E-waste inspires green efforts

The market for old electronic devices can put cash into pockets, but the growing popularity of e-cycling is highlighting the improper handling of e-waste.

VCU’s Green Unity is tapping into this environmental trend with its e-cycling events, which began in spring of 2009. The student-created and operated organization promotes cooperation between the Richmond and VCU community to work toward a “greener” environment.

“VCU is recycling 30 percent of all its waste,” said Amanda Schutt, a Green Unity co-founder. “We were at 24 percent for the longest time. We’re getting better and if we recycle our electronics through VCU, that counts too.”

The electronic industry generates nearly $2 billion a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, whose Web site also states some electronics contain hazardous or toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and some types of flame retardants.

According to Green Unity co-founder Elle Chang, problems can arise internationally with these hazardous materials. Chang said in many third world countries like India and China, old electronics are being dumped into rural areas that have no regulations for properly disposing e-waste.

The toxins from the e-waste can seep into the ground and contaminate water sources, causing health hazards and birth defects.

“These products should not enter the waste stream,” Schutt said. “They shouldn’t go straight into landfills.”

Green Unity co-founder Will Isenberg said another concern is the initial mining for the metallic ore coltan, which is used in electronic devices.

Isenberg cited a 2001 National Public Radio story that stated illegal coltan miners endangered wildlife parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The region’s wildlife and rainforests were affected when miners killed elephants and gorillas for food and clear-cut rainforests.

“It’s so cheap there that they’re really exploiting that profit and taking advantage of the whole system there,” Isenberg said. “If you recycle (electronics), you definitely cut down on that process.”

Green Unity will hold its next e-cycling event on Nov. 10 in the University Student Commons Plaza as a part of November Fest, a harvest theme celebration of local food, sustainable eating and community.

Green Unity members said they plan to host vendors from the Richmond area including Williamsburg House Market, Richmond Vegetarian Society, Save the Trash and Backyard Farmers.

Plans for guest speaker Carolyn Merchant, an ecofeminist and professor at the University of California at Berkley are in progress, according to Green Unity founders. No confirmations have been made.