Here is a clip I wanted to share from the television series Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. In this particular episode, host Mike Rowe learns about e-waste recycling.

click here to watch

Below is a really cool video I found, by RecycleBank, for everyone that shows how the single stream process actually works, and why it can save cities and families time and money from the normal recycling routine.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh4F3sZNLqA

Co-Founder and CEO Ron Gonen wants their vision to create a new economic model from this, called the Gconomy, Comparing it to the Industrial Revolution and the Energy Economy of the 20th century, the Gconomoy would correct the flaw in the development of modern economies that left our depleted the environment that sustains us.

This system saves municipal disposal fees, recycling companies earn more money from processing, corporations gain positive association and PR, and households receive a financial incentive to increase recycling. RecycleBank serves more than 285,000 households in over 90 municipalities. Go find if your household is eligible today at RecycleBank.com!

Some of the bigger items will cost you some money, but that’s what being an ethical consumer is about, right? Actually, California makes purchasers pay for e-waste recycling. Under its law, customers are charged between $8 and $25 above the price of TVs, computer monitors, laptop computers and portable DVD player that will pay for safe recycling.

Just like Kermit, It’s not easy being green…or cheap. But we will pay for it eventually if we don’t start taking ethical consumerism seriously.

Here is a map to get you there.

Using Grenk products to green their operations and increase efficiency, Kansas City Power & Light lauded the financial and environmental benefits of using Grenk and LaserCycle products.

“LaserCycle [and Grenk] helped KCP&L’s printers go ‘green,’ said Lora Cheatum, VP Procurement, who presented the green printer challenge. “Their remanufactured printer cartridges actually cost less than what we had been paying, and their zero-landfill recycling program supports the Company’s commitment to be more energy efficient and to improve the total living environment of the customers and communities we serve.”

Working through the Grenk affiliated LaserCycle, the 127 year-old energy supplier continues to implement environmental programs to lessen their impact on the environment, while saving money and keeping rates low for their customers. Visit their “Preserving the Environment” page of their website to learn more about their efforts.

The major Midwest energy supplier, servicing more than 800,000 customers in 47 counties, believes that dedication and leadership in fuel procurement, plant technology, and efficient power production and distribution is key in sustainable energy management.

Grenk would like to return the favor of investing in our green products by thanking the KCP&L for everything they do and continue to do to lessen their carbon footprint.

Check out this video from the Basel Action Network (BAN) that I found on the front of the Surplus Exchange’s website, a KC non-profit electronic donation and recycling organization and an BAN E-Steward Founder. It is far and away the best and most comprehensive video I have seen about e-waste. Covering issues such as corrupt ‘e-waste recyclers’ who make profits from donated electronics, pollution and contamination in developing nations due to primitive metal extraction practices, confidential data security risks in improperly recycled electronics, and poor legislation and enforcement by the U.S. and Canada in curbing this problem.

About BAN and the Surplus Exchange, a local Kansas City non-profit organization:

The Basel Action Network (BAN) is the only organization focused on confronting the global environmental injustice and economic inefficiency of toxic trade and its devastating impacts. Their E-Waste Stewardship Project is to designate and certify a group of recyclers and refurbishers that have proven a commitment to reaching the highest standards for responsible reuse and recycle of electronics, and to ensure every pound of e-waste is properly recycled and refurbished. Too often, corrupt e-waste recycling centers deceive responsible like you by claiming to operate environmentally-friendly while making profits through illegally shipping your e-waste to other countries or recycle their electronics below standards. The certification is to designate which non-profits and businesses adhere to this standard.

The Surplus Exchange is a non-profit organization that has been operating in Kansas City since 1984, and is an E-Steward Founder. Operating out of the West Bottoms, they take in donated surplus business goods and redistribute them charitably to the non-profit community, students in need, new businesses and are also sold to the general public to help divert the cost of their recycling programs and other efforts. Between 2005-2006 they diverted nearly 1500 tons of just electronics from landfills. However, much of the electronics dropped off or donated cannot be reused and are sent to a reclaiming facility with Surplus Exchange incurring the cost. You can help their efforts by donating or purchasing reusable electronics and business supplies, donating to their cause and efforts, or becoming an E-Champion by helping Surplus Exchange spread through forwarding information via your email. All donations are tax-deductible, go to SurplusExchange.com to learn more.

Not all recycling programs can be trusted.  This article from the Sacramento Bee unveils how a California recycling program touted to aid climate change goals actually became a way for Hewlett-Packard to benefit their own business at the risk of increasing pollution and costs to the state. Click the screenshot to read the entirety of this important and interesting article!

Best Buy is a strong supporter of Klobuchar, which has made great efforts to help people recycle their e-waste correctly through their stores nationwide.

From the story:  “Technology continues to advance, but our ways of disposing of electronic equipment haven’t kept up,” Klobuchar aid. “Many states, including Minnesota, are leading the way, but we need a national solution to ensure that all unwanted electronics are discarded in a safe and responsible manner.”

E-waste is the e-worst!

By guest Michael Timberlake

An average computer contains as much as four pounds of lead and a circuit board has over 16 hazardous heavy metals…these are not the materials you want in a landfill! Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to properly dispose of your old or damaged copiers, computers, modems, ethernet cables and other business/IT equipment. Finding the proper place to recycle or an outlet to donate old monitors, laptops and cell phones can be time consuming and frustrating in the average, hectic business life. All too often it becomes too easy to either keep old electronics in the attic or throw our e-waste out with the rest of the garbage.

However, that inconvenience can turn into a fun and creative avenue in the workplace and at home. Recreate and breathe new life into those dusty old TVs, printers and lamps with these clever ideas and guides. Whether you are more into the geek/technical side or the designer/artist side there are countless ways to make your e-waste into e-treasure.

Its easy to get started! Just simply type what electronic you are trying to e-create into any search engine and you’ll net hundreds of ideas and guides, from simple to complex, to help alleviate all the wires, cables and hardware crowding and tangling up your office or home.  Suddenly you may find you own brilliant e-inspiration to reuse those dusty old electronics you thought were digitally extinct (Oh, and dont forget to check out some of the reader comments where many of the best ideas are hidden).

Here are some of the best that I found in my search!

• Laptop Magazine has a section in its website devoted to reusing laptops with video and step by step instructions. Here’s one on how to make an outdated slow laptop into a modern entertainment center, perfect for online video business meetings.

• Ever wonder what to do with all those old cell phones you accumulated over the years? Well, this video tutorial shows you how to turn any cell phone with a camera into a webcam that could be used for anything from security surveillance and live web broadcasts to video Skyping and online business meetings. The more sophisticated the camera the more options are available for recording, but if you’re looking for a simple way to increase security at home or at the office look no further.

Don’t think you have the technical wiz to reuse your old electronic clutter? Use your inner artist to find ways around your home and garden for your e-waste to become e-art!

• A University of Illinois class actually specialized in making creations out of donated old electronics. Some of the most popular ended up being furniture creations and outdoor garden accessories. From CD vases and laptop mirrors to Mac garden pots and keyboard tresses, the possibilities are endless for all your old electronics.
• One of the most popular creative uses for old TVs, computers and monitors is turning them into fish tanks. But remember the tubes, wires and pieces removed still must be recycled properly. Here are a few good step by step guides to make that outdated electronic into a hip new iTank.

                Classic TV makes a vintage style fishtank

                The Mac G4 iTank

Some companies, such as MotherBoard Gifts and Fractal Spin specialize in designing and creating practical uses for circuit boards and other used computer equipment. Whether you are a DIYer or would rather simply appreciate some cool artistic hardware, these can give you some interesting inpriations for your own creations. Examples include coasters, picture frames, luggage tags and even earrings and cufflinks. But don’t let it stop you there, these are just a few examples of the endless artistic possibilities available in electronics.

 These clever innovators are finding new fascinating ways to reuse their old electronics, whether it be for technical uses or simple decoration. Get out there and find your imaginative awakening and cut down on the building up of e-waste in our environment.

This is because many of these high-tech gadgets and parts contain lead, mercury and other dangerous chemicals. Often referred to as “e-waste,” old electronics have become the fastest growing municipal waste in the United States. They’re completely safe sitting on your desk. But, when e-waste is dumped in landfills, the potentially deadly chemicals can easily absorb into the soil and groundwater, possibly even contributing to different forms of cancer.

This article does a wonderful job of explaining how to properly dispose of seven common electronic components.

1. Recycle your toner cartridges with an office supply store.
2. Recycle your ink-jet cartridges through a fundraising campaign.
3. Donate your computer monitor to a nearby school or charity.
4. Send your old CPU back to the manufacturer for proper disposal.
5. Find a group that properly disposes of old cables, many which can be reused.
6. Contact “Free Geek” for information on who can still use your old mouse or keyboard.
7. Give your old laptop battery to groups who can reuse the different parts.

Total e-waste (cartridges, etc): 265 tons
Plastics (converted to energy): 5.2 tons
Used Toner Dust (recycled): 5.4 tons
Office Paper (collected/shredded/recycled): 5.025 tons
Corrugate and other paper products: 113 tons