More than 85,000 tonnes of old and obsolete electronics end up in Ontario dump sites each year, but the community and justice services program at Cambrian College wants to divert laptops from that fate.

The students are recycling used laptops, cleaning and refurbishing them, before donating them to northern Ontario children who are undergoing cancer treatment at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

The laptops donated to the college are being collected for the laptop lending program run by Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. The organization provides services to northern Ontario families coping with children with cancer.

Laptops can be dropped off at Cambrian College's Barrydowne campus, at room 4122, between Jan. 4-10. Staff at the information centre located in the main lobby are available to assist in locating the room.

The program also helps divert the growing amount of electronics ending up in Ontario dump sites, a number that has risen yearly, according to a release from the Ontario government.

Recycling and reusing programs are also in place for electronics and hazardous waste products, such as batteries. Information about locations can be found at www.dowhatyoucan.ca.

For more information, or to arrange drop-off after hours or on the Jan. 9 weekend, contact 566-8101 ext. 7477, or e-mail ejdean@cambriancollege.ca.