E-Waste: A New Business Opportunity

As reviewed in a recent TriplePundit article, recycling e-waste is an increasingly a lucrative business opportunity. According to the Consumer Electronics Association in 2012 global spending on consumer electronics will surpass $1 trillion for the first time. The problem is that consumers upgrade their “old” electronics every six to twelve months as opposed to every few years as in the past. This translates to 2.5 million tons of toxic electronic waste (e-waste) that ends up in landfills, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only 25 percent of this gets recycled. There is no question that e-waste is harmful to our environment. It contains toxic chemicals including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, which threaten and contaminate the water we drink and the air we breathe.

Suffolk University's Green Efforts Include Building Design

Boston's Suffolk University has building projects that incorporate environmentally sound construction processes and sustainable principles in their design. New buildings use water conservation fixtures, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC equipment, and recycled materials. Suffolk’s 10 West Residence Hall, which opened in 2008, received LEED Gold certification.

Sierra's 2011 List of Cool Green Schools Points West

For many years early settlers of America went west seeking opportunities and Sierra's 2011 list of green schools once again points west. According to Sierra magazine’s fifth-annual ranking of the nation’s “Coolest” schools, some of the most eco-conscious colleges are out West.