SierraScape October - November 2003
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Laura Yates, Solid Waste Administrative Specialist at the St. Louis County Dept. of Health, will be the featured speaker at the October 23 EMG meeting held at Litzsinger School from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

The National Safety Council estimates by 2004 there will be 315 million obsolete computers in the U.S. destined for landfills, incinerators or exported as hazardous waste. These numbers translate into 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2 billion pounds of cadmium, and 400,000 pounds of mercury entering the waste stream.

The good news is they haven't found their way there yet. There is still time to develop a strategy for an environmentally friendly way to dispose of high tech trash, and recycling figures into the scheme.

High tech trash includes computers, monitors, TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment and more. This is an ever-growing component of the waste stream, which has state and federal officials concerned. High tech trash contains materials that are known to be hazardous to our environment and our health.

Ms. Yates manages community-based programs on household hazardous wastes, consumer electronics, public education and recycling grants. These programs are designed to protect the public's health and the environment. She will be talking about the Consumer Electronic Program and the task force of key stakeholders being formed to address the regional issue. Plan to participate in the discussion.