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Showing posts with label Recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recycling. Show all posts
Monday, December 10, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Don't Throw Out Those Old Cellphones!
Dave
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Recycling For Charities
Been meaning to post this for a while now. It's an interview I did for a pretty cool company called Recycling For Charities that raises money by recycling used electronics. Check it out.
Dave
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Seven Deadly Plastics
Fantastic little song that will help you remember what's what in the recycling world.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Where Can I Recycle.....?
Just type in what you need to recycle and where you are and voila, instant answers. It's just that simple.
Recycling and Composting in San Francisco Now The Law!
Mayor Gavin Newsom just made SF the first place in the country to make recycling and composting mandatory. This is a huge step forward and one I hope other cities will follow. Check out the writeup here.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
In House Sewage Treatment Coming To An Office Near You
From Wired Magazine.
Picture the lobby atrium of a new, green building, one filled with leafy plants and trees. Now imagine that those trees are growing in waste collected from the building's toilets.
If that idea has the whiff of failure about it, well, sniff again. Increasingly, building designers are managing sewage in-house—really in-house. The Port of Portland, for example, is integrating waste management into the lobby of its new headquarters under construction. The Living Machine uses soil and bacteria to filter out pathogens, essentially turning wastewater into nonpotable water. But the signature element of the system is the plant life that grows up and out of it—right into the lobby. "It's going to provide a kind of greenhouse feel," says Greg Sparks, engineering design manager for the port. "It'll soften the hard edges of the typical office building."
Everybody likes trees, but (aesthetics aside) sending poop from the bathroom to the lobby may seem sort of icky. In environmental terms, though, it's a solid choice. Just as photovoltaics can help take a building off the power grid, living machines take strain off the pipes and municipal wastewater facilities on the "sewage grid." They also show that being green means thinking more creatively about our brown and yellow.
1 Wastewater from the entire building flows into a holding tank where solids settle, like in a septic tank. The reclaimed liquid up top gets pumped to the lobby.
2 Garden-like "wetland cells" layered with plants, soil, and rocks collect the water and capture biological compounds and pathogens.
3 On its way out of the garden, the water is further sterilized by ultraviolet light in the pipes. Then it's recycled back into the plumbing system.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Earthships
If you have never heard of Earthships, they are worth checking out. The brainchild of Michael Reyonolds they are off grid structures, built using recycled and repurposed materials (including car tires and cans) and are not only cool, but affordable and sustainable. Even if you never have the option of living in something like this, they are worth checking out for their ingenuity alone.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Crayon Recycling?
Proof that you really can recycle everything in some way, check out Crazy Crayons. They take in your old crayons, melt them down, and make crazy multi colored crayons out of them.
Did I mention they're crazy!
Cool.
Of course you can always donate those crayons to the public school down the block that has just had it's funding cut back to the bone, but if they aren't interested, or you're bummed that the soccer moms are always parking in front of your house, send them along to Crazy Crayons!
That is if your kids haven't eaten them all first.
Dave
Monday, May 18, 2009
Check Out Freegeek.org
OK, so I'm a sucker for anything with the word geek in it. That said, this is a pretty cool organization with chapters all over. They take old computer systems, refurbish them, and then donate them to non-profits along with training if necessary. How cool is that. Freegeek, check them out.
Dave
Recycle Your Old Jeans
Well, if you live in the UK anyway. Kind of a cool thing though. I haven't contacted them but plan to when i get some time to check them out. i like the concept though. Anyone done this?
And thanks to Chantel for sending this along.
Dave
Monday, March 30, 2009
Excellent Recycling Process Animation
Excellent animated video in several parts that explains the whole recycling process of many different materials.
You can also watch the first one on youtube and the rest will play automatically.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Website of the Month - The Imagination Factory
A reader named Marylin sent this months Site-o-the month in, a site that she runs for kids that teaches them about recycling and art. It's really cool and I highly suggest checking it out. The idea for the site revolves around using found objects to create art. Its got lots of tips on projects to make and has a cool section called the Trash Matcher where kids can find art projects that use things that they may have. It's really cool.
The Imagination Factory, check it out!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Charlie Trash Truck
My friend Yusef has a video for kids that he created called Charlie Trash Truck that's pretty cool. He just embedded this little piece for me that explains the 4 R's (I love that let it rot is one of them). I'm always of the mind that there is a fifth, REFUSE, but technically that's part of reduce I guess. Good little piece though and if you want to check Charlie out, his site is here.
Dave
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A word about recycling and the Dave's Bag Contest
I've gotten quite a few emails lately about two specific pieces that I have up on the blog, the National Recycling Day that happened yesterday, and the Dave's Bag Contest. So I thought Id take a moment and throw something up about them here rather than email back to everyone.
On the recycling front, I mentioned way early in the process that I am not pushing recycling as a solution, and in fact, find it to be somewhat of a crutch. Now before everybody gets their knickers all in a bunch, give me a chance to explain.
I am pro recycling and I think recycling is a great thing. Compared to throwing things "away" recycling is a far better way to go. Having said that, there are two problems with recycling. First and foremost is that most people don't do it. From the numbers that I have seen, roughly 10% of everything that is recyclable is recycled. That means that 90% of that stuff ends up in a landfill anyway, so buying recycleable stuff clearly does not make the difference it should and we as a society, need to step up to the plate a bit.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I think that a lot of people use recycling as a crutch, meaning that they feel that by buying something that they will recycle, they aren't putting any stress on the environment and are doing the right thing. But they aren't. They are still using resources, using energy, and may not even be recycling what they can in the long run. Beyond that, many things, like plastic water bottles, aren't actually recycled but downcycled (water bottles get turned into park benches and the like) so new water bottles need new plastic.
Basically, recycling is better than throwing it "away" and never buying that packaging in the first place is better than recycling. keep yourself out of the process to begin with and you've really achieved something. Having said all of that, there are many who are not as far along in the process towards waste minimization as some of us, and for them, its important to let them know where they can recycle and what so that 10% becomes 100%, thus that post.
On the Dave's Bag front, a number of people have complained that this is consumption oriented which i not the message behind what I'm after. While on a level that is correct, my hope is that whoever wins the bag(s) will use their contents, thereby limiting their waste, and thus, become ambassadors of waste minimization in their own communities. So while the bags do speak to consumption, imho, they are the lesser of two evils, by a long shot.
Anyhoo, hope that answers some questions. Off to feed the worms and perhaps sing to them off key
Dave
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
November 15th is America Recycles Day So Bring Out Your E-Waste
Four days from now, on Nov 15th, the National Recycling Coalition will be celebrating it's 11th annual America Recycles Day, a day dedicated to moving Americans towards recycling more and buying recycled products. They have a very cool website with all sorts of resources including a Recycling 101 and a pledge that you can take to recycle more. Make sure to see what's going on in your area and join in.
There are a ton of things going on here in California, but the biggest one near me is happening in Carson and involves ASL Recycling and Nokia. We all know who Nokia is, but ASL recycling is really one of those companies that's doing pretty huge things. They were brought to my attention by a friend of mine, and are really making a difference. ASL operates hazardous waste/e-waste pickups almost every weekend here in Cali, and in an average month collects some 600 tons of e-waste, diverting it from landfills, and recycling 98% of what they collect. How amazing is that? Check out the great How We Do It function on their site, it's really fascinating and you'll notice, doesn't include shipping e-waste to Asia, which is nice. Very cool.
So come on out to a local event on the 15th, bring your e-waste, and take the pledge to recycle more!
Dave
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kamikatsu Japan, a trashless existence
I've been meaning to post this for quite a bit but am just now getting around to it. Kamikatsu is a town in Japan that has decided to go completely trashless. Residents from the town split their refuse into over 30 different recycle groups. Just goes to show you what can be accomplished when people are willing to go the extra mile.
Dave
Monday, September 8, 2008
LA Recycling and not knowing how good i have it
As I posted a few weeks back we were back east visiting relatives for a bit. As is often the case, you can learn a lot about your specific environment simply by being out of it and this trip was no different.
I was helping my mom make dinner one night and as she was opening some plastic containers I noticed that she was throwing them in the garbage. I pulled them out (in order to bring them home with me, but also as a way of making a point) and in a way that only a son who thinks that he is always right can say to a mom who is used to a son who thinks that he is always right said "Mom, you have to recycle these things, you can't throw them in the garbage, it's horrible." At which point my mom said, in a way that a mom can say to a son who thinks that he is always right but rarely is "Of course I know that but those are not number on or number two and we don't recycle those here."
And that's when it hit me. I sort of stepped out of myself for a second and watched as the virtual cinematic camera that can be my brain zoomed into my shocked expression as the music from Psycho payed in the background.
It suddenly made me realize how lucky we have it here in SoCal. Ya see, recycled numbers 3-7 go in the garbage back where they live, not because they are not being cognizant, but because the government doesn't recycle anything but 1 and 2. Quite shocking.
Here in LA, we are blessed to have the following things be taken from the curb for recycling (and in one bin might i add):
- Clean styrofoam and other polystyrene products
- glass bottles and jars
- aluminum beverage cans
- tin and metal food cans
- aerosal and paint cans (empty and dry)
- all plastic marked 1-7
- all plastic bags and film bags
- all clean paper
- cardboard and corrugated boxes
- metal and plastic hangars
- aluminum foil and trays
I've always taken this for granted but having stepped outside my surroundings for a bit realized how truly easy we have it compared to most. Quite an eye opener.
For more info on LA recycling, check out this site.
Dave
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Take Back The Filter Campaign
This is a really great campaign that Beth over at Fake Plastic Fish spearheaded. Clorox, who now owns Brita North America, does not accept filters back for recycling and re-use while their European counterparts have been doing this since 1992. It makes no sense and in an environment where people should be heading towards filtered water and away from bottled, we need to keep the pressure on companies to be responsible for the waste involved in the filters. For more info about the campaign check here and makes sure to sign the petition as well!
Dave
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Recycling Codes - What The Heck Do They Mean?
This is way overdue for a lot of reasons, but lets' just say I've got a lot on my plate and I tend to bite off more than I can chew and leave it at that. We are all familiar with the little green recycling symbol on the left that appears on so many products these days, but how many of us actually understand what the codes that go with them mean? HDPE, PETE, LDPE? I sure didn't and so I decided to do a little investigating. I'm going to hit the highlights, but there are a ton of good sources of info out there like the one at The Daily Green. Also, if you are trying to figure out where to recycle ANYTHING at all near you, check out Earth 911.
Enjoy!
Dave
Number 1 Plastics: PET or PETE (plyethelene terephthalate)
PETE is most commonly found in soda and water bottles but is also used to make peanut butter jars and veggie oil containers as well. It is usually downcycled to make items like polar fleece, tote bags, fibers and carpet. Most beverage bottles are made of this stuff as it is inexpensive and lightweight, but shockingly the recycle rates are only at around 20%.
Number 2 Plastics: HDPE(high density polyethylene)
This stuff is a bit heavier and is most commonly recognized in milk jugs, household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, some garbage bags, and cereal box liners. HDPE is generally recycled into laundry detergent bottles, plastic lumber, pens, and floor tiles to name a few.
Number 3 Plastics: PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
PVC is found in clear food packaging, some window cleaner and detergent bottles, and the outer jacketing of electrical cables (think ethernet cables). It's not as readily recycled and is pretty nasty stuff as its manufacture and burning releases toxins into the atmosphere. When it is taken for recycling, it can be turned into mudflaps, cables, speed bumps and floor mats. PVC can contain a softener (di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)) which has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor and human carcinogen so you may want to avoid it altogether. Good times!
Number 4 Plastics: LDPE (low density plyethylene)
This is the stuff we probably see the most of after PETE in water bottles as it's what goes into those plastic shopping bags. Other uses are squeezy dispenser bottles, bread and frozen food bags, and some clothing and furniture. LDPE is becoming easier to turn in for recycling and can be used to make trash can liners, shipping containers, composters and envelopes.
Number 5 Plastics: PP (polypropylene)
You'll see PP 5 in bottle caps, plastic drinking straws, some plastic food containers and medicine bottles. Polypropylene is one of the more commonly accepted plastics for recycling and can become signal lights, brooms and brushes, ice scrapers, and landscaping borders. Because it has a high melting point, it is commonly used in things that will come in contact with heat.
Number 6 Plastics: PS (polystyrene)
Another commonly found one, PS is used on carry out containers, compact disc cases, egg cartons, and "disposable" cups and plates. It is fairly hard to recycle this stuff (many areas do not accept it) and has been proven to leach carcinogenic toxins in many instances. Polystyrene is most commonly found in Styrofoam (they inject it with air to make it light and give it that texture) and can be turned into insulation, light plate switches, foam packing and egg cartons and carry out containers.
Number 7 Plastics: Everything else.
Ok, this is a weird one. In an attempt to label everything, they came up with number 7 for things that don't fit in 1-6. Some of the products that carry a 7 are 5 gallon water dispenser bottles, bulletproof material (hopefully you won't need to recycle this stuff), computer cases, dvds, and a whole host of other things. A lot of local recycling programs won't take number 7 for the obvious reason that they don't immediately know what's what. This is a bummer cause as of right now, many compostable products carry a number 7 on them and are therefore not always recyclable. Crazy but it's true. It should also be noted that Polycarbonate which carries a number 7 and is used in many baby bottles and reusable sports bottles(Nalgene), as well as those office water jugs, contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol-A which has been shown to leach out due to age or heating over the long term. Ain't science fun?
So there you have it. This is only meant as an overview but I think it's worth noting that many of the plastics listed above are not truly recycled (turned back into what they were originally intended for) but instead downcycled (turned into other stuff). As a result, while the plastic is getting a longer life, eventually it's still most likely going to end up in that landfill and they're just going to have to keep on starting the chain over new from the top every time. All of this requires a tremendous amount of energy, creates a tremendous amount of waste, and adds a ton of pollutants to the planet. So while we all need to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and let it Rot, it seems like we should add Refuse to the head of that list and not use these products to begin with.
Food for thought.
Dave
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