Keep Decatur County Beautiful will host an electronic recycling event on Saturday, November 14th at the Decatur County Fairgrounds, 1213 Vada Highway from 9 am to 2 pm.

The Wall Street Journal recently called electronic waste "the world's fastest growing and potentially most dangerous waste problem".  Computer monitors contain an average of four pounds of lead plus small amounts of other forms of toxins including mercury and cadmium-facts courtesy of US EPA).  This is why we need to make this event truly a success!

On November 14th, local residents will be able to drop off old personal computers, monitors and their old electronics (see lists below).

Security Warning regarding Hard Drives
It not uncommon for thieves to retrieve a hard drive from computers to gain access to your personal information.  If you have ever typed your social security number or bank information, passwords, etc on your computer, there is a real possibility that the information could be retrieved.

We recommend removing your hard drive and destroying it.  For most individuals, hard drive manufacturers have said that drilling through the actual disk of the hard drive is an acceptable level of security.

Destroying Hard Drive Data
1) Overwriting, where software writes as series of 0's and 1's on the entire hard drive.  Multiple passes of varying sequences of numbers are required to assure all data is destroyed.

2) Degaussing, is the process through which a magnetic charge is reset to its original state.  Degaussers alter the magnetic framework, and properly done, is the best security solution and be able to reuse the disk.

3) Destruction, the highest security level uses acid or a disc sander to completely remove the entire recording surface.

E-Recycling Facts: 
*Recycling electronics allows precious metals, glass, steel and plastics to be used again.
*Disposing of electronics is hazardous to the environment as toxic materials such as lead and mercury enter landfills around our communities, possibly contaminating ground water.
*It takes less energy to make recycled products from used electronics than new products.

Acceptable Items:
Personal computers, monitors, LCD screen/flat screen monitors, VCR's, radios, stereos, DVD players, microwaves, power supplies, rechargeable batteries, vacuums, banking equipment, telephones, pagers, networking equipment, laptops, keyboards, mice, power cables, medical equipment (non-hazardous), printers, copy machines, fax machines, cell phones, transformers, scanners, portable electronic devices, servers, HUBS, Ink Cartridges, Toner Cartridges, Remotes, Modems, Projectors, Cameras, Televisions ($10/set charge to leave tv's)

Items Not Accepted:
Refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, mercury containing devices (thermometers, fire alarms), hazardous chemicals/materials, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, bio-waste  (appliances ARE accepted at both Decatur County Landfills.  For information, contact 248-3030.)

Volunteers are needed
between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm on the 14th.  For more information, or to volunteer, please call Keep Decatur County Beautiful at 246-3611.