We just had our windows replaced with these super awesome energy saving ones.  So super awesome that they fall under the energy saving bill that will get us a $1500 tax credit next year.  Oh and be sure that when they gave their pitch the company went crazy about showing us the most energy saving and environmentally friendly windows that they offered.

So the day arrives that our new super awesome windows are to be installed.  Or at least they had better be super awesome for what I had to pay for them.  I casually ask one of the gentlemen working what they were going to be doing with our old windows.  Which had simple aluminum framing surrounding a basic window.  He tells me they’ll just toss them in a dumpster.  What, what, what?  No, no, sir.  That would be the wrong answer.  Not just because I am obsessive about helping the environment but also because this company gave me the save the planet and your wallet speech during their window pitch. 

Well what the hell.  What a predicament.  What is a earth loving momma like myself to do I ponder?  SO, I immediately started googling  any places near by that would recycle these kind of materials.  There were actually quite a few, including Habitat for Humanity (which of course would just reuse your items for another family).  Once I located one that was only 15 minutes away from my home I told the contractors to leave the materials and I would see to it that they were properly recycled.  And that’s exactly what happened.  The contractors neatly piled everything in my driveway and my husband packed every bit of it up into our van and took it to the recycling facility.

Does it sort of bother me that I paid so much and in the end felt slightly misled by the companies level of environmental concern.  Yes.  But all together I feel good.  I have fantastic windows and having taken the initiative to see to the proper disposal of our old materials gives me a great sense of accomplishment.  Yay me.  And yay going green!