Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Virginia Beach, VA – Dispose of old electronics responsibly at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s E-Cycling event on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Rain or shine, participants can recycle old cellphones, personal electronic items, unneeded prescriptions, cardboard, plastic bags, resealable plastic bags, case overwrap, bubble wrap and more. The event will be a drive-through in the Aquarium’s East Parking Lot with participating vendors including Goodwill Industries, Virginia Beach Police Department, and the 911 Cellphone Bank, where old cellphones will be refurbished and donated to victims of human trafficking.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Virginia Aquarium’s mission, and E-Cycling events like this one provide a responsible and eco-friendly way to dispose of electronic items. The hard plastic in many of these items will never decompose in a landfill and can contribute to microplastics. Many old electronic devices contain toxic substances that include lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium, polyvinyl chloride, and chromium. When e-waste is tossed into landfills, these chemicals seep into the soil, polluting the ground water and the air.
Electronics are made of components that contain valuable raw materials and can be repurposed for new devices when they are recycled. As a result, energy is saved, pollution is reduced, and there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. Recycling old devices saves energy. It also means that fewer raw materials need to be drawn from nature to create new devices. Additionally, reusing electronics can help members of the community who would not otherwise have access.
Items that will not be accepted during the event include hazardous waste, car batteries, CRT tube TV’s and copy machines. If you have these items in your home, check your local landfill site for drop off options. For a full list of accepted items, visit VirginiaAquarium.com.
The event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated and will go to the Aquarium Foundation to support efforts that promote sustainable practices.
The Virginia Aquarium has hosted 26 E-Cycling events since 2009 that have collectively diverted more than 713,000 pounds of e-waste from the landfill thanks to dedicated participants. This event is made possible because of our dedicated volunteers. Sign up to be an E-Cycling volunteer , or register for free at VirginiaAquarium.com .
In the event of extreme weather, the E-Cycling event will be moved to October 11.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
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