In collaboration with the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce, the eWaste Recycling Coalition will be accepting used, old electronics for proper recycling on Saturday, February 6, from 10 am to 2 pm, at Mashpee Commons. The event is being sponsored by CapeSpace.
Except for televisions, residents can drop off a range of electronics, including cell phones, computers, VCRs, DVD players, security equipment, tablets, gaming devices, cable boxes, cameras, holiday lights and more, during next month’s recycling event. A full list of acceptable items can be found at www.ewastecoalition.org.
Due to safety concerns, the public is advised not to try and destroy (i.e., drill holes or crush) their sensitive devices that they may want to discard next month. All devices are treated as sensitive and will be disposed of properly in accordance with industry standards.
Started two years ago by Rick Pinney, owner of Cape Cod Office Consultants in East Falmouth, the eWaste Recycling Coalition holds regular events throughout Cape Cod and the Islands as well as Southeastern Massachusetts.
In December, the coalition organized an electronics drop-off with the Town of Yarmouth. This month, it collected items on Martha’s Vineyard.
“They are very popular,” Pinney said. “Whenever we do an event, people always ask us when we’re going to do it again. Everyone has unused electronics taking up space in a drawer, closet or a basement and they don’t know what to do with it. Normally, it would cost them anywhere from $20 to $50 for disposal fees. We take it for free and then we sort it before sending it to one or more of our downstream vendors who properly dispose of each item.”
This will be the first time that the coalition has conducted an electronics drop-off in Mashpee.
CapeSpace President Robbin Orbison was excited to be supporting the event as a sponsor. “Our company has placed a strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices which is why we’re so thrilled to be a part of next month’s event with the eWaste Recycling Coalition,” Orbison said. “This is a great way for people to discard of unused electronics in a responsible manner that won’t impact the environment.”
Katy Acheson, executive assistant at the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce, expressed similar enthusiasm for next month’s event. “We’re really grateful to be able to work with the eWaste Recycling Coalition, Mashpee Commons, and CapeSpace to bring this drive to Mashpee,” she said. “Most of us have an olD phone that we’re not sure how to dispose of properly or an ancient printer that we can’t find the right kind of ink cartridges for anymore. The electronics drive is an easy, free, and responsible way of disposing those kinds of items collecting dust in the corner.”
On February 6, people will be able to drop off their electronics in the parking lot between Steeple Street and Fountain Street, adjacent to Talbots. Due to COVID-19, motorists are asked to remain in their vehicles and wear face masks. The event will be contactless with eWaste staff and volunteers removing items from the trunk of each car.