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Consumer electronics-including TVs, computers, peripherals, audio equipment, and phones-make up almost 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . This percentage may seem small and inconsequential, but the quantity of electronic waste is steadily rising. In fact, the EPA estimates that the number of obsolete consumer electronics sold between 1980 and 2007 is 235 million; a total weight of 2.25 million tons. Where are these 235 million units now? Eighteen percent of these products were collected for recycling; the rest are, unfortunately, sitting in landfills. Toxins (lead, mercury, flame retardants, and the like) from these electronics can seep into the soil and ground water, posing serious health and environmental risks.

following the e-waste trail

This is the Pheonix Brute. Otherwise known as the Crystalite 5305. It's a front motor laced to a 26" mountain rim. It has 460 miles exactly on the motor You will need a controller, battery and throttle. This is for a 48 or 72 volt system. I found it to be a little too much power for a front wheel drive. Might be more appropriate for a pedicab or power push trailer etc. These retail for 470.00. If you want to buy the entire power system from me, I'll sell it for 595.00 (motor, controller, throttle) Then you just need a battery. Please do your homework before emailing. Here is a link for more info: http://www.electricrider.com/crystalyte/phoenix.htm

For short hops around town, to run errands or to just enjoy the countryside up close, ditch your car for an E-bike: The boost your pedaling will get from an electric motor, when you want it, gives you the freedom to get around town unencumbered, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. You can bike 15-20 miles before you'll need to recharge the batteries.

YAKIMA, Wash. -- In its first month, Washington's new electronics recycling program has collected more than three million pounds of waste -- 20 percent to 30 percent more than expected. Although pleased with the program's success, regulators of E-Cycle Washington are asking people to wait a few months to drop off their electronics so collection sites can catch up with demand. "Response has been good, but there are some capacity issues," said John Friedrick, director of the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, which oversees the recycling network. "I anticipated there would be a lot more problems, but there haven't been. Overall, I'm very happy with it."

Feb. 27-March 2

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.

We've said it before, and we'll surely say it again, but even though green IT is here to stay, it's still got a long way to go. One of the trends I noted in my 2008 roundup of green IT stories -- and one of the most promising trends out there, is that companies are increasingly harnessing the power of IT to solve bigger environmental issues. From IBM's goal of mapping water systems to maximize efficiency to the E.U.'s plan to put IT to work in buildings to trim energy use, it's clear that the sphere in which IT can operate is expanding, and much to the good.

PEOPLE DEMAND good data, especially when it comes to matters of human health and the environment. They get frustrated when it isn't easily available or if they feel it's incomplete or not organized in a way that's useful. So, not surprisingly, Environmental Protection Agency Chief Information Officer Molly O'Neill is intrigued by the new crop of Web 2.0 technologies that could help better deliver information and establish forums for the resulting discussions. O'Neill spoke with GCN about a successful wiki-based pilot involving the Puget Sound Leadership Council in addition to the challenges agencies face handling large amounts of data.

Some wait hours for chance to discard electronic equipment The line of cars heading into the Kansas Coliseum stretched well beyond a mile down I-135 Saturday as environmentally conscious residents took advantage of a rare chance to discard unwanted electronic equipment. Jo Oliver, Sedgwick County's recycling coordinator, said the popularity of the county's first e-waste recycling event took everyone by surprise. "Everybody is just speechless," she said as five dozen workers unloaded cars, trucks and trailers that were driven into Pavilion 2. "The program is phenomenally successful.

The lines stretched as long as the wait time. With backseats and pick-up trucks packed, Sedgwick county recyclers crushed the number of cars that were expected to roll into the Kansas Coliseum on Saturday.

Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Seattle, says a state law that just went into effect to encourage recycling of electronics needs some tinkering to make sure it doesn't inadvertently bankrupt businesses that fix old computers. Hudgins' South Seattle district includes several computer-refurbishing shops. The law went into effect yesterday. It allows consumers to recycle computers, computer monitors, laptops and TVs for free. It is being hailed as groundbreaking nationally because it marks the first time a state has forced electronics manufacturers to pay the entire cost of the recycling. But there's a big problem with the law, according to environmentalists as well as the computer refurbishers. They say it puts a big hurdle in the way of the computer rebuilders. So Hudgins says he is drafting legislation in an attempt to fix the problem. The legislation would allow nonprofit groups to fix perhaps 500 to 1,000 computers per year for resale to the public.

E-Cycle Washington, a new program that started on Jan. 1, allows free and convenient recycling of TVs, desktop and laptop computers, and monitors only, according to a Jan. 12 press release. 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 these electronic items to the sites. The program is

A state law that just went into effect to encourage recycling of electronics needs some tinkering to make sure it doesn't inadvertently bankrupt businesses that fix old computers, says a state legislator whose South Seattle district includes several computer-refurbishing shops. The law allows consumers to recycle computers, computer monitors, laptops and TVs for free. In effect as of Thursday, it is being hailed as groundbreaking nationally because it marks the first time a state has forced electronics manufacturers to pay the entire cost of the recycling. But there's a big problem with the law, according to environmentalists as well as the computer refurbishers: It puts a big hurdle in the way of the computer rebuilders.

Richland, Wash-- If you have an old T.V. or computer to get rid of think, before you put it in your garbage. It's not illegal for households to put electronics in their trash, but it could be dangerous for ground water around landfills. All businesses are required to E-Cycle their electronics. If you take your electronics to the Richland Landfill they will dispose them for free. They have already shipped six truck loads so far.

SPOKANE -- If you have old electronics collecting dust at home there's a free and green way in Washington now to get rid of all that unwanted clutter. Many of the electronics people use on a daily basis contain lead and mercury making it harmful to just toss them into a landfill. That's why a new state law requires makers of televisions, computers, laptops, and monitors to provide free e-cycling facilities.

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.

Do you have an old TV, laptop or monitor? Now you can easily recycle it for free, thanks to a new state law. The E-Cycle Washington program requires manufacturers to provide recycling services for TVs, desktop computers, laptop computers and monitors at no cost to residents, nonprofits, small businesses, schools and local governments. "The law puts the responsibility of end-of-life disposal costs on the manufacturer, rather than the resident or local government. This is important because recycling is a very expensive process," said Terri Thomas, education and outreach specialist for Thurston County Solid Waste. Before, residents either had to rely on Thurston County's twice-a-year Community Recycle Days or seek out other options, usually at their own expense, Thomas said. Perhaps that's why electronics are the fastest-growing waste stream, she said.

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.

In November, not two weeks after winning the election and still two months from becoming commander in chief, Barack Obama brought the government into the 21st century. Or at least that was what we were told when he released his first Web video address as president-elect. The clip, billed by some as a modern fireside chat, was embedded as a YouTube video on Change.gov, the incoming administration's Web site. Sitting in a leather chair, framed slightly off center from his chest up, Obama delivered a three-minute talk on the economic crisis, vlog style.In November, not two weeks after winning the election and still two months from becoming commander in chief, Barack Obama brought the government into the 21st century. Or at least that was what we were told when he released his first Web video address as president-elect. The clip, billed by some as a modern fireside chat, was embedded as a YouTube video on Change.gov, the incoming administration's Web site. Sitting in a leather chair, framed slightly off center from his chest up, Obama delivered a three-minute talk on the economic crisis, vlog style.