Turns out something as innocuous and well-meaning as recycling your newspaper may end up producing some unintended consequences down the line.

Swiss researchers have discovered that toxic mineral oils from recycled newspapers can be absorbed by foods commonly packaged in cartons made from recycled cardboard. Some samples of pasta, rice and cereal had mineral oil content of up to 100 times higher than the agreed upon safe limit, according to the BBC.

EPA Region 5 is soliciting proposals that will advance the sustainable management of materials in Region 5 [Region 5 comprises Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin]. Sustainable materials management (SMM) is an approach to serving human needs by using/reusing resources most productively and sustainably throughout their life cycles, generally minimizing the amount of materials involved and all the associated environmental impacts. Specific Region 5 priorities are listed in the full text under Section I., Funding Opportunity Description. This funding supports EPA’s strategic goal of land preservation and restoration. Applicants are encouraged to partner and collaborate with other organizations involved in similar efforts.

One beaker and microscope at a time, the Boston-based nonprofit Seeding Labs is helping universities in developing countries to bolster their scientific research.

Reincarnated into shoes, logs, mulch and laptop cases, recycled tires have been shaped into pretty much well everything, including the kitchen sink. All the better, since these non-biodegradable rubber donuts are piling up in landfills all the world over. But leave it to artists like Korean sculptor Yong Ho Ji to transform this versatile material into a series of jaw-dropping (and quite frankly, scary-looking) sculptures, which he dubs “Mutant Mythos”.

Don’t stop letting those old newspapers pile up under your desk. No matter how mad your roommates get, keep collecting — they’ll come in handy more often than you’d expect. What can you do with an old pile of newspapers you ask? The options are endless.

The allure of new technology is infinitely seductive. Look no further than the fever-pitch excitement surrounding Wednesday’s presumed announcement of the iPad 2, a refresh of a device that’s barely a year old. As we replace computing devices in increasingly shorter intervals, we leave a legacy of discarded-before-its-time e-waste in our wake. Full of toxic parts, electronics are becoming the fastest-growing waste stream in the U.S. Meanwhile, the digital divide remains a persistent problem. There are few jobs in 2011 that don’t require at least some degree of computer literacy, yet many Americans still lack basic skills and access. These are pervasive and intractable issues, which an emerging class of computer repair and literacy co-ops such as Santa Cruz’s Computer Kitchen address by reducing waste, educating and creating social capital.

Reuse comes before recycle when dealing with the Rs, and for good reason according to the skyrocketing profit and earnings statements from Winmark Corporation. Winmark owns four specialty reuse stores: Play It Again Sports, Plato’s Closet, Once Upon a Child, and Music Go Round. The company has reported nearly double in earnings this year, and almost 10 times as much from two years ago. Ringing in at a handsome 10.3 million for 2010, 5.85 million for 2009, and 1.14 million in 2008, it is fair to say the reuse business is doing quite well.

A standard, non-professional curling iron lasts 1-2 years, according to a spokesperson for Conair. So, getting the most out of this appliance by recycling keeps the materials out of landfills and gives it an additional purpose.

One man’s discarded cellphone is another man’s polo … or pants or T-shirt. At least that’s how one Boston startup sees it.

The LiveProud Group recycles trash taken from landfills and uses it in a line of athletic apparel. But unlike other clothing manufacturers who use recycled polyester, wool or plastic bottles, LiveProud grabs the electronic junk Americans toss out by the tons to produce its clothing line.