Green Technology

Wondering how to recycle that old cell phone so it does not go into a landfill??

Wonder no more .. Nokia to the rescue!  Fill in the on line Web form and Nokia will send a postage paid mailing label for your old phone.

"Nokia is committed to the environment. ...Be gentle on the environment and let Nokia recycle it in a way that conserves our natural resources at no charge to you. Recycle your old phone today."

See site for more details ... 

Via:   Nokia  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Plastic bottles are already recyclable (#2 type).  Now companies are looking at the amount of plastic per bottle.

Now Pepsico (owner of Pepsi Cola) has announced that they are " ...  introducing its lightest 500mL flavored non-carbonated beverage bottle yet.  ... has reduced the plastic in this bottle by 20%, which will eliminate approximately 20 million pounds of waste ... The lighter bottles will begin hitting store shelves this month."

" ... In addition to a 20% reduction in the plastic resin, there will be a 10% reduction in the label size and a 5% reduction in the shrink wrap film used to wrap the multi-packs."

“ ... challenge was to deliver significantly lighter packaging that would provide the same shelf life as the heavier bottle, withstand the manufacturing and distribution process yet not compromise aesthetics,” ..."

Via:  Pepsico.com   Link

Continue reading "Pepsi to use Less Plastic in Bottles" »

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How do you recycle old subway cars?  Many have already been re purposed into artificial reefs off the coasts of NY and NY.

NY City's MTA  " ... made more than 1,200 “retired “Red Bird” subway cars available to Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware and New Jersey.  [for] a new purpose-- to help form artificial reefs and become habitats for marine life. After we stripped the subway cars of components that float (oils, solids, etc.) and decompose, NYC Transit steam cleaned the cars, which were loaded on barges and “buried” at sea."

Via:  NYC MTA    Link

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One of the initatives of IBM's Project Big Green is to look for ways to resuce its' own energy needs and those of its clients.

"GIB-Services today announced a new energy efficient "green" data center ... will offer a first-of-its-kind energy model where a direct heat exchange will take place between the data center and a public swimming pool in the town."

"Located in Uitikon, Switzerland, ... is expected to create 2,800 MWh of wasted heat per year ... at full capacity -- the same amount of energy needed to supply up to 80 houses with heating and warm water for one year...."

"... Through reclaiming the heat, approximately 130 tons of carbon emissions can be saved. This corresponds to the carbon dioxide discharge of mid-size cars driving 500,000 miles."

Via:  IBM  Link

Continue reading "Excess Data Center Heat Heats Pool" »

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Nokia has an intersting "concept" phone that incorporates some green thinking ...

Read on for more >>>

" ... two parts – a wearable sensor unit which can sense and analyze your environment, health, and local weather conditions, and a dedicated mobile phone. "

"... sensor ... made from solar cells that provide power to the sensors. ..."

" ...phone and the sensor unit will be as compact as possible to minimize material use, and those materials used in the design will be renewable and/or reclaimed. Technologies used inside the phone and sensor unit will also help save energy."

Via:  Nokia   Link

Continue reading "Nokia Eco Sensor Concept Phone -- Looking Green!" »

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RecycleBank helps communites increase participation in their recycling programs via incentives.  The incentives take the form of awards that can be used at participaing local stores.
 

"Cherry Hill [NJ] was looking for a cost-effective way to reduce waste and curb rising landfill fees, and double ... its existing recycling program. By offering a reward-based initiative and streamlining recycling efforts, RecycleBank makes it easy for citizens to participate in the program. "


"... RecycleBank ... provides communities with a cost-effective and environmentally conscious solution to the rising cost of waste collection."

"RecycleBank ... [provides] ... tools to quickly and easily measure the amount of material each home recycles. ... then converted into RecycleBank reward dollars that can be used with hundreds of local and national reward partners. ..."

Via:  Recycle Bank   Link

Via:  Cherry Hill, NJ  Link

Continue reading "Recycle Bank and Cherry Hill, NJ: Increasing Recycling Rates" »

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The newly opened ACME in Concordville, PA is GREEN. 

How GREEN?  Very Green !!

Read on for more >>>>

" ... What makes this supermarket so special? LEED registration and hopefully soon - certification!"

... Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ... promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality."..."

The complete listing of all the GREEN work / thought / materials / concepts that went into this building go on and on but here are some of the items ...

Via:   Dever Architects   Link

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... "Several U.S. States are using recycling bins with embedded RFID chips. Bins are scanned and weighed right at the curb. An RFID enabled system, tallies credits for households that are above average for recycling. The system then issues recycle dollars that can be used at participating businesses for discounts. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Freecycle is a group that uses the network of its members to keep "stuff" out of landfills .. by making "stuff" available at no cost to its members. 

Think Recycle for Free.

"Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community."

To join a Freecycle group or look for one near you ... Link.

Via:  Freecycle.com   Link

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ebags, and online retailer of bags and travel gear ... offers a line of eco-friendly bags ... including recycled, repurposed and sustainable products.

"Many designers and bag brands have recognized their effect on the environment. As a result, they’ve created products using earth-friendly manufacturing processes and properties while maintaining design, form and function."

Via:  ebags.com  Link 

Continue reading "Eco Friendly Briefcases and Backpacks" »

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Fortune's "Brainstorm Green" is an invitation only event on April 21 - 22, 2008  in Pasadena, California. 

Set to occur during Earth Day, 2008 (April 22) the event brings " ... environmentally-minded business leaders and the green movement's brightest thinkers ..." together for "... for FORTUNE's first-ever Brainstorm: GREEN Conference."

" ... will be an unprecedented gathering of business and environmental leaders, as executives, academics, politicians and NGOs join to discuss the impact of the green movement and explore the opportunities and challenges facing FORTUNE 500 companies, entrepreneurs, government, and the financial world."

Continue reading "Fortune Brainstorm Green - April 21-22, 2008" »

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Earth Day is coming - Sat Arpil 19th, 2008. 

>>> Read on for more ...

" .... 1-800-GOT-JUNK? invites you to get rid of electronic waste the green way ...  will be out in numerous communities across North America offering free e-waste collection.* ... will properly collect and recycle thousands of pounds of e-waste on this one day. ..."

"*In some cities a nominal surcharge will be added for each electronic disposed."

See WebSite for locators by State ...

Via:  1-800-GOT-JUNK   Link

Continue reading "1-800-GOT-JUNK to host free Earth Day E-Waste Day" »

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" ... Japan will urge citizens to carry their own chopsticks ... and go shopping with their own bags instead of using plastic ones, in a bid to more than halve the garbage it produces."

"Japan aims to reduce the total amount of garbage — produced by both industries and individuals — by 60 percent of the fiscal 2000 level to 25.3 million tons by fiscal 2015 under the plan posted on the ministry's Web site." 

Via: Time.Com  Link 

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"PHILADELPHIA (March 24, 2008) – ... ARAMARK today announced a variety of environmentally-friendly practices that it will incorporate into its operations at Major League Baseball stadiums."

"... ARAMARK is working c... to enhance existing in-stadium environmental efforts as well as implement new programs to reduce environmental impact.  ..."

“...Our environmental strategy provides us with an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint, while continuing to deliver exceptional ballpark services and menus for our baseball partners and fans.”"

Ball Parks included are:

Citizens Bank Park,
Coors Field'
Fenway Park,
McAfee Coliseum,
Minute Maid Park,
Oriole Park at Camden Yards'
PNC Park. 

Waste reduction / carbon footprint reduction efforts include " Recycling glass, plastic and cardboard generated from game day preparation, bio-degradable service ware and cups and napkins made from 100% post consumer fiber, Recycling frying oil to be used as bio-diesel fuel."

Via:  Aramark   Link

Continue reading "Aramark Brings Recycling to Ball Parks" »

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We all have heard the phrase "one man's junk is another's ...". 

One way to "recycle" is to reuse and one way to reuse is to swap your stuff rather than throw it in the landfill.

The Chester County (PA) Refuse Authority has an online swap page where people can list stuff they are willing to part with ... and what they will take in return ...

" ... seccra-swap.com - the online place where people meet to get rid of their things of value.... Help one another to recycle and save precious space in our landfill. The environment thanks you. Don't throw it away, give it away!"

Via:  SECCRA Link

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Not all recyclers take old phone books.

Know why ???

" ... fibers used to make the books’ lightweight pages are too short to be reformulated into new paper. ... mixing old phonebooks in with other waste paper can even contaminate the batch, hindering the recyclability of the other paper fibers."

" ... phonebook papers are 100 percent recyclable and are used primarily to ... make new phonebooks! ... Old phonebooks are also sometimes recycled into insulation materials, ceiling tiles and roofing surfaces, as well as paper towels, grocery bags, cereal boxes and office papers."

>>>>>  To find out where to recycle your phone book, click the link and enter phone books and you ZIP, or city:  Link 

Here's some ideas ...  " ... pages make excellent fire starters in a wood-burning fireplace or outdoor fire pit. Balled up or shredded phonebook pages also make nice packaging filler in place of problematic polystyrene “peanuts.”"

" ...can also be shredded and used as mulch to keep weeds down in your garden. The paper is biodegradable and will eventually return back to the soil. ..."

Via:  About.Com  Link

Continue reading "Recycling Phonebooks" »

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... "MetroPaint is a recycled interior/exterior latex paint that is filtered to industry standards and tested for performance and environmental safety. " ...

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Used tires can be an eyesore and even a fire hazard (recall the incident of an illegal tire dump catching fire under I-95 in Philadelphia in March 1996).

The can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes due to the stagnant water they hold.

Here is an innovative solution. 
>>> Lehigh Technologies has developed a method of cryogenic grinding tires that results in a fine powder that can then be used as a component for a variety of products ... and imparting some of rubbers properties  (elasticity and flexibility) into the final products. 

Reusing recycled rubber can help reduce the carbon footprint of a finished good.

" ... Lehigh's flagship plant - one of the largest and most advanced rubber powder manufacturing facilities in the world. This ... plant in Tucker, Georgia, ... generates no environmental waste of any kind and requires no air, water, pollution or other permits."

Via:  Lehigh Technologies   Link

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Nokia has made a commitment to reducing its impact ....

Read how Nokia makes sustainable choices in:

- Design
- Manufacture
- Use and
- Take back and Recycling

Via:  Nokia - Susatinable Choices    Link

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Plastic water bottles are everywhere and it looks like they wil  be with us in the market place for some time.  They are light, easy to take along when travelling and od not break. ... PErfect ... except so few are recycled.

This newly designed plastic water bottle is both highly recycleable and uses less plastic. 

Read on for more >>>

"The lightest ½ liter bottle ... produced*, the new, 100% recyclable Poland Spring Eco-Shape™ bottle ... because it’s lighter, it requires less energy to make – resulting in a reduction of CO₂ emissions."

• "Is made with 30% less plastic than the average half-liter bottle"
• "Features a new label that's 30% smaller"
• "Is 100% recyclable"
• "Is flexible so it's easier to crush for recycling"

*  See link below for details ...

Via:  Poland Springs   Link 

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Cell phones have grown in popularity and their life cycle has shortened.  There are an awful lot of unused cell phones at best collecting dust ... at worst going into landfills and causing pollution.

ReCellular "...  processed a record 6 million phones in 2007, solidifying the company’s position as the world’s foremost collector, refurbisher, and recycler of wireless phones."

"In 2007, ReCellular ... Raised more than $20 million for charitable causes for 50 non-profit partners ... and Diverted more than 1 million pounds of materials from landfills ..."

The 6 million phones equates to:

"10 million kilograms of carbon emissions ... or ... enough energy to power 11,400 homes for a year, and produce more than 10.3 million kilograms of carbon emissions. ... or ...A year’s supply of
gasoline for 6,000 vehicles ..."

Via:  GreenerGadget.com  Link

Via:   ReCellular    Link

Continue reading "Recycle Your Cell Phones" »

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New York City is hosting the Greener Gadget Conference on Feb 1, 2008.  The one day event details:
 

10am - 6pm
McGraw-Hill Conference Center
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York City, NY

"... industry leaders, entrepreneurs, [and others] ... will gather to discuss the business case for the greening of the consumer electronics industry. ... featuring ...  consumer electronics companies ..., innovators from academic thinktanks, members of startups ... and some of the leading minds in the word of sustainable design and business. Topics to be addressed include: design for sustainability, product life cycle management, take-back and recycling programs, energy efficiency, greener materials, and green lifestyle and product marketing. An attached gallery space will feature a green prototype office display and technology exhibits from companies on the cutting edge of green tech."

" ... will showcase revolutionary design and tech innovations that will shape the future of the consumer electronics and change your world... for the better."

• "Environmental initiatives from leading consumer electronics companies, such as take-back and recycling programs"
• "New environmentally sensitive materials, product lifecycle and design for sustainability"
• "Innovations in renewable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, kinetic energy, wind and solar power"

Via:  GreenerGadgets.com  Link

Continue reading "Greener Gadgets Conference in N.Y.C. Feb 1, 2008" »

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Some schools are already green.  Others are just getting started.  Many need help with a structured program to guide them. 

Green Flag promotes 4 key areas:

-- Indoor Air Quality - looking at mold, irritants, etc
-- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, - pretty self explanatory
-- Non Toxic Products - cleaning products and others
-- Integrated Pest Management - for grounds and indoors
 

"Schools across the nation are using the Green Flag School Program to make their schools healthier places to work and learn. ... Achieve recognition for ... your school already does, and improve your program with the support of teachers and field experts across the country. ... check out the Green Flag School Program today!"

Via:  Green Flag Program  Link 

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Airplane recycling is just like any other recycling ... sort of.  Of course planes are bigger than household recyclables but older airplanes have a lot of steel and aluminum - materials that are easy to recycle.

Via:  ZDNet.com  Link

Continue reading "Airplane Recycling" »

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Now that we are well into 2008, many are already putting their trees into the trash. 

There is a better way.  Why no  RECYCLE your tree.

To find a place to recycle your tree ... check out Link.  Enter your State and City or ZIP Code and you will (hopefully) find a place nearby that will recycle your tree. 

My local municipality (in southeastern PA) recycler trees ... Yeah!   

Via:  Earth 911  Link

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Everyone seems to have a few old cell phones lying around.  looking for a good way to get rid of them?

Read on for more ... and find out how recycling your cell phone can be easy as 1, 2, 3.

T

Via:  CollectiveGood.com  Link

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It's getting close --- Here at the Green Dud's place it is less than C-1 (Christmas -1 day).

Here are some green ideas for a green Christmas:

(1) Buy a live (balled) tree instead of cutting down a livbe tree and throwing it in a landfill.
>> Get some credit back if you (like me) mulch the tree instead of throwing it in the trash).
>> Get some credit back if the tree was grown w/o extra chemicals and such.

(2) Get some new LED lights.  they are brighter and use way less electricity and should LAST A LONG time.  When your old strands are no longer working - Go with LEDS.
>> Added Bonus - no toxic mercury in LEDs!

(3)  Use paper shopping bags to wrap your presents and then recycle them instead of throwing them out with the trash.

(4) Recycle what you can of gift packaging (cardboard and paper are an easy one ... #6 PS if you ahve a place to take it.
>> Get some extra credit for buying gifts with minimla or green type packaging.

(5) Whatever type of tree you choose - consider recycled ornaments.

Via:  The Green Dude ....  Link

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