Mayor Bill Haslam said that the next "Computer Recycling Day," is on Saturday, January 10, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Staples off N. Peters Road (8913 Town and Country Drive). "With many people getting new computers during the holidays, this event provides an opportunity for City of Knoxville and Knox County residents to properly dispose of their old systems," said Haslam. "During last year's event, participants diverted more than 19 tons of computer parts from the landfills." City of Knoxville and Knox County residents who bring in "acceptable components" will be registered to win a new computer. Acceptable computer components for the drawing include CPU's (towers), monitors and laptops. In turn, the used computers will be refurbished and recycled by TORNRC (The Oak Ridge National Recycle Center). CD ROMS, keyboards and computer manuals will also be accepted (Printers and VCRs can be dropped off for a small fee of $3.00). This year televisions will be collected for a fee of $10.00 each with a limit of two. TVs must be 19" portables or smaller. In addition, customers can donate their used cell phones to the Knoxville Recycling Coalition to be recycled, and Cingular Wireless will give a free activation with the purchase of a new phone at Staples during the day of the event. "With technology constantly changing, many computer users have older, discarded systems," said Mayor Haslam. "All computers contain hazardous materials, and Computer Recycling Day gives us an opportunity to emphasize the computer owner's responsibility of properly disposing of their old systems while at the same time gives them a chance to win new equipment." The "Computer Recycling Day" is open to City of Knoxville and Knox County residents only. Computers from schools and businesses cannot be accepted during the event. Other sponsors of the event are Knox County, the Oak Ridge National Recycling Center, FedEx Ground, Cingular Wireless, Staples, 100.3 The River, Event Rentals, Rock-Tenn Recycling, SP Recycling and Channel 10. By 2005, it is estimated that more than 315 million computers will become obsolete. Already electronics comprise from two to five percent of the solid waste stream. This rapidly growing segment is one of substantial concern because of its hazardous and toxic materials content. By definition, all electronic goods are considered a potential hazardous waste under federal regulations due to heavy metals in the components, including lead, cadmium, mercury, silver and nickel. If thrown in the garbage, computers and other used electronics could end up polluting our water, environment and communities. For more information about this and other recycling opportunities, please contact the City Office of Solid Waste, 215-2921. COMPUTER RECYCLING ON A REGULAR BASIS Old computers to be recycled are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm Street during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon), and the limit is two per family. For city residents, computers left alongside regular residential trash pickup will also be recycled. Small and medium size businesses (operating with 100 computers or less) may take their computer systems to the Solid Waste Management Facility Transfer Station, also at 1033 Elm Street. Businesses are charged a flat fee of $7 per monitor and $3 per PC and any peripherals to include keyboard, mouse and printer. A maximum of 25 computers per month will be accepted from any one business. Large businesses (with 100 or more computers) who want to recycle their old systems can contact the Oak Ridge Recycling Center for proper disposal at (865) 241-3525.