Zero waste. Is that possible?

I used to say that zero waste is not possible but after watching Planet Green: Eco-Tech: Zero Waste, I just have to change my mind about it. Through technology, waste is no longer a dirty word. In fact, Science has made it the in thing to work on.

When I heard that eWaste can be recycled 100%, I did a search and discovered that there are indeed companies that observe the "0% Landfill E-waste Policy" or "100% landfill-free Recycling Policy".

Down in Australia, we have IT Liquidators. In New Zealand there is Telecom New Zealand Limited through their take back programme. However, their eWaste are recycled in India by Allied Electronic Recovery Worldwide (AER Worldwide). The woes of eWaste I have posted about may soon be a history.

If you would like to learn new business ideas for reducing waste and live a greener lifestyle, Planet Green: Eco-Tech, is definitely a trendy programme to watch. And if for some reasons you cannot watch it, Darryl Duffe will be sharing his notes on each episode and post them on Sustainable WNC.

If you would like to know more, Earthwatch Institute has listed the non-profit environmental organizations and advocacy groups involved in this project. I am sure that you will be able to find more useful tips for a greener environment from the links to their partners' websites.

And if you would like to be involved in some manner, there are activities and expeditions for Earthwatch Volunteers that you can participate in. This will not give you an opportunity to appear on "Planet Green: Eco-Tech" but a write up on "National Geographic" is a possibility.

eDump? Want to stop it?

You have read about e-dumping and you are concern about how it can affect the environment?



So, what can you do to stop it? Here are some ideas of what you can do that I have posted on my blog.

Upgrading your mobile phone? Before you dump...
Recycing eWaste? Are you doing it right?

Make it one of the topics to talk about in events your company organise or in forums or societies that you are active in. If you would like to screen videos posted on youtube during your talks, check out the free youtube video download tool you can make use of.

Also, check out the recycling concepts of Matsushita Eco Technology Center in Japan and learn what materials and components they can recover from end-of-life electric home appliances to make "new products". You can also learn about the processes.

If you are in the transport business, maybe you can work out a deal with manufacturers of electronic product to collect and deliver materials and components they can re-use.

Recycing eWaste? Are you doing it right?

Do you know that they are companies in USA who will take your electronic waste (eWaste) off you to be recylced?

While you can get paid for paper, glass or aluminum cans you recycle, you may have to pay company, like GreenCitizen for recycling some of your electronic equipment. So, when you have to pay for recycling eWaste, what "services" are you paying the amount for? This video will give you an idea.



If you do not want to take the "green action" and pay just to get rid of eWaste, there are some other options that you can look into featured in this video.



So, before you discard your eWaste indiscriminately consider the following facts:

1) Your eWaste may land up in the backyard of poorer countries.
2) Toxic chemicals from your eWaste could be contaminating the environment.
3) Incorrect methods used to reduce the eWaste may be affecting the health of many innocent workers.