plastic

Or how about aluminum vs. plastic? In this post, Simran Sethi and Sarah Smarsh investigate the health and environmental consequences of soda (which is what we call it in Northeast)—from the link between high fructose corn syrup and diabetes, to the energy use of the aluminum industry (apparently it uses more that the entire continent of Africa). Plus, a sneak peek at the new "Pepsi Raw," now available in the UK and made with cane sugar and apple extract instead of corn syrup. 

What mutating mass lurks 1000 miles off the coast of Hawaii and is reported to be the size of Texas? 

More frightening than Captain Ahab's worst nightmare, it's garbage island.

Auto industry chemists ascribe the pleasant scent of new car smell mostly to phthalate plasticizers used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastics. However, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, generally used in PVC, is not very volatile. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

the iPhone maker has upgraded the laptop eco wise.

This series details the many ways we can lessen our eco impact via our everyday routines. In this post, the eco impact of DVDs and CDs are examined, along with tips to lessen your footprint on the earth by mildly changing the way you watch movies—from Netflix to Blockbuster to bootlegs on Canal Street. (Plus, the image is hilarious, if you can read the Harry Potter fine print.)

What if plastic wasn't made from oil or natural gas? What if it was made from bacteria?

Review of the issues and concerns surrounding Bisphenol-A, an additive used to make a variety of plastics and used as a lining agent in many metal food containers. Primary discussion involves how the U.S. FDA is reacting to research available, and their current recommendations as of mid September 2008.

All new audio for the short attention span activist.  Enjoy!

One more step to making renewable energy more renewable.

If we lived in California, we would most definitely use RecoPacks from rentagreenbox.com, a company that takes zero-impact very seriously. Not only do they scour the landfills for trash that is difficult to recycle, such as old car seats and bottles that once held bleach or laundry detergent, they also deliver the containers (when you rent them for a buck a week) in a truck that runs on veggie oil and bio fuel. When you’re done you simply place the RecoPacks on a “poopy pallet” (made partially from the shells of old diapers) outside your new home and the veggie truck picks them up.

The vast expanse of debris – in effect the world’s largest rubbish dump – is held in place by swirling underwater currents. This drifting “soup” stretches from about 500 nautical miles off the Californian coast, across the northern Pacific, past Hawaii and almost as far as Japan.

Barent explains why using non-GMO agricultural materials in bioplastics (aka biopolymers), is the right thing to do

Most foods are still packed in plastic, which not only fills landfills and pollutes oceans, but also perpetuates petroleum consumption. Now we are beginning to see more prominent use of biodegradable disposable food packaging, particularly at green-oriented festivals and natural groceries. These "Bioplastics" are becoming a burgeoning industry as the cost of oil climbs and the disastrous nature of petroleum-based plastics is revealed in full effect.

Apparently, Kabbalah Water will heal us and Bling Water will define us. At the Bling H20 website, Bling Water “creator” Kevin Boyd describes noticing on Hollywood studio lots that “you could tell a lot about a person by the bottled water they carried.” First of all, didn’t god create water?

The Beijing Olympic Games are in full swing and popular swimwear maker Speedo has launched a new range of eco-friendly packaging for its goggles and headwear collection.With all the attention on swimming over the last few months, the timing is great for Speedo introduction of newly designed more eco-friendly packaging.  The company first announced the new packaging last month and it is now just beginning to become available.

A Massachusetts based company, Metabolix, just figured out how to grow plastic inside a plant. By mixing the genes of a few different species Metabolix was able to coax switch grass into growing it's proprietary bioplastic in significant amounts right it's leaves! The new plastic can be used in manufacturing everything from credit cards to packaging materials.

Bottled water isn't bad but it has to be purchased and consumed responsibly. Some manufacturer and retail practices are to blame, in addition to recycling flow systems in city municipalities. After speaking with the North American brand manager for Aquafina, these are some primary points agreed upon.

We have submitted a recycling project for funding to Amex and need the public's help! Please click on the link to read the project and vote for it. You do NOT have to be an Amex cardholder to vote.  Just someone who cares about the environment and wants to make a difference! THANK YOU!

Both business and home owners who simultaneously care about tasteful decor and being green have a solution.

17 million barrels of oil was used last year to make the plastic bottles used for American water consumption producing 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. 86% become garbage or litter.

Environmental stories for the last couple weeks, relating to business, society, and law.

Plastic bag taxes, angry truckers, EPA blog, toy safety law likely to be passed, and some other stories you might like.

Food & Water Watch and Riverkeeper are calling on New York restaurants to support the city's famous tap water by taking bottled water off their menus. Joining forces with city government and prominent restaurateurs, the campaign highlights the social, economic, and environmental problems with bottled water, the need for increased funding for public tap water, and the importance of source water protection.

The Uberstix Scavenger Series utilizes recycled materials, such as straws, water bottles, and cups, to create working models.

A Waterloo, Ontario teenager has made significant advances in the discovery of a microbe that can eat plastic.  He has managed to isolate two microbes that can devour plastics and emit only a miniscule amount of carbon dioxide, about 0.01% of the tiny microbes original weight.

Eco Products has launched a full line of biodegradable food containers made from corn.These containers are made from NatureWorks PLA, a 100% corn-based resin that is full compostable. Throw it in your compost bin when you’re finished and watch it biodegrade in 45-60 days. These containers are for cold and warm foods only and cannot be exposed to heat over 110 degrees.

There are literally hundreds of different ways you can reuse a plastic soda bottle. Just remember to thoroughly wash the bottle of all its liquid so you won’t contaminate whatever you put inside.

Here's how to create plastic using milk and vinegar. It can then be shaped and moulded into anything the user wants. While the article admits it's mainly for crafts and projects where the item won't see heavy use, it does present the question; if someone at home can create plastic from all natural materials why aren't we seeing more biodegradable safe plastics on the marketplace?

Have you ever looked at the bottom of your water bottle? What is that little recycling number all about?

Vinyl is one of the largest-volume plastics used in the United States. Some 15 billion pounds are produced annually. About 70 percent is made into durable building and construction products such as pipe, windows and siding. Some of the material is also used commonly as car upholstery. Once the auto has reached it's useful life, the material is discarded to the landfill.

If you are interested in living green than be aware of what you buy and what it’s packaged in.  Skip the tortured process of