Citizens who may be wondering what to do with old computers or televisions stored in their garages will be pleased to know that the City of Valdosta Public Works Department, in partnership with Keep Lowndes-Valdosta Beautiful (KLVB) and Atlanta Recycling Solutions, will host an Electronic Recycling Event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 340 Norman Drive.

The event is one of two e-recycling events that the city hosts each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The goal of the event is to promote the recycling of obsolete electronic equipment and to encourage the design, manufacture, and purchase of environmentally responsible electronic equipment.

“Electronic waste is a growing problem due to the short lifespan of modern electronics,” said John Whitehead III, deputy city manager of operations and public works director. “We hope this event will encourage Valdosta citizens to discard used or unwanted electronic equipment in a convenient and environmentally responsible manner. By keeping electronics out of the landfills, we also help prevent hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium from leaking into groundwater and endangering public health and the environment.”

Electronics that will be accepted are computer monitors, laptops, disk drives, floppy drives, test equipment, modems, circuit boards, typewriters, CD ROMs, cables, video machines, stereos, video cassette recorders (VCRs), cell phones, CB radios, record players, scanners, UPS batteries, camcorders, cameras, and microwaves. Televisions will be accepted with a $10 charge.

The items that will not be accepted at the event are car batteries, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, gas-powered tools, tires and other non-electronic equipment.

For more information or a complete list of accepted or non-accepted items for this event, please contact the City of Valdosta Public Works Department at (229) 671-3640.