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Computer Recycling for Education, Sacramento, has launched a national campaign to promote proper disposal of unwanted and obsolete electronics.

The campaign features Ewaste Eddie, a cartoon elephant who urges people to "Remember to Ecycle-it," and includes a public service announcement and informational materials for consumers, retailers, educators, recyclers, solid waste professionals and municipalities.

Company President Al Chaney says, "Practicing proper disposal of an electronic item is the best way to ensure that harmful chemicals in the electronics are not released into the environment through illegal disposal."

More information is available online at www.computerecycleforeduc.com or by calling (916) 354-3833.

Three Pennsylvania buildings have won top honors at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) 2004 green building conference.

The Plaza at PPL Center, designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects of New York, won first place in "Places to Work-Large Buildings." The building integrates numerous desirable energy-related measures, such as south façade solar controls, day lighting and an innovative cooling system. The building includes winter gardens, waterless urinals and environmentally preferable materials.

The Natural Lands Trust expansion in Media won "Places of Work-Small Buildings." The building uses open space planning to provide full-day lighting and natural ventilation. Designed by Susan Maxman & Partners of Philadelphia, the building incorporates exterior sunshades, light shelves, a geothermal heat pump, innovative storm-water management strategies and other environmentally sound technologies.

The Felician Sisters Convent in Coraopolis took first in "Places to Live." Designed by Perkins Eastman of Pittsburgh, the convent was recognized for showing how a green design process can provide an enriching, positive educational experience during design and construction.

NESEA, based in Greenfield, Mass., is the nation’s leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting energy technologies. Its annual competition recognizes outstanding achievements of high-performance architecture in the northeastern United States.

More information on green buildings is available online at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "DEP Green Building."

Those looking for an easy way to rid themselves of a few unwanted items or hoping for a cheap way to acquire an item may want to visit the Freecycle Network at www.freecycle.org.

Currently, more than 500 cities participate in the Freecycle Network, which uses Yahoo! Groups e-mail lists. According to the group’s Web site, a volunteer moderator runs each local group. Everything posted to the site is free, and givers who post items are responsible for arranging a pick-up time with the receiver.

Those interested in joining the Freecycle Network should visit www.freecycle.org and click on the appropriate region. Once you select the appropriate state, all you have to do is click "Join this Group."

The Freecycle Network is a project of RISE Inc., Tucson, a non-profit organization seeking to reduce waste, generate employee training and foster cooperation between nonprofit organizations and the public.