New look, new location. We’ve started hosting our blog at – http://www.ecyclegroup.com/blog

There is a movement in sustainable industry that is building rapidly and one person is propelling it into public focus – Van Jones. Van Jones, co-founder of the Ella Baker Center, started his career in activism by fighting for citizens whom had been abused under the law due to race or gender. Over the years he has been awarded countless honors, including the Ashoka Fellowship and the Reebok Human Rights Award. He was trained at Yale Law School and is a very persuasive and dynamic speaker. I was lucky enough to see him address an overflowing crowd in Seattle this past fall. In the speech, he outlined his new focus, what he calls the ‘green economy’.

According to today’s Seattle Times, international investments in green energy technology rose 43% in 2007 to $3 billion. Congress is right now considering funding for a bill that could fund development in green energy. An economic revolution is starting, one that could match the internet boom of the late 1990’s.

Van Jones’ contention is that during this economic revolution new jobs will be created. He is laying the case for why those ‘green collar’ jobs and training should go to urban neighborhoods.

Watch these videos to learn more – I promise, you won’t be let down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SmF3B3734E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjOS7QYCMZ8

Click here for a free monitor screen cleaning.

www.ecyclegroup.com

Click this link to watch an historic prank.

www.ecyclegroup.com

A British High School, Oxford Community School, was recently recognized publicly for its environmentally sustainable initiatives, including printer cartridge and cell phone recycling. The Green Flag Eco-Schools award will be presented at a public event. Local politicians and community members will be present to applaud the students’ good work.

Does anyone know of a similar prize in the US?

www.ecyclegroup.com

To most of the world, Jim Starr is known as Lazer, the original star of the American Gladiators TV series. Jim recently approached eCycle Group to see if he could support our cause of reducing global warming and diverting solid waste from landfills.

Jim grew up in Great Falls, Montana, where he fished, hiked, and generally fell in love with the wilderness. After graduating from C. M. Russell High School, he went on to play football for Montana State University (All American), then the NFL. Though already accomplished, Jim’s career shot upward when he was cast for the American Gladiators TV series in 1990. Jim was instantly a hit with the fans. So much so, in fact, that he appeared in all seven seasons – more episodes than any other gladiator.

Now Jim is channeling his passion for health and sports into the environment. He believes that “companies like eCycle Group hold the future for our earth. It is critical that our children understand that recycling and good deeds have moral and financial value. eCycle Group allows people to make money by doing good work.”

Video Clips of Lazer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8M7FZNDBY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj3rvI3KLcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2yPB-sURs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkADp9NuGWc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY7Z1kumOBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP4asZMugjY

Currently, Jim Starr works as Product Development Director for Apex Fitness & 24 Hour Fitness. He lives with his wife, Tonya, and their three children in Thousand Oaks, CA.

www.ecyclegroup.com 

Like many businesses, we spend a lot of time on hold when we call other businesses. Along the way, we’ve collected our staff’s list of worst possible hold music scenarios. The song that gets the most votes will be featured on eCycle Group’s telephone system for one day. You will probably have to ask to be put on hold though, since we have an outstanding service department! Vote by submitting a comment.

Captain and Tennille – Muskrat Love

Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men

1980s Elevator Music

Alvin and the Chipmunks Doing Michael Jackson’s “Beat it”

Anthrax – Got the Time?

www.ecyclegroup.com 

CSPN, the Cartridge Sports Programming Network, just released a striking poll. Recycled printer cartridges are nutty over the New England Patriots – apparently to the point of distraction. Many businesses are lodging complaints with remanufacturing companies regarding unusual ink blots and banding (see photo of TPS report below). Brad Burbary, of Inkjets Times Two, was quoted, “Our phones are off the hook! I don’t know what’s gotten into them [the cartridges], but I can’t wait until Monday.”

Well, eCycle Group called a couple fans to learn a bit more. Hew Inkson (shown below gobbling a hot dog at a early season game) described himself as a die hard Patriots guy. “I’d rather be landfilled than watch the Patriots lose this one.”

Today “Resource Recycling” Magazine ran a feature on a Wisconsin state bill that, if passed, will challenge the way producers treat post-consumer e-waste including computers and cell phones. The bill outlines a program that would force original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to:

• Pay annual fee of $2,500 – $5,000
• Register with Wisconsin
• Collect and recycle 60%-80% of previous year’s sold product to avoid fine

To facilitate the transition and lower the program cost for OEMs, lawmakers are proposing an exemption on anti-trust laws.

As an important side note, all focus products would be banned from landfills as of September, 2009.

www.ecyclegroup.com

If you have 10 empty BROTHER HL-2040 toner cartridges.

Drive them to your big box office supply store and receive $30 in store credit.

Drive them to your franchised cartridge refilling station and receive $25 in store credit.

Slap a prepaid shipping label on them and send them to eCycle Group, receive $50 cash!