Everlights

We’re going to try something new this week. To help keep you, our reader, informed about what’s going on in our industry, we’d like to offer you what we consider to be the top 5 “green” stories of the last week. These stories will range from energy efficiency to lamp recycling to anything else we come across. This week our stories include President Obama and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

1. Obama Announces $4 Billion Initiative to Upgrade Energy Efficiency of Nation’s Buildings

This was our favorite story to hit the presses within the last week. Even while facing some of the toughest economic hardships we’ve seen in a long time, our national government, President Obama included, made time to focus on a crucial part of our future. Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is one step in a very long process to cut energy costs and save the country millions of dollars. The best part of this new initiative? The plan comes at no cost to the taxpayers. Yes, you read that correctly. These upgrades will cost you nothing. If that’s not a win-win situation, then what is?

2. America Recycles Day Proves a Success

As an active participant in America Recycles Day (ARD) 2011, we thought this was deserving of our top 5 list. This day has continued to grow for the last 15 years, with hundreds of events taking place around the nation throughout the entire month of November. No matter how big or small the effort, everything that is done makes a difference. Those involved in ARD 2011 include businesses, universities and neighborhoods across the US. To do our part, we offered a discounted price on our recycling services for the duration of November 15. We’re proud to support such a great event, and look forward to participating again next year.

3. New E-Waste Recycling Laws are Set to Take Effect in 2012

It may seem strange to add one of our own stories, but that’s how important we think it is. Starting January 1, 2012, new e-waste recycling laws will take effect. These new laws mean stiffer penalties for offenders, and add a significant amount of materials to the list of regulated equipment. Take some time to read this story, or your business might find itself in trouble in the near future. Recycling e-waste is simple, and sometimes even free. We see no reason a company should ever have to risk being fined.

4. National Park Director Worried About Coke Funding

A dilemma recently surfaced at Grand Canyon National Park. Recent plans to ban plastic bottles at the Grand Canyon were on the verge of being put in to action before Coke stepped in. As a major sponsor of recycling efforts at national parks, Coke had more influence on the decision to stop the ban than officials were willing to admit. Coca-Cola has donated more than $13 million to parks around the country, mostly through the foundation, according to The New York Times. Although the plastic bottle ban will probably never be enacted, maybe the two parties can work together to improve recycling efforts at the parks.

5. Governor Rod Blagojevich Receives 14 Year Prison Sentence

This story isn’t related to the recycling or environmental industry, but we are from Chicago, so it hits close to home. On Dec. 7, 2011, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, ending one of the longest, most followed political scandals of our lifetime. Blagojevich will begin serving his prison sentence February 16, 2012, and will serve a minimum of 12 years. Blagojevich was convicted of 18 criminal counts involving the attempted sale of the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, illegal shakedowns for campaign cash and lying to federal agents. This story will be talked about forever, and is the perfect way to round out our top 5.

As always, please contact us if you have any questions about lamp recycling and feel free to leave comments below. We are more than happy to help in any way we can.