In the past eight years, Haines Friends of Recycling has collected 57 tons of electronics from residents for recycling and proper disposal.
Group president Melissa Aronson said she needs about six volunteers to help at the annual collection event Friday and Saturday, to keep numbers up and to keep pollutants out of local waterways. Electronics contain toxic heavy metals that could contaminate waterways, she said.
“Plus it’s a real waste of a valuable resource, as some of these devices contain rare earth metals that are hard to come by and the mining for these things is destructive,” Aronson said.
Collected electronics are immediately taken to a recycling company where hard drives are shredded. “It’s secure and it’s done in an environmentally responsible way,” she said.
The event charges 35 cents a pound for its service. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 766-2185.