Choose socially-responsible e-cyclers (e-waste recyclers).

I've written about e-waste several times before, so I was pleased to see a piece on 60 Minutes about it tonight. Check out the video and the US Government Accountability Office Report on E-waste mentioned in the report.


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Did that scare you? It should, because according to the EPA, people in the US discarded 47 million computers in 2005 (compared to 20 million in 1998). When you add in cell phones, TVs, VCRs and other electronic equipment, that means we throw away between 300 million and 400 million electronic items each year. Here's how to make sure yours old electronics are recycled responsibly:

* The e-Stewards Initiative maintains a list of responsible e-cyclers. Check it out to find one in your area.

* The International Association of Electronics Recyclers is the first and only trade association for e-cyclers. Their members adhere to voluntary socially responsible guidelines for recycling. Choose a member in your area.

We all want to do the right thing, so take the extra step to make sure you doing all the good you expect.

"The most important political office is that of the private citizen." - Louis Brandeis

Sell your old electronics for recycling.

Right now on our kitchen table is an old modem. It doesn't work anymore, but I refuse to throw it away and create more e-waste. I already know how to recycle cell phones and rechargable batteries, but what about MP3 players, digital cameras, laptops, GPS devices, gaming consoles, portable hard drives, and, of course, my old modem? Gazelle will buy these items and more from you and recycle them. That's right, you GET PAID for your old gadgets.

Are you making a list of all the stuff you'd like to get rid of? Good! Every item gets an offer, and they'll even send you a box and pay for shipping. It's a win for you and for the environment. Here are three ways you can get started:

* Visit Gazelle.com to set up your free account. You'll be ready to sell in no time.
* Donate your electronics to raise money for one of over two dozen nonprofits. This is a great way to get your civic or religious group involved.
* Sell in bulk. This is a great option for schools, businesses, and others who have large numbers of recyclable electronics. Gazelle will make a personalized offer for your gadgets.

Electronic waste can cause real problems for the environment, and it reduces availability of valuable resources used in manufacturing. Recycling helps solve both of those problem and pays you for your efforts. Go Gazelle!

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

Eliminate e-waste.

I've written before about e-waste: the tons of waste from electronic tools and gadgets that poison the environment, poison people and animals, and help fund civil war. By now you know, that you can and should recycle rechargeable batteries from cell phones, cordless phones, power tools, computers and the like. You know that the recycled materials will be refurbished or used to make new batteries. But did you know that you can get paid to recycle these materials?

The mission of Cell for Cash is "to help consumers and businesses capture the value of their unused cellphones." All you do is enter your cell phone manufacturer and model. They'll tell you how much you'll get. (I could have gotten $8 for the phone I recycled a few months ago.) Enter your address to request a free postage paid box to send your phone. When it arrives, mail off your phone, then sit back and wait for your check!

There are over 100 million unused cellphones in the hands of U.S. consumers and businesses. This is a great way to get rid of them! Now you can eliminate e-waste in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, while you do something useful for the humanity and the environment, and GET PAID! How much better could it be?

Answer the 'Call 2 Recycle.'

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (a non-profit public service organization) just started a new website, www.call2recycle.org, with everything you need to know about recycling the rechargeable batteries found in cellular and cordless phones, cordless power tools, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. As I've mentioned before, it is very important to recycle these batteries. Here are three reasons why:

1) Coltan is a tar-like mineral found primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), and is vital in cellphones, laptops, pagers and other electronics. Congo rebel armies sell it illegally to buy weapons. Illegal mining of it in Congo's eastern lowlands has decreased gorilla populations. When you decrease the need for coltan, you decrease illegal mining and the reduce finances for the civil war in Congo. You also help protect gorilla populations.

2) Between 50 and 80 per cent of e-waste from North American cell phone companies ends up in China, Thailand, India and Pakistan. Workers are exposed to many toxic compounds and are paid $1.50 a day or less to break apart and process electronic equipment. When you recycle, your waste does not make someone else sick.

3) According to a Canadian report, 4,328 tons of telephones, fax machines and cell phones will end up in landfills this year. That's equivalent to the weight of 583 African elephants. We don't have room for that kind of waste. Recycling reduces waste.

Okay, so now are you ready to recycle? The cell phones are either refurbished for reuse or recycled in an environmentally-sound manner. The rechargeable batteries that power the cell phones and other products are recycled to reclaim reusable materials that are used in stainless steel production and to make new batteries.

Note that the website can be viewed in Spanish, Chinese, French or English, or you can call 1-877-2-RECYCLE for more information. So find a drop off site near you, and answer the call to recycle!

Recycle computers and electronics

Ever wonder what happens to computers and other electronics when they're no longer needed? Many folks simply trash them, meaning that chemicals such as cadmium, lead and mercury could leak from landfills and pollute our soil, water and air. Here are some other reasons to be concerned:

* In the next three years, individuals and organizations worldwide will replace more than 400 million computers.
* The average cell phone in the U.S. is replaced after just 18 months.
* More than 75 percent of all computers ever sold remain stockpiled in our closets, garages, office storage rooms and warehouses.

"So what can I do?"

* Visit EBay: Rethink to get more information on reusing and recycling computers and other electronics. In cooperation with several computer manufacturers, they offer ways to sell, donate or recycle your equipment.

* Read my October 14 post on cell phone recycling, to learn about ways your phone can be used to support your favorite nonprofit or end domestic violence.

* Read my November 10 post on donating office equipment to support college scholarships.

I have an old laptop by my bed that I haven't used in over 4 years. Guess it's time for me to do something with it. What about you?