Green Daily

Gadgets are everywhere these days. From the iPod to the video-capable cellphone to the wireless mouse, all those cutting-edge electronics gizmos will someday find their way to eBay or the garbage can. Pause that -- I meant, recycling bin.

Product cycles and obsolescence in the consumer electronics industry is almost instant. This posits a main question: What do we do with all those used gadgets to ensure they don't contribute to the chemical-leaking landfill somewhere near your town? That's right -- there is, more than likely, toxic substances lurking inside that favorite gadget of yours.

This is a reason I'm a fan of companies that actively solicit business from major consumer electronics companies to have those old digital music players and cellphones recycles once their useful life is over.

Resources such as electronicsrecycling.org provide information on many companies that are glad to ensure gadgets turn into green once they are done for. You may have seen some companies (manufacturers and retailers) soliciting you to recycling those empty printer ink cartridge (such as Staples and Hewlett-Packard), but there are over a thousand companies that will gladly let you recycle those used electronics once you're done with them. Find one of your choice and pin it to your computer's calendar -- then use it once the time comes.