Scouts haul in 40 tons
Napa Valley Register
A countywide e-waste collection program conducted by the Napa Valley Boy Scouts of America earlier this month brought in more than 40 tons of computer equipment and consumer electronics, according to a scouts official.
Jeff Johnson, Napa Valley Boy Scouts of America assistant district commissioner, said that 250 Scouts representing all of the county's 19 troops participated in the curbside and e-waste recycling event in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Drop boxes were set up in each of these cities and the Scouts went door-to-door to collect recyclable material.
"We picked up anything with cords and anything wireless," Johnson said. "We didn't pick up hazardous waste, washers or dryers, or lightbulbs."
The drive netted more than 100 cell phones. Most of these are expected to turn up in the hands of U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed overseas through a program initiated by Napa Valley Kiwanis members. The bulk of the material from the Upvalley is being turned over to the Clover Flat Landfill, where it will be sorted out, shrink-wrapped in plastic and shipped to a California company for recycling.
E-waste has become a growing concern internationally, and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., has been a champion of increased programs to pick up and recycle usable material from computers, cell phones and other gadgets.
The e-waste drive was the first on a large scale for the Valley's Boy Scouts and followed a 10-week planning period. The drive was coordinated with the Upper Valley Disposal Service, the County of Napa and other agencies in Napa.
Johnson was forthright in saying that all did not go perfectly.
"They're Boy Scouts, not professionals, so I'm sure we missed a few streets and neighborhoods," he said.
Whether or not the Scouts will continue e-waste pick-up as an annual project, he added, will be decided at a March 12 meeting of BSA leaders.
"We're going to review this, make it better and possibly do another one toward the end of September," Johnson said.