host posted on June 29, 2011 12:40
This month, Universal Recycling Technologies, LLC (URT) diverted an extra 457,000 pounds of unwanted computer monitors, CPUs, televisions and other electronics away from area landfills thanks to overwhelming participation and support from local residents during the company’s free June e-cycling events.
URT’s free electronics waste “e-cycling” collection events were held in Janesville, WI on June 18 and 25, and at two locations in Madison, WI on June 18. URT, which is headquartered in Janesville, WI and operates six other locations nationwide, provided the recycling free of charge.
These free recycling events were a celebration of URT’s recent certifications. The company’s Janesville campus, which includes its corporate office and two processing facilities, recently attained three key certifications: ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and certification to the e-Stewards® Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment. e-Stewards certified recyclers adhere to the strictest available recycling standards in the industry. The e-Stewards Electronic Recycling Certification is the first fully accredited, independently audited certification program designed to ensure that e-waste will be responsibly–and accountably–recycled, and not dumped in developing countries.
This was URT’s third annual free recycling collection event in Madison, WI, and its first collection event series in Janesville, WI.
The company support many similar events nationwide, often in partnership with other organizations, to encourage responsible recycling. “We were so pleased with the turnout, and want to offer our thanks to everyone who came out. It really makes a difference. We plan to make this an annual community event going forward,” says URT President Jim Cornwell.
Community collection events are one way URT promotes responsible recycling, helping to keep potentially toxic materials out of landfills and away from developing countries ill-equipped to deal with the waste. Electronic waste, and in particular the leaded glass used in older-model TV screens and computer monitors, is hazardous if not properly recycled. Electronic equipment contains poisons like lead and cadmium, which can leech into the environment, potentially contaminating soil and groundwater.
Universal Recycling Technologies, LLC (URT) is a national electronic and universal waste recycling organization, headquartered in Janesville, WI. URT provides end-of-life recycling (de-manufacturing), asset recovery services (ARS), universal waste, commodities, and logistics management services to major market segments including original equipment manufacturers (OEM), retailers, municipalities, and Fortune 500 organizations. Since 2007, the company has been privately owned by Hendricks Holding Company, Inc. To learn more, please visit www.universalrecyclers.com. Photos are available upon request.