Recycle-Reuse-Reduce

Greywater: A Way for Everyone to Make a Difference

Mike.Delponte — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:09:11 -0400

What is greywater?

Water that’s kinda dirty because it’s been used once, but clean enough to be used for something else.

Examples: Water from rinsing fruit that can be used to then water plants; or water from washing hands, laundry, or dishes that can be reused to flush the toilet.

Why I use greywater:

Last year I saw this Greentime video and began using greywater in my apartment. I was amazed by how easy it is to save lots of water. read more »

Turning Trash into Treasure Part 2: FoundClothing

Mike.Delponte — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:37:11 -0400

Since March 2006 Chicago resident Lauri Apple has run FoundClothing, her online archive of clothing that she and others worldwide have found in dumpsters, trash cans, and abandoned in public places. Her Website has been prominently featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and on NBC's Today Show, among other places. Recently Apple started a FoundClothing flickr photo poolwhere you can also submit your photos of discarded and lost finds. read more »

CL Social Innovator, Terrell Carter, Makes His School More Environmentally-friendly

Mike.Delponte — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:57:45 -0500

Terrell Carter started The Lopez Energy Efficiency Project, a Conscious Lifestyle venture, to address the environmental degradation caused by his school's paper waste. He had two goals:

1. To persuade his school to switch from non-recycled paper, to paper made from post-consumer waste (PCW).

2. To reduce the amount of paper that students and teachers on Lopez Island use.

Terrell has been successful on both fronts. His school's administration has made the change to 40% PCW-paper, and Terrell is still working to move to paper made from 100% PCW content.

Terrell also launched an awareness campaign that educates students and teachers about paper waste, with tips on how to be more eco-friendly. The attached flyers are part of his campaign.

Photo by Life is Art.

Minor Changes for Major Impact Makes News with Eco-Friendly Fashion Show

Mike.Delponte — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:17:33 -0500

Amethyst Strickland made news last semester with her environmentally fashion show. Amethyst, who is a Conscious Lifestyle Social Innovator and founder of Minor Changes for Major Impact, assembled a team to transform $150 of clothes purchased at the Waterfront Rescue Mission into a line of trendy styles for teens.

The Pensacola Independent News writes, "Amethyst is teaching other teens how to transform thrift store finds into cutting-edge designs while promoting environmental sustainability."

Following the success of her fashion show, Amethyst is working hard to organize an environmental documentary showing on Valentine's Day. The name of the event is aptly titled "Love the Earth." Minor Changes for Major Impact members will be on hand to collect petition signatures for a campaign to increase eco-friendly purchasing at schools.

Congratulations Amethyst on your continued success!

Pioneering Recycling Plan May Turn Big Apple Greener

Susan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:42:04 -0500

Two members of the New York City Council have introduced a trailblazing bill, Intro. 104, the Electronics Collection, Recycling, and Reuse Act, which, if passed later this year, would be the first mandatory municipal electronics recycling law in the country. It would make manufacturers responsible for collection and disposal of products when no longer usable, instead of leaving this task to consumers, who often simply dump them in the trash. read more »

DIY Pirate Costume

Mike.Delponte — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:40:23 -0400

Just in time for Halloween...

For more DIY videos from threadbanger, visit the Threadbanger website or the "DIY Vintage Jeans w/ Coffee" video featured on Grist.