Despite snow and falling temperatures the City of Knoxville and its partners collected about 25 tons of old computer equipment during the "Plug into Your Community" computer recycling event on January 8.

Held in the Farragut High School parking lot, it was the first of two "Plug into Your Community" events slated to be held this month. The next one is set for 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, January 22, at Chilhowee Park.

The free electronic waste collection gives people a chance to properly dispose of electronics equipment that may contain hazardous materials and keeps computer equipment from taking up landfill space. Instead the salvaged materials can be used in the manufacture of new electronic products, reducing the need for raw materials.

"The various "Plug into Your Community" recycling events have accepted more than 375 tons of computer equipment and electronics for recycling since 2008 and the city has collected over 725 tons of computer systems since it began its collection programs in 2001", said John Homa, the city's solid waste project manager.

Acceptable items include computer equipment like PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, power strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, and cell phones.

The City of Knoxville, the Optimist Club of West Knoxville and the Volunteer Rescue Squad are partners in the "Plug into Your Community" program. Other sponsors include WBIR-TV, Best Buy, WUOT-91.9 FM, Creative Recycling, Knox County's Solid Waste Department and B97.5.

Residents can also recycle their old computers for free at the city's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm Street during regular business hours.