Green Assistant Radio Episode 05 (aired January 10, 2022 on AshevilleFM.org)
SHOW NOTES for Green Assistant Radio Episode 05 (aired: 01/10/2022)
E-Waste and Electronic Recycling
Listen to the Archived Show through January 23rd, 2022 @ https://www.ashevillefm.org
Featured Music:
Rising Appalachia, “Resilient (Full Band)”
José Gonzalez, “Down the Line”
Katherine Priddy, “Icarus”
Ron Artis II and Thunderstorm Artis, “Before You Go”
Video Computer Recycling in action: https://bit.ly/HowItWorksElectronicRecycling
Video of Precious Metal Mining:
“Proof of Destruction”
Before you take your computer to an electronic recycler, ask them if they provide Proof of Destruction. This means that they actually wiped all of your information and destroyed it using the legally binding guidelines. There are ways to delete information, and then there is WIPING the information. Ask them for proof of their practices.
Locations to Recycle Electronics: some fees may apply
Charlotte/ NC:
Mecklenburg Solid Waste and Recycling Services: (website www.wipeoutwaste.com)
Their Full Service Drop Off Locations- where you can take many of your old electronic devices (and tons of other stuff like scrap metal, rechargeable batteries, paint, car oil, old appliances, Hazardous Household Waste, and even your basic recycling!) can be found here: https://bit.ly/FullServCtr. (Access is free for Meck County residents, but you must register at the center check-in booth, and get a little sticker for your car. Non-residents can get an access sticker for a fee.)
All-Green Recycling- woman owned, near-zero landfill electronic recyclers! Call them to schedule a drop off at their location at 321 Atando Avenue, or schedule a pick up at your office if you have a room full of electronics waiting for their new life! https://all-green.com
Asheville/ NC:
Hard 2 Recycle Events by Asheville Greenworks : main website https://hard2recycle.org
UPCOMING EVENT Saturday January 15th from 10am-2pm has been CANCELLED.
Details at this link for future events: https://bit.ly/hard2recycleevents
– And if you can’t make it to their events, here is their information on how to dispose of those items anytime during the year: https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest-news/recycling-faqs
Across the Nation/ USA:
Goodwill Electronic Recycling: https://www.goodwillsc.org/donate/computers
Best Buy Electronic Recycling: https://bit.ly/recycleewasteatbestbuy
Video of what we have previously done with our old electronics (and an organization tracking the recyclers to make sure they do it right!): https://youtu.be/vufLW4xOsS4
OTHER ELECTRONIC WASTE:
Alkaline Batteries- go in the trash can OR you can pay to recycle them at Batteries Plus (info about their recycling: https://www.batteriesplus.com/t/recycling)
Rechargeable Batteries- MUST be recycled, and NOT in your curbside bin!
- Anywhere in the USA: You can recycle rechargeable batteries at Batteries Plus (listed above), Lowe's and Home Depot. Some fees may apply!
- Charlotte/ Meck County, take your rechargeable batteries to the Full Service Drop Off Centers' Hazardous Household Waste area https://bit.ly/FullServCtr
CDs, Records, DVDs, Cassettes and VHS Tapes- NOT recyclable, so find them another home or put them in your trash can.
Upcycling Artist Lori Love- artist that repurposes old CDs, Records, and Cassette Tapes to make beautiful wall sculptures- her website is here: http://www.irolstudios.com
Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/iRoLStudio/
and here is a sample of her work.
-Just look at all those CDs and Records NOT in the landfill 😍 and some of them were miiiiine! (I can see my handwriting on them 😂)
The Green Assistant Tip of the Week: Delete Emails as they come in!
Here is an article about the high environmental cost of email (https://www.inplantimpressions.com/post/carbon-footprint-email-quite-large/) but let's be honest, you don’t really want to look at that junk every time you use email! Save energy, for the planet AND for you! Delete those emails as they come in.
Level Up Challenge - Go ahead and Unsubscribe to those electronic newsletters and sales flyers that you don't even read. Start with one unsubscribe a week, or dive right in and knock them all out. Whatever method works best for you. When you reach 10 unsubscribes, let us know at thegreenassistant@gmail.com and we will give you a shout out on the air!
Next Week on Green Assistant Radio:
In next week's show, Monday January 17th at 11am on AshevilleFM, we will be exploring Reusable Swaps for Single-Use Items