60 Minutes Profiles Wrongful Recycling — Buyer Beware

Following the growing issue of e-waste recycling, this 60 minutes story profiles the problems that intertwine e-waste recycling and how manye-waste processors are not properly handling the waste that they take in (despite what marketing claims might tell you).  It’s unfortunate that they chose a Denver e-cycler to profile, as Denver is the home of GRX, one of the most responsible e-cyclers out there, and they should not be wrongly painted with the same brush.  It’s terribly sad that consumers can’t trust a green message when they hear it, but here’s the main caution — “free” recycling events that take in complex electronics are, in this economic climate, a big red flag.  Recycling televisions in particular is an expensive and time consuming process to get right, as the tube contains multiple harmful toxins including lead, mercury and cadmium.  There’s not an after-market strong enough to make the proper disposal of certain electronics profitable, so consumers are often asked to bear part of the costs involved.  If you want to do it right, and do it green, it often takes more effort and resources than instant-gratification “free” events may provide.  You get what you pay for in most instances.  See this USA Today story for more information on “free” recycling events.

Green Like Me

Yes, I admit it.   I like air conditioning, have non-LED Christmas lights, and hate low-flow shower heads.  However, I also try to use long-life lightbulbs, I recycle everything that I’m able, and I want to find realistic, practical ways to be greener without completely changing my lifestyle.

That’s who TerraThread is for.  If you’re looking to properly recycle an old TV set, want to keep up on the general trends towards living more green, and want to do what you can to be more eco-focused in a practical way, then you’re in the right place. 

Welcome to TerraThread — providing eco-info for practical people.  How can I help you today?