BlairTech, a computer refurbisher in Covington, Kentucky, is set to launch a year-round e-waste recycling initiative with a special drop-off event on April 5. This event will be held at BlairTech's Tech Castle retail location in Latonia and marks the beginning of a partnership with the City of Covington and Keep Covington Beautiful.
The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will provide residents with an opportunity to recycle electronics and similar devices. Unlike the annual e-waste event held in June at Holmes High School’s parking lot, this new initiative focuses solely on electronics and excludes items such as paper, Styrofoam, and appliances.
Devices containing data like laptops and printers will be securely stored until they undergo data wiping according to federal standards. Many items will be refurbished or repurposed by BlairTech instead of just being recycled. "Sustainability has always been at the core of what we do," said Laura Blair, BlairTech’s marketing director.
Sheila Fields, Covington's Solid Waste and Recycling manager, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with BlairTech due to its commitment to sustainability. "This partnership offers local and convenient accessibility for proper disposal of electronic waste for our community at no charge not only on April 5th but anytime during the year," Fields stated.
Accepted items include computers, telephone equipment, tablets, printers, video game systems, TVs (with waived fees during the event), copiers, and alkaline batteries (also with waived fees). Recycling helps protect water sources by keeping e-waste out of landfills while recovering valuable materials like aluminum and copper.
BlairTech celebrates two decades in business with over ten years in Covington. It employs 57 full-time staff members and operates Tech Castle as its local storefront for selling renewed technology. The company is also known as one of the largest computer refurbishers in the United States.
Additionally, starting Saturday alongside its recycling efforts; BlairTech will collect gently used books for Little Free Libraries around Covington as part of Read Ready Covington’s early childhood literacy program.