The Canon City School District has just launched an electronics recycling program as a way to create jobs for students with disabilities. The program provides residents and businesses with a convenient and ongoing drop off point for all of their unwanted electronics. The Canon City School District will soon begin de-manufacturing and separating some of the collected material using a work team comprised of individuals with autism and other types of disabilities.
The VERN project (Vocational Electronics Recycling Network) is a partnership between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Blue Star Recyclers of Colorado Springs. Blue Star Recyclers’ program in Colorado Springs demonstrated that some individuals with developmental disabilities excel at the type of manual disassembly and separation activity required to responsibly recycle electronic components. The VERN project through a grant from CDPHE, will allow the program to be replicated in smaller communities accross the state.
“Our new program will allow us to provide vocational training and employment for some of our difficult to employ students,” commented Cathy Goodwin, with the Canon City School District. “Getting these kids to work is especially important when you consider that the developmentally disabled population is facing over 80% unemployment in Southern Colorado.” Taxpayers also benefit from creating jobs for people with disabilities because it reduces dependence on SSI and other government funded services.
Once disassembled and seperated in Canon City, the electronic material will go to Blue Star Recyclers to ensure that it is processed in the most environmentally ethical manner possible. “Most electronics contain potentially hazardous heavy metals that could contaminate the soil and groundwater if they are not handled responsibly,” stated Bill Morris, President of Blue Star Recyclers. He added, “But the good news is that up to 98% of everything that goes into electronics can be fully recycled.”
The program’s potential is very promising. Goodwin explained, “with support from the community, we can grow the program very quickly. The more electronics we collect, the more jobs we will create. It’s that simple.”
Canon City School District collects electronics Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m. at their facility at 1030 S. 4th Street. For information regarding recycling fees and accepted items, please call Raynette Douglass at 719-276-5717 or Toby Swisher at 719-276-6000. For additional information about the VERN project, wisit www.bluestarrecyclers.com.
