## Goodwill of Orange County ##

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Juan Capistrano Collects More than 41,000 Pounds of E-waste in Four Hours

More than 41,200 pounds of electronic waste was recently collected during the City's e-waste collection event with Goodwill of Orange County. The four-hour event held in honor of America Recycles Day attracted a steady stream of residents that dropped off unused TVs, microwave ovens, computers, cell phones and fax machines.

Goodwill of Orange County Ewaste Event in San Juan Capistrano.

Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream: Each year, consumers and businesses discard tens of millions of televisions, computers, cell phones, and other electronic products. “State law requires that cities meet 50 percent diversion goals," said the City's Ziad Mazboudi. "Currently San Juan Capistrano successfully diverts over 70 percent of its waste from landfill."

Goodwill of Orange County Ewaste Event in San Juan Capistrano.

Last year alone, Goodwill of Orange County received more than 4.3 million pounds of electronics through its donation stream. Ten to 30 percent of electronic donations are e-waste, and safely recycling or disposing these products directly impacts Goodwill’s job training and career services throughout the county. E-waste is either recycled or resold through Goodwill’s Computer Works Store in Santa Ana or online through shopgoodwill.com. Every component of the e-waste stream is disassembled and sold in the USA—nothing goes overseas.

The City will partner again with Goodwill of Orange County to host a spring Earth Day e-waste collection event at City Hall. San Juan Capistrano has long been a leader on the environmental front by implementing a Sustainability Charter, programs and services along with education outreach in an effort to benefit the environment.

To learn more about the City’s efforts as well as future events, sign up for the City's eNews at www.sanjuancapistrano.org or contact Public Works/Environmental Services at 949-234-4414.

Goodwill of Orange County operates 20 retail stores including the online auction site shopgoodwill.com as well as a variety of critical business services. The organization has provided thousands of people with disabilities and other barriers the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of personal and economic independence though competitive employment. Nine-one cents of every dollar spent is reinvested back into services, earning Goodwill of Orange County a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for organizational efficiency and capacity. Additional information can be found at ocgoodwill.org.

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