It’s common for families today to buy or replace a few cell phones, iPods, computers a year. The huge growth in electronics use has made this a major problem on Long Island. When not properly disposed of, electronics can leak lead, mercury, brominated flame retardants, cadmium and other contaminants. E-cycling takes reusable parts from electronic devices to get salvaged and refurbished to prevent hazardous seepage. And metals and plastics are properly disposed of. Long Island towns manage e-cycling independently. Go to greenstreetli.com for town contact info.  Also find a manufacturer recycling programs at www.Earth911.com, or contact retailers like Dell and Apple, which offer free c-cycling services, and buyback programs that swap cash for old products.   

Old Park Made New Again

The Port Washington School District took the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – to new heights. At a time when districts are especially cost conscious, this community’s Daly Elementary School erected a handball court without spending anything on building materials. That’s because the maintenance crew salvaged the nearby high school’s torn-down bleachers, converting them into building resources for the new court. The team even reclaimed an old tennis net and placed it on top of the wall to prevent missed balls from rolling into the street. That’s a green lesson kids can appreciate outside the classroom.  

Install a timer on your water heater to lower the set point during off-times
and save 5-12 percent off your bill.