Celebrating Community Impact: Thank You for Making Our Recent G.R.E.E.N. Event a Success!
A HUGE thank you to the communities of Camp Washington, Cumminsville, and Fairmount for participating in Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub’s fourth G.R.E.E.N. event! G.R.E.E.N. is an acronym that stands for Grant-funded Recycling Electronics Events for Neighborhoods. Implemented by Off-Site Collections Coordinator, Brittany Gray, and Electronics & Universal Waste Coordinator, Peter Binger Bejnar, the Hub’s G.R.E.E.N. events strive to address the need for more accessible and equitable electronics recycling opportunities.
DRIVE UP AND DROP OFF
These events are designed with a drive-through layout, unloading assistance, and no cost barrier for easy access to residents of the neighborhoods that are being served by each event. We are pleased to announce that with the support of the community, the September 28th Camp Washington event was able to divert 8,092 pounds of electronic waste materials from landfills!
“ For every G.R.E.E.N. event we want to make the biggest impact that we can in service to the community. To see these events succeed, we plug into organizations within the community that’s being served to spread the word to residents about this free recycling event.”
Special thanks to our funders of this event: Duke Energy Foundation and State Farm Insurance. Thank you to River City Correctional Facility for hosting our event in their lot; Camp Washington Urban Revitalization Corporation (CWURC) for additional outreach; and endless thanks to our incredible volunteers.
The Hub debuted its G.R.E.E.N. program in April 2023 and it has since continued to grow to fill the need voiced by local community members. Previous G.R.E.E.N. events have served the neighborhoods of Lower Price Hill (funded by Deeper Roots Coffee), Lincoln Heights (funded by Avon Miami Charities and Accenture), and Price Hill, Riverside, and Sedamsville (funded by Duke Energy Foundation). Collectively, all four events have diverted 23,262 pounds from the landfill– with more to come! Gray says “the G.R.E.E.N. events are a massive team effort: it’s a full team effort from Hub staff and volunteers on the day-of-event to successfully accomplish this event off-site as well as successfully run operations at our homebase, 911 Evans Street.”
WHY RECYCLE ELECTRONICS?
When electronics are improperly disposed of, they pose many risks to both human and environmental health. E-Waste contains many toxic components such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and nickel. This issue is compounded by the fact that the production of e-waste is steeply increasing. According to the United Nations’ Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, “The world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling”. Electronics recycling helps to minimize the threat of these toxins leaching into our environment.
In addition to the widespread environmental benefits of accessible electronics recycling, at the Hub we recognize that it can have a more personal impact, as well.
“I was so thrilled at the opportunity to get rid of electronics cluttering my garage. Once I recycled some things from my garage, I realized there was more in my basement. It was addicting clearing things out in a responsible way.”
WHERE DO THE ELECTRONICS GO AFTER THEY’RE COLLECTED?
Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub partners with multiple organizations to get the electronics where they need to go after collection. Where the electronics are sent depends on the category and condition of the items. Computer and AV equipment is sent to I.T. Supply Solutions in Florence, KY and after destroying all data, they evaluate it for possible reuse or end-of-life recycling. Other electronics and appliances go to RecycleForce in Indianapolis, IN where they are shredded and the metal and plastic is separated for recycling.
Our partners for e-media, light bulbs, and batteries include: Green Disk, Call2Recycle, Cirba Solutions, Lighting Resources, Tri State E-scrap, and River Metals.
FUTURE G.R.E.E.N. EVENTS
At the Hub, we are so grateful to our community members and partners for making G.R.E.E.N. events such a huge success! It truly takes a village to take care of each other and our environment. We are thrilled to be able to offer this service as a way to break down common barriers to access which prevent many people from participating in the recycling and reuse movement. We recognize that cost, lack of transportation, and time can all be prohibitive factors, and we understand that equitable access to recycling is in everyone’s best interest. We are so excited to continue providing this service across the Cincinnati area. More G.R.E.E.N. events are on the horizon– stay tuned!
INTERESTED IN HOSTING OR FUNDING A G.R.E.E.N. EVENT?
If you would like to help organize or fund a G.R.E.E.N. event in your neighborhood, please contact Brittany Gray
GET INVOLVED!
Stay up to date with upcoming G.R.E.E.N. events here and if interested in volunteering, email Lily Greiser, our volunteer coordinator.
