Tacoma Goodwill hub for statewide e-cycling

Tacoma Goodwill announced Tuesday it will be a major participant in the statewide effort of free recycling of televisions, computers, laptops and monitors beginning Jan. 2.

According to a statement released this week, Goodwill will accept all electronic equipment, including keyboards, printers, other peripherals and cel phones. Donations to the nonprofit agency are also tax deductible.

“We offer more than 40 free, convenient drop-off locations across Western and Southcentral Washington,” said Eric Hulscher, Goodwill operations manager overseeing the program. “Participating in the program is in keeping with Goodwill’s reduce, reuse and recycle efforts.”

For information about Goodwill donation locations, visit tacomagoodwill.org. Additional information about the statewide program is available online at ecyclewashington.org. For donations to Goodwill of more than 10 units, call Customer Service Representative Debbie Morrison at (253) 573-1333, ext. 306.

Most of the material Goodwill collects in the program will go to one of two locations for dismantling and recycling: Total Reclaim in Seattle and IMS Electronics in Vancouver. The recyclers must meet state standards to ensure all materials are properly managed. The balance of the items that can be reused will be placed in Goodwill retail stores.

E-Cycle Washington, created under a 2006 state law, provides for recycling of unwanted electronics products. Manufacturers are funding the project and the state Department of Ecology is monitoring the effort to ensure material is processed properly. Tacoma Goodwill is a certified collector in the program.

Donations to Goodwill support the nonprofit agency’s job-training and placement efforts. Last year, Goodwill served more than 5,000 people.