Brookfield Youth, Congressman Team Up to Educate on E-Waste

There is no truer claim than to say our children are the future and Jimmy Gillis, 14, is a real testament to this idea. Gillis, a freshman at studying Graphic Technology, has made it his mission to teach people about the dangers and toxicity of electrical waste, also known as “e-waste.”

As an Eagle Scout of Troop 135 in Brookfield, Gillis was required to earn his Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. To do this, troop members were required to write a letter about a national issue that they felt was important, explain their position and send it to an elected official. With the help of his Social Studies teach, Mr. Gubitosi, who has been involved with the Scouts for 50 years, Gillis decided to write a letter to Rep. Chris Murphy (CT-5), in which he explained his concerns about e-waste and its effect on the environment.

In the letter, Gillis writes, “My job is to convince you that e-waste SHOULD be recycled and we all have a responsibility to our families, neighbors and even our future children to recycle it.” 

E-waste, he explains, comes from broken cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and mercury found in the electronics inside all homes.

According to Gillis’s research, it only takes 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury to contaminate a 25-acre lake. This becomes dangerous when fish and other animals consume the chemical and then we, in turn, consume them.

CRTs are also a major concern. When the tubes are broken, cadmium, a toxic chemical that can affect the nervous system, immune system, DNA and cause possible cancers, is released. Because many remain unaware of proper disposal procedures for their electronics, about 25,000 tons of cadmium is released every year.

According to Rep. Murphy, “In the United States, electronic waste represents only 2 percent of our landfills, but an estimated 70 percent of heavy metals in landfills come from discarded electronics. Additionally, some recyclers have been known to export this waste to foreign countries for processing, exploiting weaker environmental standards abroad.”

Because waste is being taken to other countries for disposal, there is now an even more severe, growing global concern.

Gillis decided to take on this issue because he “loves our environment and doesn’t want to see it get destroyed.” He was also concerned about the safety and health of those in his community.

Gillis chose to write to Murphy because he had met him previously and shook his hand during an eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. He also admitted he had every confidence that Murphy would respond to his letter.

Though there are steps being taken to eliminate e-waste, many people remain unaware of them. For Brookfield residents, electronic waste including televisions, computers, monitors and printers, can be disposed of at the New Milford Recycling Center free of charge. Disposal of these items at any other type of solid waste facility, other than a transfer station, is prohibited.

“I think one of the best ways to fight this problem is to get the word out about it,” Murphy said. “I applaud Jimmy for getting involved and helping spread awareness in Connecticut.”

For more information on the disposal of e-waste visit the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) website or that of New Milford Public Works.