A volunteer club at the school collected over 10 tons of electronic waste for a first

time event on March 20-21.

Although it was buildOn’s first time holding such an event, it was a success due to generous donations and tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, collected. About 40 buildOn members volunteered at the event and over 250 cars dropped by, according to senior club member Michelle Zeng.

“Members worked well together with a good mindset,” junior club co-president Fanny Chow said. “We put a lot of effort into planning the event, and we are pleased with the support from the members of the community that came out to recycle their old electronics.”

The event acquired various types of e-waste, from rechargeable batteries to old televisions. Members of the club also collected old furniture, clothes and accessories. But overall, the most collected item was computer monitors, 32 of which came from the language lab.

BuildOn made $870 from people who handed in donations after dropping off their e-waste. “Normally people would have to pay a fee to some other waste removal company in order for them to take e-waste, which is costly to dispose of properly,” math teacher and buildOn club sponsor Karl Hoffman said. “We were taking it for free, so most people don't mind making a donation.” The money will also go into the club’s goal of raising $10,000 for supplies to help build schoolhouses in developing countries such as Haiti, Malawi, Mali and Nicaragua.

BuildOn had significantly publicized the event beyond school bounds. Members posted fliers around the school, left fliers at neighborhood homes and posted signs to showcase the event. “The event was very useful for the Sunset and Lowell community,” math and computer science teacher Wilson Sinn said.

BuildOn is confident that it has made the public more aware with the e-waste event. Along with making a satisfactory profit, the ultimate goal to aid and better the environment was achieved. “We enjoyed seeing club members interact with the community to inform them about global and local activities,” junior club president Elizabeth Chen said. “Through the electronic waste event, we hoped our efforts increased environmental awareness and expanded educational opportunities in the world.”

The e-waste management company, Universal Waste Management, Inc, also made a profit from the donated electronics, such as by extracting mercury and heavy metals from computer monitors. Many electronics produce complex chemicals that are incendiary and when put in landfills, negatively effects the environment, according to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. “Recycling e-waste is a new form of recycling that not many people know about,” Hoffman said. “We must be careful to properly dispose of our electronics so as to not harm the environment.”

As for future plans, buildOn will probably hold another e-waste event, with improvements on expanding publicity. The club plans to hold annual e-waste collections. “Not only has the e-waste event broadened the community’s view, but it has also expanded buildOn’s horizons,” senior club member Mandy Li said.