If we kept all the computers we purchased over the past decade, the office would be impassable. Laptops and desktops, both office-owned and personal, tend to fizzle and die with their warranties. While this passing is predictable, the disposal of their bodies and inner workings provides a dilemma for many owners.

Unfortunately, you can’t burn those computers and scatter their ashes over some Rocky Mountain pass. Those machines are filled with toxic chemicals, carcinogens and heavy metals that will, eventually, leech into the ground and find a way into some water source. Fortunately, you have access to several dozen creative recycling solutions for that old computer. The ten most popular solutions are listed below, along with links to resources that provide step-by-step instructions on how to conduct each process.

1. Recycle

Recycling that old computer seems the most logical conclusion, but this process is fraught with complicated issues. How do you protect the material contained on that old hard drive? Where does that computer go once it’s left your hands? Since ID theft and e-waste smuggling operations are rife, your computer may end up in the hands of the wrong person in the wrong country.

You can eliminate the first problem by using a product like Eraser that eliminates all data on your hard drive. Your diligence in this effort will help you rest assured that you haven’t passed on any readable private data. The second solution involves discovering where that recycling center sends your computer and its parts once they take charge. According to Treehugger, developed countries have been exporting tons of electronic waste to China for inexpensive, labor-intensive recycling and disposal for years. This activity was made illegal in 2000, but smuggling, corruption, and “China’s appetite for scrap” opens doors for your old computer to take part in this nefarious cycle.

Since manufacturers want to avoid any scandal, this recycling route would be the easiest one to take. Simply send that old Dell back to Dell and the old Gateway back to Gateway, etc. Some manufacturers may charge a fee for this process. Other manufacturers may not charge a fee, but you may have to purchase packing materials and postage to send that computer back to its source. Read the Treehugger article and another article by Salon, as both pieces offer sound advice on how you can handle the computer recycling process responsibly. You can search through E-cycling’s database to find a reliable recycler near you.

2. Donate

Based on the adage that one person’s junk is another person’s treasure, you might donate that old computer. As Techsoup states, it works best if you donate your equipment to a nonprofit or school-based refurbisher rather than directly to a charity or school, especially if you need to wipe your hard drive or if you’re unsure about your equipment’s condition. Responsible refurbisher pass your equipment along to nonprofits and schools after they ensure that it’s been cleaned out and working properly. Additionally, they will dispose of e-waste after they cull through the equipment to salvage usable parts.

Free Geek is, perhaps, becoming the most well-known organization to handle this process because they salvage what they can and dispose of the rest responsibly. Although this organization is located in Oregon, plans to expand nationwide are underway. But, if you can’t wait for a Free Geek to open near you, you can find a local or regional refurbisher through Techsoup’s list, which is searchable by Zip Code.

Finally, if you cannot find a local refurbisher, you might go directly to those who need used computer equipment. Online resources like Share the Technology offer ways for you to connect directly with organizations that need specific equipment through matches. If you can’t find a match, you can post an offer to donate and wait for someone to contact you.

3. Resell

Yes, you can sell that idle or dead computer locally, but you’ll find more buyers through an option like eBay. eBay is involved with the Rethink Initiative that makes it easy for you to deal with all your used electronic equipment. You can sell the items yourself through eBay (they provide you with a checklist before you sell that computer), or you can use three solutions:

• Trade in your old technology for PayPal cash
• Find a drop-off or pickup location through Zip Code search where those folks will sell your equipment on eBay for a percentage; 3) Find a local trading assistant who can handle the selling process for you.

The market value for used computers drops dramatically after two years, so don’t expect to make a fortune when you go this route. You can search through places like the Used Computer Mall to make sure that you’re asking and receiving fair market value. If your computer is more than three years old, your best bet is to recycle or donate – but the latter option might be limited for computers that are less than five-years-old.

4. Recycle, Donate, Resell (aka: Cannibalize)

This option is for the person who wants to sell old equipment by parts, much like you would dissect an old automobile or motorcycle for parts sales. Some peripherals, for example, are perfect for reuse; computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes. You could hold onto those items or resell them for a higher price than equipment that’s outdated or damaged.

Other materials, like ink cartridges or one-time-use CDs and disks, are more difficult to deal with. Earth911 offers a Zip Code search engine that lists companies and organizations where you can take those items for recycle or donation. When you list items for sale on eBay or through other venues, be sure to include the name of the component, part and serial number, and any other pertinent information so that the buyer can find those parts easily and you won’t waste time answering questions.

5. Return

Companies like Gateway and HP have trade-in programs where you can deduct a certain amount from the cost of a new computer or receive a credit toward merchandise. You can also trade that laptop in for a TigerDirect gift certificate. Once again, you will receive fair market value, which may not be enough to purchase a keyboard. Be prepared for that possibility.

6. Keep it in the family

A five-year-old system may contain too many bugs for useful service, but it may have potential as a learning tool for those kids or cousins who are potential electronics geeks. They can tear that system apart and rebuild something useful (offer them the ideas below). Make a deal where they will recycle or donate any parts they don’t use in the process. If your computer remains functional, let the kids play with it after you remove all sensitive material and install instructional games. Once the kids have destroyed the computer beyond belief you can make a decision about where to go from there.

7. Dedicated Jukebox/Recording Box

If you’ve accumulated so many digital music files that they would consume half the hard disk in your new computer, use the old system to play your MP3 files. You can transfer the files to CD and then connect your sound card’s 1/8-inch stereo plug to a pair of RCA female plugs using a Y cable. Although this solution isn’t portable, it’s cheaper than any hand-held MP3 player.

If you connect a keyboard to your computer’s MIDI port (or – better yet – use a wireless keyboard/mouse combo), you can add your two cents to your music repertoire. You may want to replace your sound card, install some sequencing software, and add more memory if you think the computer will hold up for another year or so. These additions will add to the quality of your efforts.

8. Upgrades/Downgrades

If your computer is less than five-years-old, why not replace a few items rather than purchase a new computer? Upgrade your memory, add a larger hard disk, or replace that CRT monitor with an LCD. For less than one-third the price of a new computer (in most cases) you can eek out a few more years on that computer. This option can help you save your bucks for next-generation systems that will arrive in another two years or so. On the other hand, you can quench that yen for a new computer, but continue to milk the old one for all that it’s worth if you save it for use as a simple word processor. Remove all extraneous software and documents including images and music, and defrag the disk so that you have plenty of space and speed for new documents. You can use the new machine for all your high-tech options and use the older system for all the grunt work. If you feel that the older computer may die on you without notice, just back up documents to CDs as you create them.

9. New Servers/Home Automation

Thiravudh Khoman offers some uses for old 486 computers, but his ideas can be utilized in newer machines as well. Use the old computer as servers for your printer or other apps, as a space to save files, as a backup and/or as a Windows server station. If you’re capable of adding X10 devices, you can use that old system to automate your home (make your coffee, regulate your thermostat, etc.). Scour Automated Home for some of their most popular ideas.

10. Get Creative

Laptop carries a few of the most innovative ideas on how to reuse computer parts, no matter if they belong to your laptop or your desktop. Turn an old keyboard into a wallet or turn an old laptop into a weather/news station with Yahoo! widgets. You can also recycle parts and use the remaining cabinets as pet houses, or paint them and use them for bookshelf or knick-knack units. If you hand these empty units over to the kids to build a playhouse, make sure that you wrap any sharp edges with foam and/or layers of duct tape.

You can always simplify your life and leave the computers on the front lawn with a sign, “Free computer.” Or, you can offer it to someone on Gigoit.com or at Freecycle. Just remember to erase or overwrite that hard drive and realize that personal information can be stored on flash memory cards, floppy discs, tapes, DVDs and CDs as well. But, it’s worth the effort to take responsibility for that old computer when you’re ready to let go. The earth and its six + billion inhabitants (not including animals) will thank you.

I have countless cotton T-shirts at home. Some are in my dresser, others are in under-the-bed storage containers, and there are probably another dozen at my parents’ house.

1. T-shirt bag

This one is one of my favorites. Not only are you reusing something, you’re getting something useful out of the deal too. It’s pretty simple, and it could make a great gift or gift bag. Plus, you get to pick your pattern!

2. Pillows

I’d totally take one of these on a road trip or plane, though I’d opt for the square pillow rather than the T-shirt-shaped one. And instead of buying stuffing, you can use the leftover shirt scraps and even entire shirts.

3. Rags

This option is perfect if it’s an ex’s shirt or one that’s too old to look good in bag or pillow form. No read directions for this one: Just tear or cut the shirt into pieces, or use it whole.

4. Pet toys

If you’re dog is less destructive than mine, these toys might work for you.

5. Underwear

If you’re a sewing whiz, here’s a site with directions and a pattern for making your own undies from a shirt. Or, for less effort but more money, Solojones will do it for you.

6. Wall art/decor

Some T-shirts are so cute they could be artwork. So make it happen! Frame your art in a shadowbox, or use it as fabric on chairs or other furniture.

7. Quilts

Another option for you crafty ones. Quilts would make great gifts, and particularly soft shirts could end up as baby blankets

8. Scarf

It’s starting to cool down again in Chicago, but one of these should help you stay warm.

9. Rag rug

Crocheting is a need-to-know for at least this tutorial on making a rug, but it might be worth learning for such an awesome, useful final product.

10. Napkins

Be super-duper eco-friendly by turning decent quality shirts into cloth napkins. Just cut into rectangles and sew!

And if you have any ideas for reusing those old shirts, bring ‘em on!

Climate change can be overcome if we adopt the following energy sources and technologies:

1. Wind power

Despite a reputation for being unreliable, wind power has the potential to provide more than 30% of the world’s electricity. The wind does not blow constantly, of course, so we will need to develop better ways of storing the energy we generate with it. And rather than being used purely locally, wind energy will have to be distributed between different states and countries.

2. Solar energy

The sun provides more than enough energy to power the world many times over – we just need to come up with an effective way of capturing this energy.

Current solar panels are relatively inefficient, but increasing investment in solar cells is producing better models which capture more energy and cost less to produce.

3. Power from the oceans

Tides, waves and currents possess huge potential for low-carbon energy generation, but efforts to harness them have been hampered by the difficulty of designing devices that can tolerate harsh oceanic conditions. This year, however, power-generating buoys that harness wave energy 50 meters underwater were put to the test in the UK, and the world’s first commercial-scale tidal turbine delivered electricity to the UK national grid.

4. Combined heat and power

Waste heat accounts for about 40% of the energy produced by power stations. One way to avoid this is to bring the power station into the home, by installing domestic microgenerators. These miniature power plants are almost as efficient as huge generators and the heat they produce can be used to heat our homes and water.

5. Super-efficient homes

Instead of building new houses that are "zero carbon", a better – and cheaper – way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from domestic housing is to eco-renovate existing buildings. Germany is leading the way with the PassivHaus movement, which aims to reduce emissions by 80-90% through measures such as insulating walls and windows and using improved ventilation methods that don’t lose heat.

6. Electric cars

Electric cars have a bad reputation when it comes to style and speed, two factors that matter to car enthusiasts. But electric sports cars like the Tesla Roadster can give petrol-powered models a run for their money. Though they’re not cheap at the moment, prices are likely to come down as batteries improve.

And with running costs as little as 5% those of diesel models, electric cars will soon start to look like a more viable option. Recent research has even suggested that electric cars could act as energy stores for the power grid when not being driven.

7. Second-generation biofuels

Making fuel from food crops is now almost universally regarded as a bad idea, encouraging deforestation and potentially leading to food shortages. But the next generation of biofuels made from agricultural waste shows real promise. Using new cellulose-cracking technologies, waste wood can be broken down into liquid fuel, and with US venture capitalists investing heavily in these technologies, it won’t be long until this idea becomes a reality. However, with the global appetite for fuel on the increase, careful management of cellulose production will be vital.

8. Carbon capture

With the growth of renewable energy sources failing to keep up with world demand for electricity, finding an effective way of capturing and storing the carbon dioxide produced by power stations is one of the most important challenges we face. Investment in carbon-capture technologies has been slow to pick up, but governments around the world are starting to understand the importance of funding this research, and promising new technologies are already emerging.

9. Biochar

With predictions of climate change getting increasingly urgent, we desperately need cheap, simple and fast ways of reducing greenhouse emissions. One idea is to sequester carbon as biochar, a charcoal made from burning agricultural waste in the absence of air. Biochar is exceptionally stable and can be stored underground for hundreds of years without releasing its carbon into the atmosphere – and it improves the fertility of the soil.

10. Biogas stoves

Deforestation is a complex issue, and it’s looking more and more likely that we will have to pay people to maintain forest lands. But until such a system is up and running, we will need to focus on technologies that reduce the need to cut down trees. One such technology is biogas stoves, powered by methane released from rotting organic waste, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Leading the way is China, which is heavily promoting the use of biogas technologies.

There are over 10,000 different kinds of plastic throughout the world, but only 5% of that plastic is recycled. The plastic that isn’t recycled is then thrown into our overcrowded landfills, where it can take up to 700 years to decompose and break down. So besides giving your plastic to a recycling center or to a company like TerraCycle, you can prevent land pollution by reusing your bottles in creative and fun ways.

I Bet You Never Thought of it

There are literally hundreds of different ways you can reuse a plastic soda bottle. Just remember to thoroughly wash the bottle of all its liquid so you won’t contaminate whatever you put inside.

Here are 10 ways you can reuse a plastic soda bottle:

1. Potpourri Holder

Cut out the bottom of the bottle, put in the potpourri and cover the opening with lace and ribbon.

2. Piggy Bank

We all the value of a dollar, so saving every single penny counts. Cut a slit in the bottle and drop in your coins, but don’t open it and take it to a Coinstar facility until it’s full.

3. Coffee Maker

Cut the bottle into two pieces. Turn the top upside down so it is a funnel. Hold the funnel in place, and then place a coffee filter inside. Put ground coffee on the filter and pour hot water over the filter. It’s the cheapest coffee maker you’ll ever find!

If you’re the creative type, then you can fill the bottle with half water/half oil. Add some food coloring, glitter and anything else shiny that is small enough to fit, and be amazed at how cool it can look.

5. Planter

Just cut out the bottom, add some soil and your favorite plant, and you have an eco-friendly plastic pot.

6. Ready-to-Use Ice Packs

Fill the bottle about 2/3 full and freeze. You can use it to heal a sore ankle after a run in the park, or fill it up with a warm drink so it can be cold in a few minutes.

7. Flying Insect Trap

Cut the top off the bottle and turn it upside down as a funnel. Tape the funnel in place and add some soda, orange juice or other sweet liquid. Any pesky flies or other flying insects will be able to get in, but since they can’t fly upward, they will be trapped inside the bottle.

8. Candle Holders

If you have some long candlesticks and want to prepare a nice, cheap romantic dinner for you and your significant other, cut the top of the soda bottles off, sit them on the table with the funnel-side upward and insert the candles into the holes. Very useful and practical.

9. Plastic Bottle Trellis

Found the directions for this on DIYNetwork.com.

10. Paint Trays

Cut out the bottom of the bottle and use it as a paint tray. It’s easy to wash and convenient to carry. 

These are only a few ways that you can reuse plastic soda bottles instead of just throwing them away. Don’t forget that you can incorporate your aluminum cans, old CDs and even bottle caps into your green works of art.

Assuming you’ve already collected a drawer full of empty pill bottles (please get well soon!); you’ll need to do a couple of things to prepare them for recycling projects.

1. Remove the labels. Nobody but you, a significant other, your health provider and your pharmacist should care what meds you’re taking. Take the labels off! A citrus based cleaner, some vinegar or a good soapy soaking will usually remove any residue adhesive from those pesky labels.
2. Thoroughly wash and dry the pill bottles.
3. Sort them by size, color, clarity (but only if you’re really compulsive).

1. Pill Cups

Why clutter the dinner table with your pill bottles when you can place your evening dose in a pill cup instead? Pill cups also sit nicely on the breakfast tray. With a trusted set of PVC pipe cutters, you can quickly turn a pill bottle into two easy to use, semi-disposable pill cups. The trick to cutting the bottles in half without shattering them is to apply pressure with the pipe cutters, slowly turn the bottle scoring it until a cut begins, then ratcheting down on the cutter to complete the cut.

2. Coin Holders

Tired of rummaging through the ash tray in the car for coins to feed the parking meter? Do you have that "special place" in the bedroom/bathroom that coins pile up when you empty your pockets? Various sized pill bottles will quickly tidy up your coin collection and make it useful! Quarters, nickels, dimes, even pennies sort neatly into most bottles. The larger wide mouth bottles are great for dumping handfuls of change.

3. Rubber bands

Make recycling your rubber bands even easier by cleaning out that kitchen drawer and putting them into a pill bottle. Then, next time you need one, it will be easy to find! This works pretty well for hair bands in the bathroom too.

4. Tackle Box

You could become the uber-recycler and create your own fishing floats from the empty bottles by devising some clever way to attach your line to the bottle. Be careful poking holes in the bottle though because they’ll fill up with water and maybe sink. Of course, if you figured out the clever way to attach the line and then filled them with sand, they’d be weights great for bottom fishing (and lead free!). Less engineering is necessary, however, to use the pill bottles to hold sinkers, swivels, loose hooks, small lures, fishing flies, and the like. Pretty much anything in the tackle box that originally came in a flimsy plastic bag can be repacked and neatly labeled in a pill bottle. A large, wide-mouth pill bottle can be recycled into pocket tackle boxes with a little planning. Extra fishing line can be wrapped around a cut-down pop cycle stick or wrapped around the outside of the pill bottle (some electrical tape wound over it keeps it in place).

5. Toothpick dispensers

Tired of that half-empty toothpick box spilling it’s contents all over the cabinet every time you pick it up? Take a pill bottle long enough to hold the toothpicks with the cap on. Carefully drill a hole in the cap to shake a toothpick out when you need it.

6. Toolbox Organizers

Washers, small screws, extra drill or screwdriver bits all seem to get misplaced when you really need them. Pop them into a pill bottle and they can’t escape.

7. Arts & Craft Organizers

Sort beads, glitter, sequins, googly eyes, dangles and doodads to keep them organized and handy. The rule of thumb is that if it comes in a plastic bag, it’s going to get lost. Pill bottles are generally clear enough to see through so you might not even need to label them.

8. Arts & Crafts Projects

Schools, youth groups and kids with proper parental supervision can reuse empty pill bottles (and film canisters) in a variety of arts and crafts projects. A quick search of the World Wide Web yields a variety of plans and ideas. Key Word Search: film canister and pill bottle crafts

9. Pocket Sewing Kit

Pins, safety pins, needles, and a few buttons easily fit into a small pill bottle and can be slipped into your pocket, purse, glove box or backpack. Various color threads can be wrapped around a piece of pop cycle stick.

10. Recycle Them!

"Wait!" you say, "They’re not made out of the right plastic to dump them in my blue recycling bin." Sadly, most municipal recycling programs can’t or won’t recycle pill bottles (number 5 plastics). But all is not lost! While they generally can’t be reused in the U.S. to dispense medications for humans, check with your veterinarian, local pet shelter or pet adoption agencies to see if they might be able to reuse them for pet medications. Local charitable service organizations may collect the empty pill bottles for medical missions to poorer countries where they are acceptable. Finally, ask your pharmacist if they participate in an empty pill bottle program of any type.

Divers and snorkellers are obvious ambassadors for the underwater environment. How can they help in protecting the largest living community on our planet? Let’s make sure we:

1. Dive carefully in fragile aquatic environments

Although, at first, they may look like rocks or plants, many aquatic organisms are fragile creatures that can be damaged or harmed by the bump of a tank, knee or camera, a swipe of a fin or even the touch of a hand. It is also important to know that some aquatic organisms, such as corals, are extremely slow growing. By breaking off even a small piece, you may be destroying decades of growth. By being careful, you can prevent devastating and long-lasting damage to magnificent dive sites.

2. Streamline yourself

Much damage to the environment is done unknowingly. Keep your gauges and alternate air source secured so they don’t drag over the reef or bottom. By controlling your buoyancy and taking care not to touch coral or other fragile organisms with your body, diving equipment or camera, you will have done your part in preventing injury to aquatic life.

3. Continue your education

If you haven’t dived in a while, your skills (particularly buoyancy control) may need sharpening. Before heading to the reefs, seek bottom time with a certified assistant or instructor in a pool or other environment that won’t be damaged by a few bumps and scrapes. Better yet, take a diving continuing education course such as PADI Scuba Review, the PADI Adventures in Diving programme, or a PADI Specialty Diver course. AWARE continuing education diving courses provide you with the skills practice and practical application of environmentally sound diving techniques.

4. Consider your impact on aquatic life through your interactions

Very few forms of aquatic life pose a threat to us. In fact, some creatures even seem friendly and curious about our presence. As we become bolder and more curious ourselves, we may even feel compelled to touch, handle, feed and even hitch rides on certain aquatic life. However, our actions may cause stress to the animal, interrupt feeding and mating behavior, introduce food items that are not healthy for the species or even provoke aggressive behavior in normally non-aggressive species. Interact responsibly with the aquatic environment.

5. Understand and respect underwater life, resist the urge to collect souvenirs

Through adaptation to an aquatic environment, underwater life often differs greatly in appearance from life we are used to seeing on land. Many creatures only appear to look like plants or inanimate objects. Using them as ‘toys’ or food for other animals can leave a trail of destruction that can disrupt a local ecosystem and rob other divers of the pleasure of observing or photographing these creatures. Consider taking part in a Project AWARE programme to become more familiar with the importance of, and the interdependent nature of, worldwide aquatic ecosystems. Dive sites that are heavily visited can be depleted of their resources in a short time. Collecting specimens, coral and shells in these areas can strip their fascination and beauty. If you want to return from your dives with trophies to show friends and family you may want to consider underwater photography instead.

6. Be an ECO-Tourist

Protected areas, such as parks, reserves and sanctuaries are one of the best tools for conserving the aquatic environment. Support the creation of protected areas, follow all local laws, and learn to appreciate that all aquatic habitats (such as grass beds, mangroves and rubble zones) are important and interesting environments. Do not confine your diving only to sites highlighted in brochures and articles. When planning a diving trip, choose ECO Tour Operators involved with ECO-resorts and ECO-operators. Make informed decisions when selecting a destination and support the Project AWARE Go ECO environmental campaign.

7. Respect the underwater cultural heritage

Divers and snorkellers have the privilege to access dive sites that are part or our cultural heritage or maritime history. You should help preserve these sites for future generations by obeying local laws, diving responsibly and treating wrecks with respect. Wrecks can serve as important habitats for fish and other aquatic life.

8. Report environmental disturbances or destruction of your dive sites

Divers and snorkellers are in a unique position to monitor the health of local waterways, lakes and coastal areas. If you observe an unusual depletion of aquatic life, a rash of injuries to aquatic animals, or notice strange substances or objects in the water, report them to your local authority or similar organization.

9. Be a role model

As a diver or snorkeller, you realize that when someone throws a plastic wrapper or other debris overboard, it is not out of sight, out of mind. You see the results of such neglect. Set a good example in your own interactions with the environment, and other divers and non-divers will follow suit.

10. Get Involved

There are plenty of opportunities to show your support of a clean aquatic environment, including local beach clean-ups, surveys and attending public hearings on matters that impact local coastal areas and water resources. Divers’ skills in particular are always needed and appreciated by many environmental organizations.

Waste can be anything from physical objects that become litter on the ground to chemicals and other environmental pollutants. Many people want to be able to reduce the amount of waste they contribute to their city, but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are 10 ways people can make a difference without even going too far out of their way.

1. Recycle

Local recycling centers all have bins that can be purchased to separate recyclables from the trash. Most cities also offer a pick-up service either weekly or bi-weekly.

2. Reuse

Another of the three ‘R’s, reusing as many things as possible seriously puts a dent in the amount of trash that goes out. Did the queen size sheet get torn? It doesn’t need to be thrown out because there are lots of people who could make use of the fabric. Same applies for broken down electronics and furniture.

3. Drink water

A filter for the refrigerator is a great way to prevent a plastic bottle build up in the trash can and keeps people healthy too.

4. Volunteer

There are many highways that need to be cleaned up and anyone can volunteer to do it. If that seems overwhelming, even just picking up one piece of trash from the ground a day can make a difference over time.

5. Keep a cup

Refills are available at a lot of gas stations and food places. Many will sell special cups that are able to be washed and will offer a discount on the price of a drink when refilling that cup.

6. Avoid over-packaging

Besides asking for paper instead of plastic, people should also consider the packaging on the things they buy. Single wrapped bread, bulk items, and reusable container products all reduce potential waste.

7. Cook

Cooking in the home means fewer wrappers, packages, and other pre-made food waste. It also gives the opportunity to make healthier meals and create smaller portions.

8. Careful shopping

Some products want people to pay more because they will last a lot longer. Despite the higher prices, that’s a good reason for people to make the extra investment. It will save the environment and even a wallet to buy a product once and have it last for ten years than buy a product for a third of the price and throw it out every year.

9. Buy an upgradeable computer

Technology is always advancing and city dumps are filled with leftover computer parts. Most computers can be upgraded so rather than buy a new one to keep up with the times a person can simply buy new parts to install. Computer stores and shops can help with this process.

10. Go hybrid

There are many models of hybrid cars now and all of them cut down on the amount of gas a person needs to use. It’s a great option for those who can afford it and some people may even be eligible for a tax break when the make the purchase.

By now you have likely heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a tragic byproduct of the plastics industry and consumerism that is an island of garbage floating in the northern Pacific Ocean. Originally the size of Texas and approaching the size of the Sun, this gargantuan pile of plastic is collected by currents that swirl around in a big circle. Most of the debris is picked up from the shores of both China and North America that sandwich it.

As plastic never goes away, it eventually crumbles up into tiny bits (photo-degrades). These bits of plastic enter the food supply and are passed from the jelly fish all the way back up to humans where it is stored in their livers (that part is only fair). Plastic also pollutes the water with PCB’s (Polychlorinated Biphenyls, dangerous carcinogens and hormone disruptors). While no one person is to blame, every person has contributed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (it’s a safe bet the Atlantic also has one lurking somewhere).

Whether one throws litter on the ground or trusts in their municipal trash companies to do it for them, everyone throws away plastic and it ends up in the ocean and then back in our bodies.

While some say cleanup is impossible, hopefully someday someone will find a solution. Perhaps they will find a way to convert plastic to energy (it is made of oil after all), and they can make a ship refueling station out there that will produce energy from plastic. Or perhaps nanotech robots can disassemble it and bring it to the recycler. (Such technology would be extremely dangerous as it would have to be careful not to accidentally disassemble Kenny Rogers face). In the meantime there are many things people can do to at least help prevent this pile of garbage from getting any larger.

1. Avoid Products that use Plastic to Begin With

Plastic is made from petroleum hence it is so ubiquitous today. Plastic is convenient but most of the cheaper grades (the clear stuff) find its way into our food, often leaving a film on anything that is wrapped in it and which we then eat. Microwaving anything in plastic cooks plastic residues right into the food, vaporizing other chemicals that contaminate the food and air. Consider the amount of sheer waste a single meal or even serving produces (Kraft Singles is second only to Individually Wrapped Breaths of Air ™ in the Most Wasteful Products Award). Reuse glass or Tupperware containers for leftovers instead of plastic wrap. Store water in the high grade blue plastic bottles only. Prefer cheese that is made from raw milk.

2. Kick the Bottle

High on the list of most wasteful products is Individually Wrapped Drinks of Water, a lingering 1990’s fad for those pretending to be health conscious. Picture a lake compared to a lake of plastic bottles and that is basically what we now have in the Pacific. Corporations are taking over town aquifers and selling it back to the people for $2 per bottle. Shipping one bottle of water costs on average 1/3 bottle of fuel. It is best to filter or distill your own water and use metal or glass containers. Companies like Nalgene make trendy reusable water containers of high grade plastic. Opt for tap water with lemon in restaurants. Note: wait staff seem trained to always supply a plastic straw with every drink (probably so you don’t notice the lipstick on the rim of the glass), so remember to request no straw with your drink.

3. Recycle or Reuse Materials

Plastic can be recycled and you will find that when you start recycling you at least save money on trash bags. Many containers can be washed out and reused (though they should be sterilized with apple cider vinegar). Note that only the higher grade plastics can be reused.

4. Choose Products with Biodegradable Plastic

Now many plastic cups along with packaging peanuts and other supplies are available in a biodegradable form. Companies like Ecosafe and Natur-Tec are providing real solutions to the plastic problem.

5. Repair, Sell or Upgrade Gadgets

Many people run out and buy the latest new cell phone or iPod more often than needed, discarding their old phones in the rubbish where they not only add to plastic landfill but also leak out various other contaminants like Mercury. Meanwhile older components, while larger, are often superior as they tend to be constructed of much more solid materials. By repairing your items you can keep things in top shape much longer. Tackle small problems when they arise. Take the time to fix things right. Buy used products when possible and sell your items when they are no longer needed. Prefer products that offer replacement parts.

6. Recycle Computer Parts

If you must discard items like monitors or printers, at least take them to an electronics recycler. Staples accept old monitors, etc. for a small fee.

7. Use Cloth Grocery Bags

While this is more of a challenge for men as they look like pocketbooks, it is important to avoid bringing home so many plastic bags. Cloth bags can help. Some shoppers at the farmers market seem afraid to let any vegetables touch any other vegetables, insisting that each be individually wrapped. A better method is to use as few bags as possible, to reuse those taken, recycle them when they tear, and especially to avoid using them to begin with by bringing your own bag. Eventually this will save money as stores are considering charging for them.

8. Do Sweat the Small Stuff

The worst pieces of plastic are the tiny bits. These are the ones that birds, turtles and fish mistake for food and eat and then can’t pass them. Eventually these poor animals become full of plastic and they die of starvation, or they are consumed by larger animals and the process continues. After these animals die, the plastic is the only part that is left behind where it kills again.

9. Don’t be a Litter Bug

Many feel that if they don’t litter, they will be putting the garbage man out of a job. Some will simply chuck their used car batteries (full of sulfuric acid) into the woods behind their home. The truth is that this debris will persist for decades and humans leave enough of a footprint without adding insult to injury. In the 1970’s there were TV commercials with Woodsy Owl reminding us to “Give a Hoot Don’t Pollute”. In today’s corporate controlled media the best we get is talk about the Carbon Tax. Even the threat of Nuclear War is brushed aside by the media in favor of the War on Drugs, the War on Terror, and the War on Manners.

10. Clean up your Neighborhood Ponds

Many neighborhoods have small ponds containing water that is cleaner than their municipal tap water. These ponds are often teeming with fish and turtles that help keep them pure. Sadly however these ponds (and wildlife) are normally loaded with plastic debris. By taking 15 minutes each week, one person can really help clean up their neighborhood. The process is surprisingly relaxing and the animals will appreciate it. Do note that random passerby will think you are out on parole, so wearing an orange jumpsuit is not recommended. Ideally, organize a neighborhood trash pickup (nowadays that may require legal waivers in case participants obtain a boo boo).

It’s all well and good getting these fancy energy saving gadgets, but what do we do with all the old gadgets we’ve got? Recycling electronic devices is not that easy, so here are 10 eco-friendly ways to recycle your gadgets rather than send them to landfill.

1. Sell your stuff on eBay

ok, so that’s an old tip, but it’s worth getting some cash for your gadgets first of all. The best form of recycling is reuse.

2. Swap your old mobile phone for cash

there are a number of companies who will give you money in return for your old mobile phone. There are lots to choose from, so shop around to find the one that pays the best!

3. Give your gadgets away to friends and family

if you know someone who’d appreciate something you no longer need, just give it to them. It’ll probably make their day, and your unwanted electronics get another use.

4. Give away your gadgets on Freecycle

If you’ve never heard of Freecycle, it’s basically a local group where you offer bulky items you no longer want for free. It’s designed to give items a second home that you couldn’t otherwise sell. So if you have no friends or family, Freecycle is a great option!

5. Send your stuff back to the Manufacturer

Companies such as Dell and Apple now have their own recycling programmes, where they’ll recycle your old computer or ipod for free.

6. Use a professional recycling service

this kind of service will safely and appropriately dispose of your electrical waste. Increasingly, there are tighter regulations for safe waste disposal, potentially resulting in large fines if you don’t comply.

7. Give your old computer another purpose

If you have a old computer, you could use it as a home server, photo frame or something else. Just be wary, old computers are not always that energy efficient.

8. Find a local recycling center

myGreenElectronics and earth911 both have zip-code searches so that you can find local recycling points near you. The search results will tell you the type of facility (such as a charity, business, or service) and exactly what you can recycle there.

9. Ask for ideas

if you have something very specific to recycle, but have no idea on how to recycle, then just ask some fellow eco-enthusiasts how do I recycle this? You’ll get plenty of useful ideas on just about everything you can think of, and not just gadgets!

10. Turn your gadgets into furniture

if you’re  artistic, you could turn your old computers into furniture. It might not be very comfortable, but at least it’s eco friendly