Archway Recycling and Catholic Charities are hosting The Great Electronics Recycling Fundraising Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 at the Catholic Charities office at 2201 16th Street in Great Bend.
Residents are asked to bring their used or unwanted items to the Catholic Charities parking lot at 2201 16th Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Aug. 10th. In an effort to maintain good social distance practices, Catholic Charities Staff members will pick up and load the items onto the Archway Recycling Trucks. Items may include electronics or appliances with a cord (except older tube or projection TVs, ink and toner cartridges, hospital equipment, metal, batteries and more.
The Great Electronics Recycling Event is an opportunity to reduce e-waste and assist those in need at the same time. The proceeds that Catholic Charities receives from this event will support agency programs such as pregnancy support, infant adoption, housing, emergency aid, COVID assistance, counseling, and immigration and refugee services.
According to The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020, e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream, due to increased consumption of electric and electronic equipment, short life cycles, and few options for repair. A record of 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019 and that is expected to almost double by 2030.
Less than 20 percent is collected and recycled. gold, silver, copper, platinum, and other high-value, recoverable materials – valued at $57 billion – were mostly dumped or burned rather than being collected for treatment and reuse. Additionally, mercury, toxic additives, and other hazardous substances from ewaste are released into the environment to become a human health hazard.
“Taking care of the most vulnerable includes being good stewards of our common home,” said Rebecca Ford, director of communication and development at Catholic Charities. “Those without resources are the first to feel the impact of environmental damage.”
Declining food production and shortages of fuel make food and utilities more difficult to afford, she said. Floods and other disasters become more frequent and severe for those who don’t have resources to repair and rebuild.
“The vulnerable face greater health risks because affordable land, if it isn’t already exploited, becomes stressed by overcrowding, poor sanitation, excess debris, and more,” Ford said. “Whatever we do to lessen the harm to the environment means that we lessen the hurdles for those in need.”
For more information or questions, contact Ford at 620-792-1393 or by email at rford@CatholicCharitiesSWKS.org.
