SWACO: Consider Sustainability During the Holidays

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates waste can increase by as much as 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Additionally, discarded electronics continues to be one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Electronics remain a popular gift during the holiday season, so SWACO is reminding families that buying refurbished electronics, as well as recycling and donating ones no longer in use, is easy to do and good for the environment.

E-Waste, or electronic waste, encompasses virtually any item that utilizes an electric cord that is now outdated, unwanted or broken. This can include everything from small personal items like smartphones and tablets to TVs and other household items like washers and dryers, microwaves and refrigerators.

“More than 40% of what is thrown out in Franklin County, including e-waste, could easily be diverted from the landfill through programs available today,” said Hanna Greer-Brown, Communications Manager for SWACO. “Central Ohioans have many convenient options available to them to give new life to the electronics they no longer want or need.”

SWACO suggests the following ways to prevent e-waste:

1. Consider repairing broken electronics. Online resources like www.ifixit.com can walk you through how to make repairs yourself.

2. When purchasing new electronics, check with the retailer to see if they have a take-back program for items you are replacing or upgrading. Many computer and cell phone stores offer these incentives.

3. Many types of household appliances can be donated, including toasters, blenders and vacuum cleaners. Use SWACO’s search tool to find a charitable organization that accepts electronics in good working condition for donation.

4. Cell phones and cell phone batteries can be recycled at a variety of locations, including Verizon, Lowes, Home Depot and Best Buy stores, among other locations. Never place cell phones or cell phone batteries in your curbside recycling or drop-off recycling containers. They can cause fires and put recycling workers at risk.

5. CRT or ‘tube’ style televisions and monitors may not be accepted or may require a fee to be recycled. Projection televisions may also have some limitations associated with them. However, most styles of flat-screen televisions (LCDs, LEDs, etc.) are readily accepted for donation or recycling.

Goodwill Columbus is just one of many partners who accepts several e-waste items for resale and recycling. “Goodwill Columbus is committed to supporting the global shift to a more circular economy, a system that focuses on waste reduction and resource utilization.” says Marketing Director, Simone Attles “Our stores and donation centers across Franklin Country are happy to accept your gently used clothing, goods, and much of your e-waste which help to support our job training and life skills services.”

In addition to electronics, there are many other ways to celebrate sustainability this holiday season. SWACO suggests the following ways to prevent waste:

1. When decorating for the holidays, reuse items from previous years and shop local thrift stores for new items. Donate strings of lights and decorations to places like Goodwill or recycle them through a community program.

2. Wrap gifts in papers you already have on-hand – newspaper, brown bags and magazine sheets all are interesting gift wrap options. Also, consider alternative ways to embellish a gift package, like holiday stamps or stencils, or reuse old ribbon. In fact, according to information shared by Stanford University, if every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet.

3. When preparing for a big holiday meal or festive get together, shop with a list so you only buy what you need, and send guests home with leftovers to eat. You can also safely freeze and eat leftovers for many months after the holidays.

Recycle correctly with these easy steps:

1. Empty and flatten cardboard before putting it in the curbside recycling cart or before taking it to the SWACO drop-off locations.

2. Bring your expanded polystyrene to the Styrofoam collection drop-off location at 3770 Municipal Way, Hilliard, Ohio. The drop-off is available 24/7 and is free to use.

3. Wrapping paper and cards without foil, glitter or embellishments can be recycled.

4. Compost live wreaths, garland and trees following the holidays by removing decorations and setting them at the curb on your yard waste collection day.

For more information, visit www.swaco.org.