Deseret News: Tips for Trimming the Tree
Filed under: Earth911 - November 27, 2009
By Danica Warren
Tree trimming on a trimmed budget:
—Purchase basic glass ornaments at discount or outlet stores.
—Look for unique items that you already have that can be used as ornaments.
—Get creative making your own ornaments. You can use: foam balls, dried pasta, picture frames, even seashells.
—Request ornaments as gifts from family and friends.
—Have a tree-trimming party.
—Shop year-round for decorations. Purchase expensive ornaments after the holidays when the markdowns are best.
It takes time to build the perfect tree, so enjoy the process.
Real Versus Artificial
There is an ongoing debate on which is better for the environment: real trees or artificial trees. Here’s the scoop.
Artificial trees
—Originally developed in the 1930s by the Addis Brush Company (who made toilet bowl brushes), artificial trees contain PVC, a plastic material that can be a potential source of lead, causing a potential hazard to children (visit www.christmastree.org for more information)
—According to www.treehugger.com, an artificial tree would need to be kept for at least 20 years to have a lower contribution to climate change. Currently, people keep artificial trees for approximately six years on average.
Real trees
—The smell and feel can not be duplicated. The downside of real Christmas trees is that they typically receive repeated applications of pesticides which contribute to pollution in local watersheds.
—The most eco-friendly way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to buy a live tree with roots intact and then replant it. If replanting though, consider whether or not the tree you used for ornaments is suited to your backyard climate. Choosing an indigenous tree may not keep with holiday tradition, but it is a feel-good, no harm done to the environment, decision.
—The most environmentally friendly option is to choose a farmed tree. Farmed Christmas trees are a renewable resource. They are growing trees, which absorb carbon dioxide. After the holidays the trees can be recycled into mulch. Check www.earth911.com to learn where to take your tree after December 25.
—The best farmed tree is a locally grown tree. Visit a Christmas tree farm where you can choose, and possibly cut, your own tree. To find a tree farm in your area visit www.pickyourownchristmastree.org or www.christmastree.org.
Belville News Democrat: Bright Lights, Big Savings
Filed under: Earth911 - November 20, 2009
By Ken Sheinkopf, McClatchy Newspapers
Switching to compact fluorescent bulbs is a great energy-saving strategy, but many wonder why anyone would want to bring these so-called hazardous products into their homes.
It’s time to get the facts and the myths together in one place to address the concerns, questions and rumors that seem to be everywhere these days, growing as the very use of CFLs increases thanks to dramatic price drops, widespread availability, and new bulbs that work in everything from dimmers and recessed fixtures to three-way switches and track lighting.
1. Compact fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury, an element that is found naturally in the environment, though exposure to a large quantity of it could cause health problems. The bulbs do not give off any mercury when they are being used or being handled. When putting them into lamps, hold the bulbs by their base and don’t force them into the socket to avoid breaking them.
2. The amount of mercury in a CFL is about 5 mg—not even enough to fill the period at the end of this sentence. By comparison, some watch batteries have 25 mg of mercury in them, dental fillings can have 500 mg, and a common household thermometer has 500 to as many as 3,000 mg of the element in them. CFL manufacturers continue to work on reducing even the very small amount of mercury in the bulbs, and there have been significant reductions in recent years.
3. The only way for the mercury vapor to escape the tube is if the bulb breaks. If that happens, ventilating the room for about 15 minutes will allow the gas to escape. You can then carefully scoop up the broken pieces, double-bag them and throw them out with your trash. For more details on the best disposal of a broken CFL, visit www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/fluorescent/.
4. The largest man-made sources of mercury are coal-fired power plants (the Sierra Club estimates that coal-fired power plants, which produce about half of the country’s power, put about 50 tons of mercury into the air every year). If you’re really concerned about the amount of mercury in our air, then, you’re actually better off buying CFLs than incandescents.
Since CFLs use less electricity than incandescents, they actually reduce the amount of mercury getting into our environment. EPA estimates that during its 8,000-hour rated lifetime, a 13-watt CFL would put out about 1.8 mg of mercury from electricity use and from emissions if it goes to a landfill, while a 60-watt incandescent that puts out the same amount of light would give off more than three times that amount of mercury from its electricity use.
5. To dispose of unbroken bulbs, it is recommended that you bring them to a recycling center in your community. Contact your local municipal solid waste agency to find the locations of recycling centers near you, or get information online at sites such as www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling, www.lamprecycle.org, www.recycleabulb.com, or www.earth911.com (or call them at 800-CLEAN-UP).
In addition, stores such as Home Depot, Ikea and others as well as other businesses around the country offer recycling to consumers who drop off the used bulbs at their local stores. Some CFL manufacturers also accept burned-out CFLs for recycling.
6. There have been reports about CFLs causing fires, smoke pouring out of them when they burn out, and presenting other hazards just by their use. While there has been little proof that bulbs actually caused these problems, you should make sure that the CFLs you buy carry the Underwriters Laboratories UL mark that show they have been tested for safety hazards.
7. Frequently turning CFLs on and off will shorten their lifetimes. For uses of about 15 minutes or less (such as in closets or stairways), use incandescent bulbs. It is also important that you use the proper type of CFL in the fixtures you choose. For recessed fixtures, 3-way fixtures, dimmers, outdoor use or other specialized situations, make sure the package says the bulb is appropriate for this use.
Vibration can also shorten their lifetimes so if you want to use them in ceiling fans, be sure to buy bulbs made for this purpose.
8. Cheap bulbs probably won’t last as long or work as well as those with the ENERGY STAR seal on the package that ensures it meets their strict standards. Low-quality bulbs often buzz and flicker and have short lifetimes.
9. Finally, one other fact is clear: You will save money by using CFLs. It’s estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill is for lighting. CFLs will last 7 to 10 times longer that incandescents and use one-fourth of the energy to produce the same amount of light. Handle them properly, choose the right bulb for the fixture, and they will be safe to use for many years.
Ken Sheinkopf is a communications specialist with the American Solar Energy Society (www.ases.org). Send your energy questions to askken@ases.org.
Caldwell Progress: Going Green to Save Money is Definitely Catching On
Filed under: Earth911 - November 20, 2009
By Michele Byers
Millions of Americans are seeing the light, the energy-saving light, that is, from compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Going green to save money is catching on.
The benefits of switching to CFLs are huge. For one, they are about 75 percent more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.
According the federal Energy Star program, if every U.S. home replaced just one bulb with an Energy Star qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, cut $600 million in annual energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 800,000 cars off the road. That’s pretty impressive!
CFLs cost more up front. But because they don’t rely on a thin filament to produce light, they are much more durable. CFLs will last an average of more than seven years under normal household conditions. Plug a CFL in your newborn’s nursery, and you won’t have to change it until your child reaches second grade.
These kinds of savings and environmental benefits have prompted growing numbers of Americans to make the switch. In 2007 alone, Americans saved more than $1.5 billion by changing to CFLs. The increased energy efficiency cut pollution equivalent to taking 2 million cars off the road or planting 2.85 million trees. Those are major, positive consequences from such a small and simple choice.
Having proven commercially viable, CFLs are now available in more forms than ever. Today you can find dimmable, 3-way and regular CFLs in a variety of shapes, light colors and wattages. There is one for almost every need.
The biggest criticism is that they contain mercury, a hazardous substance.
But many people don’t realize that despite containing mercury, CFLs still represent a net gain to the environment, even in terms of mercury pollution.
Incandescent bulbs don’t contain mercury, but they’re lit by electricity, which is often produced by coal-fired power plants. Coal contains mercury, so when it’s burned mercury is released into the air. Coal-burning plants are the largest source of mercury emissions in the United States. These plants emit 13.6 milligrams of mercury to light each incandescent bulb, but only 3.3 milligrams per CFL.
Each CFL bulb contains about 4 milligrams of mercury, enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. (And less than a hundredth of the amount found in a mercury thermometer.) So even if a CFL bulb were tossed in the trash and incinerated —not a good idea— there would still be less mercury released into the environment than through normal use of an incandescent!
Of course, like anything containing hazardous materials, CFLs should be disposed of properly. That’s why recycling is crucial. The mercury inside the bulbs can be reused, further reducing the impact on the environment.
Most New Jersey counties run hazardous waste recycling programs, and your local Home Depot will also accept CFLs for recycling. You can find a recycling drop-off location near you at http://earth911.com, www.recycleabulb.com, or by calling 1-800-CleanUp.
For a full primer on CFL bulbs —how they work, choosing the right bulbs, proper handling and disposal, and more— check out the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov.
See the light, become part of this bright trend and switch to CFL bulbs! And I hope you will consult New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s website at www.njconservation.org or contact me at info@njconservation.org, if you would like more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.
Norwood Bulletin: Recycling Matters: Sustainability Can Make the Season Even More Special
Filed under: Earth911 - November 18, 2009
By Susan Clare
Last week, this column gave some thoughts and hints for “green” holiday travel, food, gifts, and gift-wrapping.
If you missed it, you can go to www.wickedlocalnorwood.com to read the column.
This week, there is more; there is always more, as I look around me, research on the Internet, and gather suggestions from people here in Norwood. There are doubtless additional environmentally friendly ways to celebrate the holidays. If you have ideas, you’re invited to send them to the email address at the end of this column.
Cards
Who doesn’t enjoy holiday cards? But haven’t we given enough of our money to large corporations that destroy trees and produce cards that must then be trashed or recycled? The environmental blitz is perpetuated when we buy cards with sound. The tiny batteries inside them cannot be put into our single stream recycling bins.
If you have time, make your own cards using recycled and recyclable products. Decorate them with stamping, artwork, cut-out pictures.
Seriously consider sending e-cards online. There are many free sites available, and some even offer animation and music. There is always a space to type in your personal greetings. Last year, I received an e-card, in which the greeting said, “Saving a tree here. I love you and wish you the best of holidays.”
If you buy cards, be sure they are made from recycled paper.
Greenery
To tree or not to tree. Of course, if you don’t tree, that simplifies things. But for those whose traditions and seasonal longings stir the desire for a tree, there is a lot of information on the Internet to help decide what kind of tree.
Websites first coming to mind are www.earth911.com, www.americandream.org, and www.eartheasy.org. Do an Internet search for others. To get you started, here are some notes from my own search.
Cut trees—Earth needs its trees, and a good ten or so years have gone into growing the average Christmas tree. So ideally, one should buy trees only from a sustainable tree farm. Yes, they do exist; I know someone who supported a family for many years on a sustainable tree farm. It is more costly for the grower, and so will it be for the consumer. But with environmental issues becoming daily more urgent, it is money well spent.
If you are unable to locate a sustainable tree source near you via the Internet, see if the tree markets near you provide a choice of trees from sustainable farms. If they don’t, speak to a supervisor and urge her/him to do so in the future. The more requests they hear, the more likely they’ll be to take action. If you can’t find a tree from a certified sustainable tree farm, you should seriously consider a live or artificial tree.
If you choose a cut tree or other greenery, the Town of Norwood will compost it. Watch December’s newspapers for dates of curbside pickup. And please don’t leave any decorations on the trees. Plastic and metal icicles and other such items don’t compost.
Here again, keep in mind that the Town of Norwood must pay for this greenery to be collected, and then for it to be chipped, and then composted. This is money that could be spent on other town projects.
Artificial trees—If you choose an artificial tree, you will be able to use it for many years, saving a good number of earth’s very necessary trees, and saving yourself money over time. Don’t replace the tree at the first sign of wear, but cherish it as a symbol of your commitment to reuse for the earth. If the artificial tree needs a facelift, do it with decorations. Remember, these trees can’t be recycled; they will become trash, burned in a landfill and releasing toxins into the air.
While most artificial trees are made with petroleum-based products, they can be used for many years, so the sacrifice is minimal if the tree is reused often enough, and they remain a viable alternative.
Live trees—Twenty-five years ago, before I even understood the impact my choices have on the environment, I bought a live Christmas tree. Of necessity, it was small. It was eventually planted in the back yard. When I visit my home state, I go by for a look at that tree, and by now it’s tall and majestic and doing its environmental work.
Some people don’t have the capacity to carry a live tree inside and then back out, let alone find a place to transplant it, but for those who do, there are distinct advantages. A small tree in a large container can be used 2 or 3 years before needing transplanting into the ground or another container. Simply set it outside after the holidays one year, and carry it back in the next.
The satisfaction of watching the tree grow from year to year is priceless. And look at the contribution to the earth. Evergreens are fairly low-maintenance trees, usually thriving on whatever moisture nature provides. But search on the Internet for advice on special needs for a tree while it is potted.
Doris Burtman, Norwood’s recycling coordinator, says, “Nothing is for free. The costs of disposal/recycling/composting are paid for by all taxpayers, whether they put out a little or a lot. The more we all live sustainably, the fewer tax dollars we are throwing away.”
She urges people to keep this in mind when decorating for the holidays.
Lighting
I know they’re not as bright and shiny, but LED lights, indoors and out, are a small sacrifice for the future of the earth (and your wallet). They use 90 percent less energy than conventional light bulbs. Certainly, if you already own other lights, use them up, but then replace them with LED lights. And remember, the smaller the bulb the less energy used.
Home Depot will recycle holiday lights, so give them a call when yours give out.
Candles are heart-warming, reassuring, and can be meaningful symbols at the holidays. Paraffin candles are petroleum-based, so please choose candles made of soy, vegetable wax, or beeswax.
Decorations
Found objects make stellar decorations. Cutouts from saved giftwrap paper and holiday cards, sewing notions, bread dough ornaments, kids’ art—the only limit is your imagination. Visit craft fairs and shops featuring handmade items from local craftspeople. Use natural décor as much as possible.
Kids
Involve the kids. Rather than bemoaning smaller lights, they can help think of ways to celebrate the holidays in environmentally friendly ways. One website will be particularly helpful here: www.greeningschools.org.
Susan Clare is a member of the Norwood Recycling Committee. Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed and will be responded to as soon as possible. Please email susanclare@rocketmail.com.
Dallas Baptist Standard: RIGHT or WRONG? Going green
Filed under: Earth911 - November 12, 2009
By David Morgan
When I tried to start a recycling program at our church, I heard comments like, “Are you some kind of tree hugger?” or “This ‘green’ approach sounds like hippie stuff from the ’60s.” So, how can I get our church to do the right thing, even when some members oppose it?
First, don’t give up. Keep trying. Recycling in churches has a rather short history and, as a Christian responsibility, is new to many believers. Changing attitudes and actions often takes a long time. Helping people experience transformation in this segment of their lives calls for a delicate touch.
Comments like “tree hugger” and “hippie” suggest some people may see the problem as contrived by a certain cultural element and thus deny its seriousness. Show the congregation that a broad group of Christian leaders is beginning to see the environment as a priority. Point them to www.baptistcreationcare.org.
Second, educate your church to see God’s kingdom work can include recycling. Some churches have hesitated to get involved in programs such as recycling because these congregations have not considered such programs to be spiritual ministries. Help your church grasp a broader vision of what God is doing in the world. While people often think of kingdom work only as sharing the good news that people can be saved, serving Christ also involves caring for God’s creation. Emphasize the creation stories, stressing that God created both world and humanity. Sin has negatively impacted what God created as much as whom God created. The Apostle Paul spoke of creation’s longing for redemption in Romans 8:19-22. Other biblical texts you might include are Psalm 19 and the Sermon on the Mount.
Another aspect of the educational task is to help members understand the damage people are inflicting on God’s creation. Help them see the involvement of churches in recycling can help reduce the amount of waste generated. Here are several websites that you might consult: www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/ rrr/recycle.htm; www.nrc-recycle.org; and http://earth911.com.
Finally, be clear about the costs and potential inconveniences of recycling. Establish a plan to address these issues: (1) When and how will the church collect the items? (2) Which items will be collected? (3) How and where will the materials be saved and stored? (4) When and how will they be carried to recycling centers? (5) What, if any, additional cleanup will be necessary? You may not be able to anticipate all the issues, but an effort to address as many as possible can reduce resistance to these practical concerns.
Protecting and preserving the world in which we live requires efforts on many different fronts. Recycling can be one. Start small, but start.
David Morgan, pastor
Trinity Baptist Church
Harker Heights
Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.
DEP’S Top Ten Ways to Celebrate America Recycles Day
Filed under: Earth911, Press Releases - November 10, 2009
TALLAHASSEE—Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation acknowledging November 15 as America Recycles Day and encouraging citizens to rethink their habits and increase recycling at home, school and work, as well as purchase products made of recycled materials. To celebrate America Recycles Day, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has compiled a list of ten easy tips to encourage Floridians to recycle.
Recycling provides benefits besides reducing the trash in our landfills and preventing pollution in our land, water and air, it also offers recyclers a feeling of personal satisfaction.
“Just a small amount of time spent doing research can help Floridians and visitors incorporate easy and long-lasting recycling habits into their everyday lives,” said Mary Jean Yon, Director of DEP’s Division of Waste Management. “America Recycles Day is a perfect opportunity to remind ourselves that each recycling accomplishment, no matter how small, should instill a sense of pride as we work together to preserve our nation’s limited resources.”
DEP’s top ten list of handy recycling tips for Floridians includes some ideas suggested by Earth911.com:
1. Know what you’re recycling and where to recycle it: Driving around to five different recycling centers to find a home for your electronics, for example, can easily be avoided with some research. Find out where to recycle almost anything using Earth911.com.
2. Recycle in groups: If you are dropping off recycling, you’ll need a car instead of relying on a bike or public transportation. Get some friends together and recycle on the same day with one car-load to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Donate items you no longer need: Wearable clothes can be donated to charity organizations or local shelters. Women’s business clothing can be donated to Dress for Success, which offers them to disadvantaged women looking for employment (www.dressforsuccess.org. Un-wearable clothes may be donated to pet shelters for bedding.
4. Use reusable retail bags for shopping: Invest in reusable retail bags that can be used over and over, eliminating the one-time use of plastic or paper bags. Keep reusable bags on your car seat or near your door so it’s easy to remember to grab them when you exit the car.
5. Pre-cycle when you shop. Nearly everything you buy at the grocery store will come in some sort of container. Look for products in containers that are easy to recycle or reuse.
6. Start green-cycling. What happens to all the waste you create while gardening? Some communities have yard waste pick-up services, but an alternative is composting your leaves and yard clippings.
7. Reuse before you recycle. Plastic containers can be washed and used to store leftovers before they are recycled. Paper can be recycled no matter how many times it is written on.
8. Pass along the message. The current recycling rate in Florida is around 28 percent. By passing on some recycling knowledge, you can help raise that rate, and that is worth talking about.
9. Travel green. Look for hotels that are committed to recycling and other waste reduction measures. To find hotels designated as Florida Green Lodges, please visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
10. Take simple steps to create less waste. From reducing junk mail to buying waste free gifts, there are a number of ways to reduce and prevent waste.
One unique feature of America Recycles Day is the opportunity for people to sign a personal pledge to recycle. For the sixth consecutive year, DEP, along with Recycle Florida Today, Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. and Publix Super Markets are sponsoring the Florida (K-12) Schools Recycling Pledge Card Contest. The three schools that submit the most recycling pledge cards will be awarded with a refurbished computer and monitor. Last year, more than 18,000 pledges to recycle and buy more recycled products were collected by elementary, middle and high school students.
Encouraging Florida’s residents and visitors to recognize the importance of recycling will also help the state achieve the new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent by 2020.
For more information on America Recycles Day 2009, visit:
www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/AR/2009/ar09.htm.
Each community has different recycling guidelines. To learn about recycling in your county or city, contact your local recycling coordinator by visiting:
www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/pages/contact_counties.htm.
For more information on the new statewide recycling goal of 75 percent, and to share your comments on ways to achieve this goal and view comments from others on DEP’s web-based forum, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/recyclinggoal75/.
Mother Nature Network: 5 Things You Should Always Recycle
Filed under: Earth911 - November 9, 2009
By Jenn Savedge
Chances are you’re already recycling the cans, bottles, and paper that get picked up at the curb, but what about all that other stuff that’s lurking in your drawers or closets —like outdated gadgets and dead batteries— that you’re not sure how to recycle? The following household items are especially important to donate or recycle because they contain materials that can contaminate the environment if they wind up in landfills or that can easily be reclaimed for use in new products. Here, courtesy of RecycleBank are some convenient ways to keep them out of the trash:
- Electronics—All Office Depot, Staples, and Best Buy stores accept larger electronics like desktop computers for recycling for a small fee (usually $10) and smaller ones like cell phones and PDAs for free. Goodwill stores accept used computer equipment (some locations also accept televisions) for free.
Why? You’ll keep toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and brominated flame retardants out of landfills. And useful materials will be recovered, saving energy and resources. - Rechargeable batteries—From cordless phones and power tools, digital cameras, and other gizmos—these can be recycled for free at 30,000 drop-off points nationwide, including retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, RadioShack, Sears, and Target. Enter your zip code at Call2Recycle to find one near you. Unfortunately, it’s more difficult to find places to recycle alkaline (or single-use) batteries. Try Earth911 to find drop off locations or order a box (for $34.50, including prepaid shipping) from Battery Solutions and send them up to 12 pounds of alkaline and/or rechargeable batteries for recycling.
Why? Like many electronics, batteries contain heavy metals and other chemicals best kept out of the waste stream. Plus, recyclers reclaim metals from them that are used to make, for example, new batteries and steel. - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, but they contain a small amount of mercury and shouldn’t be thrown in the trash. Take them to any Ikea or Home Depot store for recycling or go to Lamp Recycle to find other drop off locations near you.
Why? CFLs in landfills can break and release mercury, a neurotoxin, into the environment. - Plastic Bags—Even if you’ve switched to reusable bags for your shopping, you probably have a bunch of these stored in your home. Luckily, lots of retailers like Wal-Mart, Safeway, Albertsons, Wegmans, Krogers, and Giant now have bins where you can recycle plastic grocery bags (and newspaper, drycleaning, bread and sealable food storage bags). To find a drop off location near you, go to Plastic Bag Recycling or Earth911.
Why? They’re made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and when thrown away they take a very long time to decompose. Recyclers will turn them into new products like plastic lumber. - Anything you don’t need that could be of great value to others—For instance, you can donate your used prescription glasses to the nonprofit OneSight at any LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, Target Optical, or Sears Optical location (or go to One Sight for more locations near you). You can also donate unused, unexpired medications including antibiotics, pain relievers, and others by mailing them to the Health Equity Project. The glasses and medications will be distributed to people in need in developing countries. Keep in mind that you should always recycle hazardous substances like paint, pesticides, propane gas tanks, and motor oil at your town’s household hazardous waste collection events or permanent collection center. Go to Earth911 or call 1-800-CLEANUP to find collection sites and events.
Digital Trends: How to Recycle Your Electronics
Filed under: Earth911 - November 6, 2009
By Scott Steinberg
The fun part about technology: Everyone loves something shiny and new, but what do you do with that mind-blowing gadget once it has lost its luster? You can throw it into the drawer or the trash, or you could do the smart thing—recycle it instead. Here’s how.
The Prep Work
As much as you’d like to go all “Office Space” on some of those electronics from years’ past, that can get messy. It’s also not too environmentally friendly, considering that there are glass, plastic, metals and plenty of other non-biodegradable goodies inside and out that need to be dealt with. What’s more, you also need to be certain that they are being recycled properly.
That’s right; as good as your intentions are, some people’s recycling services are about as effective as throwing your devices right in the trash.That’s bad. “The average CRT tube on any monitor or television holds between six to eight pounds of lead. It needs to be properly processed,” says Rachel Robin of Guaranteed Recycling Xperts (GRX), a Colorado-based recycling business that handles about one million pounds of electronics each month. “Once that glass is crushed and open, the lead is exposed to the environment.” Robin says that instead of recycling, some shadier firms even sell the items to overseas brokers instead.
To find a reputable recycler in your area, check out myGreenElectronics.com, a site sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association. From there, you can type in your zip code and a map will help you pinpoint nearby drop-offs ready to take your gadgets.
In addition, before you go anywhere, make sure that you “clean,” or wipe the memory of, any devices that might contain personal information. That “property of” label on the back of your old 8-track might come off easily, but credit card info, social security numbers and other personal data aren’t as easily erased. Mercifully, there are plenty of programs, such as DataEraser and WipeDrive, that can do the job for you. Of course, if you are really paranoid, in the case of a Mac or PC, you can always remove the hard drive from the computer and stick it in a drawer, smash it with a hammer, etc. If you are still unsure how to clean your drive, check out our nifty guide on how to completely erase your hard drive.
Who Takes What
The good news is that almost every major retailer and manufacturer has some type of recycling program. Best Buy will take cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink-jet cartridges at no cost. They will also take larger items, such as TVs, refrigerators, and laundry machines for free—but only if you’re buying a replacement from them. Costco and Staples also provide discounts for trade-in PCs, game consoles, MP3 players and other devices.
Not all retailers offer free recycling. However, Office Depot has a decent deal. Purchase a small ($5), medium ($10) or large ($15) box and cram it until your heart’s content (and the lid can still close). Take it to the store, and they will take care of it from there.
Alternately, instead of going to a retailer, you can always go straight to the source. Or, in plain English, there are also plenty of manufacturers that want to see you through the life of your device—including after it’s become a member of the dearly departed. Samsung, Lexmark, Dell, Sony and Toshiba are just a few of the many companies that offer recycling options.
Granted, the amount of choices when it comes to picking a recycling provider can be overwhelming. But relax. Websites such as Earth911 and E-cycling Central provide a peek at some of the better recycling services in your area.
Cash for Trash
Something else worth keeping in mind: Sure, we all want to be nice to Mother Nature, but it’s also nice getting a little cash back on old investments. To reap these rewards, see Gazelle and TechForward, which offer buy-back and recycling programs for old cameras, MP3 players, laptops, game consoles, GPS devices, cell phones and other gizmos. Some offer trade-ins or cash, which you can pocket or turn over to a charity if you’re feeling guilty about that extra loot.
Reduce, Reuse—Re-Gift It!
Of course, there are plenty of ways to recycle your old goods without having to deal with a big company or online storefront. After all, everyone loves a freebie.
For instance, consider posting one of your unwanted devices to Freecycle or Craigslist, then sit back and watch magic happen. Both sites are a perfect example of how people can’t seem to pass up freebies. Mind you, you probably don’t want to post your home address on either site, but allowing interested parties to drop you an email wouldn’t hurt. Oh, and email they will—sometimes within a matter of seconds. As with any meet-up-style service, you’ll want to be careful about who you let into your home or where you meet someone to give away your items. However, expect anything you post to be scarfed up in record time.
Charitable organizations are also clamoring for your old goods—just not in a stalker-ish way. The National Cristina Foundation accepts computers, peripherals and software. Then, not only do they place the equipment with schools, people with disabilities, and just those in need of a little help, but they provide training as well. Cells for Cells takes in —you guessed it— cell phones. However, instead of turning them around to others in need of a calling device, they turn them into cash, which is then passed on to families battling cancer. Note that there are a variety of additional charities that can also turn your trash into true treasure—which can also be tax deductible.
So instead of cramming more into the nation’s landfills or your dresser drawers, next time you’re pondering a high-tech upgrade, remember that there are plenty of ways to recycle your old electronics. Better still, doing something good for the environment could help you earn a little cash to put towards a down payment, and make you feel that much better about your shiny new purchase.