Councilwoman Sandra Ung is partnering with the Lower East Side Ecology Center and Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) to host an e-waste recycling event in Flushing on Sunday, April 2.
Flushing residents will be able to dispose of their electronic waste at the Queens Botanical Garden parking lot on Crommelin Street between Blossom Avenue and Saull Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine.
Items that will be collected include working and nonworking computers, monitors, printers and scanners, keyboards and mice, televisions, VCR and DVD players, phones, audio-visual equipment, cables, and personal devices. More information on what items are accepted and answers to other commonly asked questions can be found at lesecologycenter.org.
“Not only is it illegal in New York City to dispose of electronics with your trash or recyclables, it could result in a $100 fine,” Ung said. “E-waste is also incredibly toxic to the environment. I am happy to partner with the Lower East Side Ecology Center to offer residents the opportunity to dispose of their unwanted electronics both safely and legally.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 70% of the toxins found in landfills come from e-waste even though it only contributes to 1% of landfill volume. In March of 2022, Ung hosted a similar event with the Lower East Side Ecology Center in her district that diverted over 7,000 pounds of unwanted electronics from local landfills.
The Lower East Side Ecology Center provides unique e-waste and composting services, environmental stewardship opportunities, and educational programming to all New Yorkers who want to learn about environmental issues and take responsibility for creating solutions through action.
Christine Datz-Romero, executive director of the Lower East Side Ecology Center, said she’s looking forward to the e-waste collection event at QBG to collect unwanted electronics.
“Recycling these items is important because of the multitude of hazardous materials contained in these devices. It is also illegal in New York State to dispose of electronics in the regular trash,” Datz-Romero said.
Jatna Ramirez, director of Programs for QBG, said the Garden is honored to be a resource hub in the community for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
“We are thrilled to partner with LES Ecology Center, the Department of Sanitation and Councilwoman Ung to organize this e-waste collection event to efficiently and sustainably discard e-waste and to raise awareness in the community,” Ramirez said.
