“The truck comes to pick up every couple of weeks, and it’s always overflowing,” reports Dennis Heidkamp, Ace storeowner.
Most computer equipment dropped off here goes to VetTech.US that needs an influx for classes taught by Warrenville resident Peter Polus. As an integral part of the Comp TIA A+ Certification course he follows, numerous computers are needed for the training program and hands-on experience. When successfully refurbished and ready for re-use, they are made available to charities and nonprofits.
Polus started VetTech.US when he felt a desire to volunteer time to help returning veterans acquire work skills. As a certified computer technician himself, he knew he could teach them to refurbish used computers.
The original VetTech.US classes were held in the IBEW building in Cantera. When the program outgrew that facility, Polus, unable to find adequate space nearby, moved the project to space in
VetTech.US functions as part of the nonprofit Keeling Family Foundation that operates the King of Green website with information about other electronics drop-off locations in the Chicagoland counties that provide the equipment to VetTech.US: www.kingofgreen.org.
Many other locations in
The
Although refurbishing and reusing electronics is ideal, there comes a time when such equipment is no longer useful. For a good resource to learn how end-of-life electronic products are recycled, ready to be remanufactured, go to the video on Sims Recycling Solutions website: http://us.simsrecycling.com/about-us, and scroll to the bottom of the page. Sims in
Why ban electronics from landfills? Above all, research commissioned by the
Of course, putting electronics into the re-use stream, as VetTechs.US does, conserves natural resources and makes it the best process when the equipment can still be refurbished.
Consumers need to realize that old computers, keyboards, monitors, printers, mice and mp3 players are not garbage. They are still usable and reusable recyclable resources and should not be treated as garbage when a new model is purchased. Once they are beyond reuse, they can be taken apart, the parts chopped into small bits and actually made into new products.
Waste haulers will help enforce the
What electronics are banned? Here is the list: televisions, computer monitors, printers, computers (including tablets, electronic keyboards, electronic mice, fax machines, VCRs, portable digital music players, DVD players, DVD recorders, video game consoles, small-scale servers, scanners. digital converter boxes, cable receivers, and satellite receivers.
Manufacturers who sell in
Warrenville is already known as a “green” community. Not only do residents have Ace Hardware as the place to leave electronics, see the list for the many other recycling opportunities in this city. Some nearby locations are also provided for televisions (also banned now but not accepted at Ace), hazardous wastes, and other recyclables.
Recycling in Warrenville
Ace Hardware - Electronics (all computer equipment, small appliances, NO televisions), CFLs
City Hall - Batteries (no car batteries), lower level
Warrenville Public Library -
Target Store - Bins for plastic bags, glass/plastic/aluminum cans, and mp3/cell phones/ink cartridges
St. Irene’s
Nearby Recycling Options
Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility,
Sims Recycling Solutions,
SCARCE,
