AUSTIN, Texas - January is the busiest time of the year for electronics donations at Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, which is dedicated to reusing and recycling the gear to keep it out of landfills. Texas also has a "take-back" law, under which computer companies are supposed to help dispose of old machines in an environmentally responsible manner.
Christine Banks, Goodwill's vice president of environmental business, says Dell partners with them for computer recycling, and she hopes the State Legislature will put teeth into the take-back law so more companies will step up. She wants to see television manufacturers on board, too. Most donated TVs have to be sent out of state for recycling, since they have no resale value, says Banks.
"That's not a revenue generator. We do it, but we would like to see some sort of responsibility taken by the manufacturers."
A TV recycling law was vetoed last year by the governor. Best Buy stores accept old television sets for a small fee, and a few TV-makers have partnered with the City of Dallas and other locations for recycling. (Find the list of dropoff sites online at TexasTakeBack.org.)
According to Robin Schneider, executive director of the Texas Campaign for the Environment, computer companies make it easier for consumers to drop off outdated products in other states. She says it's time that Texas became more of a priority.
"They know how to sell us their materials, and they know in other states how to collect them back. They're just not giving us the same service that they're giving consumers in other parts of the country."
A report from the Texas Campaign for the Environment found last year that the state was last in the country for its rate of computer recycling.
get more stories like this via email
California companies making compostable packaging materials said their products could make a huge dent in the problem of plastic pollution but only with changes to state and federal policy.
California passed Senate Bill 54 in 2022. It requires single-use packaging and plastic foodware to be either recyclable or compostable by 2032. The issue is with a companion bill, Assembly Bill 1201, which said compostable materials must be certified organic.
John Felts, cofounder and CEO of Santa Cruz-based Cruz Foam, which makes compostable packaging foam from food waste, said the requirement is a tall order.
"The idea that all compostable packaging would have to comply, would effectively remove compostable packaging from being viable," Felts explained. "The cost, the tracking, making a fully certified organic packaging material is nearly impossible."
The organic requirement is set to go into effect Jan. 1, but negotiations are underway in Sacramento to delay implementation, a move also supported by the plastics industry. Environmental advocates said plastic waste is choking the planet, disrupting marine ecosystems, and endangering human health, so recycling, reusable containers and compostable packaging are key.
It is estimated 40% of plastic produced today is used to make packaging, much of which is used once.
Julia Marsh, cofounder and CEO of San Leandro-based Sway, which uses seaweed to make flexible packaging, said plastic use is only increasing.
"About 5 trillion bags, wrappers and pouches are produced every year; 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year," Marsh pointed out. "That number is expected to triple by 2040, if production rates continue as is."
Advocates would also like the National Organic Program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to broaden the term "organic" to include certified compostable materials.
get more stories like this via email
A lot of households might have junk piles on their kitchen counter or an overflowing storage room. A North Dakota expert says to avoid stress that comes with clutter, there are skills to gain in tidying up.
According to AARP, a more organized and simplified living space can reduce stress, improve mental clarity and create a safer environment.
Deb Mathern is a volunteer with AARP North Dakota who offers guidance as part of the group's Speakers Bureau. She said she subscribes to an "equal-in, equal-out" theory.
"When you're out shopping, your house doesn't grow," said Mathern. "So, when you bring home that carload of stuff that you just purchased, it might be time to take out a couple things."
She said she understands it can be difficult to let go of things because people work hard to buy them.
Cherished family treasures can be kept in a box or specific area. Otherwise, she suggested donating items you really don't wear or use anymore.
For older populations who haven't downsized yet, she warned that extra piles create tripping hazards.
Mathern said when out shopping, it's OK to occasionally buy something that might bring you excitement and joy. But she recommends thinking first about how long you might keep it, and avoid falling into an unwanted pattern of loading up your cart.
"I think it fills an emotional void for a lot of people," said Mathern, "and that's the wrong reason to be buying."
As for older residents planning to move into a smaller space, she recommends measuring the size of bigger household items to figure out if they'll fit in the new home. She said if they won't, you might save on moving costs by leaving them behind if they won't be used much.
Lastly, she suggests not renting storage spaces for too long, because most of the contents just collect dust without being pulled out.
Disclosure: AARP North Dakota contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Community Issues and Volunteering, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
Designers and stylists will showcase their "upcycled" garments as models hit the runway for what is being dubbed a "trashion show" at the Waste EXPO in Las Vegas next month.
It is estimated the average American household spends around $1,500 a year on clothing.
Sonja Salmon, associate professor of textiles at North Carolina State University, said whether the items wear thin or go out of style, only a small fraction of them are actually recycled. She noted the industry is realizing more must be done to reuse materials.
"Textile fibers are really amazing materials," Salmon pointed out. "We wear them, they're on our bodies, they feel good, they make us happy. They're also a resource. They have chemistry in them, they have materials in them that deserve to be recycled and reused."
Salmon stressed millions of tons of textile waste end up in U.S. landfills each year. It not only takes a long time to break down but is a lost opportunity for reuse. She added companies have started to incentivize buyback programs, a step in the right direction. The Waste EXPO is May 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Salmon emphasized the Waste360 "trashion" runway will get people thinking differently about the use of fabrics. She explained today's clothes are primarily made up of synthetic fibers like polyester and natural fibers like cotton. Blended pieces are good for durability and comfort but are challenging to break down.
They have to be separated before recycling, so she pointed to the need for better collection and sorting technologies.
"So that large amounts of those materials can go to recycling processes," Salmon added. "I'm actually excited because Goodwill, an organization that we associate with clothing donation, is actually starting to think about its own role in helping the recycling process, in terms of collection and sorting."
Salmon encouraged shoppers to look to Goodwill and other thrift stores to purchase used clothing and participate in take-back programs to help sort materials for recycling. Consumers can also consider renting special-occasion clothing instead of buying.
get more stories like this via email