Here's the 2nd installment of my Green Apple blog for Busker site The Noise Beneath The Apple. Today, I thought I'd share some tips on 2 things most NYC buskers use every day on the job, Batteries and Metro cards.
Batteries: Street/subway musicians for the most part use battery powered amplifiers and playback units. It's a must to use rechargeable batteries. Of course the initial expense is higher than using alkaline batteries, but the result does mean financial savings, more hours on one battery and less waste.
There's no easy solution where and how to get rid of used/dead batteries. Do not to throw batteries in the trash. If the law is an incentive, as of 2006 it's illegal in NYC to discard rechargeable batteries. Batteries are toxic that leach serious metals/chemicals into landfill if not properly discarded. It's amazing that we still don't have a great way to return/recycle batteries, follow the links to sites in your area that do. The good news is that most companies will take your rechargeable batteries for recycling. Just ask. If they don't, your asking might finally prompt them to do something and make a new policy. That's how it's done folks, old-fashioned care and demand for change.
These sites can help: The Lower East Side Ecology Center and Call 2 Recycle both have local e-waste information(collection of batteries, small personal devices and larger items like computers and printers).
I save my used batteries in a take away container and return when I have enough to make the trip worthwhile.
The BGA, Broadway Green Alliance, made a fantastic campaign and got Broadway houses to switch their Marquee's to LED lights and rechargeable batteries for all their body mics. Imagine the amount of eco-energy savings. And there's still juice left over, enough to use in ushers flashlights. Cool.
Metro cards: Unless you like to use them to clip on you bike spokes, learn to reuse your metro card. Cards are good for 1 year so that's one years worth on 1 card. Think of the eco-savings. Then you can use on your bike. Make sure to check the expiration date on the back because unfortunately you have to send the card in for a refund after expiration date.
That's all for now folks and always remember to be mindful of the 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle