July 2006
Commercial RethinkWaste Nexus
Transforming the Way We Think about Trash
The U.S. manages to produce a quarter of the world's waste despite the fact that its population of 300 million is less than 5% of the world's population, according to 2005 estimates by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Paper and paperboard, food scraps and plastics dominate this waste. What can you do about this staggering fact?
Reduce :: Buy Green Computers
As part of your effort to reduce waste, consider purchasing a green computer. On July 24, the Green Electronics Council will unveil a web-based list of computers and monitors meeting the new Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) green computer standard.
EPEAT ranks products as bronze, silver, or gold based on 23 required and 28 optional environmental criteria. The required criteria include meeting the European Union's hazardous substances requirements (RoHS), meeting the Energy Star energy efficiency guidelines, and offering a computer take-back program.
The EPEAT standard was developed over a three year process with funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and input from more than 100 stakeholders representing purchasers, environmental organizations, computer recyclers, and manufacturers. product registry will be viewable and searchable by purchasers by July 24, 2006. To learn more, see www.epeat.net.
Reuse :: Use Rechargeables to Minimize Waste
Think all batteries are created equal? Well, they aren't. Rechargeable batteries are a great way to take part in a simple reuse activity that helps to reduce the amount of hazardous materials that are created through the manufacture of batteries.
And, on July 1, 2006, AB 1125 requires retailers to take-back and recycle rechargeable batteries. This new law represent the first time that California retailers will be required to share in the responsibility for collection and recycling of a problem product they sell. Make sure your retailer provides this service. To learn more about where to recycle your rechargeable batteries or to set up an in-house program, see www.call2recycle.org.
Recycle :: Clean Your Files Week
Starting July 1, 2006, the California Cell Phone Recycling Act (AB 2901) requires some of the state's largest cell phone retailers — Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, which combined control 86% of the wireless market in the U.S. — to collect used cell phones, at no cost to the consumer, to be reused, recycled or properly disposed of.
You can also drop off mobile phones to support collections to benefit community groups at select city government locations. For more information, visit our Million Mobile Phone collection page.
Do your part to help the planet: reduce, reuse, and recycle!
More Info
This article produced by South Bayside Waste Management Authority/RethinkWaste, a regional agency, formed in 1982 to help local communities manage and reduce waste. To learn more about us, visit About SBWMA.
To be added or removed from this list, contact the RethinkWaste Recycling Coordinator at (650) 802-3500.
