FreeGeek Central Florida

E-Cycling…No it has nothing to do with riding your bike.

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

E cycling is something that has been introduced lately but it is gaining popularity increasingly. If you are new to this concept then you should know that in the simplest words, re cycling is the recycling of electronics through ways that do not damage the environment. Yes, this is a new concept as mentioned earlier but this is an important step. These days we need to recycle everything. The usage of electronics has increased a lot in the past decade. Every household is now filled with all types of electronics. They help us communicate, provide us with information and entertainment, and help us in our household work. At an average, a single household in America has round about 24 electronics in it. That figure clearly tells us how common electronics are all over the world. By E cycling, one can make useless products useful, and leads to the prevention of valuable products used in the electronics. You can play your part in E cycling by donating your old electronics to people who can E cycle it. Just make sure that your electronics go into safe hands because some people employ methods that are harmful to the environment to recycle electronics. E cycling should be promoted and awareness must be spread among people about E cycling so that we all can have a safe future.

Are you E-Cycling? Don’t get caught trashing the planet?

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a product can be it’s ultimate destination. As technology has improved and enhanced our lives, older technology, including computers, televisions, radios and the myriad of home appliances we accumulate all ends up somewhere. Electronics can be full of heavy metals and other toxic properties that a traditional landfill is unable to properly dispose of. Do an online search for e-waste disposal in your community, and see if any governmental offices have prepared special instructions for disposal.The full explanation can be found at http://bwnews.us/2011/07/18/disposing-electronics-and-supporting-non-profits/ Some big-box electronics retailers now offer recycling in their stores, so check with them if you have have an electronics component you’re not certain of. Perhaps the most proactive action you can take as a consumer is to plan ahead before you buy electronics, and ask yourself if the product you are purchasing is really necessary. For example, the computer or mobile device you are reading this article on now has many of the features which used to require many devices to replicate, such as music, movies and so forth. Consider the value of simplicity in your life, and consider owning less things. E-waste can be a problem of the past with proper planning.

What is the cost of E-Waste in my area?

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

E-waste is becoming a nationwide problem for everyone especially sanitation departments. The invention and disposal of old technology equipment leaves landfills full and with very few alternatives. This problem is becoming a major one on all levels especially locally. The cost to pick up electronic items are included in the regular monthly bill, depending on where you live.

In some states however, there maybe a charge for picking up these type of items. There are other methods of disposal that can be more productive than putting old electronic devices on the roadside.Is this new to you? Catch up here One such method is called E-cycling.

E-cycling is great for many reasons. It saves the environment, and it help others. Old items like printers, laptops, and desktops can be of great use to small business owners who are just starting out, children after school programs, and other places which may be short on money and need a helping hand. This solution is a better alternative.

Many of the items that individuals want to junk are old cars that still runs, and old analog televisions that still plays. Organizations such as nursing homes, and assisted living facilities will appreciate these item if they are donated. Many of these items could be worth a tax write off.

Upgrading? What to Do With Your Old Machine

admin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of things to consider when you buy a new laptop like internet service providers and what color cover you’re going to get but don’t forget about one of the most important considerationswhat are you going to do with your old machines? Make sure you get rid of them responsiblythis is how.
Find an e-Steward – It’s easy as pie to look up a responsible e-Steward in your state, usually an organization designed to take an old machine off your hands. They usually do it for free and you can rest assured you’re not harming the environment.
Consider Donating – If your machine still works, consider donating it to a program or school that can refurbish and use it for education. You can usually write it off on your taxes and you’ll feel good about helping your community.
Don’t Forget the Accessories – If you’re changing printers or scanners, don’t forget that they’ve got hazardous parts, too. Dispose of old cartridges the right way or contact a retail seller or the manufacturer if you’re not sure what to do with them.

Other e-cyling e-wareness campaigns

www.freegeekcentralflorida.org — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:17:49 +0000

Free Geek isn’t the only organization working to reduce e-waste in the world (and I promise I’ll stop now with the e-breviations). Other campaigns have also been successful at bringing awareness to the general public. A few of them are highlighted below.AddressTheMess.com is actually sponsored by Comedy Central, the same channel that brings awareness to social issues through the comedic antics of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. AddressTheMess.com brings a similar sort of satiric but serious look at the issue, such as in a bit entitled “Electronics Roadshow,” where the hosts have an appraisal session and explain to their guests that their old technology is worth nothingso why not recycle it?Electronics TakeBack Coalition treats not only the symptoms, but the problem itself. In addition to different electronic recycling options, the organization promotes redesigning electronics to green standards. The group was responsible for getting Dell to start its product-takeback program in 2006. ETC campaigns at both the company and state-level to promote education and awareness.Silicon Valley Toxics Coaliton is based in San Jose, California, but has a global focus. In 2008, they produced a documentary called Citizens at Risk which shows how electronic waste affects both the workers who handle it and the countries where it has historically been transported. Employees from all fields (including law enforcement, environmentalists, and electronics workers) make up the committee, which was founded in 1982 after historic e-waste leaks in the Valley were suspected of causing health problems.

E-waste in the news, but not on customers’ to-do lists

www.freegeekcentralflorida.org — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:04:19 +0000

A Gadget Census Report published earlier this month has revealed some uncomfortable facts about e-waste recyclingnamely, that even people who know their options don’t take advantage of them. The study, which surveyed 7,500 people, revealed that more than 60 of people say they don’t recycle used devices like computers, phones, and TVs. 25 of those said the reason was that they “didn’t get around to it”; 17 said they didn’t know how; 11 said there were no programs nearby; a minority 7 said they didn’t care.However, people may find the issue higher on their to-do list in the near future. Consumer electronics site Retrevo estimates that by the end of the year, there will be enough electronic waste to cover Manhattan three feet deep. By 2020, the amount of e-waste “could fill enough dump trucks to circle the earth twice.” It’s more important than ever that we tackle this problem head-on, and organizations like Free Geek are here to help.

Electronic waste has real ramifications

www.freegeekcentralflorida.org — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 03:58:52 +0000

We know that technology is constantly changing, and that devices often pass their prime in a matter of years (or months). So what do you do with that computer you bought a few years ago when you’re ready to upgrade? The first answer is that you don’t simply throw it out. Electronic scraps in computers, cell phones, TVs, refrigerators, and other devices can include plenty of nasty ingredients that can harm the environment and the human workers who transport them. These include beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants. Meanwhile, the EPA regards cathode ray tubes (CRTs, which are used in computer monitors and television screens) as “hazardous household waste.” Unfortunately, most of this ends up in landfills or incinerators.So what options are there? The good news is that even electronic devices that have passed their natural age can still deliver some good, whether its by being stripped for parts or donated to charity organizations. At the very least, the lead and gold can be removed from the environment. When it comes to recycling, particularly of computers, there are many options that consumers may not know about. For example, did you know that you could send in your old computer to the manufacturer (in most cases) or donate it to a charity for a tax deduction?Free Geek is an organization that addresses the issues of computer waste and also provides a social service to the community by making computer technology available to those without financial resources. The organization, which was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2000, now maintains volunteer-run chapters across the country. These chapters accept donations from individuals and restore the computers to working order, equipping them with the Ubuntu Linux operating system and other free software. These computers are then sent out to charities, or sold at enormous discounts in a Free Geek Thrift Store.

A guide to the greenest electronics companies

www.freegeekcentralflorida.org — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:16:44 +0000

Greenpeace publishes an annual Guide to Greener Electronics, detailing their favorites for greenest companies of the yearas well as those on the other end of the spectrum. What’s the opposite of green? Anyway, here are some of the selections from the 2009 edition, published back in January of 2010. An update was published in May of this year.Apple was congratulated for removing polyvinyl chlorides (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from its products two years ahead of other companies’ schedules. PVC produces dioxins, a dangerous byproduct, during manufacture and incineration, and BFRs have shown strong evidence of contaminating wildlife and individuals.Nokia, along with Sony Ericsson, has also worked on lowering and removing the amount of harmful substances in its devices. Nokia also offers one of the best takeback programs among mobile phone producers. Its program is operated in 84 different countries. However, these programs are only as successful as they are popular, and most people are either unaware of the option or unmotivated to send in their old phones.Dell, Lenovo, LG Electronics, and Samsung were criticized by Greenpeace for not meeting their promises to remove dangerous materials. Since April, Samsung phones and MP3 players have been free of PVC and BFRs, and in an updated guide Samsung was 13^th out of 18 leading manufacturers. Apple, meanwhile, had been pushed back to fifth, while Nokia and Sony Ericsson remain at the head of the pack.