By WIGGS MENDOZA
Published: Friday, February 12, 2010 1:34 PM CST The Valley Chronicle
On Jan. 30-31, the Green Coalition of San Jacinto Valley hosted an electronic waste (e-waste) event at the Ramona Bowl. From that event, we collected over 45,000 pounds of electronic waste from valley residents!
E-waste is comprised of TVs computers, monitors, radios, cell phones, and almost anything that might have an electronic component or has an electrical cord.
As the rate of electronic products grow and as awareness of technology’s harmful impacts on the environment spreads, e-waste is becoming one of the America’s most critical environmental issues.
Here in the valley, there is a growing trend of residents who dispose their electronics in the regular trash bins or by simply leaving it by the curb. Unfortunately, these disposal methods are haphazard today.
Due to the e-waste toxic content, improper disposal can lead to leaks of more than 100 chemicals that are harmful to our health and environment. Moreso, carelessly disposing e-waste by leaving it by the curbside or sidewalks trashes our beautiful valley.
To further proper disposal, we also selected to partner with a recycler who can actually recycle most of the e-waste material to local manufacturers compared to those who dumped it onto developing countries.
The Green Coalition would like to thank valley residents who brought their e-waste to our event. The collection of 45,000 pounds of e-waste is not only evidence of how much trash we can accumulate nowadays, but rather it is an indication that there are more residents who care about our valley and who are willing to hold off until the proper opportunity comes to dispose of toxic waste. Let’s continue to keep the San Jacinto Valley clean, green and safe. Don’t trash our valley!
Wiggs Mendoza is president of the Green Coalition of San Jacinto Valley.
Keeping the San Jacinto Valley
Clean, Green and Safe
www.greencoalition-sjv.org
