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Posts Tagged ‘eco-friendly products’
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Green Technology World Announces, ecoATM Unveils eCycling Station Consumer Electronics Recycling Kiosk With Built-In Cash Dispenser
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an article from Green Technology World, written by Jayashree Adkoll, about the first fully automated consumer electronics recycling kiosk with built-in cash dispenser.
ecoATM Unveils eCycling Station Consumer Electronics Recycling Kiosk With Built-In Cash Dispenser
Approximately, 500 million new electronic gadgets are bought by U.S. consumers each year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (News – Alert). And, average U.S. household currently owns 26 different consumer electronic devices making the total to nearly 3 billion devices in all, many of which are no longer in use and are un-recycled thereby increasing the toxic waste.
In an effort to encourage consumers to responsibly resell or recycle unused devices, a San Diego, California-based provider of automated self-serve kiosk system, ecoATM, announced that it has launched a new fully automated consumer electronics recycling kiosk, eCycling Station, featuring built-in cash dispenser.
According to ecoATM, the eCycling Station provides convenience, immediate financial incentive, and personal data removal for consumers. It leverages a patented, advanced machine vision, electronic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate and buy back used electronics directly from consumers for cash or store credit.
This completely consumer self-serve consumer electronics recycling kiosk can not only electronically and/or visually inspect virtually any consumer electronic device, but can also connect consumers in real-time with a broad worldwide secondary market to ensure best pricing.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Grenk Reviews the Top 10 Green Trends for 2011
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Grenk recently released a press release on the top 10 green trends for 2011 which has been featured on a variety of the top news sites.
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
GreenBiz.com Announces its Fourth Annual State of Green Business Report 2011
Posted By: Brad Roderick
GreenBiz.com has recently released its fourth annual State of Green Business Report 2011. The report highlights the increase in sustainable practices by many corporations even in a time of recession. Many companies have committed to a variety of green initiatives such as; reducing waste, saving energy and utilizing alternative sources.
State of Green Business Report 2011
The fourth annual edition of our State of Green Business report continues our efforts to measure the environmental impacts of the emerging green economy. We document how well — or poorly — companies are improving their environmental performance despite the challenges posed by the Great Recession, and begin to note promising signs for a sea change in corporate sustainability efforts.
The free, downloadable report measures the progress of U.S. business and the economy from an environmental perspective, and highlights key trends in corporate culture in regard to the environment.
This year’s report shows a dramatic shift is occurring in mainstream business: Companies are thinking bigger and longer-term about sustainability — a an analysis of businesses in 2010 shows that even during economically challenging times, many companies invested more in their sustainability activities and made bold new sustainability commitments. For example:
Monday, February 7, 2011
Illegally Dumping Electronic Waste Overseas Causes Concerns
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an interesting article I would like to share from the Vancouver Sun, written by Douglas Quan, about electronic waste being illegally shipped and dumped overseas.
E-waste exportation a growing trend
Experts concerned about hazardous overseas dumping
Two Canadian companies were recently fined tens of thousands of dollars after pleading guilty in court to attempting to transport containers of old electronics and used batteries to Asia without proper permits.
Environment Canada officials say they believe such cases are rare, but some recycling industry experts say there are likely many cases of illegal e-waste dumping overseas that go undetected.
Some Canadian recyclers just don’t want to deal with the cost of dismantling and recycling electronic parts the right way, so they’ll ship unwanted goods -either whole or in parts -to developing countries in Asia and Africa, sometimes through the use of shady international brokers, said Cindy Coutts, president of Sims Recycling Solutions Canada.
“It’s almost the cheapest way to get rid of this stuff,” she said.
Last month, N.W. Cole Associate Appraisers Ltd., of Halifax, was fined $10,000 after an inspection of a Hong Kong-bound container at the Port of Halifax turned up an assortment of old computer and electronic parts, Environment Canada officials said.
Meanwhile, Jieyang Sigma Metal Plastic Inc., of Toronto, was fined $30,000 after an inspection of two containers at the Port of Vancouver turned up about 1,200 used lead acid batteries and seven cathode ray tube monitors, officials said. One container was bound for Hong Kong. The other had been sent to China but was refused entry and returned to Canada.
Friday, February 4, 2011
SEO Site Manager provides Insight on: How to Find Responsible Electronics Recycling Companies
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an article I would like to share from SEO Site Manager, written by Reshma Patel, about ways to find responsible recycling companies for your electronic waste.
Computer Recycling Centers – How to Find Responsible Electronics Recycling Companies
Not long ago, CBS’ “60 Minutes” program broadcast a story on e-waste and global dumping. The reporters followed a trail of electronic recycling items from a Denver-based company all the way to Hong Kong, China and caught the so-called “recycling” company red-handed engaging in global e-waste dumping.
With over 80% of recycled electronics and computers ending up as high-tech e-waste in developing countries such as China, India, and Africa, we need to step up as responsible citizens of the world and choose computer and electronics recycling companies very carefully. We must support only those electronics recycling companies that are running both a socially and an environmentally sound operation, end-to-end. To understand how global dumping occurs, it helps to first understand the business model for electronic recycling.
To sustain as a business, electronic recyclers must generate enough revenues from all its recycling and reuse services and the reclamation of precious metals and other recycling materials, minus operating costs and the cost of de-manufacturing those items that yield no value (yet harm the environment).
The difference between an environmentally responsible computer and electronics recycling company and an irresponsible one can be broken down as follows: a) the way they generate reuse revenues; b) how they reclaim precious metals and recycling materials; c) how they manage the de-manufacturing process of low-value, toxic elements.
Consider the precious metal reclamation process for a moment. A responsible company would need to invest in having a safe working environment with proper protective gear for it workers and proper waste treatment procedures to prevent environmental contamination. In addition, a responsible electronics recycling company will operate using specialized de-manufacturing equipment that protects the workers from the harmful materials or dust that escapes during the de-manufacturing process.
An irresponsible recycling company avoids any investment in the de-manufacturing area. In fact, irresponsible recycling companies never lay eyes on the workers who eventually break apart the leftover electronic parts. As seen in the “60 Minutes” program, those workers are typically low-paid laborers from remote villages, who use bare hands and primitive tools such as chisels and hammers to pry the precious materials from the discarded items. The final discarded parts are then dumped anywhere – in rivers or streams or burned in a swamp – causing major public health issues.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
CNET News Article Announces, Study: By 2030, world can run on renewables
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an article I would like to share form cnet.com, written by Candace Lombardi about the possibility of the world running on renewable energy in the next couple of decades.
Study: By 2030, world can run on renewables
Scientists from Stanford University and the University of California at Davis have crunched the numbers and come up with a plan for how the world might economically and feasibly make the move to renewable energy in the next 20 to 40 years.
In a two-part paper (Part 1 PDF, Part 2 PDF) published in the journal Energy Policy, Mark Z. Jacobson and Mark A. Delucchi show in great detail the who, what, where, and how of implementing a renewable energy-run world. It includes solutions to economic, material, and transport issues.
Jacobson, an atmospheric scientist and professor of civil and environmental engineering, is director of Stanford’s Atmosphere/Energy Program and senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy. Delucchi is a research scientist with a background in economic, environmental, engineering, and planning of transportation systems at the Institute for Transportation Studies at U.C. Davis.
This latest study is an in-depth analysis of a plan originally put forth by Jacobson and Delucchi and published in the November 2009 issue of Scientific American.
The most interesting determination made as a result of the team’s due diligence to the world of energy creation and use was just how much energy the world wastes producing and transporting other energy.
The scientists estimated that the world could reduce its overall energy demand by as much as 30 percent just by transitioning away from combustion processes to more efficient electric processes for producing energy and hydrogen fuel cells.
Jacobson and Delucchi claim that the world’s energy could be originated from 50 percent wind, 40 percent solar, 4 percent geothermal, 4 percent hydroelectric, and 2 percent wave and tidal power. They also agree that financial incentives and management systems aimed at conserving energy during peak demand times would be key
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
InkCycle featured in The Recycler: InkCycle named WasteWise Partner by EPA
Posted By: Brad Roderick
InkCycle was recently featured on therecycler.com about receiving WasteWise partner status with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
InkCycle, a North American aftermarket company based in Kansas City, has received WasteWise partner status from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s WasteWise programme is a voluntary scheme that encourages member companies to reduce their environmental footprint. To achieve partner status, a company must demonstrate that it has reduced its footprint by utilizing innovative processes and well-managed materials management practices.
“It’s always great to be recognized for something your company is doing right, but for the EPA to consider us a partner, we are thrilled,” said Brad Roderick, Executive Vice President of InkCycle. “Environmental initiatives are truly a part of the culture at InkCycle, and we will continue to be a partner to the EPA, as well serve as a great partner and resource to our dealers.”
InkCycle’s environmental product line, Grenk, contributed to the footprint reduction of the company’s carbon footprint. The product line utilizes recycled cartridges, and has a no-landfill policy for used cartridges that cannot be remanufactured. There is also a reporting feature tied to the company’s CarbonNeutronics Index which denotes the exact weight of cartridge kept from the landfill by using the programme.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
10 Eco-Resolutions for the 2011 New Year from the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an article from triblocal.com, written by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) in Illinois, listing the top eco-resolutions for the 2011 New Year.
10 Eco-Resolutions
1. Rid Your Home of Toxins: Eco-Cleaning Guide
It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of all poison exposures reported to poison control centers involved cleaning products, with half of those exposed being children. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term negative health effects. The U.S. EPA has noted that the concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to one hundred times higher) than outdoors.
SWANCC’s Eco-Cleaning Guide is one way to make a difference by using safer alternatives to commercial cleaning products. The way you clean your home is a choice. The amount of cleaning products on store shelves can create a daunting task to find the best solution to meet your needs. Whether you choose to buy less toxic cleaning products or choose to make your own, there are many reasons to use environmentally-friendly products to clean and maintain your home.
2. Say Goodbye to Piles of Plastic: Bring Your Own Bag
Which is better, paper or plastic? The answer is neither!
Need a reminder to bring your reusable bags into the store? Visit conservingnow.com and get a free static window cling for your car which aims to help you remember to bring in your reusable bags when you shop. Not only do reusable bags save resources, they are sturdier for carrying groceries. Be sure to take a reusable bag into other stores too. Refer to the Eco-Friendly Marketplace at #8 for different styles of reusable bags.
3. It’s All in the Name: Forego Disposables
As a society, we are using an increasing number of one-time products such as plastic razors, cups, paper towels, wipes, plastic bags, paper napkins and utensils. These types of items usually cost more in the long-run and involve the consumption of more resources and energy than their reusable alternatives, not to mention that they do not biodegrade easily.
Buy quality, reusable, long-lasting products and rechargeable batteries.
4. From Scraps to Soil: Start Composting
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is a way to turn organics to include food waste, like fruits and vegetables, and yard waste trimmings like leaves, grass and small tree branches into a dark, earthy-smelling soil conditioner. Additionally, it can save money by lowering disposal costs and replacing store-bought fertilizers. It also saves water by helping the soil hold moisture, reducing water runoff. Composting can make a significant contribution to achieving waste reduction goals, especially if organic waste comprises a large proportion of its solid waste stream. There are environmental benefits too – by composting indoors with worms or outside in a container, valuable nutrient-rich organic resources are recycled, extending the life of our landfills.
Visit swancc.org for more information on composting.
5. More for Your Money: Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk greatly reduces the amount of packaging compared to individually packaged products and can also be less expensive. Purchase items with little or no packaging, bring your own bags for bulk items and bring a measuring cup with you if you wish to only buy a certain amount.
6. Think Global, Buy Local: Farmer’s Markets and CSAs
Buying local means purchasing food or other goods that are produced in your area. Buying local supports local farmers and businesses and gives you peace of mind knowing where your goods come from.
Visit localharvest.com for a listing of one-day farmer’s markets and continued Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) options.
7. Lighten Your Energy Load: Switch to CFLs
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Each CFL contains a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Because mercury poses potential health risks, the CFLs should not be disposed of in the garbage if there is a recycling option.
For a list of SWANCC communities that host a drop-off for CFLs and fluorescent lights, visit swancc.org. There are also other retail outlets for recycling of CFL bulbs.
8. Closing the Loop: Buy Recycled-content and Sustainable Products
As the world’s population grows and resources are used to meet every day needs, it is only prudent for consumers to examine their buying and throwing away habits, to minimize waste and support items that are made from recycled materials or sustainable/renewable resources.
SWANCC’s Eco-Friendly Marketplace provides references for a variety of goods that have less of an impact on our environment to produce, but is not an endorsement of any company, product or service.
9. Less Waste in the First Place: Stop Junk Mail
Does your mailbox suffer from direct marketing overload? The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and Catalog Choice are two places to start combating this problem. The result will be a cleaner mail box and diverted energy and resources that created the junk mail.
10. Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Care to learn more about how you can accomplish meaningful preservation and conservation measures in your everyday life? SWANCC has many programs and resources available to residents including compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling, computer and electronic recycling, document destruction and recycling, mercury thermometer recycling, pharmaceutical/sharps disposal program, shoe reuse/recycling, as well as many resources for waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
Visit swancc.org for program information.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
How To Green Up 2011: e-Waste Tips
Posted By: Brad Roderick
Here is an article from tolland.patch.com, written by Annie Gentile, about alternative solutions to properly recycle electronic waste throughout the world.
Going Green with Electronics in the New Year
So you received a new computer as a holiday present. Or perhaps it was a smart phone with all the latest features. Or maybe you simply splurged on yourself and got that Kindle you’ve been drooling over for months. Electronic gadgets are always a popular gift this time of year, but once you’ve got the new equipment all set up, what are you going to do with your old, outdated stuff?
If the terms “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” have not been a part of your vocabulary in the past, it might be time to start thinking about going green in 2011. Doing so with your unwanted electronics is a great place to start.
One thing you shouldn’t do with your outdated electronics is to throw them in the trash—especially if the item you have replaced is in good, reusable condition. A substantial number of today’s electronics contain toxic substances such as lead and cadmium, which are harmful to human health and to the environment. Most states, Connecticut included, have legislation in place that prohibits or discourages adding to the growing mountain of e-waste in landfills.
Instead of disposing of your still usable computer, you might want to consider making a donation to a local or regional non-profit organization that can reuse it. Town residents who have received a new GPS unit to replace an old, still useable GPS are invited to donate their old GPS units to the Tolland Fire Department, Inc, for example. Residents may be reassured their old GPS units will be put to good use in the department’s fire, rescue and emergency medicine service operations.
If you can’t find anyone local, contact the Greenwich, Conn.-based National Cristina Foundation. This not-for-profit 501(c)(3) foundation directs donations of used computer equipment to various non-profit organizations and agencies across the country that serve disabled persons, at-risk students and the economically disadvantaged for the purposes of educational training and job development.
Some electronics manufacturers have established “take back” programs where they will recycle your old equipment at no charge. Best Buy takes back most electronics at their retail stores. Staples has partnered with Dell and accepts Dell products at their outlets. Check their web sites for details.
However, if you find you must dispose of your electronics, “green” recycling isn’t always as easy as it might seem.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Green Celebrations Require Green Tips: How to Green Up Your Holiday Parties
Posted By: Brad Roderick
According to The Huffington Post, there are many ways to green-up your holiday parties, but Carolyn Scott has the greenest tips for readers.
This Holiday Season, Go Green!
By: Carolyn Scott, The Huffington Post
Executive producer, creator, host, writer, The Healthy Voyager
· Eco Invites
As nice as it is to receive a hand-written invite, we all know they end up in the trash. Use Evite or Ping and get the job done quickly without spending a dime of wasting paper.
· Real or compostable dishware
Sure, cute holiday plates and napkins are adorable and festive, but they are expensive and fill landfills like nobody’s business. Do your best to use real dishware by investing in some fun holiday dishes or even mix and match by borrowing from friends and neighbors. But if you’re not in the mood to wash a truckload, opt for compostable dishware or dishes such as VerTerra.
· Personalize glassware
A great way to keep folks from wasting cups and glasses is to be sure that they keep theirs the whole night long. Ask that folks bring their own glasses or get creative on ways to personalize their beverage containers. From wine glass charms to simply writing their name on them, this will do the trick if you’re using disposable cups or just trying to conserve on washing a ton of glasses.
Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carolyn-scott/greeen-holiday-parties-en_b_798030.html