We all have oodles of used electronic equipment laying around in drawers and boxes and we all are going to sell them, or donate them, or recycle them, when we get a round tuit.

C’mon you know who you are.  We have actually sold a few items of  used electronic equipment on eBay and Craigslist but it is a hassle and then they go in the box, on on the shelf, in the drawer.  Out of site – out of mind.

Now Gazelle to the go green rescue!  Gazelle.com is a company that will purchase your; used computers, tv’s, mp3 players, iPods, cell phones, audio equipment and just about all types of reusable electronic equipment.  This is one of the best places for cell phone recycling and who doesn’t have a bunch of those lying around.

This company operates a very green business and we have heard nothing but good things about them.  You can select a category; fill out the checklist of items that you have to sell and give a description of condition and items that go with them, such as original packaging, manuals, original software, cables, etc.

Then you submit your entry online and they will make a cash offer for your used electronics.  Once you decide to accept the offer you can print out a label from their website and shipping will be paid by the buyer. OK you might get a little higher price if you sell directly to an end user, but this is the no hassle way.

They will notify you when the item is received, then it takes about a week for them to inspect it and approve that it meets your agreed to description and then they will issue you a check or pay you instantly through your PayPal account.

Gazelle goes one step further in the reuse – recycle – donation way of going green in that you may elect to have the payment made directly to your favorite charity.  Everybody wins!  So whether you want to get cash for your used electronic equipment and gadgets or if you want to recycle and donate at the same time we heartily recommend Gazelle.

I remember growing up and seeing the cooling ponds from the local power plant give off steam in the winter.  As a young child I thought it looked cool. Today I think what a waste. There are numerous accounts of waste heat just literally being wasted. Some of the processes that produce waste heat are fuel combustion or chemical reactions. Large amounts of heat are generated for different purposes in boilers, kilns, ovens and furnaces. Not all of the energy is recoverable but a good portion is and should be.

There are many well know heat exchangers in use today. One of the best-known but not knows is in most automobiles.  The heat produced by the vehicles engine is cooled by water. Running it through the radiator disperses the heat into the air thus cooling the water, which cools the engine.  Most people are not aware until it leaks, is that this same coolant water is inside the passenger compartment. Yes that heating core inside your car that keeps you warm in the winter months is successful recovery and use of waste heat.

There are also present today waste heat boilers that convert the hot gases from boilers, channel it to a turbine, and produce electricity.  Unfortunately this supply of energy is not always sufficient and auxiliary heaters are needed to drive the turbine.  But with research and investment a more efficient way will be found.

There are many other ways to conserve, reuse and recycle what we use around us. Just because it has been named waste does not mean it is worthless or useless.

One company that I have visited on other business is the Graham Manufacturing Company in Batavia, NY.  This company makes large scale industrial type heat exchangers for waste heat recovery.  http://www.graham-mfg.com/

There are many ways to help the environment. First thing everyone should do is to stop being wasteful with the products we use and the energy we consume. Also reuse and recycle what you can. Everything from aluminum and glass to plastic and paper can be recycled; all it takes is a little effort. Planting trees, shrubs and flowers around your home can help. Not only is this good for the environment but also pleasing to the eyes.

This is something that is not only good for the environment but for you too. Walk to the store or your friend’s house. Leave the car at home. This in itself will not only improve your health but will also help reduce this nations dependency on foreign oil imports.

The world and the environment also need more than just one animal (humans) on this planet so be kind to other animals. Many animals provide a needed service that helps the environment.

Look at the job bees and butterflies do. They go to work everyday to pollinate the plants. Some of these plants we depend on for food. Unfortunately some of the genetically modified plants we use as a food source now have pesticides built in. I wonder if there is a connection with that and the rapid decline in the bee and butterfly populations.

For those of you out there that wish something for nothing try what I did. Yes this is environmentally friendly. My daughter loves tomatoes so I dug up a portion of the back yard and planted 6 tomato plants. We had tomatoes all summer. Some of which fell and were eaten by the bugs and rabbits. That autumn, before the first frost I raked the leaves from the yard and place them on the garden area. I then spaded the garden over. Yes this took a little time and work but did not cost me a red cent. The following spring I spaded the garden area again. After several rains there appeared new tomatoes plant. I did this each year for six straight years. The last year before we moved I counted 128 new sprouts. I think the fuel used to purchase the first six plants was energy well spent. Just as a side note, the garden had only midday sun and was a six-foot by eight-foot area.

Be creative and help save the environment. Every little bit counts just do your part.

So, you’ve started on the road to going green.  You’ve donated to various organizations, you’ve found things around your own home that needed fixed, and you’ve even worked on cleaning up your neighborhood.  Now, it’s time to look at a few Ways To Go Green At Work. There are many things you can do at work that will help out the go green movement.

Eat Better Lunches:
First of all, rather than eating fast food or getting something from a vending machine, take your lunch with you to work.  Package everything in reusable containers, use real silverware, and maybe even take your own salt and pepper shaker with you.  This way, you have nothing to throw away which means nothing going into a landfill.

Office Savings:
If you get a carbonated beverage from a vending machine, don’t just throw it out.  Keep it for recycling and see about getting several of your co-workers to do the same.  You might start a recycling program at your work  hat will benefit everyone involved.  You should also reuse any office memos that come your way.  Rather than just tossing those pieces of paper away, use them as scratch paper, or save up several pages and use them as note paper.

Do All You Can:
Going green doesn’t just mean doing a little here and there.  It means doing all you can everywhere you go.  With all the different Ways To Go Green At Work, you can continue working to go green.  Others around you will see what you’re doing and might just be moved enough to join in too.

You sure are welcome to chime in here anytime folks.

Cato

It seems everyone is getting in on the go green movement these days. New ideas are being created everyday on how to save the environment. You can do your part, even when you’re at work. Here are a few Go Green At Work Tips that can get you started toward creating a greener work place. It only takes a few simple ideas to get the ball rolling.

Recycle:
Recycle and reuse everything you can. Instead of throwing out office memos, use the blank sides as scratch paper. Better yet, save us a few of them and turn them into a notepad. Simply cut them into equal parts and staple the top. Recycle any aluminum cans you might get throughout the day. Talk to your co-workers about setting up a place where these can be deposited.

Less Waste:
Create as little waste as possible. Pack a lunch instead of ordering take out food. Bring in your own cup or mug instead of using Styrofoam cups. Use digital means of communication as often as possible. The less we throw out today, the less room we’ll need for landfills in the future. When you do throw things out, make sure they’re biodegradable.

Green Environment:
Creating a greener environment at work is a great way to get others involved. The more people involved, the more efficient the work place. See how many other Go Green At Work Tips you can come up with. Sit down with your co-workers and see what else you can do as a group, to make our world a better place to live.

Let us know if you have any ideas to add to this list.