Make Less of a Mess

(page 2 of 2)

BATTERIES

Although most single-use batteries now have low or no levels of mercury and are technically safe to throw away according to federal standards, it's best not to just toss them in the trash. Whole Foods and Staples both accept single-use and alkaline batteries. Another option is to find your local hazardous waste facility through Earth911 and bring your single-use and alkaline batteries there.

Rechargeable batteries, like those in laptops, digital cameras, power tools, and cordless phones, can be more easily recycled. Find local drop-off sites at the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp.'s Web site, rbcr.org, or call 1-800-8-BATTERY.

RESOURCES

The Environmental Protection Agency's Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste and its WasteWise program have tips on how to set up waste-reduction and recycling plans. (epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/pubs/bus-guid.htm and epa.gov/wastewise/)

Earth 911 has a search engine that lets you search by Zip Code or by the item you're trying to recycle to find local vendors and programs. It has a tool that helps small businesses map their carbon footprint and audit their waste. (earth911.org)

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition has information on nonprofits that promote responsible recycling and lobby for a greener electronics industry. Its site lists manufacturers that take back old products and helps find free local recyclers. (computertakeback.com)

The Basel Action Network is creating a third-party audited certification program ensuring that recyclers adhere to ethical recycling standards—not dumping toxins into the local waste stream or shipping them to developing nations. Its e-steward database lists responsible recyclers and which products they accept. (ban.org/pledge/locations.html)

Techsoup.org offers tips on how to prepare your machines to be donated to a refurbisher or recycler.

CarbonFund.org offers free carbon calculators for businesses. It also sells packages to small businesses looking to eliminate their carbon footprint by buying carbon offsets.

Greenpeace publishes a Guide to Greener Electronics, which ranks 18 of the biggest computer, phone, and television manufacturers on their environmental performance, measuring takeback programs, recycling, and use of toxic chemicals in their devices. (greenpeace.org)

Back to BW SmallBiz April/May 2008 Table of Contents

<a href="mailto:Amy_Choi@businessweek.com">Choi</a> is a staff writer for BusinessWeek SmallBiz in New York.