Acting Governor Kim Guadagno and Senator Bob Gordon Commend AnythingIT’s Commitment to Reducing Electronic Waste in New Jersey
DEP Permit Enables Expansion of E-Waste Recycling, Reuse, Resale and Reclamation Services
Advancing the Christie Administration’s effort to promote the recycling and reuse of obsolete and discarded electronic devices, Acting Governor Kim Guadagno today joined Bergen County officials for the ribbon-cutting of AnythingIT, a company that specializes in the recycling, recovery and reuse of electronic equipment.
While the twenty-year-old company has been operating from its Bergen County facility since its founding, the ribbon-cutting celebrates the additional services AnythingIT is now able to offer as a result of receiving a Class D (Universal Waste) Recycling Facility permit. These additional e-waste services include shredding materials onsite, de-manufacturing consumer electronics and accepting universal e-waste.
“AnythingIT’s decision to expand their services to include e-waste materials is yet another step toward reducing New Jersey’s reliance on landfills,” said Acting Governor Guadagno. “Removing obsolete electronics from landfills addresses the environmental hazard these products pose, while also spurring new business opportunities that create jobs and fuel our economy.”
Since taking effect on January 1, 2011, the state’s Electronic Waste Management Act has dramatically increased the amount of e-waste that is recycled in New Jersey, keeping potentially hazardous materials out of landfills and incinerators.
“Recycling of e-waste is taking hold across the state, and is steadily becoming an environmentally preferable routine for our residents,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin. “Computers, printers, TVs and other electronic devices can no longer be placed out at the curb for pickup. They must be taken to specially designated e-waste recycling drop-off points conveniently located throughout our municipalities and counties or to retailers that accept these materials.”
“We find the best use for outdated electronics, whether through recycling, reuse, resale or reclamation, which involves disassembling items and turning them into raw commodities, like copper, glass and plastic,” said David Bernstein, AnythingIT’s CEO. “Our goal is to make sure these items don’t end up in dumpsters and landfills.”
Devices covered by the electronic waste management law must be taken to a drop-off point, such as a county or municipal collection center or a participating electronics retail store. Most municipal and county drop-off points require proof of residency.
Beyond providing jobs for Bergen County residents, AnythingIT makes a special effort to provide jobs for New Jersey’s veterans.
“We work with a group called Work Vessels for Veterans and made a huge commitment to hiring veterans,” said Bernstein. “They’re great employees and we always give preference to them as job candidates. Our business gives veterans the opportunity to learn a new trade and skill set in information technology. We actually donate laptops through Work Vessels for Veterans to returning vets to help them go back to school.”
The electronic waste law covers televisions and all personal or portable computers, including desktop, notebook and laptop computers, as well as computer monitors. Manufacturers of these devices now fund the collection of e-waste so that it is free for consumers. Many electronics retailers, including Best Buy and Staples, and community-based service programs, most notably Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army, also accept these materials.
The electronics waste law does not require recycling of cell phones, DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, or other electronic devices, although retailers and service organizations provide drop-off opportunities for recycling of these items.
“We have been working with AnythingIT over the past year to secure the first DEP Class D recycling permit in Bergen County, only the seventh permit of its kind in the state,” said Maggie Peters, director of the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation. “Without this permit AnythingIT would not have been able to remain or expand in the state. Bergen County understands the importance of how waste is disposed and supports re-purposing and reuse whenever possible. We are pleased to have such an innovative company within the county and will continue to be a partner and support in any way we can.”
