2010 - 2011 saw CommuniTech forming a new and exciting partnership with the on-campus
Penn Sustainability organization. A member of CTech's executive
board now serves as a liaison on the Green Campus Partnership
Student Association (GCPSA), offering suggestions on potential
events and awareness campaigns.
One such event spearheaded by CTech was the E-waste initiative during Penn's RecycleMania
which saw hundreds of students dispose of unused electronic waste
which included hard disks, memory sticks, CD's, tape recorders
and other hardware junk. Electrical waste contains hazardous
but also extremely valuable and scarce materials. Some computer
components can be reused in assembling new computer products,
while others are reduced to metals that can be reused in applications
as varied as construction, flatware, and jewelry.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only 15-20% of e-waste is
recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills
and incinerators where the hazardous chemicals such as lead,
sulfur and polyvinyl chloride present in them, harm both the
earth and the organisms that inhabit it.
The members of CTech essentially believe in the principle of "green computing" which
aims to reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy
efficiency during the product's lifetime, and promote the recyclability
or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste. The
E-Waste Initiative is our way of making a difference by raising
awareness on a small scale. We have also formed an important
partnership with Elemental, Inc. in Philadelphia which helps
us in recycling the materials we collected through this drive.
If you have any form of electronic waste that you would like
to dispose of, please email us at communitech@gmail.com.