I often get asked, if I could tell people to do just one thing to help the environment, what would that be? I always thought that was an odd question, because really, if it was just one thing we needed to do, wouldn't we all just be doing it?
But I digress.
I work with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporaiton. You may have seen my public service announcements for them on TLC or the DIY Network. Their work is simple: get people to recycle their rechargeable batteries.
What's a rechargeable battery? It's those eco-friendly batteries found in things like cordless phones, power tools, a power razor, your Blackberry or cell phones. The batteries charge over and over...but eventually, those batteries just don't charge anymore and you gotta replace 'em.
Well, when you do..don't toss 'em in the trash. Instead, bring them to stores like Radio Shack, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Target... in fact, over 30,000 retail locations.
Look for a recycling box from RBRC and just place the battery inside! It's free...and they'll recycle them into new metal products.
Really, how easy is that?
Danny and other eco thinkers -
The ideas mentioned here are terrific and inspiring.
A few others for people to consider -- and run w/if so inclined!
1) Would love to see individuals in neighborhoods throughout America come together to initiate "block by block" plans, in which they would encourage one another to replace their incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving compaq fluorescent light bulbs (replacing 25% will save 50% on lighting bill). Learn more re. these lights at http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/efficiency/savingenergy.html). Utility companies could give neighborhoods updates on how they are doing -- it could turn into a fun competition within neighborhoods, cities and regions. -- “Who’s saving the most?” Seems San Francisco would be a great place to try this.
2) Check with your employer to see what it could be doing to improve energy-saving policies -- why are so many lights left on after people leave for the day? Those who don’t need to access their work computers from home could be asked to unplug them before leaving.
3) Ask sales people - continuously - at clothing stores (Banana Republic, Gap, Ann Taylor etc.) to institute policy of asking first if customer wants items wrapped in tissue. And write the companies! As of now, sales clerks do not ask first. Sales people say people want the tissue, but a lot don’t and a lot don’t know to decline. With the holidays coming, think how much paper could be saved!
4) Does anyone know what Starbucks is doing to address the problem of its cups contributing to landfills? They worked hard to create a cup made w/10% recycled material, but this should be seen as a significant but small first step. Question: are their cups recyclable? If so, every store should provide a recycling bin for them, yet none seem to. Regardless, recycle bins should be provided for newspapers but are not. People to contact re,. these issues would be store managers, district managers and corp. headquarters.
5) Picking up on Danny’s comment re. the problem of plastic bottles of water, airlines currently do not recycle the plastic bottles they distribute, nor newspapers and magazines. Would be great if public pressure could be brought to bear on them to change their ways.
6) I love Danny’s idea of jazzing up a newspaper-wrapped present with ribbons and shredded paper at the top -- addresses problem of gifts seeming a little too utilitarian.
Keep up the great work, Danny and others!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jen | November 01, 2006 at 11:37 PM