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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- More than 500 people gathered Monday for the State of Green Business Forum in San Francisco, an all-day event that marked the release of the State of Green Business 2009 report from the editors of GreenBiz.com. The report attempts to measure the adoption of green business practices in the U.S. The Forum featured more than a dozen industry leaders to bring various aspects of the report to life: water management, green jobs, innovation and energy efficiency. GreenBiz.com Executive Editor Joel Makower also assembled a panel of advisors of President Barack Obama to discuss the new administration and its efforts to jumpstart a green economy. In opening up the forum, Makower presented an overview of the finding of this year's report: in a nutshell, companies are doing OK, but there's plenty of room for improvement. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- More than 500 people gathered Monday for the State of Green Business Forum in San Francisco, an all-day event that marked the release of the State of Green Business 2009 report from the editors of GreenBiz.com. The report attempts to measure the adoption of green business practices in the U.S. The Forum featured more than a dozen industry leaders to bring various aspects of the report to life: water management, green jobs, innovation and energy efficiency. GreenBiz.com Executive Editor Joel Makower also assembled a panel of advisors of President Barack Obama to discuss the new administration and its efforts to jumpstart a green economy. In opening up the forum, Makower presented an overview of the finding of this year's report: in a nutshell, companies are doing OK, but there's plenty of room for improvement.

Oregon and Washington have collected almost 5 million pounds of electronic waste since their free recycling programs went into effect in January. The free recycling applies to TVs, monitors and computers, both desktops and laptops. Oregon reported about 1.5 million pounds collected in January, ahead of the 12.2 million pounds projected for the year. Washington said residents brought in slightly less than 3.3 million pounds, establishing a pace that would far exceed the state's projection of 25 million pounds for 2009. Officials, however, expect the pace to taper off a bit. People appeared to stockpile a large amount of electronics while waiting for the program to start Jan. 1. "Our recyclers told us they were just inundated at first," said Kathy Kiwala, manager of Oregon's electronics program for the Department of Environmental Quality. "The activity continues to be strong but not like it was the first two weeks," she said. Oregon and Washington have collected almost 5 million pounds of electronic waste since their free recycling programs went into effect in January. The free recycling applies to TVs, monitors and computers, both desktops and laptops. Oregon reported about 1.5 million pounds collected in January, ahead of the 12.2 million pounds projected for the year. Washington said residents brought in slightly less than 3.3 million pounds, establishing a pace that would far exceed the state's projection of 25 million pounds for 2009. Officials, however, expect the pace to taper off a bit. People appeared to stockpile a large amount of electronics while waiting for the program to start Jan. 1. "Our recyclers told us they were just inundated at first," said Kathy Kiwala, manager of Oregon's electronics program for the Department of Environmental Quality. "The activity continues to be strong but not like it was the first two weeks," she said.

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.

All those new gizmos and gadgets gleefully pulled from beneath the Christmas tree are about to spur a high tide of household waste as piles of old gizmos and gadgets are discarded. By the time you dump in the usual remains of the holidays -- the packaging, wrapping paper, ribbons, stale fruitcakes and turkey carcasses -- daily household waste increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, state pollution control officials say. Comment: Washington state has a new law effective January 1 which requires manufacturers of electronic items to accept and pay for recyling. Most large cities have a couple of designated sites where consumers can drop off tv's, phones, DVD players, etc at no charge. The law, passed a few years ago makes the manufacturers financially responsible. I'm sure that they have used this lead-in time to adjust the price of their products to cover the cost of recycling. Only time will tell if this method is successful. Whichever method is chosen for an area, the final cost will ultimately be borne by the consumer.Washington state has a new law effective January 1 which requires manufacturers of electronic items to accept and pay for recyling. Most large cities have a couple of designated sites where consumers can drop off tv's, phones, DVD players, etc at no charge. The law, passed a few years ago makes the manufacturers financially responsible. I'm sure that they have used this lead-in time to adjust the price of their products to cover the cost of recycling. Only time will tell if this method is successful. Whichever method is chosen for an area, the final cost will ultimately be borne by the consumer.

ODATE, JP -- Many small pieces can add up to a big whole, and one small city in the north of Japan is finding there's money in the process as well. Odate, a city of about 80,000 people in Akita Prefecture, on the northern end of Honshu, the big island of Japan, has begun diverting small electronics from landfills and using the town's mining history to salvage precious metals from the waste. By putting collection bins outside supermarkets and community centers, the city gathering about 17 tons of e-waste in 11 months, from April 2007 to February 2008, according to a report from Harufumi Mori in Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper. The gadgets collected range from broken appliances to hair dryers to cell phones -- all too small to fall under the scope of recycling laws in Japan. Although they're small, they're far from worthless, the city is finding. After looking through just over one-third of the waste, Mori reports that the city might find as much as half a kilogram of tantalum, one kilogram of gold, and as much as 4 kilograms of silver and palladium. All from less than one year of collections in one city among a gadget-crazy country with over 127 million residents. As a former mining town, Odate is well equipped to harvest precious metals from e-waste.

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

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.

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.

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

As industry groups file suit against a New York City e-waste recycling program, AT&T is ramping up its own wireless recycling initiatives, showing the divergent attitude that is emerging among sellers of electronic devices. AT&T estimates it will collect roughly 14 million wireless devices for recycling by the end of 2011, which will keep more than 920 tons of primary materials and more than 13 tons of toxic waste out of landfills. Post provides highlights of AT&T e-waste initiative, information on lawsuit filed in NYC, and information on the Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC). ESABC is revising the Environmental Handling Fees (EHFs) charged on products which were regulated for the launch of the program August 1, 2007. Most charges will be lowered between 20 to 75 percent. These changes will become effective on August 1, 2009 and are directly related to computer, printer, monitor and TV purchases.

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.

The WEEE Forum's set of remarks on the European Commission's Proposal for a recast of Directive 2002/96/EC on WEEE 24 April 2009. "In this paper, the WEEE Forum seeks to contribute, by providing both expert views and facts and figures, to the discussion on the recast of the Directive. The focus of this issue paper is the newly proposed collection targets and the requirement on member states to finance at least the costs of collection from collection facilities and the treatment, disposal and recovery of WEEE, and to encourage producers to take full ownership of the WEEE collection, in particular by financing the collection of WEEE throughout the whole waste chain including from private households."

E-waste: search through any basement, attic or garage in America and you'll likely find some. Old computers and cell phones, your ancient TV that shows only a scratchy black-and-white picture, that broken printer. These are all examples of electronic waste, also known as e-waste - a booming facet of America's waste stream. Americans generate between 5 and 7 million tons of e-waste each year - and the amount is growing three times faster than other types of municipal waste, according to the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association. The association is a nonprofit interstate group of New England states - including New Hampshire - that coordinates waste and pollution prevention programs. Though e-waste itself isn't a new phenomenon, only within about the last eight years have states tried to grapple with how to properly dispose of electronics that contain chemicals harmful to the environment when simply tossed in a landfill or burned in an incinerator. New Hampshire is one of 18 states in the country to have a law regulating e-waste, and the law may soon get a little stricter.

Basel Action Network (BAN) Toxic Trade News, 6/10/09. "The Environmental Protection Agency filed a legal Complaint and Compliance Order late last week against EarthEcycle, the electronic waste handler for several charity e-waste collection events held in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in recent days. Basel Action Network (BAN) tracked 7 sea-going containers of the collected toxic e-waste to Hong Kong and South Africa after assurances were made by EarthEcycle owner, Mr. Jeffrey Nixon, that the wastes would be recycled locally. The EPA complaint cites 7 violation counts for illegal management and exportation of 'Cathode Ray Tubes' - the picture tube of old computer monitors and TVs. The counts include 'unauthorized export of hazardous waste' and 'failure to prepare a hazardous waste manifest.'" Article also reports on the decision of certain charities to continue their fundraising relationships with EarthECycle despite allegations of illegal exportation of waste.

Mumbai, the electronic waste capital of the country, is likely to get an e-waste processing unit run on a public-private partnership model. The unit will be first of its kind in the country and the second in South East Asia, to where India now supplies its e-waste for recovery of precious metals. The core committee under the chairmanship of the state Environment Secretary along with members of Solid Waste Management (SWM) cell of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), decided that a techno-economic feasibility study should be carried out for full-fledged processing of e-waste generated in the region. "The committee decided that a techno-economic feasibility study should be initiated. The concept is to have a comprehensive process to recover precious as well as non-precious metals safely," said Ashwini Bhide, Joint Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA. The processing unit will be located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

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.

Beijing Review article by Ding Wenlei, 7/9/09. "In the eight years after Guiyu became a collection point for electronic waste, Greenpeace China and other green organizations have not stopped urging major waste exporters to cease shipping their detritus to China. At the same time, they have been lobbying the Chinese Government to crack down more effectively on illegal electronic waste recycling. China finally has its own regulation on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)-the Regulation on the Administration of the Recovery and Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products. Announced on February 25, the regulation will hold producers liable for the costs of managing their products at the end of their lifecycles as of January 1, 2011. According to the regulation, China will license large qualified recycling plants and develop a recycling economy to better safeguard the environment and human health. Yet, for environmental organizations, the Chinese Government and licensed recycling plants, it remains an uphill battle to smash the business chain of the illegal recycling of electronic waste."

Research project that proposed to conduct a comprehensive study of the current CRT waste situation in the state of Florida (volume of CRT discarded, existing facilities, practices) as well as make projections on trends in future CRT waste streams. The goal of this research to answer questions about trends in volume of discarded CRTs in the future, current CRT waste management practices and trends, and capacity for handling increase in CRT disposal. Page includes links to the project reports, as well as a paper presented at the February 2010 SWANA Thinking Outside of the Blue Box Conference.

The green revolution was a major focus Wednesday morning, as it has been throughout CES so far. LG announced that its 2009 HDTVs are being designed to achieve the newest Energy Star 3.0 rating. The company is rolling out the "Life's Green 2020" initiative, which will cut greenhouse gas emissions by two points in the product lifecycle -- in the manufacturing process, where the company aims to cut emissions by 150 kilotons/year by 2020, and with the products themselves, for an additional decrease of 30 megatons/year by 2020. One of the few products to get more than a few sentences of introduction may be coming to your town soon, but it's not likely you're in the market. The LG Skycharger, a solar- and wind-powered charging station, can handle up to 104 phones (of various makes, not only LG) in its lockable cubbyholes, dispensing up to 1.8 kilowatts of power among them. Drop a gadget off and it'll be charged in about an hour; unused power goes into the station's battery bank in case it gets both calm and dark. Who's buying? Think large outdoor venues...or disaster-recovery agencies. The Skycharger will, according to the company, be making a US tour in 2009. It's the first of its kind in the nation.