A unique collaboration between students, local artist Eugene Sargent and Cox Communications is turning discarded electronics into a powerful symbol of sustainability.
The artist is working J.O Kelly Middle School, Don Tyson School of Innovation, Har-Ber High School, John Tyson Elementary School of Innovation and other Arkansas schools to transform "e-waste" like tangled cords, old routers and busted remotes into a large-scale public sculpture.
The students’ recommendations at a recent Cox Conserves event were vivid, with suggestions to turn scrap materials into miniature skyscrapers, hidden insects and a consensus settling on a spectacular tree-like structure as a metaphor for growth and renewal.
Anyone who visits one of the Arkansas Cox Retail stores in Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith or Harrison from now until Oct. 17 can drop off small electronic items for responsible recycled by Cox Communications for free! After turning in your recycling, you can scan a QR code and share your local school district for a chance at an additional $5,000 Cox Charities Education grant awarded this fall!
Cox Solutions Store Locations:
Fort Smith: 8100 Rogers Ave. B
Fayetteville: 637 E. Joyce Blvd.
#103
Rogers: 2603 W. Pleasant Grove Road #110
Bentonville: 201 S.W. 14th St.
Harrison: 305 W Stephenson Ave.
Eligible Items Include: Small lithium and alkaline batteries, non-Cox modems and routers, TV and stereo remotes, cables, chords and headphones and small electronic toys and games. Smartphones can be turned in or traded in and assessed by a Cox employee for potential trade-in offers for Cox Mobile devices. Devices traded in with zero value will be sent to a Cox-approved third-party vendor for recycling through an established device recycling process
Items NOT Eligible: Lead-acid based batteries, items with refrigerant, monitors, televisions, digital picture frames, large electronics, large or small household appliances.
The sculpture will be unveiled at a to-be-determined location at the end of October.
