Overview of Recycling Wikipedia article on recycling. Background information and explanation of different types of recycling.
Yellow Pages Recycling Phone books are made of about 40 percent recycled materials, but the directories are still a little harder to recycle than newspaper and other paper products. Program to offer people a method of finding a local Keep America Beautiful affiliate to bring their yellow pages in for recycling. Type in ZIP code and find a local place to drop them off. You can also just drop them in your recycling bin if you have a community recycling program.
Earth 911 Recycling Guide to local resources including recycling centers, how to recycle, pollution prevention and how help protect the environment. Information about how to recycle, why to recycle and what you can recycle. The Earth 911 green recycling locator box can also help you find where you can recycle by entering a product and your location.
Recycle City EPA site for kids to learn about recycling, including games and activities. There's also some downloadable materials so it doesn't necessarily require an Internet connection to participate. The online game requires the Shockwave player but it will probably work if you have a recent version of Internet Explorer or Firefox.
Simple Recycling Guide "World's shortest comprehensive USA/Canada recycling guide." Helpful, broken down by type of material; includes comments on what is good to recycle, what is bad to recycle.
GreenDisk GreenDisk provides secured, audited disposal of intellectual property stored on electronic media and other technotrash. The resulting materials are then used to manufacture the GreenDisk branded line of office supplies.
eCycling-US EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency general information page on recycling electronics. Information on reducing the environmental impact of electronics at the end of their useful life through reuse and donation, recycling, and buying greener electronics
Gazelle - consumer electronics recycling An online service that offers money for old Cell Phones, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Laptops, GPS Devices, Gaming Consoles, Camcorders, Satellite Radios, Portable Hard Drives, etc. They also have a program where you can have a recycling drive and the resulting money can be donated to a good cause.
Wipe Out Wireless Waste campaign Keep America Beautiful's campaign to recycle mobile phone equipment, and in turn provides funding to Keep America Beautiful and its network of affiliates that supports diverse hands-on stewardship activities such as cleanups of public lands and waterways, tree and flower plantings, and recycling activities. DOWNLOAD and PRINT a free, postage-paid mailing label; AFFIX the label to an envelope or box; INSERT your wireless phone, battery, and any accessories; DROP it in the mail.
Re-using Mobile Phones for Developing World CollectiveGood has mobile phone collection campaigns; consumers are offered a socially and environmentally responsible means of disposing of their old mobile phones, charities generate newfound funds to further their missions. Another goal is to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable modern communications to citizens in the developing world. The low-cost, refurbished mobile phones are usually used to provide affordable wireless service throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe and India. All unusable mobile phones are disposed of in accordance with all local and national environmental standards.
Plug-In To eCycling Environmental Protection Agency's campaign to encourage cell phone recycling. Good general information and fact sheets. Ex: "Recycling all of the 100 million cell phones ready for end of life management in the US would save enough energy to power more than 194,000 US households with electricity for one year."
Alliance for Climate Protection The Alliance for Climate Protection is a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. The goal of the Alliance is to build a movement that creates the political will to solve the climate crisis -- in part through repowering America with 100 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources within 10 years.
Overview of Climate Change A Wikipedia article explaining what climate change is, a little bit on the scientific side, but good background information.
American Wind Energy Association U.S.-based national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world. Site provides information on: wind energy projects; new projects in various stages of development; companies working in the wind energy field; technology development; and policy developments related to wind and other renewable energy development.
Small Wind The AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) section on Small wind – wind-powered electric systems sized for homes, farms, and small businesses. Defined as 100 kilowatts in capacity and below, used by individuals to lower their electric bills, become independent of their electric grid, and to avoid the unpredictability of traditional energy prices.
AWEA WindLetter Membership Required - Monthly electronic publication distributed to AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) members and advocates. The Windletter recaps the month's most significant wind energy news and includes interesting information for wind energy enthusiasts, including articles on small wind systems by Mick Sagrillo and feature articles by AWEA Staff members.
Wind Energy Weekly AWEA's weekly electronic industry newsletter, with detailed and up-to-date information on the world of wind energy. Oriented for companies and professionals involved in wind energy; includes wind energy development news or late-breaking legislative, economic, and environmental developments affecting wind. $595 USD for yearly subscription as of 10/08 - free educational edition available with excerpts, delivered on a delayed basis.
AWEA Online Store Proceeds go directly to support the growth of wind energy. Some AWEA publications and a large selection of books and audio-visual materials from other sources. T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers and other items to help individuals promote wind energy.
DOE Wind Energy Program U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Power page, including several publications and reports, such as the "20% Wind Energy by 2030" report, on increasing wind energy's contribution to U.S. electricity supply.
Wind Resource Atlas National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Wind Resource Atlas of the United States
Renewable Energy Business Directory "The Source for Renewable Energy" - Comprehensive online buyer's guide and business directory to 12,000+ renewable energy businesses and organizations worldwide. Searchable Directory of Wind and Renewable Energy Companies and Products Worldwide.
Small Turbine Manufacturers Links to Web sites for U.S. manufacturers and suppliers of wind turbines for use in residential, farm, and commercial/industrial applications.
NEWS - tax credit extended 8 yrs, $2k cap removed 10/6/08 – Homeowners battling against soaring energy prices and a struggling economy just gained a powerful new tool to help harness free, renewable energy from the sun, the wind and other sustainable resources. The U.S. House and Senate just passed historic legislation that will massively increase the use of solar energy all across the America. Renewable energy provisions in H.R.1424 include an eight year extension of the 30% solar tax credit and removal of the monetary cap for residential solar electric installations. The President signed it into law on October 3.
Go Solar - Getting Started with Solar A good resource page from the American Solar Energy Society, with information on: how solar energy works; how to find a solar installer; how much solar costs; supporting businesses that support ASES; solar rebates; how solar energy is used in your community; getting a job in the solar sector; staying informed about solar; and how solar panels are made.
Finding a Green Collar Job Information on job opportunities, and how to explore finding a job in the renewable energy industry.
Solar Staffing Information on Green Collar Employment for the Renewable Energy industry, including job opportunities, training and certifications.
Renewable Resources Directory The American Solar Energy Society's Renewable Resources Directory. The Directory helps you to find ASES members who can help you with your renewable energy or sustainability project. All of the individuals listed are ASES Professional or Business members in good standing.
Find Solar A national list of solar installers. 1) Get a list of solar installers in your community and set up an appointment to see how you can use solar energy to reduce your monthly utility bills. 2) Get a free online estimate of what the price range may be to install a photovoltaic (solar electric) or solar hot water system for your home or building. Payback periods can vary significantly based on local utility rates, state incentives, and normal energy use.
American Solar Energy Society The American Solar Energy Society (ASES), established in 1954, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. ASES leads national efforts to promote solar energy education, public outreach, and advocacy. ASES publishes the SOLAR TODAY magazine, organizes and presents the ASES National Solar Conference, and leads the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest solar energy event in the world.
National Solar Tour The ASES National Solar Tour is the largest grassroots solar event in history. Offers participants the opportunity to tour homes and buildings to see how neighbors are using solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies to reduce their monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change. Searching for the local tour can also be a way of finding area people and organizations related to solar. It takes place annually during the first Saturday in October in conjunction with National Energy Awareness Month. SET A REMINDER. Sometimes you have to register early.
Solar Energy Society Store Books, DVDs, publications of various kinds, and merchandise - stickers, mugs, t-shirts.
DSIRE-Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. The main DSIRE Web site is updated each week with the addition of new programs and the verification of or changes to existing programs. On average, about 60 programs each month are verified or updated through contact with program administrators and other stakeholders throughout the U.S.
Green Power - Overview In order to balance use of conventionally-generated power, you can buy green power credits, which helps the green/renewable energy industry. Some businesses will have a "green" version of a product, such as Web hosting, where they purchase green credits, and by purchasing their product, you are effectively helping to support the renewable energy industry. Wikipedia: "Green energy/green power is a term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting. These sources of energy may provide a remedy to the systemic effects of global warming and certain forms of pollution. Renewable energy certificates (Green certificates or green tags) have been one way for consumers and businesses to support green energy."
Green Power - Buying The term "green power" generally refers to electricity supplied in whole or in part from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and various forms of biomass. Increasingly, electricity customers are being given electricity supply options, either as retail power markets open to competition or when their regulated utilities develop green pricing programs. More than 50% of retail customers in the United States now have an option of purchasing a green power product directly from their electricity supplier. In addition, consumers can support renewable energy development through the purchase of green energy certificates.
Renewable Energy Certificates Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separate from commodity electricity. Customers can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer. And they can purchase green certificates without having to switch electricity suppliers.
