Cracked mobile phones, leaking batteries, broken kitchen appliances, obsolete televisions… The twisted cords of toxic electronic waste are strangling South Africans. Seeing the danger, a North West entrepreneur has taken matters into his own hands, reports Rebekah Funk. As the use of technology grows at a seemingly insatiable pace, so too does the staggering amount of … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship initiative fights poverty with e-waste
South Africa’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world with our crippling economy being unable to provide adequate formal employment opportunities. In partnership with leading household appliance companies and retailers, one initiative is making a real difference by providing income-generating opportunities for the unemployed. By donating their customer returned … [Read more...]
Toxic chemicals in children’s toys exceed proposed hazardous waste limit
A new global survey finds that recycling plastics containing toxic flame retardant chemicals found in electronic waste results in contamination of the world’s best-selling toy along with other children’s products. Ironically, the chemical contaminants can damage the nervous system and reduce intellectual capacity but are found in Rubik’s Cubes – a puzzle toy designed to … [Read more...]
Ensure your e-waste is responsibly recycled
Now that the e-waste collection day is over, there is no reason to stop ensuring that your electronic waste is always recycled in a responsible manner. This is NOT placing it outside your home for some curb collectors to pick up. Those items are often roughly stripped, exposing people to toxic chemicals, then dumped in nature. On Saturday the Electronic Waste Association of … [Read more...]
E-waste collection day
Running out of space? Need to spring clean? Bring your electronic equipment waste to be safely recycled. Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch is holding a recycling event in order to raise funds that can be used to better protect our community. It will take place on Saturday 1st February between 8am – 12 noon at NAMSA, 29 Van Zyl Street in the Gant Centre. Let's keep … [Read more...]
We want you for the repair resolution!
I dream of a world where everyone fixes their own stuff. A world where we take up arms against throw-away culture. I'm not alone - millions of fixers around the world have realized that repair is cheaper than buying new and it's better for the environment. So, I ask you to join us: take the Repair Pledge, and promise to fix the things you own. When I started to tinker with … [Read more...]
Help our planet sustain its 7 billion people
The quintessential three R’s of waste management – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – have been given a makeover. ‘Rethink’ has been added to the popular slogan. The Department of Solid Waste Management, as part of its Waste Wise campaign, wanted to pay tribute to individuals who embody the ‘rethink’ motto. On World Environment Day – Wednesday 5 June 2013 – the City of Cape Town … [Read more...]
How to dispose of lightbulbs and batteries
We've all heard countless times how important it is to switch from normal incandescent light bulbs to energy saving ones and from zinc batteries to rechargeable ones. Some of us have heeded the call. But all is not fluorescent light and roses if one doesn't take the time to educate oneself concerning the proper way to dispose these products and the dangers of taking the … [Read more...]
Eco gadgets for the home
Are you about to set up home for the first time, perhaps finally get your dream home, or retiring and down-scaling? Perhaps your washing machine just died, or you realise it's chomping more than its share of power? If so, then there's never been a better time to find out what's new on the green scene, so that you can make the eco-friendly choice this time round. It'll save … [Read more...]
Dump art with a message
Using waste to save the planet, Heather Green's E!urika jewellery and corporate gift business transforms discarded computer parts into art with a message. Inspired by Jerry Newson, who set up an e-waste section at the footprints eco centre and now heads up a dedicated e-waste depot in Maitland, Heather sources only discarded components that cannot be used for refurbished … [Read more...]
