Our group project focused on improving the surplus and e-waste management system at Ohio State University. We want to help OSU students easily trade their old electronics and recycle their broken electronics. With the development and release of new electronics and technology, old electronic devices are being tossed in the landfill. Most people do not realize that old electronics are one of the most harmful things we throw away. Currently, Ohio State has a small system for recycling gently used electronic devices, like computers, by selling them in a surplus store. Even though this may be good for people who are able to access the surplus store, most students are not aware of such a store existing or of the positive environmental impacts that such a store has.
Group members Vinny Xiao Wang, Chalmers Elliot Croy, Brian Loushin, Geoffrey Stein, and Alifia Merchant.
Because Ohio State is one of the leading universities in sustainability, we believe a better system to deal with electronic waste needs to be implemented. Michigan State University has an effective system in place where it collects electronic waste on campus and either sells or properly recycles it. We believe if Ohio State’s surplus store and recycling program had better promotion and marketing, it would be much more successful at keeping electronics from the waste stream. Not only would such a program cut down on waste in our landfills, but it will also give individuals who need these gently used electronics the access to cheap, functional, and reliable technology that can help them with their academic work.