Topeka Zoo joins with ECO-CELL for recycling program
Here’s a great article from WIBW.com on our partnership with Topeka Zoo. We are keeping cell phones and electronics out of landfills, and raising funds for the zoo’s conservation efforts.
“It is important that we do our part to help preserve important animal habitats”, states Brendan Wiley, Topeka Zoo Director. “By conserving resources and recycling the precious metals and other materials in cell phones not only are we helping these endangered species, but we are also helping prevent air pollution, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions”.
According to the EPA, if all of the 100 million cell phones ready for end-of-life management in the U.S. are recycled, enough energy would be saved to power more than 18,500 U.S. households with electricity for one year.
The Topeka Zoo encourages the community to recycle their cell phones and help save endangered species. To promote awareness of this campaign, guests turning in a cell phone to recycle will receive a $1 off their admission to the zoo during the month of November.
http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/Topeka_Zoo_Joins_with_ECO-CELL__106352798.html
“Today’s Green Minute” VIDEO: zoo-based cell phone recycling
“Today’s Green Minute with Jim Parks” video (1:25) on our Zoo-based recycling program. Jim gives a nice and simple explanation of coltan mining and our efforts to save gorilla habitats by recycling cell phones and e-waste. Another great success story from an ECO-CELL Silverback partner: The Louisville Zoo.
Yet another trip in The Wayback Machine.
We recycle PSPs and handheld games
Wow. We’ll recycle those old PSPs and obsolete handheld games when this beauty arrives: the Playstation Phone http://ow.ly/30eii @engadget
Stormy Tuesday reading
It’s been a stormy morning in Louisville, and I’ve been catching up on some reading:
- “A Comparison of U.S. Cell Phone Recycling Programs”
The number of cellular phones in use is skyrocketing, adding to the waste stream. We are already quickly approaching over 225 million cell phone users (ages +13 y/o) in just the U.S. alone. 140.3 million cellular phones go out of use annually and over 500 million used cell phones are left untouched in the drawers of American households. This creates an estimated 65,000 tons of electronic garbage. According to the EPA, the “vast majority” of that waste is exported to countries like India and Nigeria where there is little oversight of how it is treated. Computerworld described unregulated e-waste recycling as among the most dangerous jobs in technology. Of all e-waste in the United States, only 15-20 percent is recycled.
- “Freecycling: Get a Green Look for Next to Nothing” at Sustainablog
Freecycling is a concept that aims to keep the world in good shape for the next generation by stretching the life of the durable goods already in circulation. Furniture, for example, should never be thrown away unless it has become dangerous structurally. Couches, chairs, tables, and other pieces can be Freecycled to someone else who is willing to clean, repair, or update them
- Wayback machine: 2006 National Geographic article featuring Eric.
“But cell phones also include coltan, a mineral extracted in the deep forests of Congo in central Africa, home to the world’s endangered lowland gorillas. Fueled by the worldwide cell phone boom, Congo’s out-of-control coltan mining business has in recent years led to a dramatic reduction of animal habitat and the rampant slaughter of great apes for the illegal bush-meat trade.
…
“Recycling old cell phones is a way for people to do something very simple that could reduce the need for additional coltan … and help protect the gorillas,” she said.”
http://eco-cell.com/news/details/can-cell-phone-recycling-help-african-gorillas
We’ve been reading a lot of stuff from the early days of Eco-cell. We’re redesigning and rewriting a lot of the resource materials that we provide for fundraising partnerships. So, we’ve been looking back at some of the press clippings and correspondence from many years ago. It’s fun. Good rainy day stuff.
Learned a new term today: Urban mining.
Learned a new term today: Urban mining. The process of extracting rare earth metals from discarded electronic products. Check out the video on rare earth recycling http://ow.ly/2Zau0
#ecoMonday on Twitter: Our Green Halloween Tips
#ecoMonday. Sharing tips and ideas for a #green #halloween on the #ecocell blog http://ow.ly/2YYot
Green Halloween
As Halloween approaches, ECO-CELL wants to give you a heads-up on some quick and easy ways to make this years celebration fun and environmentally friendly. These eco-tips are an easy way to lower your carbon foot print and start new family traditions that are fun and environmentally sustainable.
The Haunted House
Use decorations with LED lights and a timer. LED lights are twice as efficient as traditional bulbs and cost less to 
operate. Running your decorations through a timer ensures your decorations are only on at the designated time; saving you money and using less energy. Instead of using gas-powered leaf blowers to get the yard in shape, throw a leaf raking party. This is a great way to spend time with neighbors and friends, while making short work of the fall landscaping.
Creating a Monster
Most costumes are made of plastics and PVC materials that wreak havoc on the earth in landfills. Avoid these materials by shopping at local thrift or vintage stores to find costumes or items you can use to fashion your own unique costume. Hosting a costume-swap-party is a great way to find the perfect look and keep harmful chemicals out of landfills.
Treats
Visit your local farmers market or grocer to find certified organic candies like chocolate, lollipops, liquorice, etc. Organic treats are made with environmentally sustainable processes and don’t have many of the unhealthy chemicals and preservatives found in traditional candies. Make sure to select items that have minimal or recycled packaging. When it comes to hauling “the take” home, give the kids a cloth bag, pillow case, or bucket instead of a plastic bag. A reusable bag or container keeps waste out of landfills and can be used again and again.
Bring Out the Dead
Recycle your pumpkins, gourds, leaves and leftover candy by composting them. Simply place these items in a 
“compost pile” or large rubber container, and nature does the rest. The composted items can be spread on your garden or lawn to enrich the soil. Composting keeps organic materials out of landfills where they break down and turn into Methane, a greenhouse gas and major contributor to global climate change.
By incorporating some of these eco-tips into your families Halloween fun, you make a positive impact toward environmental sustainability. To learn more about ECO-CELL and how you can help make the world a better place, please visit www.ECO-CELL.com.
Do your research BEFORE you recycle
Do your research BEFORE you recycle your cell phone. All recycling companies are NOT made equal. Get a personal reference or find out who else they do business with. http://ht.ly/2TOjm
The ECO-STUDENT
Now that another school year has begun, ECO-CELL has provided some helpful ECO-TIPS for parents and students (of any age) to help cut back on waste and save money. It’s important to remember that the back-to-school shopping spree comes with huge environmental costs. There are over 14 million students currently enrolled in the United States, making them (and their parents) a prime target of today’s conspicuous consumption driven marketplace. We seldom think about these costs and how our spending choices impact the world around us.
Gearing Up
Before rushing out to an overpriced bookstore, check with friends/senior classmates for anyone who may be able to loan you a copy of the textbook(s). If you must buy books this year, first check to see if there is an online copy. Many textbooks can be found in an online format, thus cutting out waste all together. If you can’t find an online version, make sure you buy used books. Reusing books saves you money and keeps waste out of our landfills. Instead of going to the large chain stores for school supplies, shop locally. Shopping locally is a great way to keep money in your community and it cuts down on the fossil fuel energy used in the transport of goods. Buy recycled loose paper and a binder rather than several notebooks. You can use the binder year after year and recycle the paper when you have used it all. Taking notes on your laptop eliminates the need for paper altogether. Always bring a reusable cloth shopping bag to eliminate some of the 50+ billion plastic bags that end up in landfills every year.
The Clothes Horse
Before buying new clothes, go through what you have and separate anything you can keep. If you must buy new clothes, try your local vintage or thrift store. Not only is vintage fashionable, but thrift or vintage stores are usually much cheaper than the malls. Also, by making use of something old you are eliminating waste and cutting down on the fossil fuel costs associated with new clothes. A fun way to go green is throwing a clothes swap party. Get together with friends and trade clothes; this way you all get something new and keep waste out of landfills. Clothes that can no longer be used should be donated or repurposed. For instance, 500 pieces of denim can insulate an entire house, and repurposing 1300 pieces of denim keeps one metric ton of waste out of our landfills! There are two companies that manufacture insulation from recycled denim and cotton fibers, Green Jeans Insulation and Bonded Logic. The product, called UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber, is made from 85% recycled material, making it a green choice for home insulation.
Campus Life
When you head off to school, be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. Tap water creates less pollution, uses less energy and natural resources than disposable plastic water bottles. 30 million plastic water bottles end up in landfills every day, so do your part by carrying a reusable bottle. Walk, bike or take the bus whenever possible. Walking or biking are great ways to stay in shape, and riding the bus is a great way to meet other students. If you must drive, try to carpool whenever possible.
Electronics are a huge part of any student’s life; make sure to unplug any devices when not in use. Laptops and televisions should be set to “sleep” or “standby” mode when not in use. When the time comes to replace and old cell phone or other electronic device, make sure to properly recycle it. Companies like ECO-CELL actually pay you to recycle your cell phone, a win-win for your wallet and the environment. Visit www.ECO-CELL.com to get cell phone recycling started on campus; it’s a great way to raise money for a RSO, an outside cause, or for campus sustainability efforts.
Find out if your school has a sustainability office, environmental club, or an environmental RSO. This is a great way to learn about all the green happenings around campus and meet new peopl
e.
ECO-CELL is committed to fostering a culture of sustainability and believes this begins with making a few simple changes to our daily routines. By following a few of these tips, you’re on the way to bringing about real change to our environment. Please visit www.ECO-CELL.com to learn about other ways you can make the world a better place.
ECO-TIPS for A Greener Winter
As we move closer to the winter season, it’s important to make a few minor adjustments at the homestead to cut down on those insane energy bills. If you’re like me, you put out your orange recycling box every week and try to walk rather than drive, but you still want to do more. Unfortunately you have little time and even less money. As it turns out, there are some simple and better still, cheap things you can do to live a greener lifestyle.
ECO-CELL decided to make your life a little easier and came up with a few simple and efficient ways to lower your energy costs this winter. As an added benefit, being more energy conscious and efficient lowers your carbon footprint, helps to reduce harmful pollutants in the atmosphere and best of all; saves you money!! Many people think they have to change their entire lifestyle to go green, but if you follow some of the simple ECO-TIPS below, you will save money and the planet.
A Trip down the Aisle
Next time you’re at the store, take a closer look at those strange looking light bulbs (known as compact florescent 
bulbs). Compact florescent bulbs are under $4 and will save you $30 dollars over their lifetime as compared to a traditional bulb. Also, compact florescent bulbs use roughly 75% less energy, which translates to a lower electric bill. Another cheap way to go green is by purchasing a dimmer/timer switch for your lights. These typically run about $7 – $10 and make it very easy to cut down on your electric bill by dimming the lights or setting the timer to keep them off when you are out.
Add another Layer
Adding attic insulation is one of the easiest and most effective home energy saving tips that will drastically improve the efficiency and value of your home. We all know heat rises, but did you know that most homes built before 1990 are poorly insulated? This means you are losing most of your heat through the attic/roof. You can easily add attic insulation to prevent this and may even qualify for a tax credit! Heat also escapes through doors and windows, so it’s important to check for anyplace cool air seeps through. Once you find the culprit, it’s important and easy to caulk and seal off the leak with proper weather stripping. While you’re in the mood, go ahead and check the duct work and seal it where necessary. Also, all pipes should be wrapped in quick and easy to install insulation that fits right over the pipe.
Cool It Down
When laundry day arrives wash your clothes in cold water; this saves energy and preserves the life of your clothes. 
By using the cold cycle you save energy, which cuts down on harmful greenhouse gases while keeping money in your pocket by lowering the dreaded energy bill and your wardrobe budget. Since you’re smart and added insulation, you can lower the thermostat a few degrees and stay warm without adding layers of clothes.
Turn That Thing Off
The easiest and most cost effective way to save on those outrageous energy bills is to unplug every appliance when not in use. Things like televisions and computers can be set to the “sleep” or “stand by” mode, but that cell phone or iPod charger has got to go. Only 5% of the power drawn by a cell phone charger is used to charge the phone. The other 95% is wasted when it is left plugged into the wall. Speaking of cell phones, did you know they can be recycled? Recycling your cell phone, or other electronics, cuts down on toxic ewaste and helps conserve critical wildlife habitat. Visit ECO-CELL.com for more information.
Keep on Recycling
And of course, continue to recycle. Not only can paper, aluminum and plastic be recycled but so can e-waste. Recycling not only allows us to cut our production of new materials but it also keeps unnecessary waste and toxins out of landfills and helps conserve critical wildlife habitat. Visit ECO-CELL.com for more information.
It’s Good to Be Green
Saving money is a great reason to go green, but everyday energy use decisions impact our world with serious consequences. To emphasize why you should implement these cheap and easy ways to go green; find out where your energy comes from. It takes less than five minutes and drives home just how important a green lifestyle really is. Simply go to: www.ilovemountains.org and select the “your connection” tab on the menu. Once you enter your zip code, this site will tell you exactly where your energy comes from and how these ECO-TIPS can not only save you money, but the Earth in the process.
By making these cheap and simple changes to your routine you can make a huge impact towards saving our planet!! Please visit ECO-CELL.com for more information on cell phone recycling, fund-raising, and conservation.
