Delaware High Schooler Starts Electronic Recycling Program for His Town

A high school senior in Broadkill Beach, Del. Is taking steps to help residents in his area recycle their old electronics.

Chris Runde, a Cape Henlopen High School senior, put up a cardboard box at the Broadkill Store that collects electronics designated for recycling. The box accepts anything from drill bit batteries to chargers.

"It definitely came from my kind of business aspect of my brain. I really like seeing problems and solving them. Definitely I saw this as a problem and I said, why can't I fix it?" said Runde.

After collection, Runde sorts through the box of discarded electronics then ships the materials across the country to be taken apart for new refurbished electronics, such as batteries for electric cars or laptops.

Runde started this initiative back in April, and since then he has collected over 300 pounds of e-waste to be repurposed.

"It can't just be collected in the trash truck. It has to be brought to a drop off facility because of the way it's collected and handled." said Mike Parkowski, DSWA Chief of Business and Governmental Service.

"Definitely think a lot more about Styrofoam containers, straws, and plastic bags but this is equally as bad of trash if it got into the ocean and even on land,” said Runde.

The ultimate goal for Runde is to set up other recycling boxes in local businesses across the county, hoping to bring accessibility to those willing to recycle.

Read the full article here.