NBC Universal Teams With New York City to Recycle E-Waste

From 8:00 am through 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, computers, televisions, cell phones, radios, cameras, VCRs, speakers, telephones and other electronics will be collected for free at six locations across the city.

The electronic waste collected at the Green Screen events will be recycled - materials that have value will be recovered and toxins and other hazardous materials will be safely and legally disposed of. An estimated 87.5 percent of electronic waste that could be recycled is instead deposited into landfills each year.

The city and NBC Universal are presenting Green Screens in partnership with NBC 4; Time Warner Cable; the Daily News; radio stations 101.9 RXP, Hot 97, 98.7 Kiss FM, WNYC Radio 93.9 FM and AM 820; Bridgewaters To Go; NYC & Company, GreeNYC - the consumer education platform of PlaNYC; the Council on the Environment for New York City; and the Department of Sanitation.

"This weekend is the time for New Yorkers to take the laptops and computer monitors in the back of the closet and safely recycle them," said Mayor Bloomberg.

"Recycling is not just about metal, glass, plastic and paper. Electronics are a significant part of the waste stream and we need to do a better job capturing them to meet the ambitious goals in PlaNYC and the Solid Waste Management Plan," said the mayor.

All goods collected will be recycled by Electronic Recyclers International which has documented its compliance with state and federal regulations.

ERI has a cradle to grave bar code tracking system which tracks all materials through every stage of the recycling process. This system ensures compliance with all environmental regulations, as well the destruction of any personal information contained inside materials that are dropped-off.

ERI was among the first recyclers of e-waste to be certified by the Basel Action Network, a nonprofit environmental watchdog organization, as part of its e-Steward Initiative, an independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program. The initiative certifies recyclers of e-waste that appropriately recycle electronics to benefit the environment and citizens of the world.

"NBC 4 New York is proud to be a partner in this important and proactive program that will raise awareness about this issue and encourage the community to do its share in keeping our environment safe," said Tom O'Brien, president and general manager of WNBC.

"We are thrilled to be supporting this worthy cause in partnership with the mayor," said Zalaznick." As NBC Universal launches its ‘Green Your Routine' campaign, we hope to increase awareness among consumers that taking very simple green steps, like recycling a cell phone, will help make New York a more sustainable city."

NBC Universal "Green Your Routine" encourages viewers and fans to Go Green with green-themed programming across all NBC channels and affiliates aimed at entertaining, informing and empowering Americans to lead greener lives.

NBC Universal will kick off its "Green Week" on its highly rated Sunday Night NFL Football show, "Football Night in America." The hosts, including MSNBC "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann, will "talk about their Green Routines," according to the Green is Universal website. The family of networks will air 150 hours of environmental programming November 16 to 22.

The February 17, 2009 transition to digital TV is expected to increase the number of old TVs replaced with newer models. Older cathode ray tube sets contain lead, mercury and other toxins. By recycling these older television sets, New Yorkers can contribute to improving the environment.

These locations will be open from 8:00 am through 2:00 pm to accept obsolete and unwanted electronics for recycling.

• Manhattan
  • Saturday only: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza (W. 126th St. bet. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and Malcolm X Blvd.)
  • Sunday only: Cooper Square (Cooper Square bet. E. 6th and 7th Sts.)
• Bronx: Saturday and Sunday: Joyce Kilmer Park (Grand Concourse bet. E. 161st and 163rd Sts.)
• Brooklyn: Saturday and Sunday: McCarren Park (Bedford Ave. near N. 12th St.)
• Queens: Saturday and Sunday: Cunningham Park (Union Turnpike bet. 196th Pl. and 197th St.)
• Staten Island: Saturday and Sunday: Staten Island Mall (2655 Richmond Ave. at Parking Lot F)

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.