Save My Planetrss

E-Waste, Shipping Container Homes in Thailand, and Punta Islita, Costa Rica

Monday, July 19, 2010 | 9:12 AM

In this episode of 'Save My Planet,' we'll get to the bottom of a 50-million-ton problem known as e-waste; we'll travel to Thailand and meet a man who is converting old shipping containers into sleek new homes; and we'll explore Punta Islita in Costa Rica, and see how protecting the environment and developing local communities go hand in hand.

Have you ever stopped to think about all the electronic waste we generate? From cell phones to computers, it can really pile up. The good news is, there are plenty of recyclable parts in our old electronics -- it's just a matter of getting them into the right pipeline:

  • EPA studies indicate that approximately 2.9 million tons of electronic waste are generated every year in the U.S.
  • E-waste can contain hazardous components like lead, solder, or mercury that can seep out of our landfills and contaminate the ground and water
  • 100% of what's contained in a piece of electronic equipment can be recycled
Next, we'll head to the other side of the world where one man is giving old shipping containers new life. Folks in Bangkok, Thailand, might one day see an entire neighborhood of beautiful homes made from these abandoned boxes:
  • There are thousands of unused shipping containers sitting in ports around the world
  • The containers are usually made of the best steel money can buy
  • Shipping container homes are a great way to provide affordable housing
Finally, we'll travel to Punta Islita, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and see how creating environmentally sustainable jobs is an important part of saving the planet:
  • For years, people in this area practiced cattle ranching -- to make a living, they would strip the land with slash-and-burn clearing that really took a toll
  • The Hotel Punta Islita has provided opportunities -- and jobs -- to nearly 40% of the population; and a whole "eco-system" of other micro-industries has also sprouted up in the area
Whether it's job creation, recycling electronics, or building homes out of old shipping containers, it's clear that people all over are coming up with amazing ways to help save the planet -- and you can too! For more information, click the links below:

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