Great Re-Use Project

The Hostel With Wings Going Nowhere Soon: "

We wrote earlier about the creative recycling of a 747 into a hostel at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. After all, if you can't afford the five thousand bucks to sleep on a 380 to Dubai, you can squeeze into the former queen of the skies for fifty bucks if you share with two others, 'one to sleep with and one who promises not to watch.' What a great idea!

It is now two weeks from opening and Doug Lansky of the Guardian gets a sneak preview. Watch an interesting four minute video here..."

(Via TreeHugger.)

Something To Get (Earthlust)

Experiencing Earthlust: "

Many women - and some men - gain extra appreciation for our planet after bringing a child on to it. Such is the case with Earthlust founder, Allison, who made a firm commitment to protecting the environment when her son was born. His health, which is inextricably connected to the health of the earth, became her top priority. She started designing chic reusable bottles for friends and family, and soon Earthlust was born.

Comparable high grade steel bottles don’t have the compelling images that Earthlust has (like the ecofabulous adored owl). And, though, many aluminum bottles have excellent designs, questions about what the ‘liner’ in them really is still prevail. Earthlust bottles are made from high quality #304 food grade stainless steel, which is naturally safe unlined – no need to worry about chips and dents! The caps are made out of BPA-free polypropelene #5 (my least favorite part of these undeniably cool receptacles). Designs are printed with non-toxic paint and most of the art is limited edition, so it is unlikely that your child’s container will accidentally be taken home by the wrong kid.

For ease and convenience, each bottle comes with a high quality carabiner so that you’ll always have your stylish bottle close, whether you’re scaling a mountain or running errands. Priced from $16-$21, saving the earth (and your pocketbook) never looked so sexy!"

(Via ecofabulous.)

Remains of the dead create heat

Swedish crematorium plans to partially heat nearby town: "A crematorium in the Swedish town of Halmstad, which has been criticized for its heavy pollution, has announced plans to use the waste heat from its body-burning operations to heat its own facilities and eventually also heat other buildings in town. Cemetery director Lennart Andersson said of the plan, 'Of course it's possible that there will be some discussion about the ethics of this, but from our side, this is a purely environmental idea. There will be no difference in the ashes.'


source:'The Telegraph
"

(Via Grist News.)

Can Penn State Successfully Ban the Water Bottle?

If they can pull this off I will sing praises in their favor!!!!

"Citing the example of Washington University in St. Louis, students at Penn State are pressing administration to enact a total ban on the sale of plastic water bottles on campus. And doing it in a somewhat humorous way like gathering to sing parodies of Christmas carols with lyrics like ‘December’s hotter than J. Lo,’ and ‘O Scorching Night’ to the tune of the more traditionally acclaimed ‘O Holy Night’.

But the question is; will it work?"

(Via TreeHugger.)

Something To Get (Power your phone with your pedal)

BIKE POWER: The Pedal-Powered Cell Phone Charger: "

Imagine never having to plug your cellphone into the wall again! Now you can just plug it into your bike with Oscar L’Hermitte’s ‘Watts Maker’ cell phone charger. The system consists of a small kinetic generator that provides power to your mobile phone while you take an evening ride around the neighborhood or pedal to work. This model takes about 90 minutes to go from dead to fully charged, and it produces energy as long as the wheels keep turning.

(more…)

(Via INHABITAT.)

Bush admin exempts farms from reporting toxic fumes

"In yet another late-in-the-game not-so-green move, the Bush administration on Friday issued a regulation that exempts factory farms from having to report to the government about releases of hazardous air pollution from animal waste.


source:'Associated Press
see also, in Grist:'The EPA and FDA send last-minute gifts to the meat industry
"

(Via Grist News.)

First Summit on Building Integrated Sustainable Agriculture

Image credit: Sky Vegetables

"Vertical Farming Innovators Convene for Two-Day Summit
Vertical farming, or building-integrated sustainable agriculture – call it what you will – the idea of commercial or residential buildings that can produce a significant proportion of their residents’ food needs is certainly an attractive one on paper, though the world is currently short on working prototypes of any scale. From Mithun architects’ vertical farm in Seattle to..."

(Via TreeHugger.)

Chicken Trucks Leave Trail of Bacteria

image source

"For all of those who think drafting behind transport trailers is a great way to save fuel, take a pass on the chicken trucks. A new study by scientists at Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that following them can result in elevated levels of bacteria in and on your car, including bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics used to treat humans.

Although the scientists stayed at least three car lengths behind the transports, the National Chicken Council accused them of 'tailgating.'..."

(Via TreeHugger.)

Someplace To Live (Seabrook)

"Seabrook Mixed Use Community: An Example of New Urbanism, and Somewhere I'd Love to Live:

Green, mixed use communities are popping up all over the country - emphasizing an intelligent combination of housing, recreation, shared space and community involvement. Seabrook mixed use development, is located on the beautiful beaches of Washington State, just 30 minutes from Olympic National Park.

Comprised of traditional, modestly sized (770 sq. ft and up) singled houses placed in clusters with shared green space, the town is almost too perfect. With the abundance of footpaths and low traffic, cars are quickly replaced with bicycles - even mentioned on their Web site 'What's with the bikes?'



Though it is masterfully marketed via the Seabrook Web site, they pay careful attention to the environment while they build. Native plants are used throughout the properties, crushed oyster shells line the alleys, driveways and walkways and houses are built with sustainable materials. Homes come outfitted with the most current and energy efficient appliances, and much of their building uses local reclaimed wood. All trees removed from the site are milled locally and put back into the landscape, the few lawns are shared and cared for organically, as is the whole landscape. And they're slogan, 'nothing is greener than something lasts,' is quite true.

Cottage rentals are available for vacationers and it is much of a vacation destination. But I could imagine living here or retiring here, once my days of DIY are over.

But green paradise doesn't come cheap starting in the low $400k for a 770 sq. ft. cottage.



Seabrook via the Seattle Times "

(Via Re-Nest.)

Something To Get (Healthy Shakers)

"Shake it Up:

Good old salt n’ peppa get a face-lift with these sexy shakers from Branch Home. Handmade in Brooklyn, these culinary companions will take the focus off any cooking mishaps with their clean lines and classic stature. The salt shaker is made from reclaimed poplar wood, treated with a low-VOC milk paint and the pepper shaker is made from reclaimed walnut wood. Both have a natural cork stopper. In traditional colors, the shakers go with any dining décor while still putting a little sass into your seasoning.

Presented in a recycled-paper gift box, at $56 the pair are a savory treat for the tabletop – and any deserving foodie on your holiday list."

(Via ecofabulous.)

Largest Solar Thermal Power Plant Outside of California Begins Construction in Florida, Online in 2010

"artist rendering: FPL

There are bigger solar projects in the works , but the new Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center near Indiantown, Florida can make a couple of ‘first’ claims (for the time being at least): It is the largest solar thermal plant outside of California; and, is the first hybrid solar power facility in the world to connect to an existing combined-cycle natural gas power plant.

Construction on the 75MW solar thermal plant began yesterday, with the plant expected to come online in 2010. More..."

(Via TreeHugger.)