By Greg Russell

Apple Inc. and the U of M will again co-host the largest e-recycling event in Memphis May 18-19 on the University campus. The event is open to the public as well as businesses and other institutions.

The University of Memphis and Apple Inc. will again co-host one of the largest e-recycling events in the Mid-South May 18-19 on campus. Tons of old and unused electronic equipment were collected in 2009 and 2010, with the event being open to students, faculty, staff, the public and businesses and other institutions.

“This is the third year in the past five years that the University has been involved with Apple on this project,” said coordinator Steve Terry, U of M director of Technology Utilization. “It proves that we are committed to a sustainable future. I think it speaks volumes, too, on the effort we have put forth the other two years.”

Apple is selective in which universities host the event. It is almost unheard of that one university hosts the event three times in such a short time frame.

Part of that might be from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ affinity for the city. Jobs, who passed away last October, lived in Midtown for a short period while he was undergoing a liver transplant in 2009. He took walks in Overton Park during his recovery, though it was rare he was ever recognized.

This year’s public event is set for Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Southern Avenue parking lot. Professional movers will be on hand to unload e-recyclable materials from vehicles. The process is as easy as driving up to a drive-through window. There is no limit to the amount a person can drop off.

Institutions and businesses can drop off materials en mass on Friday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Park Avenue Campus. Contact Terry at 678-2194 or sterry@memphis.edu to schedule a time if wanting to take part in the business part of the event. Dozens of small and large businesses and institutions have participated in the past.

Items that can be brought include CPUs, all-in-one computer systems, laptops, notebooks, PDAs, keyboards, televisions, cameras, speakers, audio devices, cell phones and pagers, and other related equipment.

All items, including hard drives, are secured and ground down to confetti-like material to ensure information security prior to being recycled.

Electronic waste has become a worldwide problem. Toxic materials such as lead, mercury, chlorine and bromine are commonly used in producing computers and other electronics; if these devices are disposed of improperly, the toxins can leak from landfills into groundwater.

U of M President Shirley Raines demonstrated the University’s commitment to sustainability when she signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007. On-campus recycling efforts have dramatically increased as has efforts to create a more energy-efficient campus. A sustainability committee was formed in 2007 and a sustainability coordinator was hired to monitor and implement green efforts on campus.

“To address environmental challenges, we continue to be a leader in sustainable technologies while serving as a model for the community,” Dr. Raines said.

Contact Terry at 678-2194 for additional information on the electronic recycling event.