DEP Marks America Recycles Day By Joining Electronics Challenge

By JOHN VOKET

Published: Nov 21, 2008 12:00 am

DEP Marks America Recycles Day

By Joining Electronics Challenge

HARTFORD â To help mark America Recycles Day, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has joined the Northeast States Electronics Challenge to reduce the environmental impact of electronics products that it purchases, uses, and needs to replace.

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, âAs we celebrate America Recycles Day [November 15], the DEP is offering an example of the type of actions everyone can take to make a real difference for our environment and to reduce the amount of waste we generate. Through the Northeast States Electronic Challenge DEP is committed to purchasing âgreenerâ computer products, taking steps to reduce the energy demands and impact of computers during use, and making certain that we properly manage the disposition of obsolete equipment.â

E-WasteÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â System Planned

Commissioner McCarthy also noted that DEP is moving forward to finalize details of a statewide âe-wasteâ program that will lead â by July 2009 â to an ongoing system of free and convenient municipal collection points for unwanted computers, monitors, and televisions. With this system the public will be able to take obsolete electronic equipment to a location where it will be properly stored and then recycled.

âThis collection and recycling system was called for in landmark legislation [PA 07-189] that established Connecticut as a leader,â Commissioner McCarthy said. âThe e-waste program will remove thousands of tons of electronics equipment from our waste stream. This new system will also eliminate threats to the public health and environment caused by the release of hazardous materials when old computers and televisions are improperly discarded.â

AmericaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to reduce the amount of waste and to buy recycled products. Sponsored by the National Recycling Coalition, America Recycles Day encourages good recycling habits at home and work and the use of products made with recycled materials.

Northeast Electronics Challenge

The Northeast States Electronics Challenge is managed by the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc, with funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is a voluntary program that encourages state, regional, and local governments to take a leadership role in managing computers in an environmentally sound manner to reduce energy use and the release of toxins into the environment through improper disposal of obsolete equipment.

Nineteen government entities have signed on as State Electronics Challenge Partners as of September 2008, making a commitment to improve the environmental footprint of their computer assets.

Used and obsolete electronics, such as computers, are part of an increasing and complex waste stream that poses challenging environmental management problems. Electronic products contain a variety of hazardous constituents. Cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, batteries, and other electronic components often contain toxic materials such as lead and cadmium.

In committing to the âGoldâ level of achievement for the electronics challenge, DEP will:

*Ensure that 95 percent of computer desktops, laptops, and monitors purchased or leased by the agency meet the highest standards as EPEATÂ©-registered products.

*Reduce energy use and the environmental impact in the operation and maintenance of electronics equipment by meeting standards for power management, conserving energy for monitors, enabling Energy Star on all computers, enacting policies and education programs to support power management, and saving paper by reinforcing current DEP requirements for double-sided printing and copying on all documents.

*Make certain obsolete equipment is properly handled and properly offered for reuse in other locations or for recycling. Comply with reporting requirements to measure the impact of these changes on energy efficiency, conservation and cost savings.

ImportanceÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Of Recycling

Recycling is one thing everyone can do to help conserve resources, save energy, and protect the environment.

Under state law, the following items must be separated from solid waste: glass food and beverage containers, metal food and beverage containers, newspapers, corrugated cardboard, leaves, scrap metal, used motor oil, lead-acid batteries, white office paper (households exempt), grass clippings, and nickel-cadmium batteries.

The estimated recycling rate in the state is currently 30 percent. A new Solid Waste Management Plan adopted by DEP sets a goal of nearly doubling the recycling rate, to 58 percent, in the next 20 years.

For more information and details on recycling and its benefits, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/recycle or call the DEP recycling program at 860-424-3365.

Patricia Anzellotti

Fire Reports | August 13-19, 2025

Labor Day Closings & Early Deadlines

Police Reports | August 2-August 17

DAV, RecruitMilitary Host National Virtual Career Fair For Veterans

It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

Borough Board of Burgesses Continues Traffic Safety Discussion

John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

Late Night Prank Gone Wrong

First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

You’re absolutely right — no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Being startled awake by violent banging at your door late at night is no joke, and it’s a stark reminder that danger can come without warning. That’s why I’m thankful for the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. In a moment like that, you don’t get a second chance to call for help before you act — you have to be prepared. Our homes should be a place of peace, not fear, and the ability to defend them is a right worth safeguarding.

<< Aug 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
27	28	29	30	31	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

DEP Marks America Recycles Day By Joining Electronics Challenge

Leave a Reply Cancel reply