Monday, August 29, 2005
Some of the BEST Precious Metals Research Resources are FREE
I have spent some time writing in The Recycling Entrepreneur Newsletter about exploring the 'Net for resources and information (other than my own writings) to support your recycling business efforts.
It just so happens that some of the best support information is FREE if you know where to look for it.
Here are just a few resources you might profit from, gratis:
Sign up for Johnson-Matthey's FREE PGM research and informational updates
US Geological Survey's Minerals Information List sign-up
Platinum 2005 - 56 pages of FREE, Fascinating Platinum Group Metals Facts
It just so happens that some of the best support information is FREE if you know where to look for it.
Here are just a few resources you might profit from, gratis:
Sign up for Johnson-Matthey's FREE PGM research and informational updates
US Geological Survey's Minerals Information List sign-up
Platinum 2005 - 56 pages of FREE, Fascinating Platinum Group Metals Facts
Saturday, July 30, 2005
" Hidden" Opportunities in Cell Phone Recycling
In my cell phone recycling report I mention some creative methods of finding volume quantities of recyclable used cell phones and PDAs. Here is but one example, as well as a good resource to perhaps get rid of those pesky, unwanted batteries that you tend accumulate in this business.
Of course, you ought to first consider the other methods in the report to first profit from some, if not most, of these batteries, and use this resource only as a last resort.
Cell Phone Recycling Opportunity? A Handy Cell Phone Battery Disposal Resource?
Of course, you ought to first consider the other methods in the report to first profit from some, if not most, of these batteries, and use this resource only as a last resort.
Cell Phone Recycling Opportunity? A Handy Cell Phone Battery Disposal Resource?
Monday, July 18, 2005
"Big Brother" Enters the Recycling Business
Shades of Orwell's "1984"!
It was just a matter of time before birth-to-death tracking of consumable and recyclable items became a reality. Whether or not you believe this is a great step forward or another governmental invasion of your privacy, our masters are going to have the ability (the desire is already there) to track a product from the manufacturing plant through its commercial lifespan, until the point it is ready to be disposed of.
The point of all this? Why, to assure those guardians of our health and safety that all those nasty energy-sucking, lifestyle-improving products you've had the audacity to use are properly disposed of, re:sent to a government-approved disposal facility which will undoubtedly end up CHARGING YOU to give them your scrap, from which which they will, of course, make a nice profit.
This is ALL with the best of intentions, of course, just like everything else government does for (to) us - our lakes and streams will sparkle, our air will be crystal-clear, our drinking water pure, and some petty bureaucrats will have access to information about you, your family, and about your lifestyle which you might not want them to have. It's just a matter of time before they tie this into protecting us from 'terrorism', as well.
The problem, as I see it, is that this is simply just the tip of the iceberg - as RFID technology becomes more efficient and refined (read:more invasive, to the point where any government agency can literally drive down your street and scan the items - your personal property - in your home and other buildings) prepare to see this technology spread to almost every type of property you own and enjoy. Things like guns, magazines, tapes and videos, cash you might have on hand (this one's already here, in the US), and so forth.
My prediction? You're going to see an underground industry develop in information regarding how to identify,locate, remove, incapacitate, and otherwise defeat the government's efforts to track every damn thing they want to know about us.
PandCT - Spot Light
It was just a matter of time before birth-to-death tracking of consumable and recyclable items became a reality. Whether or not you believe this is a great step forward or another governmental invasion of your privacy, our masters are going to have the ability (the desire is already there) to track a product from the manufacturing plant through its commercial lifespan, until the point it is ready to be disposed of.
The point of all this? Why, to assure those guardians of our health and safety that all those nasty energy-sucking, lifestyle-improving products you've had the audacity to use are properly disposed of, re:sent to a government-approved disposal facility which will undoubtedly end up CHARGING YOU to give them your scrap, from which which they will, of course, make a nice profit.
This is ALL with the best of intentions, of course, just like everything else government does for (to) us - our lakes and streams will sparkle, our air will be crystal-clear, our drinking water pure, and some petty bureaucrats will have access to information about you, your family, and about your lifestyle which you might not want them to have. It's just a matter of time before they tie this into protecting us from 'terrorism', as well.
The problem, as I see it, is that this is simply just the tip of the iceberg - as RFID technology becomes more efficient and refined (read:more invasive, to the point where any government agency can literally drive down your street and scan the items - your personal property - in your home and other buildings) prepare to see this technology spread to almost every type of property you own and enjoy. Things like guns, magazines, tapes and videos, cash you might have on hand (this one's already here, in the US), and so forth.
My prediction? You're going to see an underground industry develop in information regarding how to identify,locate, remove, incapacitate, and otherwise defeat the government's efforts to track every damn thing they want to know about us.
PandCT - Spot Light
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Silver & China - A Big Wildcard
I came across this article in my constant search for relevant information on the precious metals. FreeMarketNews is one of the sources I visit often, not only for insights into the geopolitical aspects of supply and demand, but new uses for the metals industrially and new sources geologically.
Written from a conservative standpoint, it also contains many relevant business and economic discussions, many of which concern democracy, the Constitution, and the ever-increasing intrusion into privacy and individual rights once enjoyed by Americans, but being eroded at an alarming rate.
Feel free to disagree with the politics; the precious metals information alone makes this site worthy of your bookmarking it. I highly endorse it!
Written from a conservative standpoint, it also contains many relevant business and economic discussions, many of which concern democracy, the Constitution, and the ever-increasing intrusion into privacy and individual rights once enjoyed by Americans, but being eroded at an alarming rate.
Feel free to disagree with the politics; the precious metals information alone makes this site worthy of your bookmarking it. I highly endorse it!
Friday, July 08, 2005
THE Best Recycling Rate? - No Surprise It's Auto Batteries!
The reason I point out this article is to demonstrate a point regarding the efficiencies of recycling markets in general.
Why do automotive (lead-acid)batteries experience the highest percentage recycling rate (+99% according to the article) when much more valuable materials get thrown in landfills?
The primary reason is that when you replace your battery, you don't want a large, dangerous piece of scrap material sitting around your garage or property. Anyone who has ever replaced a battery in their car or truck has experienced what battery acid does to one's skin. And everyone knows that lead is toxic. ...and there is no other use or value to the dead battery than for recycling. So why keep it?
Dangerous to have around, difficult to store, and no intrinsic value, other than as scrap!
Secondly, there is just enough of a financial incentive to return it to the facility that sold you its replacement - and therein lies the real key. Everyone selling batteries takes the old ones as scrap, usually giving some type of credit or charging a"core fee" against the purchase. And they'll almost always willingly take your old battery even if you didn't buy the replacement from them, because they will make (a little)money from the scrap.
In other words, you've got an extremely efficient scrap auto battery market because almost everyone involved in it is actually involved in the recycling process in every step of the retail and wholesale sales process.
The interesting thing is that even with as efficient a market as this is, there are recycling entrepreneurs who make a living from merely going out and collecting used auto batteries for profit. Even in this type of market it is the individual collector who lends the final few percentage points of completeness, or efficiency to the process.
..And I might add to this note that it is the individual 'junkers' or collection entrepreneurs who are making the most money per unit of scrap by providing that efficiency, as is true with almost every recycling endeavor. Efficiency in collection is the key to most recycling success.
Why do automotive (lead-acid)batteries experience the highest percentage recycling rate (+99% according to the article) when much more valuable materials get thrown in landfills?
The primary reason is that when you replace your battery, you don't want a large, dangerous piece of scrap material sitting around your garage or property. Anyone who has ever replaced a battery in their car or truck has experienced what battery acid does to one's skin. And everyone knows that lead is toxic. ...and there is no other use or value to the dead battery than for recycling. So why keep it?
Dangerous to have around, difficult to store, and no intrinsic value, other than as scrap!
Secondly, there is just enough of a financial incentive to return it to the facility that sold you its replacement - and therein lies the real key. Everyone selling batteries takes the old ones as scrap, usually giving some type of credit or charging a"core fee" against the purchase. And they'll almost always willingly take your old battery even if you didn't buy the replacement from them, because they will make (a little)money from the scrap.
In other words, you've got an extremely efficient scrap auto battery market because almost everyone involved in it is actually involved in the recycling process in every step of the retail and wholesale sales process.
The interesting thing is that even with as efficient a market as this is, there are recycling entrepreneurs who make a living from merely going out and collecting used auto batteries for profit. Even in this type of market it is the individual collector who lends the final few percentage points of completeness, or efficiency to the process.
..And I might add to this note that it is the individual 'junkers' or collection entrepreneurs who are making the most money per unit of scrap by providing that efficiency, as is true with almost every recycling endeavor. Efficiency in collection is the key to most recycling success.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Cell Phones Are NOT Being Recycled...
Cell phone recycling, as an industry, and especially as a high-profit recycling opportunity, is in its infancy.
There are literally hundreds of millions out there awaiting a higher and better use than sitting in a drawer or closet, gathering dust, and waiting for a 'Spring-Cleaning' frenzied owner to get tired of saving them. Unfortunately, the most likely outcome is that they're going to get thrown in the trash, adding unwanted (and illegal) toxic materials to landfills and aquifers.
The problem, as with most recycling objectives, is the economies involved in collecting and transporting them. My firm belief is that this problem will never be overcome without the involvement of recycling entrepreneurs who have a firm profit motive in mind and lend necessary efficiencies to the market.
The encouraging thing about this market is that each new generation of scrap cell phones tends to become more valuable to buyers and brokers, enhancing and encouraging entrepreneurs to enter the field.
Cell Phones Are Not Being Recycled Despite Large Quantity Being Retired Every Month
There are literally hundreds of millions out there awaiting a higher and better use than sitting in a drawer or closet, gathering dust, and waiting for a 'Spring-Cleaning' frenzied owner to get tired of saving them. Unfortunately, the most likely outcome is that they're going to get thrown in the trash, adding unwanted (and illegal) toxic materials to landfills and aquifers.
The problem, as with most recycling objectives, is the economies involved in collecting and transporting them. My firm belief is that this problem will never be overcome without the involvement of recycling entrepreneurs who have a firm profit motive in mind and lend necessary efficiencies to the market.
The encouraging thing about this market is that each new generation of scrap cell phones tends to become more valuable to buyers and brokers, enhancing and encouraging entrepreneurs to enter the field.
Cell Phones Are Not Being Recycled Despite Large Quantity Being Retired Every Month
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Recycling phones may be the answer, but who can do it?
Recycling phones may be the answer, but who can do it? - The correct answer, of course, is anyone who wants to make a good profit - full or part time! This article points out the difficulties of doing the actual refurbishing, resale, or ultimate disposal of used mobile sets.
As it rightly indicates, there are a few companies which are desparately looking for good used cell phones, and will pay up to $200 apiece for certain handsets. It also gives a very good hint of what is to come at the end of 2005 when US regulations require phones to have GPS capabilities - a whole new generation of used phones will rapidly become available for recycling.
The BIG point is, however, that the average people owning and using cell phones, simply are NOT AWARE that there is a need to dispose of these units properly, nor that many have value beyond what they could get as a tax break for donating their used and unwanted items.
That is why this is such a great recycling opportunity - the biggest I've seen since the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 - for the entrepreneur who wnats to make safe, sure profits. This arena, like most recycling niches, will depend upon local recycling entrepreneurs to fill the supply pipeline efficiently for the major recyclers. No one company is going to be large enough to collect phones on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood, or even a community-by-community basis.
As it rightly indicates, there are a few companies which are desparately looking for good used cell phones, and will pay up to $200 apiece for certain handsets. It also gives a very good hint of what is to come at the end of 2005 when US regulations require phones to have GPS capabilities - a whole new generation of used phones will rapidly become available for recycling.
The BIG point is, however, that the average people owning and using cell phones, simply are NOT AWARE that there is a need to dispose of these units properly, nor that many have value beyond what they could get as a tax break for donating their used and unwanted items.
That is why this is such a great recycling opportunity - the biggest I've seen since the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 - for the entrepreneur who wnats to make safe, sure profits. This arena, like most recycling niches, will depend upon local recycling entrepreneurs to fill the supply pipeline efficiently for the major recyclers. No one company is going to be large enough to collect phones on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood, or even a community-by-community basis.
