Wheeler E-cycles its way to victory

It seems that every few weeks a new smart phone, tablet or laptop is released that sparks mass interest and causes a flood of people to rush to electronic stores or click the “purchase” button on their computer screen. But once the newer piece of technology comes out, what does one do with their old electronics?

The Village of Valley Stream asks residents to recycle their old electronics as part of its E-Cycling program, which began last year. As a way to spread awareness about the program and to give people an opportunity to recycle their equipment, the village hosted an E-Cycling Challenge for Valley Stream schools last year. The event, which ran last fall, was won by Wheeler Avenue School in District 13.

The school E-Cycled about 90 pieces of technology last year, Mayor Ed Fare said, as it edged out schools from each of Valley Stream’s three elementary districts. To reward Wheeler, the village planted a weeping cherry tree in front of the school. On Oct. 1, village officials gathered at the tree to present many of the student-participants with certificates.

“Those 90 units helped the environment and what better way to reward [their efforts] than a tree?” Fare said. “If we let the kids know how important this is, it carries on and they remember this stuff. “

Wheeler Avenue Principal Dr. Gayle Steele said she was quite happy to find out about the school’s E-Cycling win in a congratulatory message from the village.

“I was very impressed and proud of the students,” Steele said. “They took the initiative to become involved and just become aware of how different things affect the community. It was a great feeling.”

The village’s E-Cycling program kicked off in February 2012 allowing residents to dispose of their old computers, televisions, VCRs, game systems, cell phones and more free of charge. Previously, residents were charged $7.50 for each piece they turned in. The village now gets a nominal fee from AHRC of Nassau County for the electronic waste it collects.

Under Department of Environmental Conservation guidelines, which were enacted in 2011, electronics are not supposed to be included in regular garbage because of potentially toxic chemicals, like mercury, lead, arsenic and others. Electronic waste now has to be separated and hauled away independently from regular municipal waste.

“It’s getting the big things out of the waste stream,” Fare said. “You’re not putting mercury into landfills, you’re able to reuse the mercury in new merchandise, and the village can make a couple of dollars on it instead of paying $92 a ton to dump it. It’s one of those programs that there’s no downside to.”

Steele said Wheeler Avenue will participate in the challenge again this year and hopes to build on a positive first year.