Showing posts with label eco-friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eco-friendly. Show all posts

Monday, November 19, 2012

Green Your Holiday Party

 by Kris

Did you know that every year Americans typically generate about 250 million tons of trash?  And as if that wasn’t a large enough number, we throw away an additional 5 million tons of trash during the holiday season.  That’s a heck of a lot of trash!

Trash is an inevitable subject and we all know that it ends up polluting our environment leading to more serious issues such as contaminations, harming wildlife, and basically negatively affecting our eco-system in multiple ways.

We will never be able to fully cut back on the amount of waste we produce, but we can most definitely make an effort to be more mindful of the products we are using and disposing of.

With the holidays coming up, many of us will be throwing and attending parties.  Why not make the effort to be an eco-friendly host or guest?  Not only can we contribute to our environment by being more aware, but we can also spread our knowledge to family and friends through our actions.  You might just be surprised at the effects of your green examples on your party guests!

Easy Ways to Green Your Holiday Party:

1)    Instead of using disposable plates, utensils, and napkins, go for the reusable.
-        Not only does this reduce the amount of waste, but also your party just got a bit more ‘fancy’.
2)    Set up a recycle station for guests to throw away their aluminum, plastics, cardboard, and glass.
-        It can be as easy as a box or bag next to the trash bin.  Just have your kids decorate a piece of paper with a label for each box. That way everyone can easily recycle when they are through.
3)    Leftover table scraps can be collected in a separate bin to be composted.
-        Even if you don’t have a garden, the compost can just biodegrade into soil.
4)    Purchase snacks and beverages in bulk as that reduces packaging.
5)    Buy local. 
-        Locally grown foods don’t require as much transportation and refrigeration, which uses petroleum and emits pollution, and in the long run, affects our earths climate.
6)    Be creative with party favors.
-        Local products like honey and plant seeds are both a great gift and a great way to introduce guests to the benefits and pleasures of buying locally.

Just remember, as you plan your parties this holiday season, think of reusing, recycling, and reducing.

As always, keep thinking green!


For more detailed ways to throw an eco-friendly party, check out the link below:


Friday, May 7, 2010

Electronics Recycling in Plano

Do you have valuable space in your garage, cabinets, or living area taken up by outdated and unused appliances?  Don't put them on the curb, recycle them!  eRecycler is a family run business that makes sure all your electronics are disposed of in an eco-friendly way.

Mark and I spoke with the team at eRecycler at the Green Expo and when we dropped off our outdated appliances, batteries, and CDs a few weeks ago.


From L to R, Chris Barfield, Gabrielle Bruns, and Lauren Bruns

At the Green Expo, Lauren Bruns (daughter of the founder of eRecycler, Bob Bruns) spent several minutes with us answering all our questions about how they recycle the electronics and the types of electronics they accept.  After hearing reports of electronics being sent overseas for recycling, I wanted to find out how eRecycler handled their items.  Lauren assured me that none of the items they get are sent overseas.  Also, they recycle every part of the electronics.  So what kinds of items do they accept?

(from their website)

Electronics Recycling 

  • Computers
  • Servers
  • Telephones
  • Cell Phones
  • Circuit Boards
  • Computer Drives
  • Cable & Wire
  • Pos Equipment
  • Mainframes
  • Networking Equipment
  • Printers
  • Test Equipment
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies
  • Monitors
  • Security Equipment
  • Lab Equipment
  • Video Equipment
  • Batteries
Metals and more
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel
  • Lead Batteries
  • Copper
  • Server Racks
  • Circuit Boards
  • Memory
  • Processors
  • Electric Motors
  • Switching Equipment
  • Valves
  • Brass
  • Cardboard
  • Corrugated Box
  • Paper
  • Plastics

When Mark and I dropped off our items at their Petal Street location near 635, we spoke with Debra Hamilton.  Debra told us that when they receive items, they determine if local charities need the items (like used TVs for shelters).  If so, they give them away.  Then, they sell any usable items on their ebay store.  Everything else gets broken down at their facility and recycled locally.  They even do data destruction.  

There is so much more information on their website, erecycler.net.  Check it out and clear up your electronic recycling the eco-friendly way!