This morning the PTA of Manning Oaks Elementary School joined forces with electronic recycling organization IMS, and invited the public to drop off their old computers and modems to be put to better use.

IMS’s general manager in Decatur, Don Schwendeman, hopes events like this won’t be just a one-time deal.

“We hope to raise awareness in the community by teaming up with local schools and nonprofits,” Schwendeman said. “The laws of the land are changing where things can’t just be thrown in a landfill. And we're working to help [the community] understand our regulatory duties.”

Some states have recycling regulations, where manufacturers and individuals can’t dispose their electronics into landfills. Which helps in stunting lead and mercury exposure, since both elements are used in the construction of computers.

Mike Thorton, the manager of sales at IMS, said, “Georgia doesn’t have state mandates regarding electronic recycling and a lot of what we deal with it the educational process. But once people become aware of what we are about, they do become very cognizant, and then they make the effort to participate.” 

Manning Oaks PTA President Jill Orban said the school was glad to help with IMS’s mission.

“Our involvement here is to support IMS,” Orban said. “And in return we get the donations which go to the PTA, which goes back to the school, which goes back to the kids.”

The school has a recycling program for fifth graders called the Green Team. Members of the Green Team are responsible for things like collecting paper from the recycling bins around the school. Orban said she would like to see schools implementing more environmental education programs for the students.

IMS’s next collection event is going to be in Norcross, where they will be teaming up with the non-profit organization Street Grace. All you have to do is load up your old computer parts, office materials, home entertainment and household appliances and bring it to the collection sites. IMS will even unload it from your car.