Written by Jessica Ingram

In an attempt to bring recycling awareness to Valdosta, the City of Valdosta Public Works Department will hold an Electronics Recycling Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the parking lot of the City of Valdosta Customer Service Center.

The Public Works Department has partnered with Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful, KLVB and Atlanta Recycling Solutions to host this event.

The event, which began in 2006, is one of two annual events that are held to help reduce the number of electronic wastes that enter the city’s landfills.

According to the City of Valdosta’s press release regarding the event, nearly 200 tons of electronic waste has been prevented from being dumped in to the landfill because of the recycling event.

“The city would like to encourage Valdosta citizens to discard used or unwanted electronics equipment in this convenient and environmentally responsible manner and therefore play a major role in the preservation of our city,” John Whitehead, City of Valdosta deputy city manager for operations, said on the city’s website.

In the fall and spring events last year, the city was able to collect nearly 60,000 pounds of electronics.

According to Greenpeace, an organization formed to save the planet from waste, 20 to 50 million tons of electronic waste is generated each year.

Five percent of solid waste worldwide is made up of electronic waste, almost the same as plastic packaging. Electronic waste is more hazardous, according to Greenpeace.

The address for the customer service parking lot is 102 North Lee Street.

Basic electronics will be accepted with no cost such as computers, microwaves and cell phones.

However, if a television is brought to be recycled, there will be a $10 charge.

According to the event flyer, the charge for televisions is due to the “proper recycling and transportation of the electronics.” It takes extra work to disassemble the televisions for recyclable parts.

Items such as vacuum cleaners, washers/dryers, car batteries, toasters, ovens and other items will not be accepted.

There will also be people on site to help anyone with items unload their vehicles. There is a drive-through option to prevent people from having to leave their vehicles.

Anyone looking to recycle items should check the list of accepted items on the City of Valdosta website or call the Public Works Department at 671-3640.