Recycling Business Events

In my opinion, the recycling business has a bright future. If you are in the Atlanta area and have a few days and dollars to spare check out a recycling trade show. This show covers paper, electronics and plastics recycling.

This may be an opportunity to network and see what you can do in the recycling business.

I'm Tired of Plastic Everything

I try not to buy too much. It seems that everything I do buy has a plastic component. Despite my best efforts to avoid it I end up with a seemingly endless amount of plastic to recycle. I can't figure it out. I know there are bioplastics around that can be composted but very little, if any, is used in packaging that I can find. Some encouraging news is coming from Brazil regarding bioplastics. If they are not used more I will have to really evaluate what I'm buying and try to cut out the plastic. I thought I was doing a good job then started noticing the recycling bin is packed with all kinds of plastic. If anyone has any ideas on how to reduce plastic please share.

Economic Slowdown Impacts Recycling

We have seen the economic slowdown impact many sectors. Recycling is no different. As the demand for goods has decreased dramatically so has the need to include recycled content in those goods. Some people are arguing that recycling has become too expensive compared to using raw materials in certain cases. However, everybody does it because we are told it is the right thing to do. This article covers the economics of recycling and the problems with our recycling programs.

I like the idea of recycling. In the comments to the article a reader raised a good point: people forgot the first two of the "3 Rs". I personally believe recycling is like donating to charity: people like it, it feels good and it absolves them of responsibility for the problems they are trying to solve because they feel they did their part. Rather than trying to buy less crap or reuse things just throw it in the blue bin and problem solved.

Gardening and Recycling Combined

Combining gardening and recycling has to be great. Check out this greenhouse made from old windows. i'm sure you could make smaller ones to better suit your needs if this is too big. It will get you thinking about what else you can reuse.

Is Recycling the Best Option?

We have stuff kicking around that is still useful but one piece is missing or broken. We think were choosing the best option by recycling the product and maybe take it apart to separate more materials. What about repair? Platform 21 has prepared a Repair Manifesto as an alternative to recycling. They raise a good point and are asking people to submit their repair methods for anything. Repairing will reduce waste and maybe counter the throw away culture we've become.

Electronics Recycling Made Easier

Recycling electronics is not easy and since many of them still work they are difficult to part with. However, Best Buy has expanded their recycling program to all of their stores in the U.S. Since there are lots of stores it has become significantly easier to recycle numerous electronics.

Reconnect Partnership

The Reconnect Partnership is program involving Dell and Goodwill. They work together to recycle computers. They use Goodwill as collection centers like they already are for many things. Just go to the site and enter your ZIP to find a center near you.

Alternatively, find ways to reuse, repurpose or rebuild what you have. An older desktop in our house has just been rebuilt using Ubuntu rather than buying a new machine. It's like a new computer now and it was very easy. Several other ideas are available for older desktops that we may implement. Building a network storage or server, a server dedicated to Skype or a media server/PVR are possibilities. There are plenty of instructions online and software to do these things are readily available. It could even be a fun family project.

Digital TV

Digital TV is arriving in February 2009. This means that many television sets will be rendered obsolete. Take Back My TV is a project of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. They are asking electronics manufacturers to take back these old sets and design electronics with recycling in mind. Another alternative to trashing your old TV is buy a converter but if your set is on the way out anyway use a responsible recycling center.

Saving Stuff from the Garbage

Many people accumulate stuff but they can't throw it in the garbage. People who have children have this because they grow so fast. Then you end up with piles of clothes, toys etc. that are gently used. A website can help you sell or give it away.

HandMeDowns is a site where you can buy, sell or give away these items. It pulls in listings from around the internet and they have their own classified section, too. A great way to keep stuff out of the garbage.

Revive Dead Batteries

I found an Instructable (via Hack-a-Day) on how to revive dead nickle-cadmium batteries. If you have some technical skills, and still have the chargers, you can get these types of batteries going again.

This is a great way to keep these batteries out of the landfill. Despite today being a big shopping day it is looking like many people will being trying stretch the life of what they have. Saving money and reducing garbage are a good combination any time.

2008 Great Lakes Building ReUse Conference

If you are close to Buffalo, NY check out the Great Lakes Building ReUse Conference. The conference is about ways to recycle old construction materials from abandoned buildings and ways to rehab urban blight. Some of the work done in Buffalo is inspiring and since Buffalo architecture was in the NY Times recently I'm sure there will be a growing interest in the city's buildings.

Recycling Computer Hardware

I think I missed the boat on Blog Action Day. However, it does not mean that I can't still bring attention to something from that event. Lifehacker had a post about donating old computer hardware. You clear up some storage space, save electronics from the scrap heap and help out people and organizations that could use the hardware.

I know some jurisdictions have introduced electronic recycling levies and things but I haven't heard about whether those programs are effective or having any impact. Looks like individuals will have to take responsibility for their own electronics.

Will monitoring make people live green?

I've been reading that some places with large recylcing programs and garbage separation have bylaws to regulate how much recyclable waste can be included in regular garbage. SOme are as low as 5%. Apparently, if you put too many recyclables in the garbage you could get a fine. I also read about "Eco-towns" in the U.K. having everything monitored to ensure it is being eco-friendly.

All this monitoring and regulation makes me wonder if people would be more apt to particpate or will everyone just be compelled and scared into it without thinking. Frankly, I'm getting tired of recycling and separating recyclables. I hardly buy packaged stuff but I seem to have no shortage of recyclables to be put in the appropriate bin. I'd rather see more thought be put into the front-end of the production stream and less focus on waste recovery.

Electronic Waste In Africa, Too

I have written several times about electronic waste and have posted a few videos, too. I found another story out of Ghana where children are combing through piles of computers to try and earn a living. The report is appalling but it is not anything we haven't heard before. This is symptomatic of two problems in our society. The first is mass consumption without thought for the consequences. We can make individual choices to minimize our damage and help others do the same. The second is a function of our regulatory and economic system that (usually) makes it cheaper to pollute than to be responsible. As citizens we can make a difference in that area by being involved in our communities and governments. Electronic waste is just one of many environmental problems we export and until we start seeing piles of burning wires in our cities it is unlikely we'll do anything about it.

Electronic Tax

The province of Ontario has decided to charge a recycling levy on electronics. They range from $10 on a TV to $13 for a desktop computer.

I don't know if these fees will change behavior or cover the cost of recycling. Ten bucks on a $1500 TV is hardly going to make people think twice about buying it or how they'll throw it out. Just another tax disguised as a green initiative. There must be better policy options out there.

Junk Mail as Garden Mulch

This is the time of year when many people look to work in the garden. People check the soil, add mulch, peat moss and other materials to amend the soil and get it prepared for the plants they plan to grow. The allure of gardening is making things your way. Surfing the web I found that you can make mulch from your junk mail. I haven't tried it but the theory sounds interesting. There are many ways to turn "junk" into something useful and online they are seemingly endless for anything you want to do.

Recycling by Mail

The U.S. Postal Service launched the "Mail Back" program. The program provides free envelopes to mail small electronics, like MP3 players and PDAs, so they can sent to Clover Technologies Group for refurbishing or recycling. The program is available in 10 areas around the U.S. like D.C. and Chicago but I'm sure as the program grows they will expand it.

A simple and easy way to save some electronics from the landfill. I keep getting amazed by the simple solutions to these problems. If you live near one of these post offices go and get some envelopes and send your unused/unwanted items for recycling. Just make sure you delete everything before you send them off!!

Go Online, Save a Computer

Recently I have discovered the wide array of services and tools offered by Google. I have started using a lot of them. One I find particularly helpful is the Google toolbar for Firefox. I use Firefox and have done so for a few years now. What I like about the toolbar is that I can import all my bookmarks. Now I can have all the things I have found online anywhere. Now you're asking what does this have to do with the environment?

If you have an old computer you can save it from the landfill and use it without having to get the latest operating system. We know electronic waste is very harmful and we should try and minimize it. I think I have a solution which is not new but I would like to share it nonetheless.

Linux is a much less cumbersome operating system and can even be run from a CD so you don't need massive hard drive space. With a Linux based computer you can still access the internet. You access the internet and have all of your things online with Google. They have email, calendar, blogs, books, photos, documents and spreadsheets, and more. Add an online storage service and you can have it all with an old computer and no cash outlay for upgrades or a new one and save it from the landfill. I'm in the process of doing something similar as I'm getting tired of rebuilding and reloading my desktop PC. I've started using more of the Google services and I'm hooked. I'm finding new things I like about it everyday. Give it a try and save a computer from the dump.

Use your junk, I mean extra stuff

Many of us have lots of stuff hanging around that we just can't throw out because of the waste it creates. Just because I'm not using it doesn't mean it isn't useful. Via Hugg I found out about ReadyMade magazine and how they run MacGyver contests on using old things to make new ones. There are lots of sites on the internet that have a similar theme but I liked this contest because it had people making useful things out of old umbrellas. The magazine runs a challenge, like make something out of old umbrellas, and people respond. If you're handy or have stuff that you know can be used check the site and see if you can use any of the projects.

I think I have my network problems sorted out so I should be back to my regular posting schedule. Thanks for your patience and for sticking around.

Recycling

I don't mind recycling and separating my garbage. There are times when I find it annoying that I am doing the work of the garbage crew and that no matter what I buy I get saddled with all kinds of packaging. I try to avoid packaging but it is almost impossible. I've changed shopping habits to buy more bulk or larger size items to minimize on the packages. My area has a separation program that has four bins and is pretty easy. I found this article about recycling in Sweden and I don't think I'll complain too much anymore.