Image: Patrick Dalton
*Written by new contributor, Megha Mohan*
It could have been a story-line straight from a Sci-Fi or Bond movie: A world on the brink of environmental disaster, saved by the creation of a polymer, (or plastic, to you and me), that can be melted by water into a compound, which can be used to harvest seeds. That’s the science bit. The sexy bit is a touring fashion exhibition, called Wonderland, a project that marries couture with conscience.
Garbage is America's #1 export and possibly the biggest raw material source we have. But what is waste? And why do we make it?
In nature, waste does not exist - if it did we would not be here today since the creation of a material that another life form cannot use is not sustainable and would lead to the destruction of our eco-system. One way to look at waste is that it is a commodity with negative value. That is, it's a commodity that we are willing to pay to get rid of. It is a liability that has to be transported quickly and efficiently to a landfill.
Image: Former landfill and limestone quarry near Montreal now being mined for its methane (by frigate on Flickr)
Though it’s changing, the human species still largely lives in “disposable” societies – with the pinnacle of the life cycle ending up in the landfills, which generate large amounts of greenhouse gases as waste decays. But according to Australian scientists, these emissions can be reduced significantly with a process called “phytocapping,” where a thick layer of soil is laid over the landfill and planted with specific tree and plant species.
at Wikipedia), there is still a proper place in the countryside for a well-designed outhouse. For a small cabin or prefab in the woods, especially with a dwelling occupied a few weeks each year by only a handful of people, it's a cheap solution to a human problem as old as civilization.
Image source: End Bottled Water.com
Okay so you've gotten over the bottled water hump, purchased your own canteen of sorts and now you merrily take water with you wherever you go. You can use a Brita or Pur filter at home when you leave in the morning, but what do you do once you get to the office and need to refill? Do you trust the water fountain or cafeteria sink? Not to worry, Wellness H2.0 is here.
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Update to article:
Wellness does recycle used filters at their organic turf farm.
It's Dangerous Being Green in India
It can be dangerous to fight polluters. This story reminds me of many others that I've read in a book called "The War Against the Greens".
photo: d.billy
The latest in a series of environmental initiatives undertaken by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg takes on plastic bags. Already the city requires that pretty much any store which gives customers plastic shopping bags also accept them back to be recycled. The Mayor’s most recent plan would go one step further and require stores to charge 6 cents per plastic bag used (the city would get 5 cents of that, with a penny going to the store). Here are some more details, such as there are, on the Mayor’s plan:
...
photo: D'Arcy Norman
The technology involved in plasma gasification, or perhaps more properly plasma arc waste disposal, has been around for about fifty years, but few facilities exist that utilize it to both dispose of waste and create energy, and none are in the United States. That’s about to change.
Photo credit: Buenos Aires government.
While the proposed new garbage management plan for Buenos Aires is discussed, the city government has launched a campaign to encourage clean habits in its people.
Under the theme 'Clean play' (Jugá Limpio in Spanish), the set of ads try to put some coolness into throwing things in trash cans, plus two websites targeted to kids and adults offer information about activities and interactive tools.
Photo: Dmodzelewski via Flickr
Let's confess: Sometimes, say a pack a week, I smoke. And when I've finished the dirty deed -- well aware of the health and environmental consequences -- I'm left with my hands full. Between my fingers is the smelly, smoldering remnant of a habit I'm trying to kick.
And the temptation for some really schizophrenic behavior.
Smith & Wesson were unavailable to talk about gun control, so instead the New York Times got Michael Critelli, Executive Chairman of Pitney Bowes, to defend junk mail against attempts by Leonardo, Oprah and others who consider junk mail an environmental problem and are supporting legislation to have a do-not-mail list, similar to the do-not-call list.
Q. What is the argument that Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio are making?...
:: Learn how to host the hottest, eco-haute dinner parties.
:: Meet the mastermind banking on earth-friendly alternatives to Styrofoam and other wasteful food containers.
:: Looking for a cheap and fun weekend activity for the kids? Take them on a local green adventure!...
photo: Nattu
The bane of over-packaging, especially with materials which are not biodegradable and renewable isn’t just something which is confined to wealthy nations. Though banana leaves have been traditionally used to wrap food, or to eat off of, in South Asia for millennia, as has happened elsewhere non-biodegradable synthetic materials have gained in popularity in the region without much though to the environmental consequences.
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