Recycling Electronics!

DID YOU KNOW THAT?
In 2005, the EPA estimated that unwanted electronics represented 1.9 to 2.2 million tons. The majority of these products, about 1.5 to 1.9 million tons, were discarded in landfills with only 345,000 to 379,000 tons recycled.

Many people will be getting groovy new electronic gadgets during the Holiday season.  Don’t just pitch what is no longer “current”.  You have lots of options instead of tossing in the landfill.

Donate! Many charities would love computers, cameras, etc. What is old to you, might be new to them!  Also consider children’s homes and youth groups.  For computers: http://www.purpleelephant.org/

Freecycle! You post it here, not only will someone use it they will come and get it!

Recycle! www. econewonline.com makes it easy.  Step 1: Select the product to trade-in and describe its condition. Step 2: Ship your product with the prepaid shipping label provided. Step 3: Receive your reward card in the mail

Sell. Post on Craig’s List.  They will buy your new, used and broken electronics with free shipping.  More info:  http://www.buymytronics.com/

http://www.gazelle.com/

Consider a solar charger for all your gadgets:

http://www.regenliving.com/

Organizing Your Holiday Cards, Part 1

I know, I know!  Thanksgiving isn’t even here and I am talking about getting started on your cards.  With planning and organizing, you can avoid doing everything at the last minute.  As someone who has had to help her mother do all her cards at the last second, I know how stressful and hectic it can be. I want you to help you avoid that.

These tasks can be done relatively quickly.  Do when watching TV; or listening to music.  I always suggest carrying everything in a tote so if you end up having to wait (at the doctor’s office, etc.) you can do something instead of getting frustrated.  Try and get started on these and have most completed by Thanksgiving.

Go through your card list. If you haven’t created a master card list, now is a great time to get that in a spreadsheet, word document, etc.  Really take the time to review.  Do you really need to send a card to someone you haven’t kept in touch with for years?  Who really loves and appreciates cards?  Most elderly people do, so be sure to include them, even if you send e-mail cards.  I suggest recycled cards made from a high post consumer content.

Update your address book/spreadsheet/e-mail list.

Print/collect return address labels.

Buy cards. http://www.mygoodgreetings.com/ http://doodle-greetings.com/ http://www.greenshanti.com/store/stationary/greeting-card-35.html

Creating homemade cards?  Get going!

Including photos/photo card?  Pick and order.

Do a newsletter?  Start a draft. Get the family involved so the burden isn’t with one person and make it fun!

Take one of your cards (or one similar to what you are doing i.e. with a photo, folded up newsletter, etc.) to the post office to make sure you have the correct postage. The last thing you want is returned cards!

Buy stamps at post office/online.

Part 2 and green alternatives coming shortly.

Organizing for Winter: Checking Propane Tanks

Before you store your gas grill into the garage, disconnect the propane tank, which must stay outside year-round (propane is impervious to heat or cold). According to the National Propane Gas Association, It’s against the fire code to place a propane tank larger than one pound in an enclosed area. A leak can cause an explosion. The tank must be kept at least 5 feet from your house.

After detaching the tank, test for leaks. Close the valve, then sponge the valve and the nozzle (where it attaches to the grill) with soapy water. If the liquid foams or bubbles, check the valve connection is tight. If it is, you probably have a leak. You might be able to take the tank to the place you purchased. If not, here is more information on disposing if you have a leak for Raleigh resident

http://www.ncagr.gov/standard/LP/LPgasConcerns/disposal.htms:

For those of you in other states, check your division of Consumer Services or Department of Agriculture.

Easy Way to Properly Dispose of Batteries

Recently Janice Marchok wrote about my eco-organizing business in the North Raleigh area newspaper of the N & O. http://www.northraleighnews.com/2010/07/28/3483/cut-down-on-clutter-but-dont-be.html

I had the chance to meet with her recently.  A  firefighter wrote in to let her know that you can drop off batteries at any local Raleigh fire station! With 28 in the area, there is likely one nearby for easy drop off.  This is an easy way to dispose of used batteries properly.

While you can use rechargeable batteries for everything (I would not recommend them for smoke detectors) they are great for many other electronics and items we use daily.

To find a fire station near you:

http://raleighnc.gov/search/content/Fire/Articles/FireStations.html

To learn more about rechargeable batteries:

http://www.greenbatteries.com/

Live outside the area?  Find out how to dispose of batteries where you live:

http://earth911.com/

Affordable School Supplies!!!!

If you have not heard of or been to The Scrap Exchange in Durham I wholeheartedly recommend a trip! This place takes stuff that people would normally toss and use it to create art or for other projects.

If you are a teacher, home school your kids or need back to school supplies, this is an affordable gold mine!  Some of the “new” items they recently received this month include: 1940-70s Vintage Magazines, Mini Glass Beakers and VXI Tuffset Headsets.

It is a great place for an alternative birthday party for kids, too or to get your creative juices flowing. For instance, they have wallpaper samples. I am in the process of repairing my old dollhouse for my nieces and those samples are going to be perfect!

Check out their groovy site:

http://www.scrapexchange.org/

For those outside of the Triangle area, here are some similar stores:

http://www.scrapbox.org/ in Ann Arbor

http://www.artsandscraps.org/  in Detriot

http://urbanore.ypguides.net/ in Berkeley

http://www.mfta.org/ New York

Clearing Electronic Clutter

Trying to get organized and declutter and not sure what to do with electronic clutter?

Check out: http://www.buymytronics.com/ and see if you can sell them your electronic gadgets.  Shipping is free and they take new, used and broken items!

Organizing Toilitries

Even though I am a planner, I am ready to roll in case some last minute come up. I keep all my toiletries packed and ready to throw in a suitcase. When I return from a trip I fill the empty bottles.   After I finish unpacking from my trip, I fill up.  Or use all those samples you have from hotels or the beauty counter.

Another great use for the samples is to donate  to a homeless or women’s shelter.

Or have a swap party with your girlfriends and part with all those half-empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner or other products that just weren’t quite right for you and find something you have always wanted to try!

Do not donate something that has become trash or unsanitary; if  it is in such bad shape you would not use it, do not donate!

Summer Newsletter

Attached is my summer newsletter with lots of tips!

Starting next month the newsletter will be monthly!

Summer2010

Easy Decisions to De Clutter

Hopefully people are still in the mood for spring cleaning!  Here are some items that when organizing you can purge.  Remember to know what your recycling guidelines are; donate to a charity or post on freecycle.com.  Even if you don’t have the time to repair, someone else might.  The Scrap Exchange in Durham is a great place for taking items for reuse:  http://www.scrapexchange.org/

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but for those of you challenged in throwing items away, hopefully this helps:

The 5 R’s of Eco-Organizing

Most of the environmental damage is done in the manufacturing stage, so the less consumerism, the better.  According to the EPA, Americans produced 254.1 million tons of household trash in 2007.  In 2008, landfills reported a 30% decline in waste levels.  Keep in mind the five R’s when you are getting organized.  Make every day Earth Day!

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