While spring cleaning, it's almost inevitable that you'll come across an outdated gadget on top of a bookshelf or in the back of a closet. If, in your cleaning fury, you're tempted to just toss it in the trash, you're not alone.
Americans chuck between 300 and 400 million electronics a year, less than 20 percent of which they recycle. The next time you consider leaving your TV out on the curb to be collected on trash day, you may want to reflect on the risks that come from improperly discarding e-waste. Electronics are made of a variety of materials—lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury—that can cause health risks if disposed of incorrectly.
One of the best ways to show respect for our planet is to be more mindful of how we choose the tech we buy. Looking for a new HDTV? Why not do a little research and find one that's eco-friendly? Not only will it help Mother Earth, but it will also help your wallet by reducing your electric bill. Looking for a new case for your iPad? Instead of buying one that was manufactured in a huge factory overseas and then trucked over on waves of fossil fuels, why not buy one that's handmade using a foot-pedal-powered sewing machine right here in the United States?
There are countless green alternatives to the gadgets, accessories, and automobiles we normally buy. Celebrate Earth Day today by checking out these 10 products. All are green in one way or another; some save you energy, some use recycled materials, and some do both.