October 17, 2012

Help the Environment and Save Money with Refurbished Smartphones

The smartphone industry is developing at a rapid pace with the vast majority of people on Earth now owning at least one phone. While some people are content to keep the same phone for many years until it dies a natural death, there are possibly an equal number of people who feel compelled to have the very latest piece of smartphone technology such as the latest iPhone contract or Android phone. In today’s world of technology ‘the very latest’ can change from month to month.

One corollary of this fast changing world of technology is that it causes a huge amount of waste, with hundreds of millions of handsets being dumped in landfills each year. Many people will feel compelled to upgrade to a new device once their contract has ended and will simply throw an old phone in the bin rather than put it to some good use, especially if it is a particularly old phone.

The problem here is that mobile phones contain many obnoxious chemicals and it is probably not good for future generations if we keep dumping them in landfills. These chemicals are what are referred to as ‘leachates’, which can leak out from a landfill and contaminate surrounding areas. Some of the leachates found in phones include lead, copper, nickel, antimony and zinc which can wreak havoc on lakes and rivers.

Then there is also the cost to the environment of sourcing these chemicals in the first place, with all the health impacts and child labour involved. There are specific dangers for phone production, with many people working in manufacturing plants in Asia suffering from muscular degeneration and damaged eyesight due to chemicals such as n-hexane used in phone production.

Now there are companies who will recycle your old phone when it is no longer wanted, helping to prevent a lot of damage to our environment. They can either take the phone apart and strip it of its components with the aim of using them again in future products, or they can give them a bit of a clean-up (‘refurbish’) and then sell them on to emerging economies.

But while many of these refurbished phones will make their way into the developing world they can also be a great option for people living in the developed world too. Aside from perhaps a few cosmetic blemishes refurbished phones can provide exactly the same experience as a brand new smartphone. The added benefit is that they will cost significantly less to purchase.

Recycling old phones in this manner can help to cut down on the waste associated with mobile phone usage and also help individuals to save money when buying a new handset. Although it is not always possible to buy the very latest handset from phone recyclers, you can still obtain fairly recent devices that are in excellent condition. If you are not bothered about having the very latest device, want to save some money on your next phone and help the environment in the process then a refurbished mobile phone deal may be something that you should consider.

The Importance of WEEE Recycling To Our Environment

The following is a guest blog post by UK blogger Tom O’Rourke on behalf of Sims Recycling.

In 2005 the UK instituted Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling legislation in an attempt to address the mounting accumulation of landfill waste. IT equipment such as computers, laptops and servers; kitchen appliances; automatic dispensers; sports equipment; monitoring and control instruments; mobile phones; medical devices; electronic toys and sports equipment; TVs; video and hi-fi machines; lighting and electrical equipment; and electronic tools account for more than 2 million tonnes of e-waste each year in the UK alone. Globally, more than 50 million tonnes of toxic electrical and electronic equipment is discarded annually.

Unfortunately, only about 10%–15% of that amount is actually recycled. The vast majority has found its way into landfills or been shipped as export waste to developing countries such as China, India and Pakistan. These countries have no or only minimal health protection laws for their workers, and the result is that open-air dismantling sites, often in dense urban areas, expose the local population as well as the workers to toxic fumes from burning plastics.

Because the average computer contains more than 100 harmful toxins including arsenic, poisons such as mercury in electrical switches; lead in old TV cathode tubes and solder; and cadmium in batteries leak into the ground, contaminating the soil and leaching into ground water and drinking systems. The stripped remains are dumped along water ways, rice fields and rivers, causing further pollution. While shipping e-waste products to foreign countries may seem like a satisfactory temporary solution, in reality it is unethical and unfair to developing countries, regardless of their willingness to accept the rest of the world’s toxic waste.

WEEE recycling regulations are designed to stop this third world exploitation, keep electrical and electronic equipment out of UK landfills and force the manufacturers of these products to assume responsibility for their proper collection, processing, recycling and disposal. Throughout the UK licenced processing firms have been approved by WEEE recycling authorities and environmental agencies to assist home owners and businesses in sharing this responsibility.

These WEEE recycling companies are able to repurpose equipment, shred secure documents for client protection, recycle fluorescent tubes and destroy ink jets and toners. Local shredding plants can than take the dismantled and treated WEEE products and reduce them to 20 mm particles which are automatically separated into copper, plastic or metal components. From there, the collection of similar particles may be sent to recovery plants where they will be recycled as raw materials for new products.

From 2007 the WEEE Recycling Directive has had specific goals to effectively correct the problem of increasing electrical and electronic waste in the UK.

• Reducing e-waste through reuse, recycling and recovery has become a top priority. Studies show that as much as 50% of all discarded electronic equipment is still in good working condition. The pressure to constantly upgrade cell phones, laptops and other mobile devices for those with the newest features is only limited by the owner’s pocket book. Donating used but workable equipment to individuals, organisations or even developing countries is a much better solution than simply throwing unwanted units away.

• By holding manufacturers responsible for the proper disposal or recycling of the products they bring to market, more innovative approaches may be taken to create environmentally-friendlier units. Bamboo laptop cases are one example of designing with end life handling in mind. Additionally, creating products with a longer life may not be financially fashionable at the moment but would significantly reduce the volume of e-waste. For current owners of IT equipment it is usually cheaper to throw away and buy new than to pay for costly repairs. Turning this wasteful trend around will require cooperation on the part of both producers and consumers.

• Strictly enforcing the laws against shipping e-waste out of the country is also important. Since many manufacturing companies find this a cost-effective – albeit illegal – way to handle WEEE recycling, policing these practices and levying heavy fines will be necessary to ensure compliance. Government incentives could also encourage businesses to look for better, safer ways to handle their share of electronic waste disposal.

The WEEE recycling policies are designed to address the UK’s response to the fastest growing waste problem facing this planet. Bringing consumers, businesses and manufacturing companies on board is the only way to address our share of this problem. No one would ever want to discourage the progress and innovative opportunities created by advances tied to electrical and electronic equipment. But, as we teach our youngest children: “have fun, but clean up your mess when you are done.”

A Short Guide to Recycling Electronics

In 2007 a new set of rules and regulations were put in place in the UK to try and ensure a standardised and widespread practise of correct recycling and disposal of electronic equipment techniques. The initiative, known as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, was aimed at ensuring that the amount of untreated electrical and electronic waste going to landfill was greatly reduced and, instead, collected separately and dealt with in a different fashion to every day waste. The questions are – “Why recycle electronic goods any way?” and, perhaps more pressingly, “How?”

Why recycle?

The reason electronic goods such as computers or mobile phones should be recycled is that, if not disposed of in a correct fashion, they are potentially hazardous to the earth and the environment. In each and every electronic item are a number of chemicals which, if left untreated, can cause damage to the earth. An example of this is the lead toxins found in many electric goods; when released into soil and earth these toxins can cause contamination which, in turn, can prove potentially devastating to nature and the surrounding environment. Because of this it is important to find ways in which to either properly dispose of these items in a safe fashion or to redeploy them elsewhere. In fact most of the electrical equipment that is thrown away each year could easily be repaired or are still usable. It is due to these facts that the WEEE initiative came into play in the first place; with standards and practices it is possible to make certain that goods can either be redeployed or discarded of safely.

Which WEEE products can I recycle?

It is easy to detect which new products can be recycled as they should all feature a “crossed out wheelie bin” symbol on them to denote that they should not be disposed of in the fashion of usual household waste. However, older pre-WEEE directive electronics will likely not feature this symbol. This does not mean they should be exempt from WEEE directive measures though; just because a piece of equipment may be lacking the wheelie bin symbol does not mean it is illegible for modern recycling measures. More often than not any product that needs electric to power it, either via battery or through a plug, should not be disposed of in a usual manner.

What to do with WEEE equipment?

Disposing of electronic equipment is usually as simple as making a quick phone call. Many electronic equipment providers will gladly take these items away for either a small or negligible fee. Alternatively, local councils and governmental bodies provide similar facilities. Local civil amenities who provide this facility are easy to come by; usually a quick internet search or a flick through a local phone directory should do the trick.

Finally one area of electronic equipment that could and should be recycled, somewhat surprisingly, are batteries. In the United Kingdom special recycling bins are provided in branches of Currys, Currys digital and PCWorld stores amongst other places for the public to safely place their unwanted batteries. Due to the amount of chemicals contained within them, batteries should by no means be placed alongside normal waste. The same rules apply to mobile phones; their plastic casing is not biodegradable and they house many lethal chemicals. They are, however, as easy to recycle as batteries and there are many disposal points situated in supermarkets and the like which will dispose of the equipment for you in a safe manner.

Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) Journalism graduate who blogs regularly on IT solutions, networking, technology and recycling. He is writing on behalf of Equanet.

Five Ways To Go Green In Everyday Life

Green is the new black – isn’t that the way fashion-speak goes? Every day people are looking for ways to live a greener, more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Contrary to popular belief, going green doesn’t mean you have to develop a liking for woolly hats and hugging trees. There are plenty of ways to live a more eco-friendly life every day. Here are some suggestions.

Green Food

One of the first places you can make changes is in the food you eat. Cut down on food miles by buying locally grown produce – or go a step further and grow some of your own. Once you have a greenhouse, it’s not hard to grow most of the veg you need year round. For the items you have to buy, consider Fairtrade products (which means that the producers get a fair share of the profits) or organic produce (which means you’re not contributing to those pesticides pumped into the earth).

Green Living

A good start in greener living is to follow the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. Your council probably has a complicated system of collections in place for different types of household and garden waste. Use this system and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Consider having a compost heap for the peels from your organic vegetables – it will reduce the rubbish you product and will help your plants to grow too!

If you want to make a bigger financial commitment to green living, then build an eco-friendly house with solar power, wind generation and the best environmentally sound materials. It may be costly up front, but you might get a grant to help with the project and in the long run you will make big savings.

Greener Clothes

If you’ve got this far, then you can make changes in the clothes you wear. Organic clothing is produced from organic cotton, jute, silk, ramie, bamboo, or wool grown without genetically modified seeds or the use of pesticides. There’s also Fair Trade clothing, which involves local material sourcing, eco-friendly production methods and the use of natural and recycled products. This beautiful clothing may be a bit pricey, but you’ll feel great knowing you’ve done your bit for the environment.

Green Your Transport

While walking is about as green as you can get when it comes to transport, it’s not always practical. However, there are lots of other green transportation methods you can use, especially if you live in an area with great cycle paths and pedestrian walkways. Bikes, recumbent bikes and electric bikes are a great option to help you cover the distance you need fast – and for longer trips consider a green hybrid car like the Toyota Prius.

Go Even Greener

Finally, you can help others to go green by joining an organisation or campaign to spread the eco-friendly message far and wide. Visit the London Green Fair or check out charities such as the Earth Education Project, War on Want, Greenpeace, Healthy Planet or Population Matters. There are dozens of groups working to better the environment – and you can help.

As you can see, it’s easier than ever to go green – why not start today?

Sharon Hurley Hall writes for Eden Springs, the UK’s No 1. office water cooler supplier and the first in the UK to provide certified carbon neutral water. Eden Springs is supporting the London Green Fair.

Design a Stylish Green Dining Room

Every room in your home can receive the eco-friendly treatment when it comes time for an upgrade or total makeover, but one of the easiest and least expensive is the dining room.  While kitchen and bathroom remodeling will provide for a lot of impact (and a big return on investment), they can also be extremely pricy when it comes to upgrades (especially if you’re taking on the extras of an eco-friendly remodel).  So despite the fact that you may not get quite as much bang for your buck when you go green in the dining room, you can still create a lovely and livable space for your family to enjoy their meals (while doing less harm to the environment and saving some money, to boot).  Here are just a few areas to focus on when remodeling the dining room with your green sensibilities in mind.

  1. Flooring.  The dining room is not the place to install carpet (since the potential for staining is high), but you don’t want to denude a rainforest or gouge holes in the Earth just so you can have some great flooring (plus, you’re not sure you can afford the expense).  Never fear; there are plenty of solutions that will address both problems.  Reclaimed hardwood flooring is one good solution that will look fantastic and cost you less, but you may also want to consider a laminate (which comes with a warranty to cover spills).  If tile is what you want, forget marble, granite, or other natural stone and opt for ceramic, faux stone, or even stained concrete or recycled glass tiles, all of which are better for the environment and less costly.
  2. Paint.  If you haven’t yet heard about the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in most interior paint, it’s time you learned.  The fumes created by VOCs can linger in your home for years (even after the smell is gone), leading to all sorts of health problems such as respiratory issues, headaches, and even more serious conditions (they have been linked to cancer).  So nip the problem in the bud by opting for low- or no-VOC paints to create a beautiful space that is equally healthy for your family and the environment.
  3. Lighting.  Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are far better than incandescents, lasting several times longer and cutting your energy usage (saving you money over time even though they are slightly more expensive up front).  Plus, they fit into standard fixtures and now come in dimmer wattage.  But if you really want to do your part, consider installing special fixtures to house LED (light emitting diode) bulbs, which conserve even more energy.  If all else fails, use natural light by eating earlier or burning a few candles (drawing no energy at all).
  4. Dining room table.  This is the focal point for your dining room, so it needs to make a statement.  For an eco-friendly alternative to new furniture, check out estate sales in your area to find a gorgeous piece that you can give a second life.  Or look at an eco-friendly home store for dining room tables if you strike out with second-hand.
  5. Other furnishings.  Chairs will most likely come with the table, but if you really can’t stand the ones you’ve got, the most eco-friendly option is to add some cushions or slipcovers (made with organic fabrics) or simply reupholster (rather than sending the whole lot to the dump).  And if you’re on the market for a sideboard or hutch, look for refurbished items or simply repurpose something from storage in your garage, such as the chest of drawers that’s been attracting dust for years; a fresh coat of paint could make it the perfect fit for your remodeled dining room.

Fund-Raising Alternatives: Bottles and Cans for Cash

If you’re in sore need of funds, whether for household expenses, a much-needed vacation, or even a charitable cause, you can spin gold out of straw by collecting bottles and cans to be recycled.  One way to go about it is by doing it all on your own, but you’ll reach your goals a lot more quickly with a little help from your friends (or the community at large).  So why not think about enlisting the aid of your neighbors to get the bulk recycling you need to show a real profit?  By hosting a collection drive at your home, you might just be able to get the amount of recyclables you need to pay off the mortgage or send a fat donation to your charity of choice.  And you can do a good turn for the Earth at the same time.  Here’s how to go about starting your collection drive.

First off, you’re going to need to advertise, otherwise people will have no idea it’s happening.  Sure, you could just put up a sign and hope that people drive by and see it, but what are the odds that the random passerby is going to see your sign, go home to wrangle up some recyclable items, and then come back bearing them as gifts?  It’s much more likely you’ll fail miserably if you choose to opt out on the advertising and attempt to wing it.  Instead, think of some low-cost ways that you can spread the word about your effort.

One option is to advertise in the local papers in the weeks leading up to the event.  If you’re collecting for charity, you may be able to finagle a deal (or even get some papers to print your ad for free).  However, if you’re holding the drive for purely self-serving reasons, you’re probably going to have to pay, which sort of undermines the intent behind the drive.  If you want to advertise for free, you could try Craig’s List, putting up your call for cans and bottles on a daily basis in the weeks before the drive.  However, this could be hit or miss.  Who knows if people in your area are even looking for such ads?

A better idea is to post flyers around town, at local businesses and particularly in the neighborhood where you’ll be collecting.  Go door-to-door and talk to your neighbors (they’ll probably want to help you out).  Just make sure you give everyone plenty of time to save up their recyclables so they have something to donate on the day of your drive (a month is probably fair notice, considering how many people drink sodas and water bottles incessantly).  From there you’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out.

If all goes well and you get a lot of donations, you might just decide to turn it into a monthly affair.  The great thing is, you’re not only getting the money you need, but you’re managing it in such a way that you’re also doing a good deed (as are the people who donate their recyclable items to you).  Everyone is doing their part to cause less harm to the Earth by keeping glass, aluminum, and plastics out of already overcrowded landfills, not to mention working to slow mass production of these materials, which can come with its own detriments to the planet (i.e. pollution).  So everyone can feel good about their part in the process and the environment can prosper even as you do.

Darren Matthes writes for E-PAK Machinery, an industry leading manufacturer of in-line liquid packaging machinery. Whether you are looking for a bottle filling equipment or water bottling equipment E-PAK Machinery can tailor a solution to meet your specific needs.

Green Redecorating Tips

When you first set out to redecorate your home, you are likely thinking about the types of furniture that will fit your space (and your aesthetic), the colors you want on the walls, and which accent items need to be replaced while others can be saved.  You are probably more concerned about the look of your space than the impact your updates are going to have on the environment.  But as you begin to contemplate throwing items away to replace them with new ones, you may start feeling a bit guilty about the wasteful habits you’re perpetuating through such actions.  So if you want to move forward on the right carbon foot, there are several ways in which you can green up the redecorating process and make sure that the space outside your home is just as beautiful as the rooms inside.

1.       Recycle.  If you’re going to replace your decor, don’t just throw older items in the trash bin and send them to languish in a landfill for god-knows how long.  Reduce your waste by giving usable furnishings a chance at a second life.  Try hosting a garage sale, posting them on Craig’s List, or donating them to a local thrift store or shelter.  This way you can ensure that those less fortunate get the items they need to make their homes homier (rather than creating waste).  You may even get a little pocket change out of the equation.

2.       Concrete.  As an alternative flooring or countertop medium, consider some of the many options now available in eco-friendly concrete.  You can dye it, get it in patterns to mimic other surfaces, and then seal it to a high shine (or leave it matte).  It’s a great choice for modern homes and it is a lot better for the environment than buying hardwoods or supporting the harmful processes that go into making some other surfacing mediums (such as the harvesting of natural stone).

3.       No-VOC paint.  When it comes time to color your walls, ensure that you aren’t polluting your home with the volatile organic compounds found in most interior paints.  These toxins can linger in the air long after the smell of paint is gone (sometimes for years) and they can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea, as well as serious ailments such as damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system with continued exposure.  So look for low- or no-VOC paint to ensure that these harmful chemicals don’t compromise the very air you breathe.

4.       Reclaimed.  If you simply must have wood and stone in your home, then at least eschew brand new materials in favor of those that are reclaimed.  Flooring, cabinets, and countertops can all be found in a reclaimed state, and often at a discounted price.  You can even get furniture and fixtures reclaimed if you have the time to look around and a little flexibility with preferences.

5.       Organic textiles.  When you get to the final touches, the accents, you should opt for organic or humane textiles to round out your space.  Organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo fabrics are chemical- and pesticide-free (making them both eco-friendly and well suited to those with sensitive skin), and you can find beautiful rugs woven from humanely-treated wool (free-range sheep that aren’t slaughtered when they outlive their usefulness).  By choosing eco-friendly fabric options, you will make both the Earth and your interior more appealing.

Leah Remmin writes for Inlaid Woodcraft where you can find the finest quality inlays and designs for marquetry.

Recycling Your Business Supplies

There are about a million things in your office that can be recycled, from the obvious (paper products, cans and bottles, computer equipment) to items you never even considered (light bulbs, furniture, and plastic pen casings).  It’s up to you to decide how green you want your business to go, but these days, building up a reputable brand name practically requires you to embrace some form of recycling.  So if you’re looking to make an eco-friendly splash with your business (whether for marketing purposes or because you actually feel a sense of social responsibility), here are a few ways you can jump into the warm, toxin-free waters of the wide world of recycling.

1.       Paper products.  You are probably well aware that items formerly known as trees can be recycled in a variety of ways.  So urge employees to drop appropriate paper products (including non-shiny papers and cardboard) into recycling bins provided around the office.  And think about taking it a step further and purchasing recycled paper, as well.

2.       Plastics.  Providing bins in the cafeteria for plastic bottles (along with aluminum cans and glass) is a good start.  But there are a number of plastics around your office that you may not even realize you can recycle.  For this reason, it pays to check online to see exactly what can be sent for recycling so that you can cut down on chemicals released when new plastics are created.  Plus, there are companies that only recycle plastic and would probably be delighted to get your castoffs.

3.       Ink cartridges.  Many ink cartridges for printers and copy machines can be sent back to the manufacturer to be refilled and used again.  Some come with a postage-paid return envelope or box for just this purpose and if you contact your retailer directly, they may even offer a discount on future purchases for every cartridge you return.

4.       Equipment.  Electronics, in particular, are easy to recycle.  Those in good working order can be sold off or auctioned to employees if you’re upgrading, while items that no longer work will be hauled away for recycling by your trash company (usually as a special pick-up).  And don’t forget to check for free hazardous materials recycling days in your area.

5.       Furniture.  If you’re office is undergoing renovations, you’re likely to have a lot of old furniture to get rid of.  Contact local thrift stores or reclaimed-furniture retailers to see if they’ll do a pick-up at your location or sell items off to other local businesses that are looking for second-hand items.

6.       Fixtures.  Don’t toss old lamps, lights, or bathroom fixtures when you remodel your office.  Reuse them if possible, sell them if you can, or donate them to appropriate second-hand retailers to ensure that perfectly good items don’t end up in the dump.

7.       Flooring.  Your carpeting likely gets a lot of wear and tear.  So when you go to replace it, consider sending it to a recycling facility instead.  While most synthetic fibers won’t decompose, you can give them a second life by turning them over to a facility that will clean and resell them as remnants, instead of letting them languish in the landfill.

Jamie Lewis writes for Ink Factory, where you can find an incredible selection of HP ink cartridges and toner cartridges along with a variety of other top brands and items.

How to Recycle Your Electronics

As most of our wallets are painfully aware, technology is always improving at an exponential rate. The need to upgrade our electronics becomes more apparent each day. The average shelf-life of a brand new TV or Computer is only a few years. That means that the average person will go through dozens in their lifetime. However, it’s important to remember that the more we feel the need to replace our electronics, the greater the environmental impact these old electronics make.

There is a way to curb this problem though – and that is to recycle all of your used products. While most people would love to recycle, a lot simply don’t know how. Truth be told, it’s actually pretty easy once you have the knowledge. You could even make a bit of cash in the process!

Resell: The first (and best) option for you would be to resell your old items. Not only will this give you money back, but it will also allow someone to buy that same item in working condition for only a fraction of the cost it would have been if it were new.

Provided they aren’t broken and have sustained minimum wear-and-tear, they could get you back a large percentage of what you spent to buy them. To resell privately, Craigslist is great for reselling locally. All you need to do is post your item and wait for someone to e-mail you with an offer. Then, they can come pick it up, cash in hand. E-Bay is great for if you want to resell globally. To figure out what price you should sell your item for, look up how much money other used similar items are going for.

If you don’t wish to sell these items on your own, or simply don’t have the time, most electronics stores will buy your used items from you. Some manufacturers will buy back your used items directly. The best way to know whether or not a particular manufacturer does this is to contact them, visit their website or consult the documentation that came with the product.

Donate: If you cannot or do not want to resell your items (perhaps because they are beyond repair), there are plenty of options to donate your items without any cost to you. Websites such as EcyclingCentral, DigitalTips and E-Stewards offer a wealth of resources to finding recycle centers near you. You can even find recycling events in your area, making the ability to recycle that much easier.

Finally, almost every manufacturer will take back their used items even if they will not compensate you for it. Your old cell-phones, for instance, merely need to be brought into any cell-phone store and dropped off in a used cell-phone box. Then, your old cell-phones may go to use in the hands of those who truly need it. If you can’t bring an item back to a manufacturer, they may offer to pay for shipping should you choose to ship the old item back to them.

Shaina Indovino writes for Home Equity Loan which aims to inform individuals about different loan options and what each option entails.

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