Greening Schools News

Electronic Waste Transformation

Fri, 11 May 2012 22:02:55 GMT

Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 4/2/12.

For years, African countries have been a dumping ground for outdated electronic equipment, mainly from Europe. Now, rapidly expanding use of computers and mobile phones within Africa is generating more electronic waste--or e-waste--than is imported, according to the United Nations. African countries, however, are seeking to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear that is their e-waste problem. At a meeting convened in Nairobi, Kenya, last month by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) with support from several electronics manufacturers, 18 African governments endorsed a strategy. They intend to transform informal material-recovery efforts into a regulated recycling industry that generates economic development and controls pollution.

Ecosystem Effects of Biodiversity Loss Could Rival Impacts of Climate Change and Pollution

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:54:25 GMT

Source: Environmental Protection.

Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study from an international research team.

Upcycle Your Old Phone and Help a Child in Need

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:36:22 GMT

Source: Earth911.com.

Electronics upcycling is a win-win situation for consumer and recycler. The consumer gets to keep his or her old device out of landfills, sometimes gets paid for the contribution and gets a sweet new phone out of the process. The recycler gets to turn a profit and have a green reputation.

Study: Plastic in 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' increases 100-fold

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:58:28 GMT

Source: MSNBC, 5/9/12.

The amount of plastic trash in the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" has increased 100-fold during the past 40 years, causing "profound" changes to the marine environment, according to a new study. Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego found that insects called "sea skaters" or "water striders" were using the trash as a place to lay their eggs in greater numbers than before. In a paper published by the journal Biology Letters, researchers said this would have implications for other animals, the sea skaters' predators -- which include crabs -- and their food, which is mainly plankton and fish eggs. The scientists also pointed to a previous Scripps study that found nine percent of fish had plastic waste in their stomachs.

GSA Releases Initial Report on Green Building Certification Systems

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:11:48 GMT

Source: US General Services Administration, 5/3/12.

The U.S. General Services Administration has released its review of the Green Building Certification Systems. This initial report is the first step in an extensive review process -- including a public comment period -- that evaluates tools that could help federal agencies meet their goals for maintaining and constructing more sustainable and efficient buildings. When completed, the use of updated building certification systems will help GSA's customer agencies meet federal requirements for green construction, save taxpayer dollars and meet the goals of President Obama's Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance (EO 13514).

EcoATM raises $17M to bring e-waste kiosks to you

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:57:24 GMT

Source: Smart Planet, 5/3/12.

The average U.S. household owns 24 different consumer electronic devices, many of which are no longer being used. Some devices end up stashed in a drawer (you know the one). Other obsolete or broken devices -- nearly 2.4 million tons in a year according to the most recent EPA figures -- are tossed into landfills. Electronic waste is considered the fastest-growing portion of the municipal waste stream. And yet, inside these devices are valuable resources including silver, gold, aluminum, copper and titanium that could be reclaimed. San Diego-based startup ecoATM has developed kiosks that can be placed in grocery stores and malls to make the electronics recycling process so convenient that consumers will change their wasteful habits.

ISTC Researcher Converts Plastic to Oil

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:31:53 GMT

Source: WDWS and WHMS Radio.

B.K. Sharma of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign talks about the conversion of waste plastics (such as plastic bags and bottle caps) to oil.

IL: Laptop research benefits landfills, chickens & and UI students

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:40:32 GMT

Source: Inside Illinois, 5/3/12.

A student-centered research group at the UI has set out to prove that it is possible for the concepts of academic exploration and commercial practicality to peacefully coexist -- and that Earth's environment can benefit from the union. The work is being done at the School of Art and Design's Product Innovation Research Laboratory in conjunction with the Sustainable Electronics Initiative at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a unit within the Prairie Research Institute. The collaboration is led by a diverse group of faculty members and students and supported through a grant from the Dell Corp.

Energy Secretary Chu Announces Montana Schools Win National Student Efficiency Competition

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:09:01 GMT

Source: US DOE EERE News, 5/2/12.

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced the winners of the America's Home Energy Education Challenge, a national student competition designed to encourage students and their families to take action to start saving money by saving energy. A team of students from five schools in rural Carter County, Montana--Alzeda Elementary School, Carter County High School, Ekalaka Elementary School (K-8th grade), Hammond School (K-8th grade), and Hawks Home School--was declared the national winner for successfully reducing their home energy use by 3.4%, working with local utility companies and the community, and keeping students engaged throughout the process. The five schools will share the $15,000 they won as both a regional winner and as the national champion.

Bananas to Biogas: Campus Closing Food Waste Loop

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:46:46 GMT

Source: Great Lakes Echo, 4/26/12.

Each day Michigan State University students in East Lansing, Mich., waste 14,191 pounds of food, according to a 2006 study. On average, one of the 47, 800 people enrolled at the university and who eats at the cafeteria wastes 1.54 pounds of food and 1.51 pounds of food packaging a week. The data accounts for scraps left while preparing meals, and the food left after people have finished eating. Michigan State University is one of the few universities in the country to implement a food waste program, said Brendan Sinclair, a university employee who manages the worm composting systems that are part of an innovative approach to managing waste. Some of the university's dining halls use a sustainable system in which food waste is used rather than discarded. The culinary services, which manage all 13 of MSU's on-campus dining halls, has partnered with the university's Student Organic Farm to compost food waste with worms. It also uses a new campus anaerobic digester to turn food waste into energy.