Make Green Come True

It is commonplace to see recycling for aluminum cans, paper, and many household products.  Cell phone and electronics recycling is easier than ever before.  However, these unique recycled projects are being created from unusual reused and recycled materials that are far from commonplace.

1.  The Recycle House – Paper Becomes a Home

These low-cost homes are created from old paper products.  Each costs less than $5,000 and can provide a safe, durable, and clean environment for those without alternative housing.

Read more here:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/01/22/5000-dollar-recycled-paper-house-by/
2.  The Recycled Chair – Guns Become a Seat

Furnishings from recycled materials are popping up everywhere, but this recycled chair puts a unique spin on reuse.  It is made from recycled weapons from a civil war in Cambodia.

Read more here:

http://www.care2.com/news/member/366153879/720515

3.  The Recycled Shoe Polish – A Banana Becomes Shoe Cleaner

While not necessarily a product, this idea had to be included.  If you are looking for an eco-friendly and chemical-free alternative to shoe polish, simply have a banana.  The peel can be used to shine and protect your shoes.

Read more here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/28/polish-your-shoes-with-a_n_161559.html

We all know that you can recycle paper, aluminum cans, and other household waste, but there are many surprising items that may not seem to be immediately recyclable.  Shoes, glasses, and batteries can all be recycled or repurposed through special programs.

1.  Shoes – Nike sponsors the Reuse-a-Shoe Program that turns old athletic shoes into playgrounds and basketball courts around the world. You can also send still-usable shoes to programs such as Shoe4Africa, which pairs them with recipients across Africa who are in need of shoes.  Here is a  longer list of charitable organizations for shoes.

2.  Glasses – If you have old glasses and you would like to help others see, then the Lion’s Club offers a way to do just that.  They accept prescription glasses, nonprescription glasses, and sunglasses for recycling.  Give the Gift of Sight also offers a similar program.

3.  Batteries – Thankfully the auto industry has paved the way for car battery recycling.  98% of automotive batteries are now recycled.   If you would like to recycle other types of batteries, Battery Solutions collects nickel cadmium and lithium batteries for recycling nationwide.  For future battery replacement, you might also want to be green by using rechargable batteries.

As masses of people are rushing to the Apple store to purchase their new faster, less expensive iPhone, it is inevitable that there will be several older generation phones that are pushed aside.  Where do these phones go?  Less than 10% of consumers recycle their old phone after purchasing a new one.  Here are some possible options:

1.  Pass it on to a friend (and ask that they use one of the other ways below to recycle their current phone).

2.  Ebay - Earn some cash, perhaps not as much as would have been possible a few months ago, but at least your phone will find a new home.

3.  Cell Phones for Soldiers – support our troops and help them call home by donating your old cell phone (MGCT review).

4.  AT&T’s Recycling Program - bring your old phone to participating AT&T stores and they will recycle it.  Best Buy and other retailers offer similar program.  Check with your local electronics or office supply store.

5.  Resell It – Cash for Cell Phones purchases recent model phones to redistribute.

6.  Eco-Cell - helps support wildlife and zoo programs with 100% of the recycling earnings from donated phones.

Before you recycle your phone remember to do the following:

1. Back up important phone numbers from the phone.

2.  Clear personal data.  A quick search on Google or Yahoo with the string “how to clear the data from my-cell-phone-brand-and-model” will show you how.

3.  Cancel all service on the old phone.

For more options, there are also numerous other sites that list other recycling programs that may be available in your area.

Tags:  green Apple recycling iPhone environment cell phones Save the Earth Save the Planet

When your printer runs out of ink, there are several options both charitable and profitable that are eco-friendly. Below are a few ways to recycle or reuse your ink cartridges:

1.   Refill – You can take your cartridge to several office stores, department stores, and pharmacies to refill.  Walgreens offers an ink refill program that allows customers to have their ink refilled while they wait.  It is currently $10 for black and $15 for color cartridges.

2.  Donate – Programs such as Recycle4Charity and Advantage Cartridge offer fund raising programs to help turn old ink cartridges into cash for schools and charities.

3.  Recycle – Staples offers $3 off a new cartridge to customers who bring in an old one.  They also offer the Inkdrop program where you can mail in an old cartridge for recycling and receive a new one in your mail.  Freecycle has a similar program that offers cash back for recycling your printer cartridges.

When you purchase a new TV, printer or computer, what do you do with your older one?

If it works, check out ways to donate it to less fortunate through the Salvation Army, a local church, or other charitable organization.

If it does not, then you might want to check out one of the many electronics recycling programs that are appearing at technology and office stores.  Here is a comparison of two programs available through national chains.

Staples

- Smaller items are free, Large items may have a $10 processing fee.

- Earn $3.00 credit toward a new ink cartridge when you recycle an old one.

- Drop your items off at any Staples store anytime.

- Items are either donated to charity or disassembled and recycled.

For more information…

Best Buy

-  Drop off cell phones and printer cartridges anytime.

- Computer equipment may be dropped off on designated recycle events (check site link below for details for your area).

- Items are recycled or refurbished and sold, with a portion going to charity.

- In select stores, all items may be dropped off for recycling.  Find out more here.

- Best Buy will pick up larger appliances (with some limitations) free of charge for recycling.

For more information…