DesotoExplorer.com

Starside Elementary and J-Tek are sponsoring an electronics recycling drive on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 20-21, with all proceeds going directly to Starside.

Starside Elementary and Jason McAninch of J-Tek are teaming up to run a two-day technology recycling drive at Starside Elementary. Unwanted computers, cellular phones, printers and other devices can be brought to the school from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20 and from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21, and for a small fee McAninch will take the items to be recycled. All proceeds from the drive will go directly to Starside Elementary for its student fund.

McAninch, a former IT employee of the district, started his independent IT business over the summer with the idea for the drive already in his mind.

"I like helping people and I especially like helping kids, that's why I loved working at Starside so much," McAninch said.

The dates of the drive coincide with parent/teacher conferences at the school, an arrangement both sides are hoping will increase drop-offs.

"We're hoping parents will just gather up all that old technology stuff we all have hanging around the house and just bring it with them when they come for their conference," said Starside Elementary Counselor Paula Henderson.

The most any item will cost to be recycled is $15 and McAninch will be accepting cash, credit and check payments. Receipts will also be available for tax write-off purposes.

"I'm hoping we can raise at least $1,200 for the school," McAninch said. "I know this is a really supportive community and that the parents are very involved."

McAninch is also guaranteeing that all information will be striped from the machines before they are recycled.

"I know a lot of people worry about sensitive information that may remain on hard drives but we've got that under control," McAninch said. "I run each hard drive through a special program my company has that wipes everything clean."

He also promises the machines will be broken down and recycled and not sold to other countries.

"The company I use to recycle old technology is very good about breaking down computers and not just junking them out to other locations. I can promise that donated materials will be sent to a recycling company in Iowa and won't ever leave in one piece." McAninch said.

Starside Elementary students are going to be as involved in the drive as possible as well, according to Henderson.

"We'll have some kids out on Wednesday pushing carts and giving directions and on Thursday some will be helping curbside," Henderson said.

This is the first time the drive will be taking place but if it is a success, both the school and McAninch would like to make it a yearly event.

"We're just so excited for this opportunity," Henderson said. "It's a win/win situation really, the students and the school are benefiting from the donations and the environment is benefiting from these items being recycled properly."