In the days of electronic overload new products are coming out practically every day. So, if you feel it is time for an upgrade, what do you do with the old product?
Tossing it in the trash may seem like a simple solution. However, electronics such as computers, cell phones, and some televisions contain various toxins. For instance, cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in computers and certain T.V.s contain heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium. These metals can be extremely harmful if they get into our water. There is also the danger of special plastics, used in most electronics, releasing particles that can enter the bloodstream.
There is currently no law in the United States addressing this issue. However, at the rate we replace electronics, the harmful materials could be accumulating as I write.
With that in mind, here are a few suggestions. Many cell phone and television companies can recycle your old phone or T.V. There are also a lot of cell phone drives in which you can donate your old phone. Similar to cell phones, many companies will take your old computer or hardware (small fess may apply.) The company will recycle or refurbish the item. There are also organizations that will gladly accept your old computer as a donation.
Showing posts with label environmentally friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environmentally friendly. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Environmental Education
We are regularly reminded of the steady decline of our environment. Children especially are told to be conscientious, or their generation and future generations will be in danger.
The question is; are children being educated, or nagged? It is important for children to see what physically makes up the environment.
Many schools in New Jersey are taking a step in the right direction. Schools are organizing Environmental Education trips so the students can step away from video games and get their hands dirty.
In Sussex County, Fairview Lake YMCA is not only a summer camp and weekend recreation spot, but also an EE facility. In one school week up to three hundred students may come through the gates at Fairview.
The students range in age from kindergarten to college. The classes are designed to get the students outside and give them a hands on way to enjoy what is around them.
It’s important for the kids to not only learn, but also to see how the environment works. With that in mind Fairview facilitates various classes including, stream ecology, a swamp walk, and a 3 mile hike get the students up close to different animals and eco systems. They also offer a paper making class, in which the students learn how to make paper from recycled newspaper.
Students coming from cities have sometimes never been in the woods before. The hands on atmosphere of EE is undoubtedly a positive experience for these children. However, what happens when the students go home?
Are these children seeing positive examples in the home and community? Children need to see what their impact is on the environment. The easiest things for a family and a community to demonstrate to it’s youth are the 3 R’s. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
According to the NJ Solid and Hazardous Waste Program, Sussex County set a fair example. In 2005 the county recycled a total of 48.5% of all recyclable material.
Education programs and good examples are just steps in the process of educating children on the environment that surrounds them. It is important for families and communities to be consistent so children can get a good picture of the impact they can have.
The question is; are children being educated, or nagged? It is important for children to see what physically makes up the environment.
Many schools in New Jersey are taking a step in the right direction. Schools are organizing Environmental Education trips so the students can step away from video games and get their hands dirty.
In Sussex County, Fairview Lake YMCA is not only a summer camp and weekend recreation spot, but also an EE facility. In one school week up to three hundred students may come through the gates at Fairview.
The students range in age from kindergarten to college. The classes are designed to get the students outside and give them a hands on way to enjoy what is around them.
It’s important for the kids to not only learn, but also to see how the environment works. With that in mind Fairview facilitates various classes including, stream ecology, a swamp walk, and a 3 mile hike get the students up close to different animals and eco systems. They also offer a paper making class, in which the students learn how to make paper from recycled newspaper.
Students coming from cities have sometimes never been in the woods before. The hands on atmosphere of EE is undoubtedly a positive experience for these children. However, what happens when the students go home?
Are these children seeing positive examples in the home and community? Children need to see what their impact is on the environment. The easiest things for a family and a community to demonstrate to it’s youth are the 3 R’s. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
According to the NJ Solid and Hazardous Waste Program, Sussex County set a fair example. In 2005 the county recycled a total of 48.5% of all recyclable material.
Education programs and good examples are just steps in the process of educating children on the environment that surrounds them. It is important for families and communities to be consistent so children can get a good picture of the impact they can have.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Green Points System
GreenOfficeStore.com has a great feature to make your "green" shopping quick and easy. This feature is The Green Points System. The point system graphic can be found on every product detail page.
Similar to hotel stars, GreenOfficeStore.com products are awarded leaves based on how "green" they are. Each product is reviewed for its "green" features. The product is then given points based on its features. For example, a product that is recycled with 100% post-consumer waste is given more points than a product that is simply recycled.
Don't worry if the product you are viewing has only two leaves. Unlike other sites, GreenOfficeStore.com ONLY sells products that are environmentally friendly.
The Green Points System makes it quick and easy for the customer to find a product. Instead of searching through thousands of products for the four that are environmentally friendly, GreenOfficeStore.com provides "green" choices.
Not only do we provide choices, but GreenOfficeStore.com also helps in the sometimes difficult decision making process. Each product description includes how the product is environmentally friendly!
We appreciate your efforts to purchase "green" supplies and we want to make it easier for you. The Green Points System is just another way we help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Similar to hotel stars, GreenOfficeStore.com products are awarded leaves based on how "green" they are. Each product is reviewed for its "green" features. The product is then given points based on its features. For example, a product that is recycled with 100% post-consumer waste is given more points than a product that is simply recycled.
Don't worry if the product you are viewing has only two leaves. Unlike other sites, GreenOfficeStore.com ONLY sells products that are environmentally friendly.
The Green Points System makes it quick and easy for the customer to find a product. Instead of searching through thousands of products for the four that are environmentally friendly, GreenOfficeStore.com provides "green" choices.
Not only do we provide choices, but GreenOfficeStore.com also helps in the sometimes difficult decision making process. Each product description includes how the product is environmentally friendly!
We appreciate your efforts to purchase "green" supplies and we want to make it easier for you. The Green Points System is just another way we help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Welcome To The GreenOfficeStore.com Blog!
GreenOfficeStore.com was founded in 2007 with the goal of providing recycled, environmentally responsible and energy efficient office supplies to businesses and individuals. We operate with the knowledge that a business can be run both successfully and responsibly. It is our vision to present companies with many, smarter choices and products for conducting business on a daily basis.
Just as the color ‘green’ includes it’s own rainbow of hues – the issues of climate change, eco and social responsibility and sustainability encompass a wide array of choices and alternatives. Whether your company has developed it’s own strong ‘green’ initiatives or is just beginning to ease into eco-awareness, GreenOfficeStore.com can provide you with quality products, at a fair price, with an eye towards environmental responsibility.
To us, the environment isn’t just some far off place. It is the lawn under your feet, the food on our plates, and the air we all breathe. Global warming, the depletion of our natural resources, destruction of ecosystems and decades of wasteful practices are issues for us all. We believe that small, incremental changes towards earth-friendly practices and products can have an enormous positive impact if we all, as companies and individuals, make the decision to chose a better way of living and working.
We are pleased to offer you a wide variety of products which we believe will help attain this goal. On our web site you will find products from manufacturers who have taken both mainstream and unique approaches towards producing recycled, sustainable and eco-friendly products. We’ve included informative articles about these companies and their practices as well as articles on more general issues. Green Resources provides a listing of links to educational, governmental, media, NGO/ private (non-governmental), non-profit and professional organizations promoting greenroof related and general environmentally-friendly activities and programs world wide. We hope you find these interesting and informative.
GreenOfficeStore.com is also committed to supporting other ‘green’ initiatives and environmental causes. Through our ‘Giving Back’ program, 1% of all orders over $50.00 is donated to organizations working towards environmental awareness, sustainability, energy efficiency and other socially responsible issues.
We hope you enjoy your experience with us and see the value behind our products and principles. We encourage you to use this blog to make additional suggestions on how we can help make a difference, as well as, stay informed about the latest trends and products for living and working green.
Just as the color ‘green’ includes it’s own rainbow of hues – the issues of climate change, eco and social responsibility and sustainability encompass a wide array of choices and alternatives. Whether your company has developed it’s own strong ‘green’ initiatives or is just beginning to ease into eco-awareness, GreenOfficeStore.com can provide you with quality products, at a fair price, with an eye towards environmental responsibility.
To us, the environment isn’t just some far off place. It is the lawn under your feet, the food on our plates, and the air we all breathe. Global warming, the depletion of our natural resources, destruction of ecosystems and decades of wasteful practices are issues for us all. We believe that small, incremental changes towards earth-friendly practices and products can have an enormous positive impact if we all, as companies and individuals, make the decision to chose a better way of living and working.
We are pleased to offer you a wide variety of products which we believe will help attain this goal. On our web site you will find products from manufacturers who have taken both mainstream and unique approaches towards producing recycled, sustainable and eco-friendly products. We’ve included informative articles about these companies and their practices as well as articles on more general issues. Green Resources provides a listing of links to educational, governmental, media, NGO/ private (non-governmental), non-profit and professional organizations promoting greenroof related and general environmentally-friendly activities and programs world wide. We hope you find these interesting and informative.
GreenOfficeStore.com is also committed to supporting other ‘green’ initiatives and environmental causes. Through our ‘Giving Back’ program, 1% of all orders over $50.00 is donated to organizations working towards environmental awareness, sustainability, energy efficiency and other socially responsible issues.
We hope you enjoy your experience with us and see the value behind our products and principles. We encourage you to use this blog to make additional suggestions on how we can help make a difference, as well as, stay informed about the latest trends and products for living and working green.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)