CLU raises electronic waste awareness campaign to educate college kids on poisonous chemicals harmful to health

California Lutheran University will hold an electronic waste awareness campaign event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon., May 5 and Tues., May 6 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed., May 7 on Memorial Parkway.

Jean Sandlin, an instructor in the university's communication department, asked her advertising campaigns class to develop a campaign centered on electronic waste. The city of Thousand Oaks supported their effort with a $2,000 sponsorship.

The class was divided into four student advertising agencies, and each developed a campaign that was pitched to a panel of local professionals and students. The sponsorship was awarded to a group called "rEthink," which will use the funds to implement their campaign.

The goal is to create awareness of the harmful effects of ewaste and to make the campaign universal so other college campuses will be able to use it.

The event will also include T-shirts, pens, iPods, Starbucks coffee and Chipotle burrito coupons.

Commonly used electronics contain a variety of poisonous chemicals and metals such as lead and mercury. Harmful effects of e-waste include harm to wildlife, landfill fires and ground water pollution.

Locals will be encouraged to donate computer monitors, cellphones, MP3 players, DVD players, televisions, toasters and other electronic products to be recycled.

For more information on rEthink, call Katy Willsie at (805) 443-2323 or e-mail kwillsie @clunet.edu.