. Today’s consumer electronics contain highly recyclable materials that would otherwise require mining of virgin materials from the earth to meet today’s need for raw materials. Today’s electronics recycling technology reduce consumer electronics in to separated commodity streams of metals, plastics and glass that are processed into raw materials for reuse in new manufactured products. For example, one ton of recycled computers will yield about one ounce of gold. To produce this same ounce of gold from a virgin resource requires mining 7-11 tons of ore and the energy to mine and process this ore. Clearly recycling helps us save our precious natural resources and the planet we live on.

Environmental, Worker and Personal Safety
The EPA estimates that as much as 80 percent of discarded consumer electronics in this country end up in developing countries where environmental and workers health & safety laws are non-existent. “Sham” recyclers take advantage of loop holes in export laws and exploit improvised workers and developing countries environmental laws in order to avoid worker safety laws and environmental regulations in this county. Additionally, these “Sham” recyclers routinely harvest and sell parts and components from computers that may contain personal information. This practice is fueling a multi billion-dollar industry of identity theft in these countries. We hope by hosting this event we raise education and awareness of these practices and so that you my become part of the solution, not the problem or the victim. ALL equipment collected at this event will be destroyed and recycled in North America in accordance with ALL local, state and federal guidelines, regulations and laws pertaining to the collection, transportation and recycling of electronics equipment.

The environment
Recent reports indicate electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the county, with many consumer electronics ending up in landfills. This is a waste of our landfill space and a waste of our natural resources. Untreated eWaste can have hazardous materials in them that if not properly processed can have adverse effects on the environment. Let’s not waste our natural resources, landfill space or impact the earth we live on. Recycle you eWaste at our event.

Acceptable Materials

MATERIALS ACCEPTED AT THE EVENT

Computer Systems and Accessories CRT Monitors LCD Displays CPUs All-in-Ones Laptops Servers Switches Hubs UPS Systems Keyboards & Mice Speakers Hard Drives Optical Drives Wires and Cables Handhelds Devices Cell Phones Pagers PDAs Two Way Radios

Audio & Video Equipment Televisions DVDs VCRs Stereos Radios Camcorders Cameras Radios Games Systems Office Equipment Fax Machines Photo Copiers Printers Scanners Scanners Surge Protectors Telephones Typewriters Adding Machines

MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED

• Hazardous Materials of any type
• Batteries not Integral to Computer Systems
• Contaminated Equipment of any type
• Cracked or Broken CRT Screens
• Microwaves
• Smoke Detectors
• House Hold Appliances
• Hairdryers
• Styrofoam
• Cardboard
• Paper