justnorth posted on March 24, 2008 22:59 :: 1273 Views
A federally mandated transition from traditional, analog broadcasts to all-digital broadcasts is likely to result in many households replacing their current televisions with new digital TVs. State environmental officials are offering information on how people can recycle their electronic equipment in Wisconsin to avoid putting heavy metals in landfills and to recycle and reuse valuable metals.
After Feb. 19, 2009, households with older TVs, VCRs and DVD players may need new digital-to-analog converter boxes unless they receive TV programming via cable or satellite.
“We hope that people who chose to get new TVs or video players will take advantage of the growing number of recycling options for electronics,” said Cynthia Moore, recycling program coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources Waste and Materials Management Program. “Many local communities hold electronics collection events throughout the year, and several electronics retailers will also now accept used electronics, sometimes for a small fee.”
To provide consumers with information on the digital television transition, the federal government has a web site with details and links related to the switchover https://www.dtv2009.gov/ . The DNR also has general information on how to manage and recycle used electronics http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/ewaste/index.html.
DNR Web site has new information on plastic shopping bags
The “paper or plastic” debate has also been gaining widespread attention recently, with cities and countries from San Francisco to China taking action to reduce the use and litter of plastic shopping bags. In the past few weeks, the debate has come to Wisconsin, with the state Legislature having considered a ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags. Cities like Madison are examining ways to increase plastic bag recycling.
The DNR Waste and Materials Management Program has a new set of Web pages for consumers, local governments and businesses looking to learn more about this issue. The pages include information on the environmental impacts of plastic and paper shopping bags, “biodegradable” or “compostable” plastics, and what options local governments have to address plastic bag issues in their communities.
“There’s a lot of attention on plastic shopping bags as an environmental problem right now, and we want to help consumers, businesses and governments understand the issue and possible solutions,” said Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling program coordinator.
Moore said the best environmental option is to reduce the use of both plastic and paper shopping bags and instead use sturdier, reusable bags. “There are more and more great reusable bag options out there,” she said. “Many are inexpensive—sometimes less than $1—and you can find some that fold up so small they’re easy to stick in a purse or your car’s glove compartment.”
Learn more by visiting the new plastic bags Web pages at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/issues/plasticbagsFAQ.htm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling program coordinator, (608) 267-7550
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