The explosion in the number and variety of electronics over the past decade has created an unexpected problem-- what to do with the stuff when its no longer useful. Tons of e-waste end up in landfills each years. But one company in Ocala is offering a greener solution.
So far this year, Sun Digital has gathered two tons of electronics to be recycled. They now have a goal of collecting 5 tons by the end of 2011.
"We are talking about junk and a lot of people are not excited about junk, but are happy to know that they had a place to go with these items and it wasn't going to end up in a landfill," Jim Bolin, Owner and President of Sun Digital told TV20.
On Wednesday, June 22nd, the company will be collecting old electronics to be recycled at the Concord Square parking lot, caddy corner from Ocala's Downtown Square from 7am. to 1pm.
According to the National Center for Electronics Recycling, 25 states have passed e-waste laws. Florida isn't one of them.
Marion County holds e-waste recycling days for residents a couple of times a year. Their next event will be on July 16th from 9 am - 2 pm at the Wrigley Sports Complex in Citra. On any other day, residents can dump their electronics straight into the ever-growing pile of waste. Commercial companies with e-waste must first provide the county proof of submitting their waste to a P-clip test which makes sure no harmful chemicals are released.
Funds from Sun Digital's e-waste recycling drives have been donated to charities, like United Way and Marion County Senior Services.
There is a $5 fee to recycle non-flat screen monitors due to the processing necessary to remove hazardous materials, such as lead, from within the tubes.