Your Guide: Artic Mission to Host E-waste Fundraiser for Heating Assistance

For the third year in a row, the Artic Mission of West Warwick will host an electronic waste and paper shredding event to raise funds for its heating assistance program and Stepping Stones Centers.

Nearly 17,000 pounds of electronic waste have been disposed of and more than 5,000 pounds of paper have been shredded since the first "Waste for Warmth" event in 2011. 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, businesses and area residents will once again have the opportunity to properly dispose of their e-waste and shred sensitive documents for a donation to the Artic Mission.

This year, proceeds from the event will provide heating oil for the Artic Mission's housing programs, including the soon-to-be-established Stepping Stone Centers that will provide housing for young men and women ages 18-24 who are "aging out" of the DCYF Foster Care system.

“Heat is a basic necessity – but not everyone can stretch their income when the cold weather comes to provide adequate heat for their family," said Charles L. Nault, executive director of the Artic Mission. 

The event is being co-hosted by Cardi’s Furniture, Office Recycling Solutions and Tech Collective, Rhode Island’s Information Technology and Bioscience Industry Association.

“Homeowners can properly dispose of these unwanted items, help the environment and raise money for a worthy cause," said Brent Mancuso, Vice President of Office Recycling Solutions.

"Most people do not realize that old electronic items are technically 'hazardous waste'," Mancuso continued. "Computer monitors, for example, contain several harmful substances, including mercury and lead. Office Recycling Solutions properly recycles and disposes of collected e-waste."

“We want to see permanent life changes,” Nault said of the Artic Mission. "That’s why all of our programs are a hand-up not a hand-out.” 

Recipients of funds from the heating assistance program are required to attend a basic finance, Life-Skill Class taught at the Artic Mission. “We want to help them avoid having to come back year after year,” Nault said. Though he said they will not turn away repeat applicants, “We want to give them the tools they need to get a better handle on their finances.”

The event will take place at Cardi’s Furniture, located at 1681 Quaker Lane in West Warwick.

TVs, window unit air conditioners, microwaves, dehumidifiers, CPU’s/computers, servers, keyboards, spare computer parts, monitors, laptops, network equipment, mice, printers/copiers/fax machines, scanners, printer cartridges, routers, radios, cables, wires, cell phones and telephones are all approved e-waste. (No white goods i.e., refrigerators, stoves, etc. will be accepted.)

A mobile shredder will be on site to destroy documents containing your personal or sensitive information.

There will be a $5.00 donation for each item recycled and paper shredding will be $0.45 per pound. Household alkaline batteries will be a $0.25 donation and Back-Up Batteries (UPSs) will be a $2 donation.

In addition, the Rhode Island Blood Center will be accepting blood donations and VNA of Care New England will be administering flu shots during the event. Cost of flu shots will vary by insurance.

Free refreshments will be served, including baked goods provided by Panera Bread.  

Learn more about the Artic Mission at www.thearticmission.org or by calling (401) 828-9400.