Self Storage Facilities Target E-waste in New Recycling Programs

Self storage facilities interested in “greening” their properties have begun to offer e-waste recycling, in addition to ordinary recycling of paper products, glass, and aluminum cans. E-waste refers to electronic waste. It can include computers, monitors, televisions, cell phones, printers, laptop computers, fax machines, copiers, VCRS and DVD players, stereos, or any other electronic device.

E-waste is thought to make up about five percent of the total trash in the United States, but it is growing. European studies show that e-waste is growing three times as faster as other types of trash. Researchers believe that about 75 percent of old electronics are currently in storage, partly because people do not know how to dispose of e-waste. In some states, such as California, it is illegal to throw away e-waste in the garbage, because it is hazardous.

E-waste can be dangerous to the public if it is disposed of in an ordinary landfill, because electronics contain heavy metals such as lead, barium, cadmium, and mercury. These substances can pose a danger to public health if they degrade and enter the soil or the water supply. Lead, for example, is one of the most well known causes of brain damage in young children. Old-fashioned cathode ray tube televisions contain quite a bit of lead, while LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors are high in mercury. Circuit boards contain chromium, copper, and lead. Batteries that are used to power electronics usually contain lead, nickel, cadmium, silver, lithium, and other hazardous materials.

The following self storage facilities have recently added e-waste drop-off areas to the services that they offer:

• Sierra Self Storage, Porterville, California. Sierra Self Storage’s e-waste collection proceeds will be donated to the Porterville High School football team.
• A-1 Self Storage (in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties and the Bay Area) of California added e-waste recycling earlier this year. A-1 is partnering with Coastal Recycling Centers to offer the e-waste recycling service.
• In Florida, Budget Self Storage (in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Valrico, Bradenton, and Sarasota) and Florida’s Storage Solution (in Trinity, Odessa, Tampa, Largo, Land O’Lakes, Spring Hill, Winter Haven, Bartow, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Dundee) became e-waste recycling drop-off points last month.

Sources used:

A-1 Self Storage.

Budget Self Storage. 

Coastal Recycling Centers.  

“E-waste facts.” EWC Electronic Recyclers. 

“E-waste site comes to Sierra Self Storage.” The Porterville Recorder. Aug. 5, 2010.

Florida’s Storage Solution.

Machol, Katie. “More locations added to Florida E-waste Recycling’s drop-off sites.” The Daily Loaf. July 6, 2010.

Sierra Self Storage. 

“Sierra Self Storage in CA becomes e-waste drop-off site.” Inside Self-Storage. Aug. 5, 2010.