secret life of paper

Check out this website! http://secret-life.org/index.php It's called, "The Secret Life Series". They take things we use everyday such as paper and cell phones and question what the products "life cycle" is.

Ever wonder what happens when we toss old cell phones in the trash? Take the paper we read in the morning, or the jeans and t-shirts we wear. have you ever considered what impact these products have on the environment from beginning to end?

INFORM's Secret Life Series is a collection of videos that highlight the environmental impacts of everyday products we all use.

Textbooks the Thrifty Way

With the new semester right around the corner, and the pool of used textbooks always appearing to shrink every term, it’s time to start saving now for the stack you’ll need in the spring. But why not do yourself a favor and stretch that penny jar even further? Rather than scouring online retailers for cheaper books, go after the ones that are just plain free.

Sites like Paperback Swap (http://paperbackswap.com) and Book Mooch (http://bookmooch.com) save books from being ignored on a shelf or tossed in the garbage by offering them to anybody with an internet connection. While they may not have that fifth edition chemistry book, chances are they will have those paperbacks you need for your literature class.

And for those harder to find textbooks that you know you will never reuse, there’s always Chegg (http://chegg.com). Existing for the sole purpose of renting you those expensive textbooks that are sure to fetch a whole $5.00 come May, Chegg allows you to rent books for (usually) less than half the cost of buying it. Unlike most websites, they also guarantee delivery before your first class. And should you decide to drop the class within the first 30 days? Free returns. But the best part? They plant a tree for every book you rent, buy or sell!

Article by Caro Griffin

next week, february 8th-12th

we have so much coming up next week for the recycling program. Starting on the 8th, we are hosting a "week of accountability" where we, the recycling program, reward you, the students, for recycling throughout the day. we will be hiding out and blending in, in different buildings across campus starting on Monday and ending Thursday. We have received some great prizes from www.reuseit.com, as well as an ipod nano that was donated to us from the campus apple store.
On Tuesday, we will host our first film screening for the spring semester. Stay tuned for the title!
Also, if you would like to submit something to be in the recycling newsletter, please email it asap to nrbaldyga@gmail.com. stories, pictures, art,anything you are passionate about. Submissions are due by Wednesday.

Have a great week!

Awesome Event Today!

Title: ConsciousConscious Nosh: Ethical Eating
Date: Friday Jan 28
Time 6-8pm
Location: 618 S. Michigan 2nd floor (Stage Two Lobby)
Event info: Cosponsored with the Columbia Hillel, we will share a dinner and conversation about food production as it related to the environment. This dinner will take it’s structure from a Jewish tradition of having a seder (ceremonial dinner) celebrating the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the “Holiday for the Trees,” also known as Jewish Arbor Day. This event is sponsored by the Recycling Program and Hillel's Around Chicago: Arts in the Loop.

Come Check it Oou!

Reduce Reuse Recycle and ReThink

Kennedy, Blankenship Face Off on Environmental Issues | Clean Skies

Kennedy, Blankenship Face Off on Environmental Issues | Clean Skies

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Rebates and Discounts: Cash for Appliances

Remember "cash for clunkers"? Well now there are financial incentives to upgrade to a more efficient appliance. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has collected more than $12,000,000 from federal stimulus money to provide this opportunity for Illinois residents. Retailers will offer 10-15% off Energy Star qualified appliances at point of sale and there will be an additional rebate available ranging from $50-100 for recycling the old appliance too:

This will happen in 2 phases:

1) DCEO will offer rebates on heating and cooling equipment (furnaces, central AC, heat pumps, water heaters) starting later this winter and offer the program until the funds are depleted.

2) DCEO will offer an appliance rebate campaign this spring (targeting Earth Day) lasting no more than a few weeks, offering rebates through retailers on Energy Star white goods (refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, freezers, room air conditioners), If funds are remaining, the white goods rebates may be offered for a second period, probably in the fall.

Unlike "cash for clunkers" you don't have to trade an old appliance in to qualify. What's even better? Consumers will not be required to haul their bulky old appliances to the dealer in exchange for a new one.

For more information visit Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity