The Blog

Photo Credit: Getty Images

It is that time of year again; summer is almost over and it’s time to prepare for the new school year. In an attempt to help all those going back to school, I’ve decided to look into some greener ways of going back to school. Here are some of my favorite tips!

1. Buy Smart

It is best to recycle old supplies rather than buying new supplies. There is a lot of waste generated from half-used notebooks and pens, so take an inventory of what you already have before buying. You can tear out the used sheets and add a new cover to give it a makeover. This could cut down your shopping list . In the case that you do need to buy new supplies, consider eco-friendly products and recycled paper. Check out our Grow blog tomorrow to learn about buying eco-friendly clothing.

2. Re-buying

Kids often have to read the classics in school, so instead of buying a new copy why not look for one in a second-hand store. Be thrifty this school year and re-buy when you are looking for some supplies, like a backpack, and clothing. Thrift stores have everything from books to clothing, so you are sure to find what you need at a discounted price. For college students, buying used books will cut down on your textbook costs dramatically. You may even find some helpful notes in the margins!

Photo Credit: Ecovative Design LLC

Wasting “stuff” is one of my biggest pet peeves.  It irks me, amongst other things, when I purposely bring my reusable shopping bag to the grocery store and I am still offered a plastic bag… “No, thank you, I don’t want another plastic bag.”  The cashier glares at me starkly, perhaps wondering why and where I ever got the idea to deny the ubiquitous polyethylene packaging.  “It’s the least I can do for the environment,” I say, hoping to provoke some type of thought or inspiration, perhaps, from the cashier who looked at me as if I was from another planet.  Saving waste needs to be marketed as cool.    Right now, from my experiences, saving waste brings with it only confused looks and feelings of being an outcast.

Photo by David Papazian

Do you think large retailers are doing enough to help customers make 'green' decisions?  Are there things you would like them to do differently?

At Appliances Online, we try and give out useful green information, however we can only tell you what we think you want to know.  Needless to say, we think we might be getting it wrong.  And we think that other large retailers will be getting it wrong too.

We want to change this, and give you the chance to influence retailers.  We would love you to fill in a survey and give us your honest and impartial opinions, to try and help us change the way you think green.

PRESS RELEASE

BOULEVARD MALL TO HOST FREE COMMUNITY ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DRIVE TO BENEFIT HOSPICE BUFFALO.

Click image above to see acceptable materials for the recycling drive.

AMHERST, NY – Looking for an environmentally responsible way to recycle your old laptop or TV? Join Sunnking Electronics Recycling at the Boulevard Mall to help raise money for Hospice Buffalo. This free community electronics recycling event will take place in the parking lot in front of Macy’s (corner of Niagara Falls Blvd. and Maple Road) on Saturday, June 16th from 10am – 3pm. For every pound of electronics recycled at this event, Sunnking will make a monetary donation to benefit Hospice Buffalo.

Residents, small businesses, nonprofits, schools and government agencies in the area are encouraged to bring electronics such as laptops, desktops, computer accessories, TV’s, monitors, audio/video equipment, mp3 players, communications equipment, servers & IT equipment, printers, scanners, copiers,