January 31, 2009

Volunteers from UVA recycling, Crutchfield, and the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County worked together to offer free electronics recycling in the Crutchfield parking lot Saturday.

This is the second time in third years they offered the free e-cycling day, and organizers were so surprised at the thousands that showed up that by 3:00 pm, they weren't able to accept any more electronics.

The parking lot was completely filled with computers and TVs.

Traffic was backed up Route 29 as people took advantage of the chance to get rid of their old electronics.

"The community responded in a big way, and we're very grateful for that," said Jason Halbert, who organized the event. "We're sorry if you got turned away or if you had to wait in line. We were organized, but we were overwhelmed with the response."

Lindsey Daniels, Coordinator of the UVA Sustainability Outreach program says she thinks the event was so popular because many people were donating their old TV's due to the digital switchover. She also thinks it has to do with people's attitudes towards recycling in Charlottesville.

"I thought that Charlottesville would respond this way," said Daniels. "Charlottesville is a gem in Virginia. People seem to realize how important it is to recycle here."

Organizers of the event say Charlottesville holds the unofficial state record for recycled electronics.