corporate sustainability

Recycling Laptop Batteries

admin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:00:58 -0700

Virtually all laptops use rechargeable batteries in addition to the laptop ac adapters. These batteries consist of either Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) or Lithium-Ion (Li-ion). Although neither type is considered and environmental hazard (Nickel is considered only semi-toxic), it is still important to dispose of them in a proper fashion. The Nickel in Nickel Metal Hydride batteries can be extracted and recycled for reuse. Lithium-Ion based batteries are not reused, but should always be returned to a reclamation center for proper disposal since the electrolyte inside can become flammable if exposed to moisture.

Many municipalities have reclamation centers that will accept most household items including laptop batteries. You can check with your local city sanitation department or call 1-800-8-BATTERY for a reclamation center near you. You can also check with the manufacturer of your computer for recycling options. Most computer and technology companies have instituted recycling programs for their products.

Dell Lithium-Ion batteries can be recycled free of charge. Just provide your shipping information at http://support.dell.com/ and dell well send a pre-paid shipping container for any dell product.

Even with all of the options available for the recycling of laptop batteries, currently only 1 in 6 are returned in the US. Compared to automobile batteries which have a 98% reclamation rate, there is still ample room for improvement.

Green Hotels Promote Environmental Sustainability One Room at a Time

admin — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:54:55 -0800

If you are a frequent traveler, then you have probably noticed that more and more hotels are going "green" and making a point to let their customers know about it. Green hotels are those that promote conservation of water, energy, and solid waste. This requires a firm commitment from owners and managers and includes such steps as placing placards in rooms asking customers to re-use their sheets and towels. This alone can save 5% in water consumption used for laundry.

While preparing for a recent business trip, I was looking for a green Switzerland hotel accommodation and was pleased to see that one of my favorite Swiss hotel chains, Sorellino Hotels, is a member of the Green Hotels Association. It is no surprise that the Swiss would lead the way in conservation and sustainability. The Swiss have always been successful in balancing the needs of the environment with the ongoing human development. An example of this concept in action is the network of hydro electric damns which provide 60% of Switzerland's power.

Before making your next Switzerland hotel reservations check the Green Hotels Association for a current list of all international participants in the program. Every time we support a green hotel or other business, we are one step closer to achieving an environmentally sustainable world economy.

Video Game Makers Still Struggling to Achieve Sustainability

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:34:50 -0800

Many computer and software manufacturers have made great strides in cutting the amount of non-sustainable and toxic materials used in the development of their products. Unfortunately the developer of your favorite console or shooting games may not be doing their part to help the environment.

Greenpeace releases a yearly report rating technology companies and tracking their improvements in sustainable environmental practices. Many of the large companies, such as Sony and Samsung rate strongly, and continue to improve. But many companies are late to the game and will have a long struggle to catch up. Nintendo, which develops fun games such as Mario Galaxy and Wii Sports, was the first global company to ever score zero across the board.

Greenpeace Ratings

BEST

7.7 Sony Ericsson - New leader due to improved takeback reporting, new models PVC free, but falls down on takeback practice.
7.7 Samsung - Big improvements, with products free of the worst toxic chemicals. Loses points for incomplete takeback practice.
7.3 Sony - products free of toxic PVC and improved reporting on recycling and takeback especially in the US.
7.3 Dell - Unchanged since the last version, still no products on the market without the worst chemicals.
7.3 Lenovo - Unchanged since the last version, still no products on the market without the worst chemicals.
7 Toshiba - Much improved on toxic chemicals but still lobbies in the US for regressive takeback policies.
7 LGE - Unchanged since the last version, need better takeback for products other than phones.
7 Fujitsu-Siemens - Unchanged since the last version, needs toxic elimination timelines, better takeback coverage and reporting of amounts recycled.
6.7 Nokia- A steep fall! Strong on toxic chemicals but penalty point deducted for deficiencies in takeback practice in Thailand, Russia and Argentina during our testing.
6.7 HP - Finally provided timelines for eliminating worst toxic chemicals, though not for all products; needs to improve takeback coverage.
6 Apple - Slightly improved with new iMacs and some iPods reducing the use of toxic chemicals, takeback program still needs work.
5.7 Acer - Unchanged since the last version, needs better takeback coverage and reporting of amounts recycled.
5 Panasonic - Unchanged since the last version, need better takeback coverage and reporting of amounts recycled.
5 Motorola - Big faller due to penalty point for poor takeback practice in Philippines, Thailand and India revealed by our testing. Still no timelines for eliminating the most harmful chemicals.
4.7 Sharp - New to the guide - some plus points on toxic chemicals elimination but poor takeback policy and practice.
2.7 Microsoft - New to the guide - long timeline for toxic chemicals elimination (2011) and poor takeback policy and practice.
2 Philips - New to the guide - no timeline for toxic chemicals elimination and zero points on e-waste policy and practice.
0 Nintendo - New to the guide - first global brand to score zero across all criteria!

Worst

Visit Greenpeace to view the Guide to Greener Electronics in its entirety.

Credit Card Companies Going Green

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:55:48 -0800

Credit card companies are jumping on the "green" bandwagon by offering their environmentally aware customers new eco-friendly options for their reward points. Customers can now use their points to buy environmentally friendly products or they can donate rewards points or earnings to their favorite environmental charity.

Stiff competition and increased scrutiny in credit card processing and credit card issuing practices have led the industry to consider new and innovative methods to appeal to new market segments. Some of the worlds largest credit card issuers are now offering green programs for their growing base of environmentally conscience customers.

Some of the new green programs include:

Consumers with a Wells Fargo rewards card can now use their points to back renewable-energy projects. With points ranging from 5,000 to 10,000, they can support the development of green power.

Bank of America's WorldPoints Rewards card holders can use points to buy environmental merchandise. Card holders will be given the option to donate points to groups that invest in greenhouse gas reduction.

Citigroup will soon add environmental products to their rewards catalog that will include recycled milk-carton furniture and compost systems.

Green Merchant Alliance, a company that provides credit card merchant services, donates 15% of it's profits to clean energy projects all at no additional cost to the participating merchants.

Bright Planet, an organization that is helping in fight against climate change, will issue a card that will donate money to clean-energy projects each time they are used.