The Northeast Recycling Council is promoting the State Electronics Challenge – Northeast Pilot. The program will provide participants with an tools and resources to purchase computers and other electronic devices that contain fewer toxins, minimize energy usage, and recycling them in an environmentally sound manner.
According to Patty Dillon, project manager for the SEC, "For every 1,000 ‘green’ computers purchased and recycled, state, and local governments can:
Ø Reduce electricity equivalent to the amount of power used by 101 households annually;
Ø Decrease greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to eliminating 71 passenger cars from the roads per year;
Ø Avoid municipal solid waste equivalent to the amount generated by 18 households annually;
Ø Decrease hazardous waste entering the waste stream by 17 metric tons; and
Ø Avoid the use of 340 pounds of toxic materials, including lead and mercury."
The SEC web site, www.StateElectronicsChallenge.net offers online partner registration and other resources to help participants take advantage of these potential savings.
The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC), with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed the SEC.
Late last month the governor of New Hampshire committed the state to participating as the first SEC Partner.
This past August the Council of State Governments/Eastern Regional Conference, Energy and Environment Committee adopted a resolution commending the SEC and encouraging state, regional, and local governments to become SEC Partners.