See plastic? Akinori Ito sees oil.

I wrote about the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" where a vast quantities of plastic and marine debris have been drawn towards the swirling vortex of ocean currents.

Is anyone doing something about it?  I know that Jose Luis Gutierrez-Garcia is, through Upcycle the Gyres and they are seeking funds to get it moving. 



You heard it right!  They are going to invest in a desk top machine that will turn plastic waste into oil.  Wow!  Is that possible or just an idea to work on?

Take a look at Blest, an invention by Japanese, Akinori Ito, and you will know that this is not a pipe dream.



Good luck, Jose.

A kitchen island for free? Pallet possible.

Looking to get yourself an island for your kitchen?  Before you head off to the shops to find one, check this eco and rustic looking island out and see if you can try making it yourself.



Yes, you saw it right.  Spanish designers, Alessandra Samson and Paco Serinelli from Anatomica Design, had figured out how to built their very own Paletina out of wooden pallets.

So, how many pieces of reclaimed wooden pallet would you need to give that a go?  Here are the numbers:

6 pallets 120 x 80cm (47 x 31.5 inch)
3 pallets American type 100 x 120cm (39.5 x 47 inch)
1 pallet 60 x 80cm (23.6 x 31.5 inch)
1 pallet American type from 130 x 110 cm (51 x 43 inch)
1 pallet 100 x 80 cm (39.5 x 31.5 inch)

To complete the look and make it functional, you will also need:

1 laminated glass sheet
1 stove top
1 oven
1 kitchen sink

While it is cool and environmental friendly to use reclaimed wooden pallet, remember to pop by GreenUpgrader for some hints on how to tell if your collection of pallet is safe for upcycling.

I picked all this up from Gizmag.

Lego, the printer wannabe?

Matthew Krueger make it possible for his Lego bit and pieces to be transformed into...

...LEGObot, the working 3D printer.

 

What's green about LEGObot is that it is made up of everything that Matthew already has on hand.

So, now you know. You can never outgrow that Lego connections and there is always a second life for everything you have, if you put your mind to it.

Shelves to sit on? Buy!

Shelves that you can carry around, sit on, is fashionably modular to last and 100 percent recyclable.  A green project at Indiegogo worth looking into.

Playing with Earth

If you want to start something, you just have to make the first move and inspire others to join you.  Here is a video Derek Sivers shared to prove his point during his talk at TED.



I am inspired to start a conversation with you.  I am playing with letters picked out from the word "EARTH" and I realised that there is a story to share.

What do you see on "earth" as in your "heart"?
Lend a "ear"
"Hear" me
Feel the "heat"?
"Hate" that?

On "earth" there is "heart"
Be that "heart" for the "earth"
The "art" to loving is in your "heart"
"Rate" it!
See the "tear"?
Moved?

I hope I can move you to take similar action.  Just remember that we can play with words but not our EARTH.

Cardboard? Light it up.

Cardboard.  A great packing material.  Though can be recycled, usually discarded .  Left in the bin and damaged by rain. Can't anyone see the value in it?

Vicara did with the creation of Cartonado lamp.  See the light.

VICARA from VICARA on Vimeo.

Be inspired.

Batteries? Not required to light up.

Best kept warm to enlighten.  It's not me I am talking about.  It's the "Hollow Flashlight", an invention by a 15 years old Canadian high school student, Ann Makosinski, that lighted up by the warmth of  her hand holding it.

Here is a video of her talking about her submission of the "Hollow Flashlight" for the Google Science Fair.



No batteries required?  Definitely, the torchlight of the future to have.