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14 Jan 04 - iPod; batteries; litter box; boots; book; design; SUVs; donations ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive --------------------- From Steve Long, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, recycling markets program, Boston, MA, responding to the recent postings about the Apple iPod (a pocket-sized, computerized music player), which has a battery that is not replaceable by the user: Reading of the iPod's non-replaceable battery, it lead me to ponder what the letters in IPOD stand for. Perhaps it means: - Infinite Products Optimize Disposal - I Purchase Obsolete Discardables - Ignorant People (or Producers) Operate Devices - Increasing Products = Obnoxious Debris E-mail: stephen [ DOT ] long [ AT ] state [ DOT ] ma [ DOT ] us -------------------- From John Okun, waste prevention advocate, New York, NY, responding to the 1/6/04 message about how some electric toothbrushes do not have replaceable rechargeable batteries: Many electric toothbrushes require AA batteries. Buy those brands and invest in nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries and chargers: AAA, AA, 9 Volt, C, D. I feel Rayovac's batteries and chargers are the best. I haven't disposed of a battery in over two years and the system paid itself back for all my many battery operated electronics (business, auto and household items) in one year. E-mail: johnokun [ A T ] earthlink [ D O T ] net -------------------- Excerpted from a 1/13/04 article on the Waste News website: RECHARGEABLE BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM COLLECTED MORE THAN 4 MILLION POUNDS IN 2003 The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has announced that it collected more than 4 million pounds of rechargeable batteries for recycling in 2003, a 22 percent increase over 2002. RBRC says it has recycled more than 21.9 million pounds of rechargeable batteries since 1995. About 30,000 retailers, businesses and communities serve as collection points for the batteries. National participating retailers include Best Buy, Home Depot, RadioShack, Sears, Staples, Target and Wal-Mart. More than 300 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries and products fund the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. and its public education and recycling program in the United States and Canada. -------------------- From Kyle Pogue, California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, CA: I was in the supermarket the other day and was shocked by a new disposable product I saw: A cat litter box, complete with cat litter and disposable plastic litter box. I saw it in someone's cart but wasn't able to get any additional information. The disposable trend seems to be growing at an alarming rate. Thought it would be a good product to highlight. E-mail: KPogue [AT] CIWMB [DOT] ca [DOT] gov -------------------- From Kinley Deller, King County Solid Waste Division, Recycling and Environmental Services, Seattle, WA: Julie Lewis, the founder of Deja Shoes, is back with a new shoe company (Vigilante Jade) and their first shoe is now available. The shoe (it's a boot actually) is made from a number of recycled materials and it comes in a reversible shoe box, intended to be used as a gift box. For more details, check out this web site: http://www.thevegetariansite.com/announcement_pachira.htm I felt compelled to mention this new boot to the waste prevention listserve, as I was impressed by the durability (and comfort) of my Deja Shoes boots which I bought years ago. Most light-weight boots usually only last me about a year, but my old Deja Shoes boots lasted over 4 years, including 2 years in the rugged mountains and open steppe of northwestern Mongolia. The way I see it, my Deja Shoes saved me from buying two to three other pairs of light hiking boots and they were an environmentally preferable product too. Hopefully the new Vigilante Jade boots will equal my old pair in durability and comfort. E-mail: kinley [ D O T ] deller [ A T ] metrokc [ D O T ] gov ------------------- From Gina Hawkins, City of Gainesville, recycling program, Gainesville, FL, responding to the 1/6/04 review by Tom Watson of the book, "Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator," written by Spring Gillard: I forwarded the book review of "Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator" to The Gainesville Sun gardening column editor, Marina Blomberg, in the hope that she will print it for wider circulation. Perhaps other folks have an eco-conscientious person like Marina at their local newspaper and can do the same. E-mail: hawkinsrm [ AT ] ci [ DOT ] gainesville [ DOT ] fl [ DOT ] us -------------------- From the press release and web page for "Design: Green" (forwarded by Maggie Clarke): PRODUCT DESIGN WORKSHOPS SET FOR SPRING "Design: Green" workshops will be held in New York City, Minneapolis and Chicago this spring to help product designers incorporate environmental principles into their work. These one-day workshops are a project of J. Ottman Consulting of New York City, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Design Foundation of the Industrial Designers Society of America. For more information, see http://www.greenmarketing.com/designgreen or contact Kakee Scott at Ottman Consulting at (212) 879-4160. --------------------- Link to the website for "Don't Be Fueled! Mothers For Clean and Safe Vehicles," a grassroots organization concerned about the environmental problems with SUVs (sport utility vehicles): http://www.dontbefueled.org The website includes an interview with Don't Be Fueled founder Betsy Rosenberg, from the 1/6/04 Marin (CA) Independent Journal: http://www.dontbefueled.org/news/mij_010604.shtml ---------------------- Link to information about "1% For the Planet," an alliance of businesses that agree to donate at least 1 percent of their annual net revenues to environmental organizations worldwide (first seen in the Gallon Environment Letter): http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/FAQs.htm 1% For The Planet was launched in 2001 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, Inc., and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies. As of December 2003, the group says it has 33 member businesses, which have made a total of more than $1.7 million in contributions to environmental groups. 1% For The Planet has a list of 546 approved environmental groups to which the donations can be made (including some environmental groups that deal with toxics reduction and solid waste reduction). The list of member businesses is at: http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/ourmembers.htm - end -