So many computers. . .

As you know, yesterday was Earth Day. Although I try to do what I can – recycling, not buying an SUV (it’s easier than you think, especially if you have no money), and hm, that’s about it (guess I should try harder) – I wouldn’t call myself an environmentalist. But today when I came upon the sight that you see above in Union Square, I had to stop and ask.

The Lower East Side Ecology Center is a not-for-profit organization that has made it its mission to, according to its website:

1) Provide community based recycling and composting programs to supplement existing NYC curbside programs
2) Develop local stewardship of public open space and
3) Increase community awareness, involvement, and youth development through environmental education programs

One of their many ventures is the Electronic Waste Recyling program, in which businesses and individuals can donate their working and non-working computers printers, scanners, fax-machines, and other electronic equipment to be used for parts rather than tossed into an incinerator and polluting the air, or thrown in a landfill and damaging land and water (and consequently us earth-dwellers too).

Cell phones are one of the many types of electronics you can donate.

E-waste “events” are held every few months or so, during which you can come to a designated locale to drop off your equipment. You can find both a calendar of upcoming events – looks like the next one is June 10th on the UWS – as well a complete list of what electronics are accepted.

Now I know what to do with that old Mac “classic” that’s been sitting in my parents’ basement since the mid ’90s.

Happy belated Earth Day, everybody.