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Market Velocity, the leading provider of turn-key, web-enabled recycling, asset recovery, trade-in, and donation solutions for Fortune 1000 & consumer electronics manufacturers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF), makes it simple for technology companies, distributors and resellers to drive new sales and increase market share with creatively packaged online equipment upgrade programs. Market Velocity's clients are able to attract new buyers with exciting trade-in promotions while offering existing customers compelling, instant trade-in values for previous purchases through Market Velocity's vast network of remarketers. Customized trade-in sites are integrated with in-depth services and customer support to manage every aspect of trade-in programs, from promotion design through payments processing and extensive market data analysis. End users have multiple equipment disposal options including donations and recycling programs that meet the industry's highest standards for safety and privacy. Visit www.marketvelocity.com to learn more about the industry's only full-service, web-based solution for trade-in programs and launch your upgrade campaign today.Market Velocity, the leading provider of turn-key, web-enabled recycling, asset recovery, trade-in, and donation solutions for Fortune 1000 & consumer electronics manufacturers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF), makes it simple for technology companies, distributors and resellers to drive new sales and increase market share with creatively packaged online equipment upgrade programs. Market Velocity's clients are able to attract new buyers with exciting trade-in promotions while offering existing customers compelling, instant trade-in values for previous purchases through Market Velocity's vast network of remarketers. Customized trade-in sites are integrated with in-depth services and customer support to manage e

Although some sites may collect other unwanted electronics gear, such as cell phones and printers, they may charge for taking those items because those are not covered under the Oregon E-Cycles program. Electronics contain a host of hazardous substances, including mercury and lead. Even small amounts of these toxins can be dangerous. Electronics also contain valuable materials, including copper, gold and aluminum. The CBS news program "60 Minutes" recently aired an investigative report tracking e-waste. "60 Minutes" reporter Scott Pelley discovered an illegal electronic wasteland in Guiyo, China. Pelley and crew tracked a container of old computer CRT monitors owned by Colorado-based Executive Recycling. Gangs at the dump site tried to take CBS's footage, but the film crew escaped. Executive Recycling called the report unfair and issued a statement: "Sadly, Executive Recycling appears now to be the victim of others who have obtained electronic and computer products from our company and then acted irresponsibly." The company also said, "no business can be responsible for the subsequent improper actions of others who lawfully purchase products from them and hide their intentions to engage in misconduct."Although some sites may collect other unwanted electronics gear, such as cell phones and printers, they may charge for taking those items because those are not covered under the Oregon E-Cycles program. Electronics contain a host of hazardous substances, including mercury and lead. Even small amounts of these toxins can be dangerous. Electronics also contain valuable materials, including copper, gold and aluminum. The CBS news program "60 Minutes" recently aired an investigative report tracking e-waste. "60 Minutes" reporter Scott Pelley discovered an illegal electronic wasteland in Guiyo, China. Pelley and crew tracked a container of old computer CRT monitors owned by Colorado-based Executive Recycling. Gangs at the dump site tried to take

New e-waste recycling laws passed in Oregon and Washington take effect on New Year's Day, requiring electronics manufacturers to recycled old hardware, and promising to spur the growth of responsible e-waste disposal. The laws, which passed in mid-2007 in Oregon and in 2006 in Washington, require manufacturers to pay for the recycling of their electronics products sold in each state, and is expected to collect as much as 12 million pounds of electronics in Oregon and about 25 million in Washington in the first year alone. The new laws are among the toughest in the country, and highlight what e-waste and public health advocates say is the best solution to the country's -- and the planet's -- enormous e-waste problem. As we found in researching electronic waste in 2008's State of Green Business report, the mountain of potentially valuable (and often toxic) electronic waste is growing substantially faster than companies and governments are able to collect and recycle it. In the wake of a harshly critical government report and an eye-opening exposé on television's 60 Minutes newsmagazine, e-waste has spent a lot of time in the limelight this year. And the new laws promise to help turn the tide from what activist groups have called "anarchy" in the e-waste takeback market.

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.

Living in an age of disposability has led many durable goods manufacturers to explore ways of reducing the environmental footprint their products leave during their manufacturing process and throughout their lifecycle. The sheer volume of mobile phones produced annually and the propensity of users to chase mobile technology trends leads to an average replacement cycle of between 12 and 18 months, bringing special attention to the greening efforts of mobile device manufacturers. As consumer awareness and environmental legislation continue to evolve, handset vendors are developing their corporate responsibility initiatives to develop new business practices aimed at improving the compliance and environmental sustainability of their handsets. The European commission and industry-led initiatives have made great progress in developing a set of requirements and goals for developing sustainable business practices across the entire life cycle of handset production, distribution, use and disposal. This study identifies and explores key global handset initiatives and the handsets that are coming to market as a result of vendors' efforts to minimize their environmental impact. It also offers an analysis of US consumer interest, awareness and preferences of green handset vendor initiatives. Available for purchase from ABI Research at this URL.

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.

eCycling Highlights Digital Television Transition | en Español Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronics? Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call. Responsible Recycling Practices Resource Conservation Challenge partnerships and initiatives on electronics The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment. Our growing reliance on electronics is illustrated by some remarkable figures. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household eCycling Highlights Digital Television Transition | en Español Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronics? Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call. Responsible Recycling Practices Resource Conservation Challenge partnerships and initiatives on electronics The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment. Our growing reliance on electronics is illustrated by some remarkable figures. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household

From energy efficiency to toxics used in manufacturing to end-of-life issues, the road to truly green electronics faces a steep climb. Although most companies are taking these issues very seriously, it will surely be a slow process. Every three months, the international environmental group Greenpeace rates these companies on how well they're doing -- and raises the bar a little higher. In this, the tenth quarterly Guide to Greener Electronics, Greenpeace calls on manufacturers to up their company-wide commitments to steep and rapid cuts in overall greenhouse gas emissions. Nokia maintains its top score in the ranking, earning 6.9 points out of 10 possible for its takeback program and reducing the use of toxic chemicals like PVC, brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide. Rounding out the top four is a three-way tie between Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Samsung, all with 5.9 points. Sony earned high marks for its new environmental warranty for responsible takeback, Toshiba gains ground with its reporting of and goals toward renewable energy use and emissions reductions, and Samsung earned praise for reducing toxic chemical use and building energy-efficient products.

The Washington bill is what other states wanted,'' said Scott Cassel, executive of the Product Stewardship Institute. Requiring manufacturers to cover the collection and recycling costs will encourage them to design greener products that are less toxic and easier to recycle, he said. ``Here is a state that took a careful, methodical and comprehensive approach and considered various options,'' Cassel said. ``Now state residents will have an electronics recycling system that will become the gold standard for the country.'' A wide and diverse group backed the bill, which also had bipartisan support. Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co., Seattle electronics recycler Total Reclaim Inc., and retailers Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com supported the bill. But the bill was far from receiving unanimous backing from electronics manufacturers. The Electronic Industries Alliance communicated its concerns with Washington's legislation. The group, along with 18 of its member companies, such as Dell Inc., IBM Corp. and Apple Computer Inc., did not support the bill. The law does not implement a shared responsibility approach. But rather, it extends the manufacturers' responsibility to finance the end of the life of their products, according to the EIA's remarks to the Washington Legislature. Such a system is inefficient, the group said, and will result in increased costs for Washington consumers.

``The Washington bill is what other states wanted,'' said Scott Cassel, executive of the Product Stewardship Institute. Requiring manufacturers to cover the collection and recycling costs will encourage them to design greener products that are less toxic and easier to recycle, he said. ``Here is a state that took a careful, methodical and comprehensive approach and considered various options,'' Cassel said. ``Now state residents will have an electronics recycling system that will become the gold standard for the country.'' A wide and diverse group backed the bill, which also had bipartisan support. Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co., Seattle electronics recycler Total Reclaim Inc., and retailers Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com supported the bill. But the bill was far from receiving unanimous backing from electronics manufacturers. The Electronic Industries Alliance communicated its concerns with Washington's legislation. The group, along with 18 of its member companies, such as Dell Inc., IBM Corp. and Apple Computer Inc., did not support the bill. The law does not implement a shared responsibility approach. But rather, it extends the manufacturers' responsibility to finance the end of the life of their products, according to the EIA's remarks to the Washington Legislature. Such a system is inefficient, the group said, and will result in increased costs for Washington consumers.

BRISTOL, Va. - There's a flip side to that newfangled cell phone found under the Christmas tree. Sooner or later, the outdated cell phones clogging the kitchen drawer have to go. However, when they do go, don't forget that those electronic beeps and whistles are powered by mercury, cadmium, lead and other toxic metals destined to seep into, and out of, a landfill. And toxic metals, such as mercury, can cause brain and kidney damage, as well as cancer, when released into the ground and air, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality reports. So, instead of dumping outdated gadgets and gizmos into the trash can, environmental and industry leaders recommend recycling, which, in the case of electronics, is known as e-cycling. For nearly six years, Bristol Virginia Public Works has picked up laptops, monitors and even fluorescent light tubes left in marked boxes by the curb. As part of a statewide e-cycling effort, the technology is carted off during regular pickups.

Hewlett Packard (HP), in collaboration with the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF), and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa), has launched a groundbreaking initiative to develop sustainable recycling processes to tackle the problem of e-waste in Africa. For the past two years, the initiative has been overseeing a pilot program facility in South Africa and conducting e-waste management assessment studies in both Kenya and Morocco; the goal of the assessments is ultimately to properly determine each country's ability to deal with the e-waste there, whether it arose from electronics that were purchased new within the country and are now reaching their end of life, or from electronics that were shipped illegally from other countries. The project has been examining efforts by both African governments and organizations to safely handle e-waste. The project has been compiling extensive information, such as the policy and legal framework in each country, standard settings for e-waste treatment, organizations and programs already in place to safely process e-waste, and the actual amounts of e-waste present. MediaGlobal article by Shefali Lall, 7/20/09.

OLYMPIA - If you're wondering what to do with those unwanted TVs, computers and monitors stored in a garage or back-room, relief is here. E-Cycle Washington is a new program that started on Jan. 1. It allows free and convenient recycling of these electronic products. The makers of these products are providing about 200 collection sites around the state. State residents, small businesses, school districts, small government agencies and charities can bring television sets, computers (desktop and laptop) and monitors to these sites to be recycled. They will pay no fee for this service. There is no need to rush out this weekend - or even this month. E-Cycle Washington is a permanent and ongoing addition to current recycling opportunities available to Washington residents. Many collection sites will be open several days a week and some will be open every day. And the collection network will be continuously improved to meet the needs of the public.

The Basel Action Network and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition have joined with Electronic Recyclers International of Fresno to create the "e-Stewards Initiative" - a certification program for North America's most responsible e-waste recyclers. The e-Steward Initiative is described as the first independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program forbidding the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, local landfills and incinerators; the use of prison labor; and the unauthorized release of private data.The Basel Action Network and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition have joined with Electronic Recyclers International of Fresno to create the "e-Stewards Initiative" - a certification program for North America's most responsible e-waste recyclers. The e-Steward Initiative is described as the first independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program forbidding the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, local landfills and incinerators; the use of prison labor; and the unauthorized release of private data.

Dell is expanding its consumer electronics recycling program with Goodwill and its own tech trade-in operation, while the M&K Recovery Group says it harvested 15 percent more copperware from computer gear than it did in 2007. The companies detailed their latest activities on the e-cycling front in separate announcements yesterday. Such growth is welcome news in the drive to better manage tech waste. The U.S. is awash in used, broken and old consumer electronics -- from cell phones and laptops to televisions and sophisticated entertainment systems. The number of programs to recycle goods is increasing, but those efforts have yet to check the flow of gear that's discarded every day. Dell is expanding its consumer electronics recycling program with Goodwill and its own tech trade-in operation, while the M&K Recovery Group says it harvested 15 percent more copperware from computer gear than it did in 2007. The companies detailed their latest activities on the e-cycling front in separate announcements yesterday. Such growth is welcome news in the drive to better manage tech waste. The U.S. is awash in used, broken and old consumer electronics -- from cell phones and laptops to televisions and sophisticated entertainment systems. The number of programs to recycle goods is increasing, but those efforts have yet to check the flow of gear that's discarded every day.

The GigaOM Network, a leading Silicon Valley news network, today announces the final schedule for the Green:Net conference, to be held March 24, 2009 in San Francisco. The first Green:Net conference spotlights how technologies of the Web and the Internet will be instrumental in the new, green economy. The conference will be the first event hosted by Earth2Tech, The GigaOM Network's cleantech publication and a thought leader in the emerging "Green Digital" sector. Startups are also encouraged to apply to the Green:Net LaunchPad, a green startup showcase, before nominations close on February 13th. More details are available on the conference website. Software, communication networks and the web will help companies shape the future of our electrical system, deliver transportation infrastructure, create social movements and help both companies and regular folks reduce carbon emissions. The Green:Net conference brings together the knowledge and talent of The GigaOM Networks publications GigaOM and Earth2Tech to create a must-attend event for those interested in everything from money-saving, energy-efficient data centers to money-making online applications for businesses and consumers.

The e-Stewards recyclers are a group of leading North American electronics recyclers and asset managers who have been qualified as upholding the highest standard of environmental and social responsibility. Environmental and social justice advocates urge you to make use of these recyclers for all of your e-waste disposal/recycling/asset management. Beware other recyclers claiming to be "green" and responsible. The e-Stewards recyclers are a group of leading North American electronics recyclers and asset managers who have been qualified as upholding the highest standard of environmental and social responsibility. Environmental and social justice advocates urge you to make use of these recyclers for all of your e-waste disposal/recycling/asset management. Beware other recyclers claiming to be "green" and responsible.

NERIC held a workshop at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas titled "Complying with the Patchwork: A Primer on State Electronics Requirements." The sessionhighlighted manufacturer and retailer requirements regarding the financing and recycling of used televisions and computer equipment. Eight U.S. states, encompassing 30 million US residents, have now enacted varied approaches to mandatory producer financing and implementation of recycling programs.NERIC held a workshop at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas titled "Complying with the Patchwork: A Primer on State Electronics Requirements." The session highlighted manufacturer and retailer requirements regarding the financing and recycling of used televisions and computer equipment. Eight U.S. states, encompassing 30 million US residents, have now enacted varied approaches to mandatory producer financing and implementation of recycling programs.

AP Report: KOMO News \ A free computer and TV recycling program starts Jan. 2 in Washington. The "E-cycle Washington" program was created by the Legislature. It's funded by manufacturers who sell electronics in the state. More than 200 sites are being readied at existing recyclers, retail stores and nonprofit agencies such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. Based on other states, organizers expect to recycle 13,000 tons of old computers and TVs next year. A free computer and TV recycling program starts Jan. 2 in Washington. The "E-cycle Washington" program was created by the Legislature. It's funded by manufacturers who sell electronics in the state. More than 200 sites are being readied at existing recyclers, retail stores and nonprofit agencies such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. Based on other states, organizers expect to recycle 13,000 tons of old computers and TVs next year. Check out the comments made by the audience regarding this story.

John S. Shegerian (born November 16, 1962, in Queens, New York) is an American entrepreneur, environmental and social issues activist, international public speaker and the Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International® (ERI). Established in 2002, ERI is an Electronic Waste collector and recycler, specializing in the environmentally safe and socially responsible dismantling of electronic items such as computers, televisions, monitors, cell phones, and other unwanted or obsolete electronic items. ERI is largely recognized as the leading recycler of electronics in the state of California and one of the largest in North America. Shegerian, like ERI, is based in Fresno, California.