Durango Montessori School will be hosting its 6th annual electronics recycling event on from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 20.
The fundraiser has had as many as 200 to 300 people participate, and because the event has grown, it will be held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds this year.
The event is open to the community and welcomes people to drive through with any old electronics and drop them off in large recycling trailers. It is one of the school’s primary fundraisers and costs $20 to recycle one to four items.
It will cost $50 to recycle five to 10 items or for monitors up to 19 inches. Monitors between 19 and 32 inches will cost $90 and any monitor over 32 inches will cost $150.
“We've been able to carry away large trucks, all of electronics every year,” said Durango Montessori School board member Chandler Strange.
Some years, the school has filled five trailers worth of electronics for recycling.
Why recycle electronics?
Electronic devices that are thrown away contain lead, cadmium, mercury, flame retardants and beryllium. As a result of improper disposal practices, hazardous materials spill from the devices and leach into the ground.
Harmful chemicals can then contaminate groundwater.
Strange said recycling batteries was especially important for protecting the environment and that many electronic devices can be taken apart and parts can be reused.
The fundraiser goes to scholarship programs for the school and outdoor education programs at Colvig Silver Camps and James Ranch that students get to experience on Fridays.
The education programs are meant to get students outside and learn appreciation for environmental stewardship.
“We’re trying to get the classroom to be cohesive with the lessons they're learning outside,” Strange said. “For example, maybe they'll be doing a unit on poetry and they'll go outside and do nature writing.”
At James Ranch, the school is looking to collaborate to offer regenerative and agricultural programming. The funds from the electronics recycling event will cover camp costs.
“This large community recycling event, it's really part of the school philosophy,” Strange said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
