Pollution Prevention Protects the Planet and Your Pocket

Summary: Pollution Prevention Protects the Planet and Your Pocket P2AD Marks the Start of Pollution Prevention Week on September 14; Individual efforts can mean big savings

(ATLANTA, September 2, 2003) Did you know that the average Georgian produces an estimated 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year? Or that Georgians use 10 percent more water, per person, than the national average? With the start of national Pollution Prevention Week on September 14, Georgia’s Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) is providing all Georgians with tips on how they can help preserve the state’s natural resources by reducing their impact on the environment – at home and at work. P2AD is a non-regulatory division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that offers free assistance to businesses, organizations, schools and individuals to implement pollution-reducing programs, saving money and creating a better, healthier quality of life.

“Georgians have always placed a high value on the natural resources that this state offers,” said Bob Kerr, director, P2AD. “Pollution Prevention Week offers a great opportunity for businesses and individuals to emphasize or improve their efforts to reduce or prevent pollution. What they may not realize is that there are simple ways to do this, resources to help, and that their efforts can result in direct individual benefits in addition to the positive environmental impact.”

Simply stated, pollution prevention (also called P2) is elimination of waste at the source where it is first produced. Although recycling is the best way to manage waste once its generated, preventing the generation of waste by reducing or reusing is always better.

Individual actions are easy to implement, including:

· Conserve water. Although Georgia has enjoyed a rain-filled summer, Georgia’s water resources are still limited, and continued population growth and business expansion means conservation efforts are important for our long-term economic prosperity and quality of life. Georgians can save big on water and sewer bills by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures, using dishwashers and washing machines only for full loads, or even turning off the water when brushing their teeth. Landscaping with native vegetation and plants that don’t require much watering can also help reduce the strain on our water supply – and help prevent pollution-causing runoff. For specific activities and associated cost-savings, check out the “Water Efficiency At Home” section at www.p2ad.org.

· E-cycle. Electronic equipment such as computers and computer accessories, televisions, cell phones and even batteries are becoming a larger part of our household waste each year. In fact, it is estimated that there will be 250 million obsolete computers by 2005. Many of these items pose long-term risks to the environment because they have several elements, such as lead, mercury, cadmium that are regulated as hazardous wastes by the EPA and all states. If these items end up in landfills, their toxins can leach into groundwater, affecting our drinking supply.

In addition to freeing up some storage space, residents may be able to help an area non-profits by donating unwanted equipment. Georgia offers a variety of electronics recyclers (see attached list) and non-profits that can take a variety of electronic equipment off the hands of businesses and individuals. · Be a better buyer. The best way to reduce pollution is to reduce your consumption or to buy the least harmful product for the job. For instance, buy a digital thermometer to replace mercury-filled (silver bulbed) thermometers; a digital, programmable thermostat instead of a mercury-using thermostat; or landscape with native vegetation and plants that won’t require mush fertilizer or pesticides. · Dispose responsibly. Household hazardous waste includes items that are either ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic. Common items include oil-based paint, motor oil, batteries, gasoline and pesticides. Some of these items, like motor oil, auto and some household batteries, can be recycled and are generally accepted by city, county or private collection sites. Contact your local county or city government or call P2AD to locate a facility in your area.

In conjunction with its 10th anniversary celebration, P2AD is launching a revamped Partnership program for businesses and organizations throughout Georgia. The division also acts as the lead state resource for radon education and services for homeowners, and recently began serving as a resource for Georgia schools interested in removing mercury from education sites. For more information on any of these programs or services, contact P2AD at 404.651.5120 or visit www.p2ad.org

The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division Celebrating a decade of environmental leadership, the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) is a non-regulatory division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Since 1993, P2AD has provided free, confidential environmental technical assistance in the areas of pollution prevention, resource conservation, waste reduction, by-product reuse and recycling. P2AD’s clients include the manufacturing industry, commercial businesses, agriculture, institutions, the military, government and the citizens of Georgia.

Georgia Electronics Recyclers

Please note that all e-cyclers have different parameters for what they accept and there may also be nominal charges applied. For more detailed information, visit www.p2ad.org. · A & B Recycling, Inc. 212 First St., Ft. Oglethorpe GA 30742. www.a-brecyclinginc.com, 800-557-0726. · Accent Computer Brokers & Asset Recovery, Inc. 679 Pine Valley Rd., SW. Mableton GA 30126. 770-944-9710. · Aramis Computer Salvage. 337 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Mableton GA 30067. 770-732-9611. · Atlanta Computer Liquidation. 4851 GA Hwy 85, Suite 315, Forest Park GA 30297. www.atlantacomputer.net. 404-767-9288. · Atlantix Global Systems. 1 Sun Court, Norcross GA 30092. www.atlantixglobal.com. 770-248-7700. · Baker Street Resources. (LOCATION?) www.bakerstreetresources.com 888-835-2700 (toll free). · Bizmarts. 2329 Marietta Hwy., Canton GA 30114. www.bizmarts.com. 770-345-4663 or 425-920-4811. · BoxQ, Inc. 470 Great Southwest Parkway, Atlanta GA 30336. www.boxq.net 404-505-7967. · Computer Asset Liquidation. 2485 Vulcan Dr., Bldg. B, Lithia Springs GA 30122. (no web address) 770-577-2326. · Computronics. 6740 Tribble St., Lithonia GA 30058. www.computronics-inc.com. service@computronics-inc.com, or 770-484-7150. · Creative Recycling Systems of Georgia, Inc. 7355 Graham Rd., Fairburn GA 30213. www.crserecycling.com. 770-969-3664 · Data Instruments, Inc. 869 Pickens Industrial Drive, Suite 7, Marietta GA 30062. www.workstation.net. 770-919-2400. · Excel Computers, Inc. 460B Columbia Dr., Carrollton GA 30117. 770-838-0230. · Fisher Computers. 770-329-1109. (LOCATION?) · GSAN Computer Marketing, Inc. 1038 MLK Jr. Blvd., Gainesville GA 30501. www.gsan.net, 770-503-9900. · Imaging Specialty Co., Inc. 5311 Dividend Dr., Decatur GA 30035. www.imagingspecialty.com , 770-808-2155. · Mac of All Trades. 500 Bishop St. NW, Suite E3, Atlanta GA 30318. www.macofalltrades.com. 404-355-5144. · MARC5R Processors, Inc., 2445 St. Mountain-Lithonia Rd., Lithonia GA 30058. www.marc5r.com. 770-482-1744. · Market Velocity Inc. 3885 Crestwood Pkwy., Suite 500, Duluth GA 30096. www.marketvelocity.com. 770-325-6300. · Mercury Waste Solutions, Inc., 2129 Northwest Pkwy., Marietta GA 30067. www.mwsi.com. 770-953-8000. MicroSeconds. Company has stores in Sandy Springs (404-252-7254) and Duluth GA (770-232-1022). Visit www.microseconds.net for directions to and email addresses for each store. · MOLAM Inc., 925 Industrial Park Drive, Marietta GA 30062. www.molam.net. 770-420-5202. · Premiere Recycling, Inc. 3400 River Green Court, Duluth GA 30096. www.premiererecycling.com. 678-417-0830 ext 10. · RetroBox, Inc. 210 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 700, Atlanta GA 30339. www.retrobox.com. 770-427-5996. · Royal Computer Services, Inc. 1375 Weber Industrial Dr., Cumming GA 30041 www.royalcomputerservices.com. 770-475-3174 x21. · Southern Refurb, Inc. 825 Marathon Pkwy., Suite A, Lawrenceville GA 30045. www.southernrefurb.com. 770-339-9500. · U. S. Micro Corporation. 7000 Highlands Pkwy., Suite 160, Smyrna GA 30082. www.usmicrocorp.com. 770-437-0706. · Video Display Corp. 1868 Tucker Industrial Rd., Tucker GA 30084. www.videodisplay.com. 770-938-2080. · Zentech. 1417 Mayson St., Atlanta GA 30324. www.zentech.org. 404-876-0163. Not-for-profit organizations that refurbish, update software, and distribute used computers to those unable to purchase new ones NOTE: By their very nature these organizations are small and often have limited storage space. All have different needs and minimum standards for acceptable computers. Please contact before making any donations. · Community Nonprofit Support Services. www.cnsservices.org, 678-521-3708. 3300 Canton Rd., Suite B, Marietta GA 30066. · Free Bytes. www.freebytes.org, 404-846-8414. Email: donations@freebytes.net. PO Box 550371, Atlanta GA 30355 · KnowledgeBase, Inc. www.ubp.com/KB/CHIP, 770-590-1470. 880 South Cobb Dr., Suite 2114, Marietta GA 30060. · ReBoot. www.gatfl.org/reboot, 770-934-8432. 4508 Bibb Blvd., Suite B10, Tucker GA 30084 · StRUT-Georgia. www.sandersvilletech.org/gastrut. 478-553-2060. 1189 Deepstep Rd., Sandersville GA 31082 (Students Recycling Used Technology) · Tech Corps Georgia. www.techcorpsga.org. 404-768-9990. 1514 East Cleveland Ave., Suite 110, East Point GA 30344