Recycling Electronics

I subscribe to “Simply Stated: Home & Organizing” blog and wanted to share a post made about some resources to recycle your electronics.

One of her recommendations however links to a site that gave me an error message but maybe the site was temporarily down – it is www.computertakeback.com, dealing with the disposal of electronics for workers and consumers.

The other site is www.gazelle.com where they offer you money for your old, unwanted electronics. They will even send you a box to mail in your electronics.

In doing my own digging around, it seems that there are plenty of services to help people dispose of their electronics. I came across eRecycle.org for electronics and there is a link there to find an eWaste recycling location near you. Might be worth checking out as another resource.

And guess what else I found? A video on YouTube “17 Ways to Recycle Your Electronic Appliances.” It has showed cool ways to recycle them as decorating items! No kidding! Here it is:

Recycle for Dollars

Good news for your old stuff

I found a website that will give you money for your old digital cameras, printers, laptops, dektops, MP3 players, LCD monitors, game systems, camcorders, and more!

Getting Organized at The Home Show

Free seminar…

Cyndi Seidler is giving a seminar on the priniciples of eco-organizing at the Home Remodeling & Decorating Show this weekend.

Be sure to visit her at booth 354 and catch her new DVD playing to passy-bys!

Home Remodeling & Decorating Show

Cyndi Seidler talks about principles of eco-organizing

At the 31st Annual Home Remodeling & Decorating Show Feb 16-18 at the L.A. Convention Center, Cyndi Seidler will talk about principles of eco-organizing. As an activist in environmental welfare and green home or natural home living, Cyndi will present some ways to be more energy efficient, like recycling and recycled products.

If you’re in the area, visit her at booth 354 and come hear her speak on the Expo Stage at 11:30 on Sat and Sun.

Re-Gifting is in vogue

Americans admit their re-gifting ways

In a recent study released this week by a research firm Harris Interactive, it found that “78 percent of consumers who were polled felt that it was acceptable to re-gift some or most of the time.”

I don’t think many of my clients were surveyed because, when I see the clutter of gifts they keep but don’t need or want, I know they are NOT among the re-gifters!

However, I do know many of us do offer a gift we don’t want and give it to someone else as a gift. Sometimes, it’s because we don’t have time to shop for a gift (or lazy to go out and purchase a new gift), but usually it’s because it’s more suitable for someone else.

The “re” in re-gifting goes along with the “re” in recycling. How ’bout that! Better than having gifts create clutter, I say!

Why Recycle?

Things you should know…

In “O At Home” magazine Fall issue, it gives some interesting figures about recycling:

• If U.S. citizens recycled just 10 percent of our newspapers, we would save about 25 million trees each year.
• Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours. Left to its own devices, glass takes one million years to biodegrade.
• Although 75 percent of what we throw out could be recycled, only 25 percent actually is.

There were many products shown in the article made from recycled material — here’s a couple things to check out:

• Paint – Robert Redford’s “Sundance Signature” house paints blended from contractor’s leftovers
• Recycled glass – from Noi, 3r Living, Oceanside Glasstile

I hope this helps you recyclers and should-be recyclers!

Natural Home Decorating

Sustainable Home Furnishings

Earth-friendly, enviornmentally friendly, eco-living, and sustainable living all have something in common: an approach to social and economic activities that are compatable with the preservation of the environment. These terms are one in the same, as they all share the philosophy to respect for life and non-living parts of nature, and of the responsibility for future generations (taken from the Sustainable Living Network).

What does this have to do with organizing, you ask?

Well, when we make the effort to improve our environment and life through better organization, often times it may bring the art of design or decorating into the mix. Combined, both of these make our areas “home-friendly” to its inhabitants and guests.

When changes are made to our environment, I feel it is important to move toward a sustainable lifestyle, and not just make changes without thinking about our environment. In the current issue of Natural Home Magazine there is an article “Decorating Your Natural Home” that provides four principles:

1) Salvage, reuse, reclaim or repurpose it.
2) Choose natural and renewable.
3) Buy recycled.
4) Seek out the least harmful option.

I can’t elaborate too much about these principles in the article or it would violate copyright. But, I can direct you to some previous related blog posts about these:

• Eco-Style
• Pleasing Mother Nature
• Eco-Makeovers
• Recycling Junk

In decorating, you can search out materials that are grown, made, organic, nontoxic, reusable, compostable, and recyclable.

There is natural paint, wood, metal and biocomposite boards for furniture, and natural textiles that all contribute to the sustainability of home decorating items. There are also many natural products for countertops and flooring.

You will find that many home furnishing stores manufacture furniture out of recycled wood or other material, so try to seek these out when replacing items in your home. I’ve found some real treasures worth restoring at second-hand shops, and it’s sometimes like a real treasure hunt to find that right piece for your home! Makes it all fun that way.

Just try to re-think your shopping habits and see how you can make a difference!

Garage Sale Day

Time to Clean Out

This weekend, May 13th, is National Garage Sale Day and that is time to make a little cash from your unwanted belongings.

A client recently said to me that she had dozens of towels she would never use but hated to get rid of them because they were perfectly good towels. I explained the concept of recycling and she liked it. That concept made her willing to get rid of things she didn’t need but didn’t want to wasteful about it.

So, consider going through your belongings and having a sale! Happy garage sale day!

Recycling Month

Giveaway options for your overflow

The latest issue of Domino Magazine has advice to offer your things a new home and make a difference in “Clear clutter, help others.”

For books, it says you can send them at a special low rate (U.S. media or library mail) to Books For Africa (booksforafrica.org): 253 E. 4th Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.

“They will funnel your reading material into schools and libraries in regions where it’s desperately needed.”

For furniture, your items can go to needy people referred to the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) by social-service organizations.

“The National Furniture Bank Association accepts chairs, tables, beds, cribs, and more…There are currently 34 furniture banks (in Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle among other cities), but there will be 62 by year’s end….For the nearest furniture bank, check the website and click on “Help1Up Locator” at thenfba.org.”

Housewares and clothing can go in a Goodwill bag, the article suggests.

“When you upgrade your toaster oven or coffeemaker, pass along the still-functioning old model. Goodwill has more than 3,000 drop-off spots across the country.– goodwill.org.”

Before I go, let me suggest reading my latest newsletter feature article “Recycling Your Stuff.” And, if you should care to subscribe to this quarterly newsletter, you can subscribe on this page.

Recycling

How Often We Recycle Gifts

According to a survey by the Opinion Research for DHL, about 26% of consumers say they have recycled holiday gifts they do not want.

74% Never
23% Occassionally
3% Frequently

I’m all for it, however if you keep the gift around a little while, it may be wise to label who the gift was from so it doesn’t get regifted back to them! This may sound silly to say, but it’s happened! My own sister got her gift back one year later!

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