Business
Getting teens to 'just say no' to e-waste
DoSomething.org, Best Buy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are encouraging young people to collect and recycle as much electronic waste as they can before Oct. 1.
Playing off the innate interest of teenagers in environmental issues, DoSomething.org has teamed up with both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and retailer Best Buy to coordinate community electronic waste collection drives.
The campaign has three motives:
- First, to raise the awareness of the potential impact that discarded computers, televisions, monitors, mobile phones and other technology could have on the planet -- both in the United States and in emerging countries.
- Second, I'm sure it is providing Best Buy with a nice stream of devices from which some residual value can be derived; plus, it's kind of a nice green marketing boost. And it's a good way to start them young: Who do you think these teenagers will think of from now on when they want to buy a green product?
- Third, the winning team that collects the most e-waste will get a nice little perk in the form of a $500 educational grant for each team member.
Said Jill Vohr, team lead for the EPA in charge of Energy Star product marketing:
"We want to make sure young people know that it's not only what you do to properly dispose of an old electronic, it's also the choices you make when looking for a new one. We hope that through this campaign, teens will learn who they can make a difference through smarter product choices and practices."
The campaign started earlier this week and it will run through Oct. 1, 2011.