http://earth911.org Making Every Day Earth Day: Recycling, Reuse & Renewal Fri, 09 May 2008 21:47:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Mother's Day is on Sunday; have you picked out a gift yet? The Organic Consumers Association [1] offers a few eco-friendly suggestions for last-minute shoppers that will honor thy mother and thy environment. Among the options provided: organic chocolates, locally-grown flowers and even reusable tote bags for shopping. But here's a few additional points for you: Try to find gifts with less packaging, and avoid lots of wrapping that will be thrown away Suggest that mom compost [2] her flowers once they have wilted, or dry them to create potpourri For Mother's Day cards, look for ones made with recycled paper [3] If your Mother's Day gift involves disposing of something old, use Earth 911's recycling locator [4] to find out where you can dispose of it properly. [1] http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12143.cfm [2] http://earth911.org/composting [3] http://earth911.org/recycling/identifying-recycled-content-products [4] http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/09/an-eco-friendly-gift-guide-for-mothers-day#panel-recycling-search http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/09/an-eco-friendly-gift-guide-for-mothers-day/ According to the Worldwatch Institute [1], Global production of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells increased 51 percent in 2007, to 3,733 megawatts, according to the latest Vital Signs Update from the Worldwatch Institute, produced in collaboration with the Prometheus Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. More than 2,935 megawatts (MW) of solar modules were installed in 2007, according to early estimates, bringing cumulative global installations of PVs since 1996 to more than 9,740 MW-enough to meet the annual electricity demand of more than 3 million homes in Europe. "Thanks to strong, smart policies in countries like Germany and Spain, the PV industry is making great strides in efficiency and cost, bringing solar power closer to price parity with fossil fuels," says Janet Sawin, Worldwatch Senior Researcher and author of the update. Not hooked up to solar power yet? There are still things you can do to conserve energy [2]. [1] http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5738 [2] http://earth911.org/energy http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/09/solar-power-finally-coming-into-its-own/ You would think online selling would be pretty green from its inception. But companies selling online both to businesses and consumers are increasingly buying and selling green products. Many companies are cooperatively designing products with suppliers. Their major objectives are to reduce waste and energy [1] consumption costs, although some companies are also trying to polish their corporate images and provide better customer satisfaction. In some companies, the effort is informal, and consists of putting recycle bins in the break room or copy room. On the other end of the spectrum are companies with formal written policies. The study on which this post is based can be downloaded from Online Market World. [2] If you're looking to green your workplace, get help from Earth911.com's Business site [3]. [1] http://earth911.org/energy [2] http://www.onlinemarketworld.com/index-2008.php?page=content/greenReg [3] http://business.earth911.org http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/08/online-sellers-increasingly-environmentally-friendly/ Looking to buy some flowers for Mother's Day? You can receive a 15 percent discount on 1-800-FLOWERS.COM purchases by recycling an electronic device [1] at the company's Long Island headquarters on June 4. Bring in a computer, monitor, keyboard, DVD player or VCR to One Old Country Road in Carle Place, New York) from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. All products will be recycled by e-Scrap Destruction. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM plans to roll out the program nationally, but there is no word yet on when recycling will be available at future locations. For those not in the New York area, find out where to recycle electronics [2] near you using Earth 911's recycling locator. [1] http://earth911.org/electronics [2] http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/05/1-800-flowers-launches-program-to-recycle-computers#panel-recycling-search http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/05/1-800-flowers-launches-program-to-recycle-computers/ Goodwill stores took in 23 million pounds of electronics [1] in 2004 alone, and estimates that 30 percent of them were unusable. As a result, Goodwill Industries met with the House Committee on Science and Technology to address the challenges facing nonprofit organizations that accept donated televisions, computers and other electronics. Goodwill wants federal government action with three items: Development of a sustainable electronics recycling/reuse infrastructure Incentives to manufacturers for product design changes that promote reuse Tax credits for manufacturers who partner with social agencies The primary goal of Goodwill agencies is to refurbished and resell electronics. If this isn't an option, Goodwill must take on the costs of responsible disposal. If you know that your electronic device is not in working condition, find out where to recycle it using Earth 911's recycling locator [2] instead of donating it for reuse. [1] http://earth911.org/electronics [2] http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/01/goodwill-talks-to-congress-about-e-waste#panel-recycling-search http://earth911.org/blog/2008/05/01/goodwill-talks-to-congress-about-e-waste/ Over seven billion Pepsi cans will be branded with recycling messages provided by the National Recycling Coalition as part of Pepsi's new "Have we met before?" campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to show that new aluminum cans are produced with at least 40 percent recycled aluminum [1]. Recycling factoids will be featured on 750 million Pepsi/Diet Pepsi aluminum cans per month. Find out where to recycle aluminum cans [2] in your area using Earth 911's recycling locator. [1] http://earth911.org/recycling/aluminum-can-recycling [2] http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/28/pepsi-cans-to-promote-recycling#panel-recycling-search http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/28/pepsi-cans-to-promote-recycling/ In addition to the magical plastic bag disappearing act that took place on Earth Day [1] at Whole Foods stores around the nation, the company has also tightened the belt on another major use of plastic—to go containers. Instead of the usual plastic, cardboard, or styrofoam (gasp!) containers found in most supermarket self-service food sections, Whole Foods customers now pile their ready-made salads and other such sundries into completely compostable [2] containers. Many stores also have composting programs, which complete a full circle of local sustainability. Store refuse is composted, the compost is sold, and the profits are donated to local charities. “This is just another part of our green mission, and it represents one of our core values, which is caring for our communities and our environment,” says Whole Foods spokesperson Kate Lowery. Here is a sampling of some of the other local and nationwide Whole Foods environmental initiatives: Offsets 100 percent of electricity used in every facility through the purchase of wind energy carbon credits Collects and recycles small electronic [3] products and batteries [4] Uses recycled paper [5] products Builds “green”: two stores are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [6] certified with plans to construct similar stores soon Working to reduce energy [7], water [8] use, and overall waste And remember, when you take the new biodegradable containers home, the final step is up to you. Libuse Binder is the author of 10 Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties [9]. Her work can also be seen at Weekly Way [10]. [1] http://earth911.org/earth-day [2] http://earth911.org/composting [3] http://earth911.org/electronics [4] http://earth911.org/recycling/battery-recycling [5] http://earth911.org/recycling/identifying-recycled-content-products [6] http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19 [7] http://earth911.org/energy [8] http://earth911.org/water [9] http://tenways.org/ [10] http://weeklyway.blogspot.com/ http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/25/losing-more-of-the-plastic-paunch-at-whole-foods/ Scottsdale, AZ—Businesses of all sizes have questions about being more eco-friendly. The newly re-launched Earth911.com Business site [1], sponsored by Staples [2], provides answers and easy ways that businesses can help the environment. Earth911.com Business is designed to provide solutions and suggestions for businesses in every industry. Highlights include: A searchable database of over 35,000 recycling centers, programs and events for businesses to dispose of the products they work with every day A customizable checklist featuring easy-to-implement tips based on industry and business size Step-by-step guides to green a business, such as starting a workplace recycling program, practicing green purchasing and recycling obsolete electronics Staples store locator for more than 1,400 stores nationwide that provide everyday recycling for office technology, personal electronics and ink and toner cartridges. “Since 2003, we've been working with Staples to provide actionable solutions for businesses,” said Earth911.com President Jonathan Smith. “Consumers are holding companies accountable for their environmental policies, and we want to make it as simple as possible for businesses to comply.” In addition to supporting the re-launch of Earth 911 Business, Staples has re-launched its own environmental Web site—www.Staples.com/ecoeasy [3]—to provide a one-stop destination for the eco conscious customer. “Staples is committed to making it easy for businesses to make a difference for the environment—what we call Eco Easy,” says Mark Buckley, Staples Vice President of Environmental Affairs. “Through the Earth 911.com Business site, Staples and Earth911.com are providing businesses with an easy tool to make their entire operations more environmentally sustainable. This helps both the planet and the bottom line.” About Earth911.com Earth911.com delivers actionable local information on recycling and product stewardship that empowers consumers to act locally, live responsibly and contribute to sustainability. Both the Earth911.com site and 1-800-CLEANUP toll-free hotline are provided at no cost to the user or taxpayer. Earth911.com centralizes information and resources into a single user-friendly, neutral and non-governmental network. About Staples Staples is committed to reducing its environmental impact and making it easy for customers to make a difference for the environment—what it calls Staples EcoEasy [4]. Staples is committed to protecting and preserving natural resources through its leadership in four areas: Recycling [5] Offering environmentally-friendly products Energy [6] and climate Educating customers and associates Staples works to support this commitment by: Offering more than 3,000 eco-friendly products Recycling materials throughout its operations Making it easy for its customers to recycle in its stores and online Using highly efficient energy systems in its retail stores and distribution centers Seeking collaborative partnerships with its vendors and non-governmental organizations Educating its customers and associates on how they can help reduce their impact on the environment For more information, please contact: Trey Granger Earth911.com 480-337-3326 tgranger@earth911.org [7] Mike Black Staples 508-253-0654 Michael.Black@staples.com [8] [1] http://business.earth911.org [2] http://earth911.org/about/partners/corporate-partners/staples [3] http://www.Staples.com/ecoeasy [4] http://staples.com/ecoeasy [5] http://earth911.org/recycling [6] http://earth911.org/energy [7] http://earth911.orgmailto:tgranger@earth911.org [8] http://earth911.orgmailto:Michael.Black@staples.com http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/24/new-site-helps-businesses-go-green/ EPA awarded six student groups last night as part of the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) competition [1] to produce future environmentally-friendly and profitable technologies. The projects ranged from producing plastic [2] from wastewater [3] to turning vegetable oil waste into biofuel. Each winner received up to $75,000 for development funding. All this year's winners: Drexel University—Production of Biodiesel from High Free-Fatty-Acid Oils Loyola University of Chicago—Innovative Biodiesel Production University of California-Berkeley—Electrochemical Arsenic Remediation University of California-Davis—Production of Natural Plastics in Wastewater Treatment University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—Sustainable Water Development Program University of Iowa—Point-of-Use Electrolytic Chlorine Generator for Drinking Water Disinfection To find more student contests, visit Earth 911's student section [4]. [1] http://es.epa.gov/ncer/p3/project_websites/2008/2008awardwinners.html [2] http://earth911.org/recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling [3] http://earth911.org/water [4] http://earth911.org/for-students http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/23/epa-announces-student-contest-winners/ Quantum Shift TV [1] has announced a new contest where anyone can upload a short video describing their ideal Earth Day Super Hero [2] from now through July 1. The object is to name your hero, develop a costume and create a storyline. The contest is open to people of all ages. For more contests, visit Earth 911's student section [3]. [1] http://earth911.org/about/partner/media-partners/quantum-shift-tv/ [2] http://www.quantumshift.tv/contests/12 [3] http://earth911.org/for-students http://earth911.org/blog/2008/04/22/finding-earths-super-hero/