Elephant Pharm Helps Community Recycle Nearly 50,000 Pounds Of Computers And Other Electronic Waste

Toxic E-Waste Fastest Growing Municipal Stream In America

Issued February 2, 2007

Elephant Pharm, the leading one-stop wellness store and complementary pharmacy, is helping to recycle nearly 50,000 pounds of computers, related devices and a wide range of consumer electronics.

�The proper recycling of e-waste is critical to the environment and public health,� said Chandre Sarkar, Elephant Pharm's director of wellness education and community outreach, who coordinated e-waste drop off at the company's stores in Berkeley, San Rafael and Los Altos during a community collection drive earlier this week.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that 2.6 million tons of domestic electronic waste was generated in 2005, the last year the agency provided such data. Non-governmental industry groups and businesses believe the total is much higher. The EPA also noted that e-waste constitutes the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the United States and that only 12-15 percent is recycled; the remainder is dumped in landfills. Much of the un-recycled waste stream is exported to China, where recycling and disposal regulations are considered less stringent.

�Elephant Pharm is more than just a store,� said Sarkar. �We are a community hub broadly dedicated to promoting health, wellness and sustainable environmental practices. We also host blood drives, free clinics and classes and host community meetings. We're gratified by the enthusiastic participation of the communities we serve and our two ethical recycling partners, Green Citizen and the Computer Recycling Center.�

Based on the strong response to its first e-cycling drive and the pressing environmental and public health need, Elephant Pharm plans to schedule other drives on a regular basis.

The next e-cycling event is scheduled for Earth Day, April 22 from 10-2pm at all its stores.

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About Computer Recycling Center:
Contact: Steven Wyatt, Program Director
(888) 887-3372
info@crc.org

Founded in 1991, Computer Recycling Center (crc.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with offices in San Francisco, CA. It is the oldest continuously operating full-service computer collection, reuse and refurbishment organization in the United States and the largest in California. Working with businesses and municipalities, CRC's participation in collection and drop-off programs diverted over 6 million pounds of computer equipment from landfills last year. Reuse of entire units is given highest priority, followed by disassembly for reuse of parts, and finally recycling of the remaining unusable items.

About GreenCitizen:
Contact: James W. Kao, CEO/President/Founder
(650) 493-8700 x701)
james.kao@greencitizen.com

Founded in 2003, GreenCitizen's mission is to be the global leader in the recovery, accountability and science for the recycling of electronics. It aims to revolutionize the processes of global recovery, de-manufacturing, recycling and accountability for end-of-life electronics for consumers and organizations. The company provides convenience as well as strong financial and information-based incentives that reward all parties � consumers, corporations, manufacturers, retailers and environmental/governmental agencies � for doing their part to e-cycle responsibly. It is based in Los Altos, CA.