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"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
— Robert Swan
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Lucy Zhang
Co-Founder&President
Victor Zhang
Co-Founder&President
David Hwang
Vice President
Carol Huang
Executive Board
Our Mission
Our Mission
Turning E-Waste Into Action
Every discarded phone, laptop, or battery carries a hidden cost. E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, leaking toxic chemicals into our soil and water—but we’re changing that.
Our Mission
We make e-waste recycling effortless and unavoidable. Through local collection drives, educational campaigns, and partnerships with recyclers, we’re cutting pollution, conserving resources, and empowering our community to be part of the solution.
The power to protect our planet lies with each of us. Together, we can turn the tide on e-waste.
An Encouraging Start in the Neighborhood
An Encouraging Start in the Neighborhood
We kicked off our battery collection campaign right in our own neighborhood. After designing posters, we went door-to-door after school to introduce ourselves, raise awareness about battery recycling, and gather neighbors’ ideas for future events—all while collecting used batteries.
The response was fantastic! We filled two buckets with batteries. The enthusiasm from our neighbors made this a truly motivating start!
Visit Local Senior Apartments
Visit Local Senior Apartments
Holiday Battery Drive in the Community(2024)
Holiday Battery Drive in the Community(2024)
Best Christmas Present from Neighbor
While collecting used batteries in the neighborhood for the Holiday Battery Drive, we met two neighbors who were incredibly supportive and grateful for the initiative. They explained how difficult it was for them to drive all the way to the recycling center just to drop off old batteries. Before leaving, they asked for our address and promised to bring theirs by later when they had some more.
Two days later, the taller woman from the photo knocked on my door, holding the old battery pictured below. It had been in her son’s car, and when he came to visit for the holidays, she told him about our battery drive. He mentioned he happened to have one that needed recycling—so she brought it straight to us.
To me, this was the best Christmas present. Not only did it ensure the battery was recycled properly, but it also helped spread awareness about responsible e-waste disposal. Word gets around, and small actions like these make a real difference.
Holiday Battery Drive in the Community(2025)
Holiday Battery Drive in the Community(2025)
A Wagon Full of Change
Before I had stepped out and began the community collection process, there laid out on my doorstep was a box filled with hundreds of batteries. The very next day a new face appeared in our driveway, their backseat filled with batteries. Seeing my community step forward to actively participate in the drive with such eagerness was a big boost in hope.
As I began walking around my neighborhood, stopping by doorways to collect batteries I slowly realized how much the entire community was participating together. Bag after bag piled on, until long enough, I had to rush home to grab a wagon just to fit it all.
Finally, after circling my whole neighborhood, I returned with that said wagon filled to the brim–featuring over 2500 batteries. Standing there, looking at the result of a simple idea turned into collective action, I understood the true power of community. Meaningful change doesn’t require something massive to begin, it starts with one leader at a time.
Batteries and E-Waste Recycling Event at Leisure World Community (2026.3.)
Batteries and E-Waste Recycling Event at Leisure World Community (2026.3.)
Teens and Seniors Unite for a Greener Leisure World
On March 14th, we worked together with Golden Age Foundation (GAF) to host a free Battery and Electronic Waste Recycling Event at Leisure World Seal Beach, a large guard-gated, 55+ retirement community .
From 9:30 a.m., a dedicated group of nine TAE volunteers from three local branches, along with five parent chaperones, worked side-by-side with GAF volunteers for over a couple of hours under the bright sun. TAE teens helped residents unload used batteries, old cell phones, tablets, laptops, cables, and small household appliances from their cars. The event's primary goal was to prevent these items, which contain hazardous materials, from ending up in landfills and to ensure the recovery of valuable metals that can be reused in new technology. The teens and GAF volunteers meticulously sorted the batteries and e-waste and then loaded them onto the truck from JunkBug, a certified recycling company and long-term partner of TAE.
The result was a resounding success! We collected totally 856 pounds of used batteries and 2,219 pounds of discarded electronics.
This event aligns perfectly with TAE's mission to raise awareness about the critical e-waste issue, take concrete action for a greener planet, and engage teen leaders. Together, the teens and the GAF volunteers made a tangible difference for Leisure World community. TAE looks forward to future opportunities to work with the GAF at Leisure World on projects that promote environmental responsibility. By joining hands across generations, we not only serve the community today but help build a more sustainable tomorrow.
Take Action and Join Us!
Take Action and Join Us!
Please join us to protect a healthy environment!
Please join us to protect a healthy environment!
Questions?
Questions?
Contact tae.cc.us@gmail.com to get more information
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