Challenge #24: Use old computer peripherals

E-waste has proven to be large in volume, toxic, and its disposal is rife with corrupt practices. Computer tend to be like automobiles - a new one is 'needed' every few years. I hope to diffuse the idea that an average consumer of computer power needs the latest and greatest.

I retired my old PC about five years ago. Neither the hardware nor the software was performing well, and I started to use my husband's laptop in the evenings. After awhile though, we had to start scheduling evening computer time so that he could work and I could take care of the household management or surf the net.

I had the opportunity to buy a Mac G4 from the Mac support technician at my work site (his personal computer from home- he upgraded to a G5). I paid $100 for the tower, monitor, and keyboard. My 'new-to-me' computer is at least 8 or 9 years old now. Since the previous owner was a trained Mac repairman, he had updated the memory, some other hardware and had installed Mac OS 10.4. I have been using this computer for two or three years now. I rarely have any problems. Safari doesn't work well anymore, so I just installed FireFox, and I love it. I can surf high bandwidth sites with flash, music players, really anything. My computer has Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, ITunes, 1000s of pictures in IPhoto, and a couple of email clients. I work full-time at this computer.

The monitor was beginning to flicker, and I scored an old monitor when someone I knew updated their new computer (because, of course, new computers come together with new monitors, whether the old monitor is malfunctioning or not). Basically, I saved myself a ton of money and saved lots of perfectly good equipment from going into the landfill. Would a brand-new computer be faster? Probably, but would I even notice? The only complaint I have is that the new IPhoto is too new for my OS and the old one doesn't easily export to some web-based programs for printing photos. I can work around it though.

When I got this 'new' computer, I went down to the basement and dug out a few of my old PC peripherals. My old printer wouldn't connect to the Mac, so I bought an old printer from a friend who was moving for $40- along with an extra set of cartridges (score!). Currently, I am using 10-year-old computer speakers. One doesn't work anymore, so really I am using A 10-year-old computer speaker. Sounds okay to me. There is only one song in my ITunes that is really 'in stereo', and half of the instrumentation is lacking when it plays. I can only laugh when the song comes up.

Truth be told, new speakers are on my list for Santa this year. But before I can buy new ones, I have to find out how to properly dispose of these old speakers. I don't want them to end up in Africa where some kid will be exposed to toxic fumes as he burns away the plastic to recover a fraction of an ounce of precious metals.

That is E-ethics.

Keep up with software updates in order to extend the life of your computer and updates parts instead of systems.

for anyone who properly e-recycles their old computers. I've got an old computer, two monitors, and two printers in my basement awaiting proper disposal. I have to find a trustworthy company to recycle these on-shore.

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Challenge #23: Paint and Save

After five years, I have finally painted over the juvenile stencils, leftover from the former residents, on my office ceiling! This is one of our last painting projects- we just have the kitchen to go.

For our first project, all those years ago, we bought a disposable paint tray, thinking clean up would be quick and easy-we'd just pitch it. We ended up washing the tray, and have used it for every painting project since. It doesn't matter if there is a little paint left in the tray (as you can see in the photo). The same goes for the brushes and rollers. We've reused them until the bristles or nap no longer leaves a smooth surface. We routinely use the old roller for the primer or base coat and then choose a new one for the final top coats.

All of our paints have been latex, or water-based. We wipe excess paint out of the tray or brushes and then wash them out in the basement sink. Be sure NOT to wash these paints into a storm sewer, where they will enter a creek or stream directly, without any processing or time to break down.

Additionally, we've saved leftover paint, in case we need to touch up a wall. We have also used up extra paint for smaller projects, like giving a bit of color to the basement. This is a far better alternative than throwing the leftover paint into the landfill. Be sure to label your cans with the room, the surface, and the painting date.

Now, I know these chemicals are not the greenest choice available, but using them responsibly and reusing materials as you can, goes a long way.

Just because a tool is used or dirty doesn't mean it needs to be thrown away. Ask yourself if you can REuse it.


To anyone who paints around their house with a nontoxic, low volatile organics or other green paint. Also be sure to repair walls before painting, to extend the life of thsi paint job.
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Challenge #22: Revisit Old Assumptions

Quite awhile ago, one of my favorite periodical, the National Geographic Magazine, switched from its class Kraft paper mailing envelope to a clear plastic one. I wasn't really too happy about that, since Kraft paper is recyclable. I started removing those plastic covers and throwing them in my trash can.

This week, I was removing the plastic cover from the October issue, I noticed that it had a recycling symbol on it! I don't know if they have changed the plastic or if it has always been there. Perhaps my overall attitude of challenging myself to be more green has made me more aware! I guess it never hurts to periodically check to see if a product or its packaging has changed.

Now, I will happily throw that plastic cover into my recycling bin!

Be mindful of which objects you are throwing away and which you are recycling!


REvisit old assumptions and see if you've over looked anything or if something has changed.

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Challenge #21: The Digital Age

In Challenge #14, I mentioned how many of you may have laughed at my late entry into the age of digital cameras. I was a slow adopter of this technology because I really liked my 35 mm film camera.

Since going digital, however, I have found out that a digital camera is convenient and environmentally friendly.

Before getting my digital camera, I often debated taking each shot. This internal hesitation developed as the price of film and processing began to increase as consumers abandoned film cameras. Now that I have a digital camera, I take every shot without reservation and throw out any sub-par images later. All, virtually, for free.

I don't have to worry about the plastics in the film, the chemicals used in making or processing the film, or the paper and ink used in printing the photos.

I store most of the pictures on my computer. Memory is cheap and plentiful, so I don't worry about filling my hard drive up. When I do want prints (or need to send something to Grandma), I select the few that are good, upload the order to a local store that develops film, and pick up the prints. I am not wasting any chemicals on out-of-focus photographs or on shots in which everyone's eyes are closed. I am printing just the worthy photos.

To share photos, I can email them, upload to a website, or make a slide show that I can show on my TV. All for the energy to read a few bytes, or more than likely, megabytes.


Digital memory is REusable, and alas, film is not!


To anyone who can 'green-up' their photography hobby or snapshots.


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Challenge #20: Avoid Plastic Wrap and Foil

This post tags along with Challenge #18, about reheating your dinner plate with a reusable, plastic cover instead of disposable plastic wrap.

At my house, we store out leftovers in plastic microwavable containers, which we also use to take leftovers for lunch. We don't store leftovers on a plate under plastic wrap or wrapped in foil, neither of which are recyclable materials. However, we have been using our same plastic containers for several years: store, heat, wash, repeat.

Don't make waste when you can REUSE!


It's just a green idea to avoid using foil and plastic wrap as much as possible!

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Challenge #7: Worm-powered Composting

A few weeks ago I inherited a worm bin. This was excellent timing, as I wanted to start one, and even more excellent because it was free for me and kept the tubs that house the worms out of the landfill.

I've wanted to start either a compost bin or a worm bin for my kitchen and yard waste. I don't really have a great space to put a yard bin, nor have I wanted to spend the money, so I've procrastinated on getting one for almost five years. Last year I had looked into getting a worm bin, because I could actually keep it in my basement (the promoters of worm bins say you can keep it right in your kitchen), and would not have to take my kitchen scraps out in the cold winter weather (I really hate winter).

Well, serendipity stepped in and a worm bin, chock full of already-trained worms, landed in my yard. Since it had been an outside bin, I've kept it in the shade under my carport, and the worms don't seem to be negatively affected by the St. Louis heat and humidity.

Let me just say, this worm bin is awesome! I collect my kitchen waste in an old yogurt container as I am cutting up the veggies for dinner or cracking eggs for brownies. I've been told not to throw onions in there - I imagine it gives the worms indigestion - so I have a separate yogurt container for non-worm-feed-able items, like bottle tops, plastic, and difficult to break-down stuff like peach pits. The worms prefer a low-fat diet so I avoid feeding them meat, oil and dairy. They've recently been fed cupcake wrappers and a biodegradable cornstarch fork, and I am very curious to see how long these take to become unidentifiable.

Every once in awhile I peek into the second layer, where I can see the worms working away. There is a distinctly squishy sound going on in there, but the compost looks great...these worms are surely earning their keep.

My plan is to bring the bin into the basement for the winter. I will fish out the worms and empty the compost into my garden. The worms will have a fresh start to the winter and I'll see if I like having worms and compost in my basement as much as I have enjoyed having it in my backyard.

I poked around in there today, and it looks like I need to sort the worms from their castings in the second layer, as it is getting a bit crowded. I'll let you know how this goes.

Since I am no vermiculture expert, I send you off to these pages for tips and directions on building your own worm farm:


Composting With Red Wiggler Worms

Cheap and Easy Worm Bin


Since I got my worm bin from someone relocating, the materials that made the bin are being REUSED and kept out of the landfill.
By filling the bin with my kitchen scraps I am RECYCLING organic material back into my garden, using the labor of these wiggling red worms.

to anyone who gets their own worm bin going, whether it's homemade or purchased commercially.

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Challenge #3: RECYCLE the Basics

Dumpster divers can sure make a profit in my neighborhood.

I live in a city block that has an alley behind my garage. This alley is also used by the people that live behind us. The alley has dumpsters every 3 or 4 houses. Some of the dumpsters are for “yard waste only.” The other dumpsters are for household trash.

When I take my trash out, I am often shocked to see garbage bags full of aluminum cans and a few party plates or napkins. Someone on my block is certainly not recycling even the most basic items!

Our city has at least two recycling options for its residents. One option is to pay for weekly curbside pick-up. The other is to collect recyclables and drive them over to a city park where there are 18-wheeler-sized dumpsters in which to sort mixed containers, paper, and cardboard.. This is the option that my family uses, because we take our dog so that she gets a weekend car ride and walk in a different park. We ask her “Do you wanna go for recycling?” and she runs to the car.

Obviously we already recycle, but I want to be more comprehensive and also follow the guidelines a little better. We are not great at washing things out or removing caps (although we use very few soda or water bottles).

From what I can tell, our city has a thorough recycling program. We can send all plastics except #6. We can recycle aluminum, glass and steel. They do not accept aluminum food plates or foil. We can recycle cereal boxes, cardboard, Kraft paper (like grocery bags-with the cardboard), newspaper, and junk mail. I shred all incoming mail envelopes and anything with personal info or addresses, and chuck the shredded paper into the recycling dumpster.

To me, this is just as easy as taking out the trash. We have two recycling bins on our back porch, off the kitchen. It neither stinks nor attracts ants.

I just need to find somewhere to recycle #6 plastic or stop buying foods packaged in this material. I also have to figure out what to do with egg cartons (I think one of the grocery stores accepts these). I don’t use Styrofoam.

I also want to be more organized in harder to recycle items like batteries and compact fluorescent bulbs. This will be a separate challenge!

Please, join me and challenge yourself to be a better recycler! Please, share with us in comments how you make your recycling efforts easy.


RECYCLE. Need I say more?


I am planning to challenge my alley neighbors to recycle more. I will post my “plan” in a few weeks. Until then, I will rely on the dumpster divers to pick out the recyclable metals, which they turn in at the junk yard for cash.


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The GreenUP Challenge

Is it really all that hard to be green?

I am setting out to prove that I can make small, everyday decisions to be more “green,” more environmentally friendly.  We live on an average middle class budget.  While I can’t go buy a new hybrid car, I can challenge myself to make incremental changes, substitutes, and habit-shifts that will tally up to a real difference. 

I think that I am starting at a half-way decent point.  I don’t own a mansion that has 30 spot lights illuminating the house’s glamorous front.  I recycle the basics.  I try to consume "less".  However, I know I can do more. 

Please join me in this challenge.

I am going to implement micro-changes in my life to reduce my family’s “footprint,” and I  challenge you to incorporate these modifications, too.  I will research alternatives to some aspect in my life, decide on my course of action, and let you know.  Through periodic updates, I will report back to you on how I am doing, which efforts need redoubling, and which just didn’t work out.  

I am also dragging along my husband, Van, my dog and my cat.  Each of these challenges may be small, but if we all make these changes, together we will have a big impact. 

Each post will be summed up in terms of how it meets the golden mantra of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. 

Each post may also contain a suggestion that will warrant 

I hope, for our planet's sake, that we all find great success in this endeavor! 

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