Press Release

Simi Valley, June 8, 2009 - The transition from analog to digital is quickly approaching, and many consumers are continuing to upgrade their outdated televisions in preparation of the June 12 deadline. While the switch to digital means better sound and picture quality, it also means more electronics entering the waste stream.

As a result, Waste Management is notifying everyone of the importance of giving these products a second life, not only to divert valuable resources from going to waste, but to also save on valuable landfill space. With more than 200 e-cycling drop-off points across the country, giving electronics a second life is both convenient and environmentally sound.

Waste Management’s e-cycling depot in Simi Valley is located at 195 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93065.

“We are already seeing a lot more of these outdated electronics leading up to the digital transition,” said Patrick DeRueda, president of Waste Management’s recycling services. “We hope to collect as much recyclable material as possible at our depots so that we may put these products towards reuse and recycling. This is part of our commitment to meet our sustainability goal of nearly tripling the amount of recyclables we manage by 2020.”

Recycling old gadgets means that useful materials - such as glass, plastic and metals - can be collected, disassembled and manufactured into other products. Recycling also reduces the amount of raw materials extracted, as well as energy required to make new materials.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, approximately two million tons of e-waste is recycled each year and that five million tons, a majority of which is consumer electronics, is currently being stored in garages and basements. For many electronics, most components can be recycled, like the glass screen on a television, the plastic casing, or the bits of metal in the circuit boards.

“People should also feel confident that whatever materials they drop-off will be handled in an environmentally safe manner,” DeRueda said. “Protecting the environment along with the people handling this waste stream is our highest priority.”

All electronics processed at Waste Management facilities are ISO 14001 and 9001 certified. In addition, Waste Management is also a signatory of the Basel Action Network’s Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship to manage electronic waste in a safe and environmentally conscious manner. This signifies the agreement to conduct electronics recycling transparently and in accord with rigorous environmental and worker safety standards, and to also adhere to measures preventing the export of hazardous e-waste to developing countries.

For more information about our e-waste recycling operations, and to find a depot near you, please visit: http://www.wm.com/lg or http://www.wm.com/sony

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.