Help! Cut less trees.

What have wheat straws got to do with paper?  Saving them is a step forward solution to using 80% less trees in the production of paper.  So, ask for "Step Forward" paper if you can get them.

I picked this up from Woody Harrelson, the guy I watched playing bartender on "Cheers".



Cheers, Woody.

Beyond your budget? It's time for change!

Yes, it is time for change if the house of your dream is beyond your budget.  How?  Dan Phillips, an American designer and builder from Texas can give you some ideas.  See what he can build on a low budget through his construction company Phoenix Commotion.

Vinyl records? Vinylized for good.

I remember the good old days when my father used to play his vinyl records on his turntable, set in a huge wooden box.  That was a very popular way to listen to music until the 1980s when the compact disc (CD) players came into the market.

CD became a popular way to record music as the quality of sound playing from one is better.  And, as there is less possibility of scratches on the surface to affect the sound, some owners of vinyl records have their favourite oldies saved on disc.  

So, what happens to all those vinyl records that are no longer in use?  Why bother to know?

Vinyl records are made out of polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC.  It requires hazardous chemicals in its production.  If discarded vinyl records end up in landfills, the additives used in its process can leach into the ground to reach groundwater.  We can't be burning them in incinerator either.  Dioxin released from that process can travel on air currents and is carcinogenic to any breathing life form.

Tipton Eyeworks has a solution.  They are vinylizing to create their eyewear.  And if you are wondering how they go about doing that, watch this video.

A reason to stay slim and green.

Forward! Let's charge! Not with bow and arrows, please.

Just with SolePower insoles placed in your shoes, you can start charging a battery fastened around your ankle or to the top of your shoe just by walking around.

 How far must you go to fully charge the battery for, let's say, an iPhone? Currently, a two-and-a-half to five miles (4-8km) walk will do, which designers, Tom Krupenkin and J. Ashley Taylor, hope to bring down to the minimum distance.

Cool. That sounds like a gadget that will allow shopaholics to proudly say that they have been out charging all day.

For the heavy users, which I mean here, as being overweight; if this gadget starts selling, it will provide a good reason for them to reduce some weight as it can only accommodate users of up to 350 lb (159 kg).

Back Tom and Ashley up at KickStarter if you want this gadget.

 

I like the idea that there is a "buy one pair, send one free" programme for those in need living in a 3rd world country.

Trash to play with

The kids of Cateura live in homes built on slum. So, how could they possibly consider starting an orchestra if they can't afford the musical instrument required? If you think that they are hopeless dreamers, then you ought to check out what they have achieved at Landfill Harmonic. They have created music with trash. What can you create with yours?