In a time when sub-prime mortgages are impacting the economy worldwide, it’s no wonder we’ve had difficulty in attracting philanthropic angel investors & social venture capitalists.  Times are tough & getting tougher.  Thankfully, we’ve had the good fortune of having the limited financial support of our family.

We’ve also been lucky to get the attention of local and regional media.  This resulted in opening a  dialog with one of the world’s largest retailers and one of the world’s largest waste management companies.

Media attention has also allowed us to divert more items from the dump and prevent overseas disposal.

Unfortunately, as with other small businesses, our potential to grow is limited by our access to capital.  We’re caught in the old “catch 22″ where we know that we need to spend in order to grow, but we also need to grow before we can spend.

While the Ontario and federal Canadian government doles out corporate welfare to sinking multinationals, socially conscious start ups that are working to become self sufficient are left twisting in the wind.  In the absence of private equity and government support for a social enterprise like ours, there is an abundance of funding available for environmental not-for-profits.

While we expect to be profitable in short order, the lack of private interest has given us reason to consider joining the social sector. It is truly unfortunate that there is no middle road in Canada between “doing good” and “making money.”

Thanks to those who’ve noticed us and are using our services!!!

We were recently nominated for a business award presented by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce as a result of our community involvement.

Thank you to whoever was kind enough to make the nomination!!

Special thanks to Compu-Solve Technologies in Midland for taking the time on Monday to deliver several dozen devices to us for recycling!!!

We’ve given thanks to the stores who’ve hosted us and the companies who’ve chosen to do the right thing by recycling their old electronic gear with us.

There are many other people though who stop by over the course of a day and take time to recycle their old stuff -  people like you!  More and more people recognize that e-waste doesn’t belong in the dump - even if it costs a few bucks to make sure electronics get handled properly.

Our company exists because people like you choose to bring things to us for proper handling rather than allow them to go to landfills or harm children overseas.  Even though gas is pricey and time is precious, you still choose to do the right thing.

People come from Barrie, Orillia, Newmarket, Toronto, some even send things by courier from as far away as Kingston - all to prevent this stuff from poisoning the planet.

You deserve thanks and recognition!!! Thank you for helping us continue our mission!!!

We’ll be at Extreme Computers in Wasaga Beach on Saturday, August 2 for a collection event.

Join us for a chance to recycle your:

• Computers, Laptops
• Computer Parts
• Printers, Scanners
• Fax Machines
• Cell Phones, Telephones
• iPods, MP3 Players
• Stereos, CD-Players
• Cassette Decks
• Keyboards & Mice
• Cable Boxes, DVD Players
• Video Game Systems
• Radios, Walkmans
• Wire, Cable
• Power Tools

TVs and Monitors WILL be accepted for our standard handling fees of $10, $20, or $30 depending on size.

Extreme Computers is located at 1944 Mosley St., Wasaga Beach, Ontario.

Saturday July 19 was a hot day in Cookstown, Ontario at Home Hardware.  Neil, the store owner and manager, was kind enough to host us as we collected over 3,800 pounds of electronic waste from the general public.  Over 50 cars and trucks stopped by to drop off nearly 2 tonnes of WEEE which included computers, power tools, wire, cable, old stereos, VCRs, DVD players and more.

We’re looking for more stores to host us on our mission to divert electronics from landfills and prevent overseas disposal.   If you know anyone who owns or manages a store with a large parking lot and lots of drive by traffic, please let them know we’re available for a collection event.

Thanks again to Neil and Cookstown Home Hardware for hosting us on this fabulous day!

Special thanks to Interprom Inc. for hiring us today to remove some old equipment & monitors from their offices in Barrie.

Special thanks today to Ms. Griffiths of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority in Port Hope, Ontario!

Ms. Griffiths was kind enough to send along two older cameras by courier - 185 km away - to us for reuse or recycling.

She also had this to say about our little company:

“It is a great mission that you are on, and I feel that more companies should follow your lead.  Discarded electronics do not need to be adding more to our landfills.  The fact that you are creating employment for those unfortunately dealing with a disability is remarkable as well.”

Thank you Ms. Griffiths and the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority!!

It started off overcast but dry before it became a rainy day today, July 12, but that didn’t stop area residents from diverting 3,000 lbs of unwanted electronics from local landfills at the Tottenham Home Hardware store through Thriftopia.com’s FREE electronics collection event.

We (left to right: Patrick, Tammy, Jon) diverted dozens of computers, power tools, heaps of wire, a bunch of old stereos and other gadgets from being buried or exported to third world countries through unscrupulous “recyclers” thanks to those who came out, despite the rain.

Jon kept busy sorting stuff.

Tammy had to try to dry off after a cloud burst forced her to take cover.

I did my best to keep things organized in the truck as we got on with the collection.

Overall we did fairly well thanks to the good people in the Tottenham area and Dave, the owner of the Tottenham Home Hardware store who agreed to host us for the day.

Thanks again Dave and everyone who came out today!!!

What drives all these neat innovations? Did someone just wake up one day and decide that they want a phone made out of corn? No! Like pretty much every other thing that humans do, there are many thoughts and beliefs behind them.

These thoughts and beliefs can be grouped into related “disciplines”. I will give a brief overview of 2 of these - Environmental Technology (EnviroTech) and Green Computing.

But first, just to get the wheels in your head turning, I will discuss an opposing view. Green Anarchists believe that exploitation is inextricably tied to technology, both in terms of environmental resources and human resources (particularly division of labour and specialization); all technology is created with certain aims and functions in mind. As a result, we can only change the surface and unsustainable exploitation will always live on below.

I find that quite interesting, considering the fact that sustainability is a goal of EnviroTech. Before I get ahead of myself, what is EnviroTech? This discipline aims to conserve resources, mainly through reducing the impact of humans.

Now, back to sustainability. Something which is sustainable meets needs without draining resources. It could be used indefinitely, because it doesn’t require excessive steps backwards in order to go forwards, negating progress. EnviroTech achieves this goal through several other goals.

Instead of the typical “cradle to grave” design (something is made, purchased, gets “used up” and is disposed of), the focus is on “cradle to cradle” design. Products should be made in such a way that they never “die” - they can be reused, or they can be fully recycled.

Source reduction is similar. The aim is to change the way we make and use things so that we waste and pollute less. If items are made with less toxic materials they will cause less pollution; if items are more durable and made of recyclable materials, consumers need not throw them out when they no longer need them.

Environmentally preferable purchasing is a form of source reduction in that the goal is to mandate the government to purchase electronics that have a low environmental impact.

Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology help with design, source reduction, and environmentally preferable purchasing because they work towards eliminating toxins and manipulating materials at a microscopic lebel, changing the very make-up of the materials manufacturers use.

Innovation is a goal because we need to come up with ideas for new technologies in order to change our ways and meet the above goals.

EnviroTech looks to create viable jobs which further its other goals. An example is a nanotechnology scientist working on developing new plastics.

Green Computing applies these goals specifically to computers and associated electronics. It aims to reduce the hazardous materials used in manufacturing, as well as to make recyclable and biodegradable computers.

What do you think of Green Anarchy’s objections now? Are we really as doomed as they seem to think?

My next article will use Thriftopia and a company called Green Technology Initiative to demonstrate how viable jobs work towards the goals of EnviroTech. In doing this, I will continue to address some of Green Anarchy’s objections to EnviroTech.

Special thanks to Sharon Posius and the crew at A Channel News for broadcasting a segment this evening about the new Ontario Electronic Stewardship (e-waste) initiative and asking us for our input.

View the segment by clicking here. (Windows Media Player)

We’ll be at Tottenham’s Home Hardware store this Saturday, July 12 from 12pm - 5pm collecting unwanted computers and electronics - FREE of charge!

Join us for a chance to unload your:

• Computers, Laptops
• Computer Parts
• Printers, Scanners
• Fax Machines
• Cell Phones, Telephones
• iPods, MP3 Players
• Stereos, CD-Players
• Cassette Decks
• Keyboards & Mice
• Cable Boxes, DVD Players
• Video Game Systems
• Radios, Walkmans
• Wire, Cable
• Power Tools

TVs and Monitors will not be collected on Saturday.

Ontario’s McGuinty government announced today that the Ontario Electronic Stewardship electronic waste diversion plan will move ahead.

What this means is that when the program is in place, which should happen by next April, we should all be able to recycle our TVs and Monitors for FREE.

Until then, Thriftopia.com has reduced our handling fees for TVs and Monitors from $1 per screen inch to a flat rate system:

• TVs and Monitors under 17 inches will be accepted for a flat fee of $10 each, tax included.
• TVs and Monitors 17 inches to under 27 inches will be accepted for a flat fee of $20 each, tax included.
• TVs and Monitors larger than 27 inches will be accepted for a flat fee of $30, tax included.

To determine the size of your monitor or TV, simply measure it diagonally from corner to corner.

When the OES plan is commenced, if approved as a collection agency, Thriftopia.com will eliminate all handling fees for monitors & televisions.

If you can wait to recycle your TV or Monitor until next year, you’ll be able to do it for free. If you need to reclaim space, please use our affordable service.

Alberta’s Premier Ed Stelmach announced today that key to his government’s climate change-strategy is the introduction of “Carbon Capture and Storage” (CCS) technology in the province. The technology is supposed to suck up carbon from the atmosphere and store it underground and Alberta is committing $2 Billion dollars to assist its oilsands and coal mining industry capture up to 5 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Alberta has made so much money since oil prices exceeded their predictions that they are looking for ways to spend their major surplus. Another $2 Billion was earmarked today for public transit.

If Premier Stelmach is not aware there is an existing technology that does something similar to CCS. It’s called a “tree” and can be purchased individually or in groups called “forests.”

According to scientific research by the Trust for Public Land, a US conservation agency, each mature tree can absorb nearly 22 kg of CO2. Even better, each tree can also absorb Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and other particulate matter – while also producing Oxygen.

To be fair, though, Alberta would require 270 million trees to be planted to clean up the 5 million tonnes of CO2 they want to absorb, which might get in the way of future oilsands and coal mining operations.

Finally! Here’s the article I promised about interesting innovations in the area of electronics. Let’s get on with the show!

But first, a few notes: Some of the sources I used may be a few months or years old, so I apologize if anything is out of date. Technology moves so fast these days and often we aren’t aware of all that’s going on “behind the scenes” of manufacturers.

• Look out for more energy efficient computers from Dell in 2010; they are making changes to circuits, fans, chips, power supplies, and memory. They will use 25% less power.
• Even more impressive, Dell is working on a computer that uses 70% less energy and is 81% smaller than current mini towers. The packaging will be both recyclable and made of recycled materials.
• Fujitsu has created a prototype laptop with a cedar wood case and bio-plastic parts; bio-plastic is made out of renewable resources such as corn. Although Fujitsu is still working on the plastic, the currently available Biblio NX95 has 30% bio-plastic.
• Even better is the Fujitsu LifeBook which has a biodegradable case made out of cornstarch!
• If you’re looking for a new cell phone, try Samsung’s W150 or F268 are made out of bio-plastic; the W150 contains no heavy metals, the F268 contains no PVC or brominated fire retardants (look through our other articles to learn about these toxins). Samsung plans to stop using PVC entirely by 2010.
• By 2011, HP wants to increase the amount of recycled materials in printers three-fold; materials will come primarily from old printers; they are also looking into using bio-plastics.
• The currently available HP Deskjet D2545 contains five-sixths recycled plastic.
• Apple plans to implement solar panels in iPhones and iPods.
• Sony has developed a hand-powered digital camera, but sadly doesn’t have plans to commercialise it. Hopefully they will change their minds or will at least use the prototype as a source of ideas for something similar in the future!

My favourites are

• The One Laptop Per Child group (makers of special laptops for children in developing nations – you get 2 for $400 and one goes to a child) is working on a special supercharger which would allow their laptops to run longer. It can draw power from yo-yos or even COWS (through a belt and pulley system)!
• NEC’s PowerMate eco contains no lead, and is made out of 100% recyclable “NuCycle” plastic; it requires no fan. The monitor has no harmful gases.
• Within the foreseeable future, we may have technology powered by SPINACH! A special coating will derive energy from the sun much in the way that plants do.

For more information about the above innovations, visit PC Advisor

I will never see a cow in the same way again! My next article will focus on some of the ideas fuelling the movement to create greener technology.

Earlier this spring a group of stewards representing goliath sized companies like Dell, HP, Wal-Mart and Best Buy pitched a proposal to Ontario’s ministry of the environment in response to the minister’s previous request for such a plan. While nobody would argue that electronics should not be recycled, most people might raise an eyebrow at the thought of the group of people responsible for a problem deciding how to solve it.

The Honourable Mr. Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, now has a decision to make and like any good judge he must look at a proposal on his desk, which will have a fundamental impact on the management of obsolete electronics, with objective eyes. While there are many reasons why Ontario needs a management plan to deal with old computers, TVs and monitors, approving the only plan on the table is not reason enough to do so.

First, the good…

Of the positive aspects of the plan, I am most pleased to see incentives offered for my company (if approved by the stewards) to collect old TVs and Monitors – things that at the moment cost us greatly to have recycled in a responsible manner. A typical 50 pound TV costs us $17.50 plus expenses to have recycled properly here in Canada; under the proposed plan we would be paid about $3.75 to collect it with shipping charges paid. Getting paid to collect these items would undoubtedly enable us to do more.

I am also happy to see that more awareness will be drawn to the necessity of recycling e-waste through marketing campaigns.

So why am I whining? What’s my problem with this plan?

Second, the bad…

There are no incentives offered to consumers – people like you and I – for participating. While some people may recycle electronics because it’s the right thing to do, it is my experience that such responsible people are few and far between. For each person who is willing to spend time and money on gas to drop off a TV there is a larger crowd that doesn’t care and won’t recycle.

At the time I am writing this, a barrel of crude oil costs $140.97 and gasoline costs $1.36 per liter in my city ($5.15 per US gallon for my American friends). When (not if) crude hits $200 a barrel and prices at the pump rise over $1.93 ($7.30/US gallon), how many people will continue to drive, let alone drop off an old 50 pound TV “just because?”

Adding a reasonable incentive, even a penny per pound, would motivate more people than “feeling good” does alone. Since most people are willing to drive to the beer store to get ten cents for an old bottle, I would bet most people would do the same to turn in an old TV, even for a quarter!

Also important to note, the plan lacks a real method to ensure that the 30% or more of reusable computers that are sent for recycling are diverted for reuse. Since reusing a computer through refurbishing it can save up to 20 times the energy that would be required to recycle it, integrating a diversion strategy to ensure that useful technology is kept working is highly important.

Finally, the ugly…

As mentioned in a previous article entitled “PC Poisons found Elsewhere,” electronic products contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals – things that are harmful to our environment and human health.

The current plan as it sits does not provide economic incentives or penalties for manufacturers to ensure that their products are made without toxics. If items were made without toxic chemicals recycling would be easier and less hazardous.

What now?

While the plan as it is written does have the positive aspect of paying for the collection and recycling of TVs and monitors, it fails to provide incentives to the public to participate, is missing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that functioning computers are kept working and lacks incentives for manufacturers to better design their products.

If I were in Mr. Gerretsen’s shoes, I would reject the plan as it has been presented and demand the following changes be made to it:

• Ban e-waste from landfills entirely
• Integrate a reuse component that allows working, useful equipment to be diverted from destruction to save energy
• Impose fines/penalties on individuals that discard electronics in mixed solid waste
• Impose fines/penalties on companies that continue to market electronics containing toxics
• Offer a collection incentive or rebate to consumers for turning in old technology similar to Brewer’s Retail’s bottle refund system
• Offer tax credits to manufacturers who improve product design to contain fewer harmful chemicals
• Demand that the Ontario Electronic Stewardship board be comprised of voting members who represent consumers, recyclers, and environmental groups in addition to the multinational corporations

While I respect the amount of work that has gone into the OES plan by Waste Diversion Ontario, and believe that they do want to do the right thing, I believe that the minister must reject the current plan until these concerning areas are addressed.

The members of OES should be given kudos as well, since as competitors they were able to work together to develop what resulted. Although it needs more balance from a consumer’s benefit standpoint, it is a good start.

The OES plan has beginnings of a great program - with more work and refinement, Ontario should have a comprehensive electronics recycling/reuse program that is second to none and allows us to retain our position as world leaders in environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

Often when we close the shop for the day or go home for the weekend we know that when we come back we will find monitors or TVs that were left for us to deal with - without payment to help us cover the cost of proper recycling.

Today our faith in humanity was enhanced when we found that a kind, honest, stranger decided to leave a 13″ screen along with $13 to cover our cost.  If more people chose to act in this way we would be able to continue to offer our services without such a struggle!

Thank you, who ever you are!

Special thanks to The Innisfil Scope for spreading the word about our upcoming computer and electronic recycling collection events taking place at Home Hardware stores in Tottenham and Cookstown on July 12 and July 19.

You can view the article by clicking here.

Thanks!