Through the duration of the 2007-2008 academic year, the
Babson Energy and Environmental Club (BEEC) will be collecting electronic waste (e-waste) generated by current students, faculty, and administrators in specially placed receptacles across the campus. BEEC launched the e-waste recycling program earlier this fall to provide students with opportunities to dispose of old cell phones, PDAs, and printer cartridges in an environmentally friendly manner.
All phones collected through this program will either be recycled or refurbished for sale in developing markets and the student led organization will receive a monetary donation for each phone or cartridge that is collected. BEEC is working towards the goal of raising $5,000 through the program and all revenues will be donated to the college to help fund on-campus sustainability projects designed to reduce the environmental impact of operations at Babson.
“The E-waste recycling program is a wonderful example of the initiative and positive values of our MBA students. The BEEC is leading the way to environmental consciousness and action, serving as a model to all of us”, commented Allan Cohen, Interim Dean of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, 130 million cell phones are discarded annually and the electronic waste stream is one of fastest growing in the industrialized world. When
dismantled, the internal metal components of e-waste (which includes cell phones and ink cartridges) translates into 65,000 tons of waste containing lead, cadmium, arsenic, beryllium, mercury, and other toxic heavy metals and carcinogens. Millions of old phones end up in landfills or incinerators each year, where toxins can find their way into drinking water and the atmosphere.
“We have seen great response to the program over the duration of the fall semester and the receptacles placed around campus have been filling up fast,” notes BEEC Director Jeslin Jacob. “We are still short of reaching our goal, but are very excited about the support the Babson community has shown in helping to make the college a more sustainable institution.”
BEEC’s e-waste recycling receptacles are located in the Reynolds Campus Center, Horn Library, and Olin Hall at Babson College.
The Babson Energy and Environmental Club is a student led organization at the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business. The club works to foster innovation by hosting educational events, connecting alumni to the club and its members, and helping students gain new employment opportunities within the energy industry. For information, visit www.babsonenergy.com.
