Day 154 of our Green Year: Take Out Programs

While we have eliminated a lot of what we own by giving it away or recycling it, there are occasions where we need to purchase something. Of course, we always ask the purchase questions before buying anything, and for ever one thing we buy, we try to eliminate something we no longer need at the home to offset it.

However, there is a new way to offset what you buy, especially when you buy mattresses or electronics. These are companies that operate take-back programs, which take used or broken electronics, furniture and mattresses and recycle them for you, albeit when you buy something new from them. So, buy something from them, and they will take away the old item you are replacing and recycling it for you. The Brick is one such place that takes old furniture and mattresses away when you buy something new from them. For electronics, check with the retailer and manufacturer to see if they have a take-back program. If you have a manufacturer who does not, then you can bring your old electronics to Best Buy and they will recycle it.

Now, it should be pointed out that this does not mean we will go out and buy something simply because we can get rid of something through a take-back program. We will continue to use the purchase questions to determine if we are going to buy something and if it is needed (for everything from washboards to televisions) and we will continue to lower our possession count.

Although it is nice to know that the program is there.