Technical Trash
Q: What can one do with tech trash such as computer hardware and electrical gadgets rather than putting them in the garbage?
A: E-Waste is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream. We found a bunch of options for you in a story we reported earlier this month. Goodwill accepts any computer and recycles it through an agreement with Dell.
Office Depot has an E-Waste trash recycling program at its stores. And a company called Turtlewings will haul your tech trash. Its home pickup service costs $85. There are also websites for E-Waste such as mygreenelectronics.org, freecycle.org, Earth911.org. Some major electronics manufacturers such as Sony, Apple, and Dell also offer E-Cycling.
Radio Station Music
Q: Radio stations used to play music on records. What format is used to play music on the radio these days?
A: We called Hot 99.5 FM to get your answer. It says the station changed from Cd's to digital about 7 to 8 years ago. However, most new music still comes to the station on Cd's. The station then loads and digitizes the new Cd's into its computer system to play back.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Baby Carrots
Q: I love baby carrots and knows they're cut from regular carrots. What happens to the rest of the carrot when baby carrots are made?
A: We went to the Produce Procurement Department at Giant Food to find your answer. It says don't worry, the carrot remainder doesn't go to waste. Much of the carrot remainder is used for carrot juice. Some of it goes into use as carrot fiber. And there are additional products that use leftover carrots too.
Just For Men
Q: Can Just For Men products be safely used by women?
A: We contacted Just For Men to get your answer. It says Just For Men can be used by both men and women. The coloring lasts between 3 and 6 weeks. However it should not be used on eyebrows or body hair. And the name "Just For Men" is a marketing tool designed to make men more comfortable with hair coloring.
Bankruptcy And Creditors
Q: If a person goes bankrupt, can Creditors get their hands on your savings and IRA money?
A: We took this question to the folks at MoneyManagement.org. It says bankruptcy depends on an individuals circumstances. That means any legal contracts you signed are involved. Of if any personal guarantees were involved.
In general, retirement accounts are generally excluded from bankruptcy. But reputable bankruptcy attorneys are the experts who can give personal advice on how a bankruptcy can impact you.
Pickle Nutritional Value
Q: My husband likes to eat pickles instead of cucumbers for a vegetable. Are pickles are as nutritious as cucumbers?
A: We took your question to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It says pickles are made from cucumbers soaked in a brine. However, pickles do not retain the same nutritional properties as a raw cucumber. The biggest difference is sodium content. A raw cucumber contains about 6 milligrams of sodium,
while a dill pickle contains about 569 milligrams of sodium. Besides the sodium content, vitamins and minerals are most affected by the pickling process. Pickles lose nutrients.
