Thursday, October 15, 2009
Grenk and LaserCycle answer KCP&L’s challenge to ‘green’ their printing operations to reduce the major energy supplier’s carbon footprint
Grenk and LaserCycle answer KCP&L’s sustainability challenge to ‘green’ their printers and print supplies
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.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
E-Stewards video uncovers the infamous face of e-waste
from guest blogger michael timberlake
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.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Recycling program distorts climate change goals in diverting e-waste for commercial benefits
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!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Minn. Senator wants more research on reducing and diverting the e-waste carbon footprint
National e-waste laws could take a big leap forward soon if Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) gets her way. Sponsoring a bill with bipartisan support, Chris Newmarker of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that the legislation would improve the recycling of electronic devices by funding.research on better product designs, recycling technology and hazardous materials disposal practices. Read the whole story from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal here.
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.”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Best ways to reuse your e-waste: re-equip your office and IT electronics to reduce your carbon footprint
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
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.
Friday, August 14, 2009
InkCycle featured on GreenandSave.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
How to properly dispose of your e-waste
Ink and toner cartridges, computer monitors, cables, laptop batteries… they all make our lives so much easier when in use. But, when these items have finally seen better days and must be replaced, they could actually make our lives a lot worse.
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.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
InkCycle, grenk show how to produce zero-waste ink and toner; cut down e-waste
A lot of hard work goes into staying green and reducing a carbon footprint. Just ask the dedicated green individuals over at InkCycle.
When InkCycle set out to create the grenk line of recycled ink and toner cartridges, it took a lot of dedicated individuals to design a truly unique and green product. Here’s InkCycles inside look at what it takes to recycle ink and toner cartridges.
Company Announces Ink Cartridge Recycling Index – The most popular videos are here
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Despite Recycling Efforts, E-waste Creating Problems Worldwide
According to Consumer Reports, electronic waste is the fastest growing category of municipal waste in the United States. Americans alone accounts for 3 million tons of e-waste each year. As landfill space fills up quickly, developed countries are looking for ways to get rid of old electronics. According to greenpeace.org, companies in the U.S. have made e-waste a global challenge and as 60 Minutes shows, “much of this poison is coming out of the homes, schools and offices of America.”
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
E-Waste fastest growing U.S. municipal waste; recycling increase required
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition reports that between 20 and 50 million metric tons of e-waste is thrown away each year worldwide. Americans contribute more than 3 million tons yearly. The coalition also points out that only 13 percent of discarded electronic devices are recycled in the United States. Here, earth911.com reports that e-waste is rapidly becoming more of a problem, increasing at a rate three times greater than other municipal waste.
