Two weeks into the e-waste recycling challenge and Holy Spirit Catholic School has already received and recycled two pallets full of electronics.
The invitation went out at the end of September inviting all local schools to collect and recycle e-waste, with a chance to win a prize of $1,000.
E-waste includes unwanted electronics, such as televisions, computers and cellphones.
When electronics are disposed of improperly there is a chance of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium leaking into the ground and posing a threat to the environment.
Administrators at Manachaban Middle School said they have already received ‘a bunch’ of e-waste and encourage anyone who needs assistance dropping off heavier electronics to call ahead to the school and help would be arranged.
The Town of Cochrane website lists six schools participating, with one confirmed to have opted out; Manachaban Middle school, Cochrane High school, Cochrane Christian Academy, École Notre-Dame Des Vallees and the Holy Spirit Catholic School are currently competing for the prize.
The e-waste recycling challenge was initiated by the town’s Eco Centre in partnership with Global Electric Electronics Processing (GEEP), the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) and Bird’s Eye Technologies.
According to the town website, none of the discarded electronics processed in Alberta’s electronics recycling program are sent to, or ‘dumped’ into developing countries.
The competition runs until Oct. 23 and prize money will be put towards sustainability initiatives at the winning school.
For more information on the challenge or program go to cochrane.ca/ZeroWaste.
