Correspondent photos / John Patrick Gatta TaeShawn Madison of Youngstown, left, an Oak Hill Collaborative digital navigator, and Vince Shivers, an Oak Hill Collaborative teacher, bring computers and accessories to the e-waste collection box Friday at OHC’s main office on Oak Hill Avenue. The electronics will be recycled by Greenboard IT of Warren.

YOUNGSTOWN — Giving area residents an opportunity to rid themselves of electronic items in a manner that’s environmentally-friendly, the Oak Hill Collaborative hosted its third e-waste collection drive of unwanted or broken technology items on Friday.

“The e-waste collection drive is part of our mission,” said Patrick Kerrigan, executive director of the collaborative. “As the community’s digital champions, we take proper use and maintenance of electronic equipment and disposing of hazardous waste very seriously. We encourage people to upgrade their equipment where possible, and that includes appropriate disposition of the old or no longer used devices.”

Oak Hill’s staff collected the donated items — computers, laptops, monitors, printers, accessories, cables, home stereos, DVD and VHS players, televisions and flat screen TVs — and placed them in gaylords (huge boxes) located at the nonprofit’s location, 507 Oak Hill Ave. Because of the cost of recycling, a $10 fee was charged for a printer and a $20 fee for CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and / or televisions.

In March,the collaborative collected more than 5,200 pounds of e-waste — more than two tons.

Bill Panick of Boardman watched a segment on the e-waste collection on the noon news and immediately brought some items that were collecting dust at home.

“I’m not using it, and you don’t throw stuff like this out with the regular trash. You got to wait for something like this to happen so that you have a proper way of disposing of it,” he said.

Similar sentiments were offered by Jeannine McCory of Struthers, “A lot of times, it’s big stuff, too, that takes up all that room in your house, and you can’t just throw it away. You don’t want to put it in the landfills. So, having drives like this is important.”

Oak Hill partnered with GreenBoard IT of Warren for the e-waste collection.

“E-waste is unique as it usually contains hazardous materials that are dangerous to the environment if not removed properly,” Kerrigan said. “We chose GreenBoard IT as our partner as they are the only licensed and certified recycler in the area that disposes of devices with full security for the donor and complete safety to the public.”

Wiley Runnestrand, vice president of GreenBoard IT, explained that, “E-waste can be reused and recycled. It’s a shame to have these devices end up in the landfill when the processes exist to reuse. We are thrilled to support Oak Hill and others in hosting these collection events because it’s the only way to divert electronics from the landfill.”

Runnestrand said that because of technology improving rapidly, people tend to upgrade their electronic items regularly. Because of that, he noted the importance of having an e-waste collection.

“Residents have a tough time finding a simple and secure recycling solution for e-waste. These events make the process easy for folks and that’s important. They know their data is getting destroyed and that they are doing the right thing for the environment. Without events like this, and hosts like Oak Hill, residents would be left guessing what to do,” he said.

As far as what happens to these items donated, he said, “There are a variety of recycling processes for e-waste. Two example processes are CRTs are broken down, the glass is used in the ceramics industry, and the plastics are used to make outdoor furniture / decking boards for homes. Li-Ion batteries are turned into new batteries for electronics or even electric vehicles.”

Green Board IT’s involvement with Oak Hill goes beyond Friday’s e-waste event.

Oak Hill Collaborative IT specialist and digital navigator Zach Genhart of Youngstown explained that those who take eight free computer /technology classes qualify for a free refurbished laptop that helps “bridge the tech divide.” The organization obtains laptops from GreenBoard IT as well as RET3 out of Cleveland.

While Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, Elizabeth Coss, communications coordinator for the Oak Hill Collaborative, said “Every day that can be treated as Earth Day is so vitally important to preserving our area, especially Youngstown. It’s sad how often we drive past debris, including electronics, abandoned on the sides of the road or in a ditch. Through events like this, we’re providing the Mahoning Valley with an option many recyclers don’t for common items and devices.”

The e-waste collection drive took place as part of Oak Hill’s inaugural Community Connect Weekend.

It includes a vendor fair 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The free event features small businesses, area nonprofits, food trucks and live music with local artists and DJs.

“With the summer season in full swing and back-to-school planning right around the corner, our staff wanted to offer something for everyone in the community,” Coss said.

“As a nonprofit focused on digital literacy and connectivity, it didn’t take us very long to realize we wanted to ‘connect’ residents to two kinds of resources: one where they could safely recycle and disconnect from old electronics, and the second where residents could connect to small businesses and shop, enjoy live music and more.”

She added how these events align with the organization’s mission.

“Oak Hill Collaborative is focused on bridging the digital divide and improving online connectivity through educational efforts as well as activism. So, it’s important we also foster community growth, and get residents connected to their communities, neighbors and environment,” she said.