Recycle, Reuse, and the Rise of FreeGeek

Summertime is finally here and a lot of people will be cleaning house. But, it's important to always try to reuse and recycle.

Over 140,000 tons of computer equipment, phones, televisions and other e-waste (electronic waste) end up in Canadian landfills each year.

This is a serious problem because this E-waste often contains toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and more.

So, today I’m going to tell you about simple ways to properly dispose of your old cell phones, computers, and used electronic equipment.

The number of cell phones that need to be recycled every year is growing incredibly fast. Cell phone circuit boards, batteries, LCD's and plastics can all be recycled.

And recycling your old cell phones - working or not - couldn't be easier.

In fact, all the major cell phone companies have recycle programs –

Telus will plant a tree for each handset collected through the Return & Recycle Program.

http://www.telusmobility.com/about/public_affairs/recycling.shtml

Bell donates $1 to WWF Canada for each phone collected and has also donated used phones and free airtime to over 130 women's shelters in Canada.

http://www.bell.ca/support/PrsCSrvWls_Clp_Recycle.page

Rogers runs a phones for food program with the United Way.

http://your.rogers.com/aboutrogers/communitysupport/community_development.asp

So don’t let those cell phones sit in a cupboard – recycle them.

Now, when it comes to any electronics or computers – the best option is always to reuse and now there are some really great ways to recycle.




There is lots of great information and recycling tips at The Recycling Council of British Columbia website

http://www.rcbc.bc.ca/

They've even got a toll-free recycling hotline - 1-800-667-4321 in Vancouver just call 604 - recycle

Also check out the Ministry of Environment's webpage

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/recycling/

You'll find information about how to recycle just about anything in your home.

There is lots of recycling information available - sometimes we just need a little help finding it.

Earlier this year Metro Vancouver started the Zero Waste Challenge. It encourages residents and businesses to generate less waste following the 3R's; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. So, if you're a business and you'd like to find out about programs available to you - check out the Zero Waste Challenge website.

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/ZeroWaste/

Finally, I want to tell you about FreeGeek Vancouver – a really great non-profit organization that will help you ethically recycle your computer equipment. They recycle the equipment and teach people valuable computer skills in the process – in fact, if you volunteer 24 hours of your time – you can learn about computers while you earn a free computer.

They take all computer equipment, FREE OF CHARGE, working or not, in any condition.

Your old computer equipment goes directly into their volunteer programs. Even while it's being evaluated, people are learning to identify computer parts.

They also promote reuse by selling surplus equipment in their Computer Thrift Store.

Free Geek is a community-supported organization and they've got a great website with information on computer recycling no matter where in BC you are.

http://freegeekvancouver.org/

You can check out our blog for all the addresses and until next week – keep clicking and stay connected.