Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Virginia Beach, VA – Drop off used personal electronic items, vehicle batteries and more at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s E-Cycling event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, presented by PRA Group.
Rain or shine, participants can plan on recycling old, broken or expired child safety seats, used vehicle batteries, prescription medication, personal electronic items and more. The event will be a drive-through in the Aquarium’s East Parking Lot with participating vendors including AAA Tidewater Virginia, Goodwill Industries, TFC Recycling and the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). The Aquarium’s E-cycling event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated and will go to the Aquarium’s Green Team and their efforts promoting sustainable practices.
Recycling events like this one provide a sustainable and responsible way to dispose of electronic items. The hard plastic in many of these items will never decompose in a landfill. In items such as car batteries and prescription medication, the acid or chemicals in the products can end up in the ground or water run-offs and be corrosive and harmful to the environment. 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 as well as the air.
Once items are e-cycled, Goodwill assesses the items for salability in their retail stores and items that cannot be sold will be recycled in parts. 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 September event include hazardous waste, televisions larger than 50 inches, CRT tube TV’s and commercial copy machines. If you have these items in your home, check your local landfill site for drop off. For a full list of accepted items, visit VirginiaAquarium.com .
The Virginia Aquarium has hosted 22 e-cycling events since 2009 that have collectively diverted more than 330 tons or 650,000 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 a volunteer at https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/volunteer-with-us .
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. The Aquarium is also a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Virginia Aquarium's mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. It is located at 717 General Booth Boulevard, just south of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach. Visit www.VirginiaAquarium.com for more information.
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.
About PRA Group
As a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com .
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