The community is being challenged to work a kind of magic trick, and turn unwanted electronics into food for those in need in the community.
The annual Electronic Waste (e-waste) collection day in Bradford West Gwillimbury, in support of the Helping Hand Food Bank and BWG Community Initiatives, will take place on Saturday, September 15.
Residents are invited to drop off their e-waste at the trailer parked at the Bradford Community Centre, 125 Simcoe Road, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. For one day only, the e-waste will be collected and properly recycled by AMMIF Waste, with all of the proceeds going to the food bank, and to Community Initiatives, which operates the Bradford Community Meal every Friday, at Bradford United Church.
There is no charge for dropping off electronic waste.
Carl Hordyk has organized the event for the past several years.
“We’ve diverted a lot of electronic waste from landfill,” he said, estimating that approximately 20 large truckloads, over the years, has been collected. Last year’s collection raised an estimated $1,200 that was split between the two charities.
It’s a significant amount, considering that $25 pays for five meals at the Bradford Community Meal, he said.
The e-waste collection will accept appliances, toasters, vacuum cleaners, computers and peripherals, TVs, audio-visual systems, radios – “If it plugs in, we’ll take it,” said Hordyk. AMMIF Waste even takes cameras, cell phones and batteries – anything that can be recycled.
With the event fast approaching, Hordyk is looking for student volunteers in need of community hours, who could participate and help fill the trailer on E-Waste collection day.
He will also pick up any large items from residents interested in donating but unable to bring large appliances or television sets to the collection site. He can be reached at 705-715-6024 or [email protected].
The e-waste collection day is held in co-operation with Ontario Electronic Stewardship.