Sharing Is Good: How to Save Money, Time and Resources Through Collaborative Consumption (28 page)

Read Sharing Is Good: How to Save Money, Time and Resources Through Collaborative Consumption Online

Authors: Beth Buczynski

Tags: #Business & Economics, #Consumer Behavior, #Social Science, #Popular Culture, #Environmental Economics

car-sharing; P2PFoundation.

25-26.
See also
currencies.

net.

money sharing, 159-163

PepsiCo, 62

movies, 85-87

perceived risks, 29

Murray, Meg, 2, 17, 73-74

Petridish.org, 161

music, 85-86

Piedmont Local EcoNomy Tender.

MyCityGardens.com, 151

See
PLENTY.

Pittsboro, North Carolina, 13

natural resources, consumption

planned obsolescence, 50

of, 33-35.

PLENTY, 13

See also
car-sharing programs.

written agreements, 78

Trashbank.com, 99

yardsharing, 150-152

travel.
See
short-term lodging.

Tripping.com, 115-116

Yerdle.com, 84, 96-97

Triptrotting.com, 116-117

YourView.org.au, 112

trust concerns, 28-29, 69, 75

Zaarly.com, 109

UcarShare.com, 133

Zafèn.org, 163

U-Exchange.com, 76, 104, 164

Zidisha.org, 163

UK.Zopa.com, 162

Zilok.us/.com, 101-102

underserved populations, 44-47

Zimride.com, 139-140, 143

University of California studies,

Zipcar.com, 131

47-49

About the Author

Beth Buczynski is an independent

writer and editor who covers clean

technology, sustainable design and environ-

mental issues for some of the most popular

green sites on the web. Her previous pub-

lications include
Coworking: Building Com-

munity as a Space Catalyst
and
Share or Die:

Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age

of Crisis
. She lives, shares, and brews beer

in Colorado with her partner and their

very spoiled kitty.

180

About the Illustrator

Most of the time, Leah Pearlman

is an explorer of consciousness and

the human experience. Sometimes she’s a

dancer; sometimes she’s a cat. She began

drawing Dharma Comics in 2010 when

she found words weren’t enough, and has

discovered she’s something of an artist. A

Colorado native, she now lives and loves in

Berkeley, asking herself and everyone else:

“What makes you come alive?”

Visit her at www.dharmacomics.com

181

A Guide to Responsible Digital Reading

Most readers understand that buying a book printed on 100% recycled, ancient-forest friendly paper is a more environmentally responsible choice than buying one printed on paper made from virgin timber or old-growth forests. In the same way, the choices we make about our electronic reading devices can help minimize the environmental impact of our e-reading.

Issues and Resources

Before your next electronic purchase, find out which companies have the best ratings in terms of environmental and social responsibility. Have the human rights of workers been respected in the manufacture of your device or in the sourcing of raw materials? What are the environmental standards of the countries where your electronics or their components are produced?

Are the minerals used in your smartphone, tablet or e-reader conflict-free?

Here are some resources to help you learn more:

 The Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics

 Conflict Minerals: Raise Hope for the Congo

 Slavery Footprint

Recycle Old Electronics Responsibly

According to the United Nations Environment Programme some 20 to 50

million metric tonnes of e-waste are generated worldwide every year, comprising more than 5% of all municipal solid waste. Toxic chemicals in electronics, such as lead, cadium and mercury, can leach into the land over time or can be released into the atmosphere, impacting nearby

communities and the environment. The links below will help you to recycle your electronic devices responsibly.

 Electronics Take Back

 Canada - Recycle My Electronics

 United States - E-cycling central

Of course, the greenest option is to keep your device going as long as possible. If you decide to upgrade, please give some thought to passing your old one along for someone else to use.