EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2016 | Page 41

Vann Data's E-Waste Recycling Program Janice Huffstickler, Vann Data’s President, came up with the idea for e-waste recycling in 2008. Janice saw the e-waste problem emerge as the pace of technological change accelerated: continual customer upgrades stressed the need for responsible disposal of outdated equipment. “We wanted to do something for the community,” notes Huffstickler. “We and our clients can accumulate a lot of equipment—machines die or need to be upgraded. People are constantly cycling through technology. We needed a way to dispose of old technology properly, and an overall desire to be green and to keep toxic waste out of the landfills,” Huffstickler explains. Now an annual event on or around Earth Day in April, Vann Data’s e-recycling program supports responsible e-waste disposal for the entire Daytona Beach community. People bring computers, servers, laptops, monitors, printers, phones, batteries, and many other types of electronics. “The first year, the recycling event collected about 7,000 pounds of equipment. In 2016, we collected over 31,000 pounds,” indicates Huffstickler. Since starting nine years ago, the Vann Data – A1 Assets recycling partnership has collected over 196,192 pounds (over 98 tons) of equipment. What comes in each year reflects the trends in technology. For example, Huffstickler observes that the adoption of flat screens and laptops led to an influx of the old-style CRT monitors, which peaked in 2012. In 2016, she noticed an increase in printers and copiers, perhaps reflecting the overall shift toward a paperless society. “I think the strangest thing I saw so far was an old soda vending machine,” says Huffstickler. “One of the cooler things that came through a few years back was an old 8-track player—an antique! It made me think about how much the times and technology have changed.” Stay active, stay healthy. Port Orange (386) 763-2718 South Daytona (386) 788-3385 Stay well with chiropractic. www.palmerclinics.com/po NOVEMBER 2016 | 41 |