News/Blog

Shop, Recycle, Reclaim Your Day

by Jennifer Berry
Published on July 19th, 2010

Whole Foods Market's plastic recycling programs reach 220 stores throughout the U.S. Photo: Whole Foods Market

Time is a precious commodity. There never seems to be enough of it, and whether or not you’re having fun, it often flies by.

When it comes to living a greener lifestyle, time can grow in its significance, as it can sometimes restrict potential greenies from eco-friendly activities.

In fact, 13 percent of respondents from an Earth911.com poll indicated that “time” was the one thing holding them back from becoming more green.

One of the ways to balance a busy lifestyle and your own environmental ambitions is to condense your errands into single locales. The fewer places you need to go, the less time you spend traveling and the more time you have for other tasks.

Recycling is probably a high priority on your own environmentally friendly To-Do’s. However, if certain items that frequently make up your household waste aren’t collected in your curbside program (or if you don’t have a curbside recycling program at all), you may have to make a few extra stops to properly dispose of your trash.

With plastics probably taking the top spot on your “Things To Recycle” list, minimizing your trips to recycle these valuable materials is a must. But don’t fret – we’ve got all you need to know about recycling plastics while you’re out-and-about. Here are the plastics recycling programs for retailers across the country.

Walmart

What They Accept: Plastic grocery bags; Dry cleaning bags

Out of most national retailers, Walmart continues to be a leader in its sustainable endeavors and exploring new, green avenues. In fact, in 2009, the company recycled 120 million pounds of plastic in its behind-the-scenes processes (think: shrink wrap from pallets, bottles from employee breakrooms, etc.).

Additionally, the company as a whole has committed to reducing plastic bag waste by 33 percent per store by 2013. While the retailer’s focus at this point in time is making significant cuts to the waste that its operations send to landfills, in the future it looks to help recycle more of the materials that go out its 4300+ doors by helping customers recycle even more beyond plastic bags.

Located at the front of each Target store, the recycling stations offer guests a convenient way to recycle aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers, plastic bags, MP3 players, cell phones and ink cartridges. Photo: Target

Target

What They Accept: Plastic bottles; Plastic bags

Target’s program is relatively new to the brand but is a great convenience if this is one of your main stops. Materials collected from guests are added to collections that Target also runs through its store operations, which are responsibly processed.

For example, all plastic bags collected for recycling are sold to a vendor who transforms them into composite decking. The program is still too young to know its impact, but Target estimates that its initiatives could eliminate at least 6 million pounds of plastic bags, glass, plastic, aluminum beverage containers and electronics each year.

Whole Foods

What They Accept: Plastic bottles; Plastic #5 (check availability at your local store)

Whole Foods operates under a different model than stores like Target and Walmart, as the company focuses on a decentralized style that emphasizes what works for particular regions or stores. Their efforts are effective though – the retailer currently diverts more than 80 percent of its waste by recycling and composting.

Its main plastic recycling programs reach 220 stores and are operated by two different entities: Preserve Gimme 5 and Greenopolis. In 2009, the Preserve program collected 45,000 pounds of plastics and, so far in 2010, has collected more than 68,000 pounds of material. Through its kiosks across the country, Greenopolis has recycled almost 3.5 million individual items. In the future, both the Preserve and Greenopolis kiosk programs are looking to expand to more WFM locations.

What you can recycle with Preserve “Gimme 5″: Any item made of plastic #5 qualifies, such as yogurt, hummus, margarine and take-out containers. Also, Preserve products (e.g.: toothbrushes, razor handles, tableware, kitchenware) Brita filters and Tom’s of Maine deodorant packaging can be recycled here.

What you can recycle with Greenopolis: Plastic, aluminum and even glass drink containers (glass not available in all locations). You can even earn points towards great rewards by recycling through the Greenopolis system.

Aveda
Bottle caps

The Aveda program makes finding recycling options for your bottle caps a cinch. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com

What They Accept: Bottle caps made of plastic #5

Aveda’s program started when the company’s founder heard about bottle caps blowing into the ocean and affecting sea life.

Today, all Aveda stores and most Aveda salons collect bottle caps, which are then recycled into packaging for various Aveda products.

The program accepts caps that are made of rigid plastic #5. This includes caps that twist on with a threaded neck (like shampoo, water, soda, milk and other beverage bottles), flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), laundry detergents and some jar lids such as peanut butter.

However, Aveda does not collect pharmaceutical lids and non-rigid lids like those of yogurt, margarine and cottage cheese containers.

The UPS Store & Mail Boxes Etc.

What They Accept: Packing peanuts; Bubble wrap (check availability at your local store)

Many UPS Stores and Mail Boxes Etc. (a subsidiary of UPS) locations collect these often tough-to-recycle items. Packing peanuts can be reused many times in subsequent shipments, and bubble wrap too can help future customers protect their fragile items.

With the idea in mind that these items will be reused, it’s preferable to bring in peanuts and wrap that are still in good condition (resist popping the bubbles!). Make sure to check ahead of time to see if your local store will take these items as well.

Earth911.com Articles and Content

You’re Missing Free Recycling

by Amanda Wills
Published on July 5th, 2010

In 2007, approximately 414,000 tons of electronics were collected in the U.S. for recycling, preventing the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 178,000 cars.

The formula seems right: free recycling + accessible bins = higher recycling rate. Well, it’s not always that easy.

While manufacturers and retailers are upping the number of free recycling programs for everything from old CRT televisions to chunky cell phones, studies show that consumers just aren’t getting on board.

Case in point: The U.S. EPA launched its Plug-In to eCycling campaign in 2003, encouraging major manufacturers to provide recycling options for electronics. In 2008, Plug-In partners collected and recycled 11 million cell phones, but considering that there are 100 million cell phones ready for recycling in the U.S., that number is actually pretty low.

“It’s easy for consumers say that they don’t recycle because they don’t know about it, but if you just go on the Internet and search, you will see that most major carriers recycle,” says Jenni Chun, associate manager of Sustainability for LG Electronics.

“It’s definitely tough to change behavior. Consumers are they are reminded about cell phone recycling when they see the bins in stores, but in reality their phones are still in drawers, closets or the garage.”

Inconvenience is one of the top reasons people don’t recycle, but a close second is lack of knowledge. While we can’t make you shut down you computer, pack your car full of old gadgets and drive to the nearest recycling location, we can, however, give you the download on major retailers that offer free, in-store programs.
AT&T

What: All brands of cell phones, smartphones, PC cards, batteries and accessories

Quick fact: In 2009, AT&T reused and recycled an estimated 4.2 million phones and recycled 1.7 million pounds of accessories and batteries.
Best Buy

What: Multi-media projectors, printers, car audio, home audio, PDAs and hand-held devices, mobile electronics (GPS, cell phones, MP3 players), various game systems, televisions, monitors, laptops, ink cartridges, CDs and DVDs and rechargeable batteries

Need to know: Consumers pay $10 for recycling each TV, monitor and laptop, and in return, receive a $10 Best Buy gift card. All other items accepted through the program are free to the consumer. The program does not accept appliances, TVs larger than 32”, or console TVs of any size. All hard drives must be removed from laptops and desktops before they are accepted for recycling.

Quick fact: Best Buy collected more than 60 million pounds of electronics in 2009.
Goodwill

What: Computers, computer accessories and televisions

Need to know: Goodwill partnered with Dell Inc. for its residential computer recycling program, called RECONNECT. Its computer recycling and electronics recycling businesses creates jobs and supports job training programs.
Sprint

What: All wireless phones, batteries, accessories and data cards, regardless of carrier or condition

Need to know: Sprint Buyback offers customers an account credit to return select Sprint and Nextel-branded devices.

Quick fact: In 2009, Sprint collected 1,095,177 pounds of mobile phones and wireless accessories.
Staples

What: Cell phones, PDAs, inkjet cartridges and rechargeable batteries

Need to know: While recycling the above items is free of charge, for a $10 fee, customers can recycle computers, laptops, printers, scanners, faxes, all-in-ones, CRTs monitors and LCD monitors. Computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, speakers and modems can be recycled for free with larger items at any Staples store.

Quick Fact: In 2009, Staples collected 7 million pounds of consumer electronics.
Even more options

You can make money for your electronic without stepping foot in a retail store. Gazelle.com accepts about 30,000 functional and defunct electronics. Using secondary retailers such as eBay, the website will estimate your item’s worth.

And no worries if your clunky television from 1989 doesn’t fetch any dough – Gazelle will recycle it for free. Gazelle pays for shipping and will even send a box for most orders.

As always, you can use Earth911 to find local recycling for electronics and more.

Earth911.com Articles and Content

20 Green Things in 20 Minutes

by Mary Mazzoni
Published on July 5th, 2010

TIP #1: Shop for local food. Many major grocery chains now offer a section for local foods.

Think one person can’t make a difference? Think again. With every American producing 4.6 pounds of trash per day, the little things we do to reduce our impact can make a huge difference.

Here are 20 little things you can do to help the environment and your world in less than 20 minutes.
1. Shop local for produce.

Next time you’re headed out for groceries, take a few minutes to make an extra stop at a farmer’s market for fruits and veggies. Buying local reduces your footprint and helps support farmers in your community. Local fruits and vegetables are also packed with way more nutrients than produce with a passport, and they’re tasty too!
2. Click to give.

The web is full of sites that allow you to contribute to charitable causes with a click a day. That means no cost, just clicks! Use the power of your right index finger to support The Rainforest Site, The Animal-Rescue Site, The Hunger Site and more.
3. Make a reusable survival kit.

Having trouble getting through the day without using disposables? Think ahead, and make yourself survival kit for daily use. Include items such as a reusable water bottle and coffee mug, and put it all in a canvas bag for impromptu shopping trips. Leave your kit in your car or desk.
4. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

Next time you’re stocking up on cleaning supplies, trade your standard brands for supplies labeled eco-friendly or biodegradable. Or play chemist, and make your own! Vinegar, salt and lemon juice are all great natural cleaning solvents.
5. Do a quick closet cleanse.

We’re not talking about a deep clean here, but are those jeans from 1984 really necessary? While you’re cleaning, take a second look at your duds. Cutting up clothes is in, and you may have a few diamonds in the rough that will keep you away from the mall for another month. Cut those pants into shorts or capris. Break out the scissors and start re-fashioning old T-shirts.
6. Re-adjust your computer.

Learn to adjust your computer’s viewing settings for easy reading. This will reduce your need to print out emails or pages of interest. When you do print, use both sides to reduce paper waste. Also, change your power settings to optimize battery usage and activate sleep mode after a period of inactivity.
7. Fix that leak!

A leaky faucet or a running toilet may not seem like a big deal, but little leaks can waste loads of water. Make sure all your faucets are leak-free and your toilet is always working properly.
8. Donate paper scraps to a local classroom.

Kindergarten classes and daycare centers can always use extra pieces of wallpaper, scrap paper or newspaper for arts and crafts. Just think, your paper scraps may soon be hanging on a proud parent’s refrigerator.
9. Go unplugged.

Vampire power is the energy your appliances use when they are plugged in but not running. Cut back on wasted energy by unplugging cell phone chargers, coffee pots and toasters when they are not in use. Keep bigger items such as televisions and sound systems on a power-strip, and flip it off when they are not being used.
10. Switch to cloth napkins

Not only do they add pretty accents to your table, but cloth napkins significantly reduce paper waste. Take it one step further and switch to handkerchiefs instead of tissues and rags rather than paper towels for cleaning.
12. Organize a carpool.

Think outside the box with this one. Planning a weekend trip to the beach or mountains? Ask around. A few of your friends may be shore-bound too! Piling together in one car not only saves on gas and emissions but also adds extra fun to your weekend vacay.
13. Start composting.

Composting food scraps is a quick and easy way to reduce waste in your home. Once your pile is set up, it’s as simple as tossing your food scraps into a bowl and taking it outside every day. Check out Earth911 for tips on starting your compost pile.
14. Do a weekly purge of the fridge.

Take a weekly account of what’s in your fridge. Throw perishables a few days from spoiling into a crock-pot or casserole for tonight’s dinner. For food you know you won’t use, don’t let it go bad! Donate it to a local food pantry or church to reduce food waste.
15. Check your pressure.

Having your tires at the proper pressure increases your car’s gas mileage. It also increases the longevity of your tires, which reduces rubber waste. Most gas stations and service centers have pressure gages and air dispensers available.
16. Make the switch to paperless.

Banish endless paper bills by paying bills online and opting to receive e-mail statements. And open up some of that junk mail before tossing it into the recycling bin. It’s usually as simple as calling a service line to get your address removed from a company’s mailing list.
17. Make fruit juice concoctions.

Throw some of your locally purchased fruit in a blender for a healthy drink. For something more refreshing, run your creation through a strainer and add some water. Or you can never go wrong with homemade iced tea or lemonade! Pour your tasty tonics into pitchers, and stick them in your fridge for the week.
18. Pack a lunch.

Instead of stopping at the lunch truck when mid-afternoon hunger hits, reach for a packed lunch in a reusable lunchbox. Check out reusable sandwich containers as an alternative to plastic bags, and don’t forget the reusable silverware!
19. Save your water.

Set aside water used for washing veggies or boiling eggs or pasta. Allow it to cool and reuse it to water your houseplants.
20. Compare and contrast when you shop.

Next time you’re at the store, take a few minutes to compare products before buying. Not for price, for packaging! Reach for items with as little packaging as possible, and buy items packaged in recyclable material whenever possible. You’ll be shocked at how empty your trash can gets!

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