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On December 12, Skills of Central PA, Inc. (Skills) honored Michael Buffington, owner of One Stop Communications, with a certificate of appreciation for his contributions to its computer recycling program. Skills’ regional vice president Jolene Ernst and community services director Karen Weyant presented the award to Buffington at his store located at 126 Electric Avenue. 

 Thanks, in large part, to Buffington’s efforts, Skills has diverted over 20 tons of computer-related materials from area landfills. Through One Stop Communications, Buffington serves as a point of contact to the public, promoting recycling and collecting outdated and end-of -life computer equipment for Skills’ recycling program in Juniata County. The computers are then disassembled and shipped to various recyclers in PA.  

 Buffington’s efforts not only benefit the environment, they support people with disabilities. Donating computer-related materials to Skills’ vocational training and industrial services programs provides individuals with developmental disabilities with an opportunity to learn valuable employment (and pre-employment) skills in a supportive environment -- while earning a paycheck. 

 “Improving the quality of life for people with disabilities while protecting our environment is a major undertaking,” said Ernst. “Michael’s partnership with Skills is one example of the positive steps that have been taken in this direction.” 

 Skills began its computer recycling program in February, 2005. “Keeping computers out of landfills is a primary goal of the program,” said Ernst, “We felt compelled to acknowledge Michael’s hard work to that end. When a computer is buried in a landfill, there is a high risk of the toxic chemicals contained within it eventually leaching into the groundwater.” 

 The award criteria are: Community and public involvement; partnership and collaboration; effectiveness; and other specific considerations.  

 Founded in 1960, Skills is one of the oldest and largest private non-profit human service organizations in Central Pennsylvania serving people with disabilities.  Skills employs 900 staff throughout 14 counties and support 1300 individuals.
 
 
NEWPORT, PA -  One-Stop Communications' Newport location has partnered
with Skills of Central PA to recycle computers, monitors (excluding Apple
monitors) and other computer-related equipment.  Area residents may drop
off these items at One-Stop Communications Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 4
pm; Friday 9 am to 4 pm; and Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.  Printers will not be
accepted at this time.

  One-Stop Communications has already been offering this service to the
public for two years at their location in Lewistown, where One-Stop
receives about ten computers and monitors a week, on average.  When owner
Mike Buffington opened the location in Newport, he spoke to Sally Tenger
of the Perry County Conservation District.  After learning that there was
currently no computer recycling program in Perry County, he contacted
Skills of PA, who recycles the computers, and asked if they would expand
their current service to Perry County.

  While computers are safe to use, they do contain some environmentally
sensitive materials.  Cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, batteries, and
mercury switches contain hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury,
cadmium and chromium, and can leak into a community's water supply.  In an
effort to prevent these items from reaching the landfills and preserve the
environment, One-Stop Communications is allowing those items to be dropped
off at their store.  From there, they will be sent to Skills of PA, where
the hazardous material in the machines can be safely removed, and parts
can be recycled.  Skills of PA promotes jobs to those with disabilities.

  One-Stop Communications can accept:  computers, most monitors (see below),
and devices that connect to a computer, such as mice, keyboards, and
scanners.  All items must be inspected by a One-Stop Communications
employee before drop-off.  One-Stop Communications cannot accept:  Apple
monitors, printers of any kind, and terminal units that combine a computer
and monitor.

  "We are very excited to expand the computer recycling program to our
Newport store", says Buffington.  "Skills has a wonderful program, and we
enjoy working with them to benefit our environment".

  One-Stop Communications is a local retailer that has been providing the
central Pennsylvania market with personal and business communication
products for over 10 years.  They are located at 100 North 4th Street,
Newport, and also at 126 Electric Avenue, Lewistown.  For more
information, contact One-Stop Communications at 717-248-4996, or Skills of
PA at 717-436-2101.
 
 
LEWISTOWN, PA – One-Stop Communications has partnered with the Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority Area (MCSWA) for corrugated cardboard recycling at their Lewistown location, located at 126 Electric Avenue.  The recycling bin is located in the stone parking lot behind the store, and can be accessed from the alley adjacent to Second Street.  The public is welcome to drop off their corrugated cardboard in the recycling bin during One-Stop Communications’ open hours:  Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 6 pm; Friday 9 am to 7 pm; and Saturday 9 am to 2 pm. 

 One-Stop Communications added the cardboard recycling program in an effort to reduce the amount of waste that enters the landfill from their operation.  One-Stop also serves as a drop-off for rechargeable batteries, wireless phones, and computers.  “As we increase our recycling efforts at One-Stop, I am very pleased with the Mifflin County Solid Waste Authority for their efforts to provide us and the public with an easy way to recycle cardboard”, says owner Michael Buffington.  “They should be commended on their efforts to keep recyclable material out of our landfills.”  

 One-Stop Communications is a local retailer that has been providing the central Pennsylvania market with personal and business communication products for over 10 years.  They are located at 126 Electric Avenue, Lewistown, and also at 100 North 4th Street, Newport.   For more information, contact One-Stop Communications at 717-248-4996.
 
 
NEWPORT, PA – One-Stop Communications has partnered with a national program called Call2Recycle that helps consumers conveniently recycle their used portable rechargeable batteries and cellular phones at One Stop’s Newport location.  The program has already been in place at the Lewistown location for two years. 

  Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb) batteries are commonly found in cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, cordless power tools, two-way radios, camcorders, remote control toys and a variety of other portable electronic products. 

  When the rechargeable battery can no longer hold a charge, it can and should be recycled.  Consumers can drop off their used rechargeable batteries and old cellular phones free of charge at One-Stop Communications, and the items will be processed at a recycling facility.  Useful material will then be reclaimed to make stainless steel products and new rechargeable batteries.  Cell phones will be recycled or refurbished and resold when possible, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting select charities.

  One-Stop Communications owner Mike Buffington explains, “Obsolete electronic waste has become a real problem and I believe it is our responsibility to find ways to dispose of this waste properly to keep hazardous material out of our nation’s landfills.”

  One-Stop Communications is a local retailer that has been providing the central Pennsylvania market with personal and business communication products for over ten years.  They are located at 100 North 4th Street, Newport, and also at 126 Electric Avenue, Lewistown.  For more information, call 717-567-9432.

  *Portable rechargeable batteries weighing less than 2 lbs/1 Kg.

 
 
NEWPORT, PA – One-Stop Communications has acquired Henry’s Electronics, Inc. in Newport.   Henry’s has been a staple in Newport since 1975, and Michael Buffington, owner of One-Stop, has purchased the building and the business.  The store re-opened as One-Stop Communications on June 4th, 2007.  

 In 1996, Buffington opened the first One-Stop Communications store in a small building on South Main Street in Lewistown.  Four years later, the business outgrew its location and moved to Electric Avenue in Lewistown.  Today, One-Stop Communications is the area’s largest provider of communications products, and has provided wireless phone, satellite, paging, Internet, satellite radio, two-way radios and related services to over 20,000 customers locally and throughout the United States.  One-Stop provides the same products and service in Newport. 

 Nathan Follmer is the Store Manager of the Newport location.  Kylee Mills and Brenda Smiterman are now Account Executives for One-Stop Communications.  The store also receives support from Brett Bagrosky, Regional Manager, and Dave Fisher, Regional Service Manager.  Both Bagrosky and Fisher have been with the business for over 10 years.    

 Buffington is the grandson of Helen and the late William Buffington, who moved from the Hawaiian Islands to Perry County in 1953.  They owned Buffington’s Office Equipment in Lewistown until their retirement.    

 One-Stop Communications is a member of the Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Builder’s Association, the Satellite Broadcast Communications Association, the Cellular Dealer’s Network, and the Consumer Electronics Association.   The company has been the recipient of several awards, including:  AT&T Wireless Dealer of Excellence, AT&T Wireless Outstanding Performance, Verizon Wireless Best in Class, and DishNetwork Summit Advantage Retailer.   

 One-Stop Communications is located at 126 Electric Avenue in Lewistown, and at 100 North Fourth Street in Newport.  A representative can be reached at 717-567-9432, or on the web at www.onestop.biz.