In 2009 American consumers recycled only 25 percent of their unwanted electronics. That’s a figure askHRgreen.org would like to change in Hampton Roads by hosting two electronics recycling events Nov. 12 at the Home Depot at 325 Chatham Drive in Newport News and Nov. 17 at Mount Trashmore at the corner of Edwin Drive and South Boulevard in Virginia Beach.

Held in conjunction with America Recycles Day and co-presented by Synergy Recycling, both events will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and residents and businesses may bring up to one pickup truck full of electronic devices to be recycled. In addition, safe, secure document shredding will be available courtesy of Stealth Shredding.

“Don’t throw your old electronics out with the trash,” said Julia Hillegass, HRPDC Public Information and Community Affairs Administrator. “Proper electronics recycling is paramount because electronics contain hazardous waste that can be released into the air, soil and water and cause health and environmental risks. Hold on to your old electronics until events such as these, and we’ll take care of it for you.”

The following items will be accepted at both the askHRgreen.org electronics recycling events: Cell phones | Circuit Boards | Computers/CPUs | Computer monitors | Computer peripherals (mouse, speakers, etc.) | Consumer electronics (DVD players, alarm clocks, etc.) | Documents | Fax machines | Home and office phones | Small household appliances | Keyboards | Printers | Stereos | Telephone equipment | Televisions | VCRs.

The following items will not be accepted: Any unit with sludge or liquids | Cassette tapes | Household hazardous waste | Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washer dryers, etc.) | Smoke alarms and detectors | VHS tapes.

Electronics from the events will be taken to The Arc of the Virginia Peninsula where employees with disabilities will disassemble the equipment into various parts before being shipped to Synergy Recycling’s headquarters in Madison, N.C. There, the working parts of reusable items will be sold to new users, and non-working components will be shredded and processed into metal and plastic that can be reused in new products, such as consumer electronics, in place of new, non-renewable resources.

For more information about all things green in Hampton Roads, visit www.askHRgreen.org.