Waste News, Jan. 31 -- A company that makes scrapbook supplies says it´s becoming the first major manufacturer in its field to print its entire collection on certified recycled paper.
Las Vegas-based Piggy Tales said many scrapbook companies do not use recycled paper because it can be difficult to maintain vibrant colors and creative designs using that type of paper.
"For an industry that is made up of more than 70 percent paper products, going ´green´ with our paper seemed like a logical and responsible step," said Debbie Juden, CEO of Piggy Tales.
Converting to recycled paper will save more than 100 trees a year, Juden said.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Secret Life Series Targets Cellphones
Environmental education group INFORM, Inc. (New York) recently launched its Secret Life series, which looks at the environmental impacts of everyday items and technology. The group has released the first installment, The Secret Life of Cellphones, with information for consumers on how to go about recycling or selling their mobile phones. Tres cool.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
HP Finds New Way to Recycle Old Plastic
By Matt Neznanski, Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon)
Hewlett-Packard today announced yet another use for those leftover plastic water bottles: new inkjet cartridges.
After five years of development, the recycled plastic now comprises between 70 to 100 percent of the total material in new cartridges.
“It really has been able to allow us to develop a closed-loop system,” said Ken Fleming, director of HP’s North American Supplies Marketing.
More than 200 million cartridges have been manufactured using the process. Last year, HP used more than 5 million pounds of recycled plastic in its inkjet cartridges. The company hopes to double that amount this year.
Corvallis engineers played a significant role in the company’s five-year process of bringing the recycled material into manufacturing plants. The company’s environmental policy and strategy program is based here. “Environmental stewards” are assigned to every design team. Their goal: find ways to reduce environmental impact throughout a product’s life cycle.
“A lot of the heavy lifting in terms of product management was done here in Corvallis,” said Scott Canonico, manager of the company’s environmental program.
The newly-announced proprietary process involves more than just refilling old inkjet containers with ink. It is a new way to combine different types of plastics — from water bottles to used inkjet cartridges — into a stable, reliable kind of plastic that is suitable for a number of technical applications.
That’s not easy, Canonico said.
For one thing, the material has to be predictable under a range of conditions, including how it reacts to heat and chemicals and what mechanical stress it will endure.
Because HP engineers now understand the characteristics of the recycled plastic, and how it will react in various situations, Canonico said that the material has the potential to be a “drop-in” solution for future products from the company. It already is being used in parts for one of the company’s scanners, for instance.
HP has collected used laser printer cartridges for recycling since 1991 and inkjet cartridges since 1997. The company has recycled more than 1 billion pounds of hardware and printer waste worldwide since collection efforts began.
Read More
Hewlett-Packard today announced yet another use for those leftover plastic water bottles: new inkjet cartridges.
After five years of development, the recycled plastic now comprises between 70 to 100 percent of the total material in new cartridges.
“It really has been able to allow us to develop a closed-loop system,” said Ken Fleming, director of HP’s North American Supplies Marketing.
More than 200 million cartridges have been manufactured using the process. Last year, HP used more than 5 million pounds of recycled plastic in its inkjet cartridges. The company hopes to double that amount this year.
Corvallis engineers played a significant role in the company’s five-year process of bringing the recycled material into manufacturing plants. The company’s environmental policy and strategy program is based here. “Environmental stewards” are assigned to every design team. Their goal: find ways to reduce environmental impact throughout a product’s life cycle.
“A lot of the heavy lifting in terms of product management was done here in Corvallis,” said Scott Canonico, manager of the company’s environmental program.
The newly-announced proprietary process involves more than just refilling old inkjet containers with ink. It is a new way to combine different types of plastics — from water bottles to used inkjet cartridges — into a stable, reliable kind of plastic that is suitable for a number of technical applications.
That’s not easy, Canonico said.
For one thing, the material has to be predictable under a range of conditions, including how it reacts to heat and chemicals and what mechanical stress it will endure.
Because HP engineers now understand the characteristics of the recycled plastic, and how it will react in various situations, Canonico said that the material has the potential to be a “drop-in” solution for future products from the company. It already is being used in parts for one of the company’s scanners, for instance.
HP has collected used laser printer cartridges for recycling since 1991 and inkjet cartridges since 1997. The company has recycled more than 1 billion pounds of hardware and printer waste worldwide since collection efforts began.
Read More
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Funky New Bottles as Innocent Delivers on Recycling Promise
I think this is a British product, but I LOVED reading about it! If you're a big smoothie fan, you'll be pleased to hear that innocent will be selling all of its smoothies in 100% recycled bottles as of next week. This follows an initial trial back in September 2007 when innocent became the first ever drinks company in the world to put 100% recycled PET packaging on the shelf.
You'll know you've got a bit of recycling history in your hand, as innocent’s logo will be changing colour and shape to resemble the well known green recycling symbol. The limited edition label will be turning shop shelves green for the last two weeks of February. The new bottles are fully recyclable at the end of life, and use 20% less plastic overall than innocent’s original packaging. In addition to using no virgin materials at all, the move will see a dramatic 55% reduction in the carbon footprint of the packaging. Way to go innocent!
You'll know you've got a bit of recycling history in your hand, as innocent’s logo will be changing colour and shape to resemble the well known green recycling symbol. The limited edition label will be turning shop shelves green for the last two weeks of February. The new bottles are fully recyclable at the end of life, and use 20% less plastic overall than innocent’s original packaging. In addition to using no virgin materials at all, the move will see a dramatic 55% reduction in the carbon footprint of the packaging. Way to go innocent!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wal-Mart CEO Outlines Lofty Green Goals
From the Daily Grist:
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott made a big ol' speech this week spelling out ambitious social, health, and environmental goals for the retail behemoth. Wal-Mart will work with other retailers to boost industry-wide green standards, said Scott, and, within five years, Wal-Mart suppliers will be required to meet stringent environmental standards -- and may even be paid more to do so. The company wants to double its sales of merchandise that help consumers improve home energy efficiency, is in talks with automakers about selling electric or hybrid cars, and could even set up windmills or solar panels in its parking lots to allow customers to recharge with renewable energy.
"It's a good vision," says Gwen Ruta of green group Environmental Defense. "Now we need to make it a reality."
Wal-Mart has been pushing green goals since 2005; it's planning to open energy-efficient stores and has to date sold 145 million compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott made a big ol' speech this week spelling out ambitious social, health, and environmental goals for the retail behemoth. Wal-Mart will work with other retailers to boost industry-wide green standards, said Scott, and, within five years, Wal-Mart suppliers will be required to meet stringent environmental standards -- and may even be paid more to do so. The company wants to double its sales of merchandise that help consumers improve home energy efficiency, is in talks with automakers about selling electric or hybrid cars, and could even set up windmills or solar panels in its parking lots to allow customers to recharge with renewable energy.
"It's a good vision," says Gwen Ruta of green group Environmental Defense. "Now we need to make it a reality."
Wal-Mart has been pushing green goals since 2005; it's planning to open energy-efficient stores and has to date sold 145 million compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Turning a New Leaf at Superbowl XLII
Jan. 22 -- Thousands of trees are being planted by the National Football League and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to help reduce the carbon footprint of the upcoming Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.
Forty-two trees are being planted this week at schools, and thousands of others are being planted on 84 acres of Arizona forest that burned during a fire.
"This urban forestry project is part of what will be the greenest Super Bowl ever," said ADEQ Director Steve Owens.
Forty-two trees are being planted this week at schools, and thousands of others are being planted on 84 acres of Arizona forest that burned during a fire.
"This urban forestry project is part of what will be the greenest Super Bowl ever," said ADEQ Director Steve Owens.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Great Recycled Art
Here are some great links featuring recycled sculpture - very cool! I must have a bathroom couch!
Sculpture by Tony Cragg
Trash Luxe
Bathtub Couch
Sculpture by Tony Cragg
Trash Luxe
Bathtub Couch
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