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"Discarded electronic products and components - or e-waste, as they are collectively known - can represent either a major environmental dilemma or a massive potential economic windfall. If treated properly, much e-waste may be reclaimed or recycled for future use and converted into a significant new revenue stream. Improperly treated e-waste, on the other hand, poses a massive threat to the world's ecosystem and can result in contamination to the soil, air, and water, while also exposing workers, nearby residents, and wildlife to a multitude of health hazards. This study forecasts that the worldwide market for e-waste recovery will grow from $5.7 billion in 2009 to nearly $14.7 billion by the end of 2014, representing a CAGR of 20.8% over the forecast period. This figure represents money generated through reclamation of valuable materials from e-scrap."

Conceived during the second world war by Marcel Mennesson and Maurice Goudard, the Solex was marketed in 1946. In the difficult context of the post-war period, France in rebuilding is looking for an economic mean of transport which doesn't need a lot of energy.The Solex, whose selling price is lower than the minimum wage and whose energy consumption is very low, corresponds perfectly to these two requirements. While cars are starting their appearance, the Solex represents a mass mean of transport. Thus, it will become a legend by occupying a place of first order in the history of popular motorization. Seducing by its cost, its safety, its simplicity and its sobriety, it will be used as well for leisures as for daily ways. With an easy employment, economic and reliable, the Solex quickly met a large success : 8 million specimens were sold between 1946 and 1988 in France and all around the world. Conceived during the second world war by Marcel Mennesson and Maurice Goudard, the Solex was marketed in 1946. In the difficult context of the post-war period, France in rebuilding is looking for an economic mean of transport which doesn't need a lot of energy.The Solex, whose selling price is lower than the minimum wage and whose energy consumption is very low, corresponds perfectly to these two requirements. While cars are starting their appearance, the Solex represents a mass mean of transport. Thus, it will become a legend by occupying a place of first order in the history of popular motorization. Seducing by its cost, its safety, its simplicity and its sobriety, it will be used as well for leisures as for daily ways. With an easy employment, economic and reliable, the Solex quickly met a large success : 8 million specimens were sold between 1946 and 1988 in France and all around the world.

Everyone wants to reduce waste, but computing equipment lifecycles are shrinking, and discarded electronics represent the fastest-growing waste category. Many states and municipalities are passing or consideration legislation to make manufacturers responsible for taking back obsolete products and recycling them, and companies can help by insisting on responsible recycling practices, buying equipment that meets environmental standards, and pressuring suppliers to get greener. Everyone wants to reduce waste, but computing equipment lifecycles are shrinking, and discarded electronics represent the fastest-growing waste category. Many states and municipalities are passing or consideration legislation to make manufacturers responsible for taking back obsolete products and recycling them, and companies can help by insisting on responsible recycling practices, buying equipment that meets environmental standards, and pressuring suppliers to get greener.

As of Aug. 15, Leduc County will be a registered site for recycling various types of rechargeable and non-rechargeable household batteries, including nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion), small sealed lead (Pb) and nickel zinc (Ni-Zn). The battery type can be found printed on the battery's casing.

SEATTLE - A new state law that helps you get rid of your old electronics for free is hurting charities. Charities can no longer fix up old equipment to reuse it, but a brand new bill headed to the state legislature Wednesday could bring some relief. Representative Zack Hudgins' new bill aims to allow electronics collectors to make minor repairs so they can reuse old electronics. The current law is a problem for charities like Interconnection in Seattle. Since the new recycling law went into affect on January 1st, they now have to throw away hundreds of computers that could be put to good use. At Interconnection, you'll find trained hands tinkering with donated computers.

Two Democratic U.S. Senators -- Amy Klobuchar of Minn. and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York -- introduced earlier this month legislation aimed at funding R&D efforts to improve to recycle e-waste and develop best practices and innovation in greener design of electronics. The Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act, a nearly identical version of which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in April, provides almost $85 million over the next three years to help spur the growth of electronics recycling practices in the U.S. The bill, S. 1397, includes four main initiatives: providing grants for R&D into e-waste processes and practices, funding research into environmentally friendly materials for use in electronics, establishing educational curricula for engineering students at all levels to incorporate green design practices into electronics, and publishing a report from the National Academy of Sciences laying out the good and the bad in the current state of electronics recycling.

Environmental groups and some electronics recyclers are opposed to a federal electronic scrap bill that would allow recyclers to export units to developing countries for repair or refurbishing. Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, introduced House Resolution 2595 in U.S. House of Representatives. The measure is aimed at prohibiting exports of certain types of electronic scrap. But it does not go far enough, according to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition and the Basel Action Network. Waste & Recycling News, 6/2/09.

This bill proposes to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes. Passed the U.S. House of Representatives and has been received by the Senate, as of 5/28/09. This page links to the full text of the bill and outlines bill actions.

Wall Street Journal article by Ryan Knutson, 7/2/09. Small electronics makers are struggling with -- and fighting against -- new state laws mandating they pay for electronic recycling programs for consumers. Five companies, including ViewSonic Corp., CTX Technology Inc. and ToteVision Inc., are threatening litigation against Washington state's new electronic waste law, which requires manufacturers to fund recycling and collection services for old TVs, personal computers and monitors. The companies argue the law, which took effect this year, charges them too much and improperly includes out-of-state businesses. Meanwhile, the Consumer Electronics Association, a trade group representing 2,000 electronics companies, is negotiating with the New York City officials to change a city ordinance that would require electronics companies to pick up old gadgets door-to-door. The CEA says the ordinance, scheduled to take effect July 31, would cost the industry $200 million annually.

By redesigning packaging for its phone accessories, Sprint expects to save $2.1 million annually in packaging costs. This represents a 35 percent reduction in packaging costs, according to a press release, and a corresponding reduction in 647 tons of waste annually.