This weekend, responsibly get rid of your electronics and see the last of the free environmental documentaries being screened at PSUMC.

 

Mountaintop coal removal and mining has been a pressing issue that still hasn't received all the attention it deserves. Friday, April 9, the Park Slope United Methodist Church is showing a free screening of Coal Country. The documentary was written, directed and produced by Phylis Geller, and is a dramatic look at modern coal mining, revealing the truth behind claims of "cheap energy" and "clean coal." The story is told by the people directly involved, both working miners and activists who are battling the coal companies in Appalachia.

 

This is going to be the last of a series of environmental documentaries shown at PSUMC, so if you haven't made your way out to see any of the screenings, don't miss this one. The movie starts at 8 p.m. and there is a potluck dinner beforehand at 7 p.m. PSUMC is located at 410 6th Avenue (Corner of 6th Ave. and 8th St).

 

Since 2007, Tekserve and the Lower East Side Ecology Center (LESEC) have been teaming up to host public, free-of-charge recycling drives in front of Tekserve's store in New York City. The event has grown exponentially since the original one, drawing folks and their e-waste from far beyond Tekserve's Chelsea store. At the last event alone, over 1,000 people brought nearly 25 tons of recyclable material. Here's some video to give a feel for the event.

 

Sponsored collection events like these are one of the easiest ways for New Yorkers to properly dispose of their old electronic gear and gadgets, which contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury. These events keep such materials out of landfills and are especially important since NYC currently offers no e-waste drop-off program of its own.

 

The Tekserve/LESEC-sponsored eWaste recycling drive will be held Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The collection point will be at 119 West 23rd Street, just off 6th Avenue, in front of Tekserve's retail store.

 

Anyone bringing electronics to be recycled can register for a Tekserve raffle to win a new Apple MacBook. Plus, all participants in the event will receive a $25 coupon, good towards any Mac or iPod (excluding iPod shuffle) from Tekserve until May 10, 2010.

 

Recyclable items include: computers, monitors, fax machines, copiers, DVD/VCR players, radios, telephones, cell phones, televisions, cameras and stereo equipment. Unfortunately, Tekserve and the LESEC cannot accept home appliances, such as microwaves, stoves, refrigerators and air conditioners, nor can they accept drop-offs from businesses. 

 

If you fell under one of the exceptions of what Tekserve and LESEC cannot collect, I would recommend that you look into the services of Materials for the Arts and NY WasteMatch. Materials for the Arts accepts: art supplies, electronics, fabric, furniture, musical instruments, industrial discards, paint, office equipment and supplies. Items are redistributed to NYC public schools and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Donations can be picked up, dropped off, or listed on a web-based Direct Donations service.

 

NY WasteMatch accepts: unwanted, surplus or used business supplies, furniture and equipment. This free materials exchange service is sponsored by the NYC Department of Sanitation. WasteMatch facilitates the exchange of unwanted, surplus or used supplies, furniture and equipment from businesses to entities in need of them.