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Kokua Line
Question: I have a 17-inch computer monitor that no longer works properly. What is the correct method of disposing of this hardware? Can it be thrown out with the regular garbage pickup if it fits into the city's trash container? Electronic gear
can be recycled
even if brokenAnswer: Don't trash it -- recycle it.
"Electronics recycling is a growing trend nationally," says Gail Suzuki-Jones, with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Clean Hawaii Center. "Precious metals may be extracted from the equipment, and component parts are recycled."
She suggested either donating the equipment to nonprofit groups or schools, in return for a receipt for a tax-deductible donation, or taking it to a company that will sell it for its recyclable parts.
The Hawaii Computer for Kids Program accepts tax-deductible donations of used computers, software, printers, monitors, modems, etc., preferably in working condition, for use in schools statewide, said Ken Goldstein. His Computer Aided Technologies International, Inc. company helped found the program with the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu.
Working Pentiums and Macintoshes are in demand now, although the program also accepts broken equipment, using it to help train students in repairing them at 16 high schools.
For more information, call The Detwiler Foundation, 1-800-939-6000, ext. 19; or Goldstein at 521-2259. You can also get information by checking Goldstein's Web site, www.catii.com.
Another possibility: Honolulu Community College students in the CENT program repair old TVS, VCRs, small appliances, audio equipment, microwave ovens and newer computers, then distribute them to nonprofit organizations. Call 845-9459.
Meanwhile, DBEDT has a directory of nonprofit organizations that accept a variety of materials, such as computers, Suzuki-Jones said.
Call 587-3802 or email gsuzuki@dbedt.hawaii.gov for the "Hawaii Reuse Industry Guide."
CM Recycling Company at 411 Puuhale Road will accept used computer equipment (not monitors, however) for sale to computer recyclers on the mainland, according to the city's recycling office.
Q: I was told that when we recycle -- sort plastic and take bags to Safeway, save bottles, flatten cardboard boxes and bundle newspapers -- that all that stuff is burned. Is that true? I have fibromyalgia and pain in my hands and I shouldn't be flattening boxes and ripping labels off to be a good citizen if they're all going to be burned in the same fire.
A: No, it's not true that everything is burned. Everything that's collected at community recycling bins set up by the city at more than 60 sites on Oahu are being recycled. That includes newspaper, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic soda and milk containers.
Call the city's recycling office at 527-5335 for more information.
Auwe
To the one-person vehicles driving in the car-pool lane each morning. The posted hours are 5:30 to 8 a.m. These individuals use the car-pool lane, then change lanes before nearing the stadium, where police officers sometimes wait. They are causing the rest of the traffic flow to be disrupted and truly provoke road rage from the leeward side. -- Concerned Motorist
Mahalo
To the Hawaiian Bitumuls work crew who helped me change a flat tire Thursday, Sept. 7, near the Hawaii Kai Golf Course. Thanks to them I wasn't as late to work as I could have been. -- No name
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com