ORAU employees set new record at recycling event
Employees diverted more than 10 tons of recyclables from area landfills, a news release stated.
During the two-day event, workers collected 22,195 pounds of materials. The tech recyclables were transported on pallets to a facility in New Jersey.
The total included 185 pounds of unneeded medication, 4,940 pounds of personal documents for shredding, 967 pounds of donations, 376 pounds of cardboard, and 15,727 pounds of techno-waste, such as old computers, phones, TVs, LED bulbs and batteries.
“Many such products contain hazardous materials including lead and mercury; if improperly disposed, these substances can leach into the soil and groundwater and pose risks to human and wildlife health,” ORAU stated.
The event began in 2010 to help employees responsibly dispose of personal techno-trash in honor of Earth Day.
Fifteen years later, it has become an annual opportunity for employees to spring clean and donate to local causes.
ORAU partners with the Oak Ridge Holiday Bureau and Ecumenical Storehouse for reusable items. The Michael Dunn Center provides shredding, and Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County assists with drug collection.
