NASCAR Promotes E-Waste Recycling

NASCAR is pairing up to work with a recycling group called Creative Recycling Systems to reuse the sophisticated electronic components in race cars, fleet vehicles and the big rigs used in the raced. NASCAR already claims bragging rights as the largest and most diverse recycling program in pro sports.

NASCAR and CRS recently announced that the recycling firm has become one of the racing group's Official Green Partners. The relationship has huge potential for expanding the recycling of NASCAR and its business-to-business partners.

CRS is to become the go-to group for recycling the electronic components in NASCAR vehicles. The components range from the race cars to the business cars used in fleets, and even the caravans of semis that haul NASCAR's portable media operations center, race cars, and driver and team equipment from venue to venue. Furthermore, the partners will work together on fan engagement events, including collection drives, to promote the idea of e-waste recycling.

The program will begin with recycling the organization's business electronics and computer equipment, and then will expand to other materials and the promotions for fans as the two green partners develop their new relationship. Additionally, promoting the concept to the audience of America's No. 1 spectator sport, whose following is estimated at 75 million, is expected to raise the awareness of recycling personal and household electronics, computers and gadgets -- items that range from cell phones and laptops to TVs and stereo systems.

In business, e-cycling has become an expectation. More and more consumers are realizing the importance of e-cycling as well but are often stymied because it's not as easy to deal with e-waste as it is to recycle a newspaper or a bottle. Users have to find a place that accepts e-scrap and, often, must bring their material to a collection site. Bigger items, like televisions, can be problematic. And it's not always clear whether the items will be processed responsibly or domestically.

Hopefully, NASCAR's new e-cycling partnership will raise the profile of e-cycling, and will help to keep electronics and precious metals out of our landfills.