Green Your Laundry
Get rid of your old washing machine without damaging the environment.
By: Emmy Favilla
3/2008
3/2008
Once you decide to trade in your energy-leeching washer or dryer for a more efficient, modern version, you'll be faced with another eco choice: What to do with your old appliance?
Nearly 90 percent of all household appliances are recycled nowadays, due to state and municipal laws banning their disposal at landfills. To find out what you can do with your machine, go to earth911.org, type in 'appliances' and your zip code then click on "go." You'll then be linked to a comprehensive listing of where to bring your old washer or dryer to dispose of it responsibly.
Many utility companies even offer an incentive—usually $35 in cash or as a rebate toward an Energy Star replacement—to get rid of inefficient appliances. You should also check with your state energy office or local utility company to see if a tax incentive for purchasing energy-efficient appliances is available in your area; go to dsireusa.org for a listing of programs.
And if you're getting rid of anything that's still a relatively efficient machine, consider donating it to a local charitable organization that accepts appliances.
For more on making your laundry room a green one, see the April 2008 issue of Natural Health.
