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With Christmas just days away and the end of the year looming, many individuals and organizations are thinking about "green" New Year's resolutions and the best ways of recycling obsolete computers and other hardware. TechSoup Global's GreenTech initiative is here just in the nick of time with its "Top 10" list of tips to make more environmentally conscious choices in technology product recycling, and with "green" IT practices you can implement year-round.">http://rss.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032091/device/rss/rss.xml

FRESNO, Calif. - (Business Wire) Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, has teamed with KSEE-TV Channel 24, the Central Valley's News Station and Fresno NBC affiliate, to provide a series of free electronic waste recycling events for local residents. The first "RecyclAthon" event will take place on Saturday, January 3rd from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ERI headquarters on 2860 S. East Avenue in Fresno. The event will enable consumers to drop off unwanted computer monitors, televisions and other electronic items for free.

A tool for recycling, reuse, networking, disposal and management of electronics waste How can ecyclingtools.com help my business? Extending the life of your electronics or donating equipment can save you money and conserve valuable resources. Properly recycling outdated electronics assures safe management of the hazardous components that are in many devices and permits the recovery and reuse of valuable materials to reduce the need for the extraction of new raw materials from the earth.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, joined Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and a host of other local business leaders to launch its new e-waste shredder - the largest and most efficient shredder of its kind in North America. Mayor Autry cut the ribbon and hit the "on" switch for the ceremonial launch, which took place today at ERI's new 125,440 square foot expansion facility at 3243 S. East Avenue in Fresno.

Lewis County residents with old computers and TVs will be able to recycle them for free beginning in January, when a new "e-cycle" law goes into effect. A press release from the county said computer towers, laptops, computer monitors and televisions are eligible for the program. A collection center will be set up at the Centralia Goodwill store, at 519 Harrison Ave. Those interested can call the store at 736-3828 for collection center operating hours. Under the Washington Electronics Recycling Law, manufacturers will pay for the program, and it is open to all state residents, schools, small businesses, small governments, special-purpose districts and nonprofit groups

Since May 2007, Yahoo! Green has been the hub of their eco-friendly services . As a computer-based Internet business, issues of energy efficiency and e-waste are their central environmental concerns.

An interview with recyclers in New York

Collective concern from businesses, municipalities, environmentalists and manufacturers over the hazards of e-waste has led to a search for ways to reduce its environmental impact. With a greater need for programs that handle collection and disposal of used electronics products in a way that is safest for the environment, product stewardship is emerging as a viable and cost-efficient strategy for doing so, placing the responsibility for a product's proper disposal on the shoulders of the company that makes or sells the product, or even upon the purchaser. The concept can be applied to a range of products, from paints and prescription medication to batteries and computers. Written by Carl Smith, CEO of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, 7/22/09.

Illinois e-waste legislation that requires manufacturers to establish facilities to accept e-waste from consumers. The law is on a rolling basis and over the next few years the recycling requirements will kick in and by 2012, disposal of certain e-waste in municipal waste and sanitary landfills and at incinerators will be prohibited. The E-Waste Act only applies to electronic equipment taken out of use from residences, but it affects many of the businesses involved in the stream of electronic commerce. There is a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each day of violation. Devices covered in the legislation include computers, cell phones, televisions, PDAs, printers, fax machines, game consoles, VCRs, DVD players, iPods and others (calculators and typewriters are NOT included).

Summary of House Bills 6714-6715 and Senate Bills 896-897 as reported by house committee, 12/3/08. "In general, this package of bill would add a new Part 173 (Electronics) to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require manufacturers and recyclers of covered electronic devices (covered computers and covered video display devices) to register annually with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), pay annual registration fees to a new Electronic Recycling Fund, and to require manufacturers to operate takeback programs for covered devices used by individuals and small businesses. The bills are tie-barred to one another, meaning all must be enacted for any to go into effect."

From Environmental Leader, 7/6/09. Highlights of IBM's 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report. Includes link to PDF of the report.

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.

6/30/09. Wisconsin businesses, institutions, local governments and organizations involved in recycling and refurbishing unwanted electronics have new tools to help them comply with state and federal regulations and plan successful electronics collection events. Includes information & links to a new WDNR guidance document, which ummarizes requirements that have been in effect since 2007 and includes a flow chart to help electronics handlers determine which regulations apply to them. Also includes links to a document providing tips for hosting a successful electronics recycling event.

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.