Time to round up all those old or unwanted electronics.
Red Deer Public Schools has teamed up with Alberta Recycling and Recycle Logic to raise money for students in need while helping the environment at the same time.
People are encouraged to drop off their old or unwanted electronics at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School and Hunting Hills High School on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 from 9-4 p.m.
For every electronic device dropped off, Alberta Recycling will donate between $1 and $10 to Red Deer Public Schools.
Bruce Buruma, Director of Community Relations at Red Deer Public Schools, said the money raised will help kick start a new District Equity Fund for the district’s schools. The fund will be set up to ensure that diverse learning needs, personal situations and social circumstances are not obstacles for student success. The money will also be used to support school environment clubs.
Buruma believes the recycling roundup could fundraise close to $10,000.
“Increasingly in our community we recognize there’s some challenging times and it’s being reflected through the kids in our schools. By establishing an equity fund we want to be able to make that useful for people in our school who need that type of support,” said Buruma. “It’s a great reason for our community to get behind this.”
Funds raised will also go to encouraging green initiatives at the schools, he said.
Laurie Parsons, director of operations at Recycle Logic, said there has been a decline in the number of electronics being recycled. She said she believes the partnership with Red Deer Public Schools will help increase the awareness about the importance of recycling.
“All of these things are valuable resources that we are throwing away,” said Parsons. “There’s copper and other precious metals and can be reused. There’s only a certain amount of those elements in the world and we are throwing them away. This is a great opportunity for people to clear out their basements and raise some money for the schools.”
Electronics can also be dropped off at Recycle Logic’s recycling centre (4625 62 St.) from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com