Today, my daily perusal of Green Biz led me to this report on computer waste problems. Its an interesting problem. The average computer is discarded in about two years…but most business owners and individuals have no idea how to dispose of these outdated machines properly. In fact, about two thirds of all old computers are basically just sitting around because people don’t know what to do with them.
Its a problem we don’t often talk about, and that in and of itself is a problem. Here are some staggering facts announced in the report:

About 50% of computers turned in to recycling …read more

I don’t have too many unused electronics kicking around but I definitely have a few, like my “old” cell phone. It’s actually less than 4 years old but has become obsolete – doesn’t hold a charge and the company no longer makes replacement batteries for this oh-so-outdated model.
The sales rep who sold me my new phone suggested I place the old one in their collection bin to be donated to women who are escaping domestic abuse situations. My thought on that was what good is giving a phone that doesn’t work to someone in a dangerous situation? So the phone …read more

No matter what business you are in it likely takes a lot of electronics to keep it going. Computers, faxes, telephones, cellphones, mobile devices, copiers, the list seems endless and when these gadgets outgrow their usefulness you’ve got to figure out what to do with them. They have become e-waste, a global problem.
There is a growing awareness and a rise in activism in how to handle e-waste responsibly and it may be easier than you think. Here are some of the best resources from around the web for recycling electronics with the Earth in mind.
How to e-Cycle Your Gadgets at …read more

I’ve been with the same cell provider for five about five years. I actually don’t use the cell phone daily but it was and remains my “land line” in the US. On a recent visit, I tried to get a new charger for the phone, which is all of 2 years old, and the salesperson acted like I wanted parts for an antique.
They don’t make chargers or batteries for this phone anymore. The word of the day was “obsolete”, as in you are the sucker who bought a product which would become obsolete before its useful life was over. And …read more

EcoGeek recently posted about how Staples Tries to Make Recycling Easier by starting an “in-house” recycling program. Apparently, they are the first national chain to offer this service to customers. I have not visited Staples in quite awhile, neither in-store or online, so a recent inquiry has me realizing that the mega-chain has made some changes since I was last there.
Staples has, somewhat seamlessly, turned their “easy” tag line into a slick “eco-easy” campaign. It’s not their homepage sell but it is found here – with lots of “easy” eco highlights. Like eco-friendly products (pretty easy), easy ink recycling …read more