Let's face it. Some of us still like toys. Some of us are moving into a second adolescence where we do whatever--and buy whatever--we were "deprived" of in our younger years. And yes, some of us are simply lovers of gadgets. No matter the background, no one can seem to escape the constant nudging  to "save the planet", "go green", "eat organic". These earthy, tree-hugging people are destroying our fun! They are ruining our trips to Best Buy and worse, Brookstone! Isn't science and technology all about advancement and innovation? And you want me to go back to BASICS?

Before the meltdown ensues, take a deep breath...You're right, science is about advancement and innovation.  Its about finding solutions and creating something that improves upon our existence. Actually, living an eco-friendly lifestyle actually fuels a demand for intelligent, cutting edge products that sustain our planet. No crazed protests necessary: electronics can still be useful and fun, you just have to reconsider what you buy and how you use them.

Owner's Manual

Before you set out to find your new and improved electronics, you've got to read the manual. Unlike most, this one will be concise and lead you to other resources that will help transform the away you think about, use, and shop for new technology.

Step 1--Always do your homework before a big purchase. Glean information from top gadget sites on the web, or if you prefer to flip pages, read Green Gadgets for Dummies, where you will encounter chapters like "Settling into a Green Gadget Mindset", to "Getting Green with Gadgets You Own", and "Acquiring Green Gadgets and Gear". You can also visit the author's blog, gGadget.org for more information.

3 Exciting Sites for Green Gadgets

• ecogeek.org
• treehugger.com
• green.thefuntimesguide.com

Step 2--Choose electronics that were created using the most environmentally responsible materials. A small example is this EARTH DRIVE USB. It has been crafted from polylactic acid (PLA) derived form renewable resources to form biodegradable polyester. It is fully recyclable, waterproof, can contain up to 8GB of information, and is security protected.

Step3--Consider the power source. Rechargeable and solar powered devices can be found easily, with a growing number of wind-up gadgets following suit. However, a combination of energy sources, like solar power and electricity, can optimize the consistent performance of your new toys. The Ipod Dock and ReNU Panel is a perfect example. It can be charged with solar energy or by an outlet.

Congratulations! You're ready to purchase an energy efficient, made with fewer chemicals, responsible produced, electronic gizmo!  Welcome to the second half of the battle, where you optimize the life of your product in order to reduce waste, reuse (or repurpose) electronics, recycle the old stuff and rethink your next purchase.

REDUCE

This means you must read the owners manuals for cleaning guidelines and maintenance procedures. It will help to do basic things like keep the ventilation areas free, purchase protective cases, and keep the product in reasonable temperatures. For more maintenance tips on extending the life our your product go to mygreenelectronics.com

You can also reduce waste by trying home remedies for sick electronics or seeing a specialist before trashing a broken item. Consumer Reports Greener Choices Guide  reveals a few basic tricks for determining if your product should be tossed in the recycle bin or salvaged.

REUSE & RECYLE

If an item has reached the end of its life and cannot be repaired, donated, or sold, learn to recycle it safely. According to Planet Green, 70 percent of landfill waste is composed of discarded electronics.  To avoid contributing to the trash, use Earth 911 to find a recycling center near you. However, there are other methods of recycling that can benefit both you and the community.

Donate to a Worthy Cause

Call to Protect - A national program enabling people to donate their cell phones to domestic violence agencies. 100 % of funds generated by the sale of the phones go towards grants designed to end domestic violence.

Inveneo, a non-profit that creates communication access for students, aid workers and small business entrepreneurs in underserved communities by providing them with USB drives and other technology.

Participate in manufacturing trade-in & recycling programs

Apple - recycles old computer and monitors for free, regardless of manufacturer.

Dell Exchange - Gives you credits toward your nest next Dell.com purchase.

HP Trade-in Program - Will accept any manufacturer's computer hardware and electronics products, while providing you with trade-in, up-grade (HP products) or recycle your items.

Sony Take Back and Recycling Program - Together with Waste Management, Sony provides FREE recycling of all your unwanted electronics at local drop-off locations and events. Visit the site for a location in your neighborhood. The Sony Trade-In Program gives you credit towards a new Sony product when you trade-in your old electronics.

Sell your electronics for cash!

Gazelle purchases unwanted gadgets and find people who need them. Gazelle also promises to recycle your old electronics responsibly if they render no market value.

EZ-Trade-In - Get an instant estimate on the value of many of your old computers, electronics and gadgets. Ship it for free and get your PayPal Cash within 7 days.

ReThink and Transform

Finally, once you've gotten rid of the old stuff, keep the cycle by continually reading up on the latest green advancements before making another purchase. You may even want to question the need to upgrade your device. There are plenty of reasons to keep the phone you have, especially if it's barely a year old.  Who knows? Maybe you'll finally learn to use every application on that iPhone...