CNN Video: Recycling, Energy Efficiency

The CNN video below shows information about recycling, energy saving and innovation here in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

The 1st part of the video is about billboards. One billboard uses the sun to show that the sea level is rising. Then it shows how the Philippines is recycling billboards to bags. I was in the Philippines last June 2008 and I saw a lot of billboards along EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) and C-5 (Circumferential Road 5). The billboards are huge and there are several of them on different roads around Metro Manila. From what I heard, the billboards are changed frequently and with the Philippine presidential election coming in 2010, there will be more billboards to be put up.

The video also shows Terracycle. A few months ago, I wrote that Terracycle is recycling Caprisun pouches into bags and other products. You can view my previous post using this link.

The next parts of the video are about energy efficiency and innovations. It features T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA. where they recycle rain water and shows that their school building have solar panels and energy efficient roof and windows.

The Empire State Building's plan for energy consumption is also featured. The plan is to install energy efficient lighting, upgrade the windows and install new heating and cooling systems. These activities will provide around 38% reduction in energy consumption for the one of the most known building in the world.

Getting Paid to Recycle - CBS News Video

I saw a video about getting paid by recycling a few months ago but cannot remember which channel I watched it. I happened to drop by the CBS website today and while there, I searched for Recycling videos and I found the video I saw before (see below).

Watch CBS Videos Online

The company that pays you to recycle is called RecycleBank. How it works is that they provide you a recycling cart where you put all the recyclable items. The cart has an embedded Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) chip on it and this is used to track the weight of your items once they are picked up. The weight is then converted into points on your RecycleBank account and you can use these points to redeem rewards on their website.

The video was shown in December 2008 and according to it, RecycleBank is being used at 15 States and expects to be grow to 20 States this year.

Recycling Tires into Asphalt - CNN Video

Here's a cool way to recycle tires. It can be used as an eco-friendly replacement to asphalt or concrete. The best part is that water can sip right through it unlike in asphalt or concrete. Watch and enjoy!

Recycling Plastic Bottles - CNN Video

I just found this video about recycling plastic bottles to make new bottles. Very interesting...

Cellphone Recycling - T-Mobile

We recently upgraded our cellphone through our service provider (T-Mobile). Included with the package are envelopes (shown below) for cellphone recycling or eCycling (electronic recycling).

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, "Recycling cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions, keeps valuable material out of landfills and incinerators, and conserves natural resources. Recycling just a million cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 1,368 cars off the road for a year."

Here's an informative video about cellphone recycling.

If you have no other use for your old cellphone, you can either drop it off at eCycling stations or mail it in at no cost to you. For more details about the drop off center locations or where to mail them, please visit the US EPA website.