Cell Phone Recycling Week is a Great Time to Think about ReUse all around your Home

Spring Cleaning (or Spring Greening) is here and the EPA has made it extremely simple to get rid of your cell phones through a program called Cell Phone Recycling Week which runs from now until April 12th. The environmental impact of 2008’s recycling drive saved “enough energy to power more than 2,000 homes for a year.” Imagine the impact of 100 million recycled cell phones. The task is easy and the impact is large. So come join the cause by requesting a pre-paid mailer from any wireless provider or find a convenient drop off location.

An easy and free recycling program isn’t the only perk of Cell Phone Recycling Week. Many companies are jumping on board and pledging to do something extra for each customer that is joining the cause. For example T-mobile has promised to plant a tree for “each customer that recycles a phone, goes paperless or upgrades to the Motorola Renew.”

Wondering what is going to happen to that clunky Samsung or Motorola you chose to recycle? The program is centered on the concept of “reuse.” Therefore the phones that are collected are going to go under “rigorous testing.” The results, an innovative way to reuse or repair the phone. If not they are ISO certified to recycle the phone and its precious metals while keeping the landfills safe of any toxic materials. This is a win-win situation for all and is a perfect way to make a difference by Easter!

While you're at it, why not recycle some of the other things around your home? Contact your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore and they'll give new life to your old items.

Thank you to Vanessa Dang, one of our terrific Orange County interns for this blog post.

Energy Resource Center

An impressive example of building material reuse can be found right in our own backyard. Southern California Edison’s Energy Resource Center (ERC) is located in Downey and meant as a “one-stop idea shop where customers can find the most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sensitive solutions to their energy needs.”

Built in 1995 to replace a smaller SCE complex, the ERC managed to incorporate 62% of the former building’s materials into its makeup. Creative reuse of offsite materials can also be found here, including guns collected by the LA Sherriff’s Department which were melted down and incorporated into the building’s steel frame. The ERC hosts regular seminars and exhibitions where visitors are given a firsthand look at its energy efficient design and technology.

Nike Grind

Nike has created a program that takes old used shoes and reuses them for the surfaces of courts. Their program is called Reuse a Shoe and they have numerous locations and events that allow people to bring in athletic shoes of any brand and give them away. Nike turns the worn shoes into a material they have called Nike Grind. With this material they create their own rubber, foam, and upper. They have also collaborated with the leading surface manufacturers to use this Nike Grind in different athletic surfaces. Essentially people play the sports they love on the shoes they give away. Could Nike's innovative technology lead to similar reuse in home foundations? For more information visit www.nikereuseashoe.com.

Spring Greening - Renew and Reuse

Just came across a great article that really puts the fun and creativity into spring cleaning, with tips to refresh your home's decor WITHOUT purchasing new items or sending old ones to the landfill - simply ReUse and renew!

Cheap ways to spruce up home for spring
Nancy Davis Kho, Special to The Chronicle
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Spring is here and with it comes a perfect opportunity to freshen your nest. The problem is that this year, unless that nest sits in a money tree, you may be trying to do more with less.

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Don't forget you can donate used home goods at any of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores nationwide and even pick up a few things, while promoting reuse.