Americans have become quite upbeat about recycling what with the extra bucks coming into their wallets. Recycling facilities are doing great business as people keep pouring in with scraps of metal in the hope of making some extra money. David Trombley shared, “The recycle deal works great for my gas tank.” Incidentally, he made 133 dollars for turning in scraps left over from remodelling his basement bathroom.

There are two factors for this sudden rush. One, the skyrocketing metal prices caused by a demand in developing countries, such as China and India. Then again, the rising food and fuel costs are stretching paychecks to the limit, making people want to earn a li’l more. Another thing to note is that most of the scrap sellers are plumbers, electricians, construction workers. But then are also a whole number that is willing to scour garages and basements for junk and save cans.

Via� msnbc� �

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The increasing number of designers who are interested in making innovative stuff from recycled tyres and tubes compels me to say that tyre furniture is here to stay! The latest addition being inflatable furniture range called Recycoool comes from Israel. Its designer, Nir Ohayon believes in designs that are cool-looking, easily affordable and leave fewer footprints on nature. He has crafter the entire Recycoool range using recycled car tyres inner tubes. Thus he has churned out sofas, tables& chairs, recliners, shelving and benches etc. by inserting car inner tubes in and around metal tube framework. Finally, the tubes have been inflated to fill out the form and shape!

Nir has given delectable names to his creations like The Master, The Big Yogi, Nirvana, Golam and Plata. If these inflatable furniture pieces have caught your interest then, you may get one custom made for you. All you need to do is contact the chap. I think, the range will delight tyred (oops I meant tired) souls! Just click on recycoool.com and have a look at other pieces too.

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Via: greenupgrader

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When it comes to Future Designs, Italian designers somehow always manage to churn out some of the best eco-friendly pieces-gadgets, furniture, concepts etc. TETRA happens to be one of them. Designed by engineer/designer Daniele Gualeni, TETRA is a nouveau eco-friendly product that is functionality, beauty, flexibility and sustainability rolled into one product-Table. Gualeni’s TETRA transforms breakable wood foil into super strong yet flexible materials without meddling with the original texture so that, the sense of touch of its nature remains the same. He believes in fusing science and technology with design and art to find solutions for the future that tremendously improve our quality of life.

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Breaking away from the norms of planar surfaces the TETRA with its rounded shape and a geometrical concept, is the result of some out-of-the box thinking. Its rotational molding gives it a unique design carved out of 100% LDPP (low density polypropylene). The product retains the aspect of being recycled. TETRA’s top film can be easily removed, reused and is eco-friendly.

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The designer whishes to commercially launch this table and is on the look out for a producer who is interested in this project of his. Well, I would certainly like to see such a table in community eating centers and parks instead of those cheap plastic tables that are usually non-biodegradable.

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Via: Tuvie

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Plastic bags and bottles do more than spread pollution. But hey become good only when they land in the hands of creative people like Joshua Allen Harris. His inflatable plastic bad subway art has got him a lot of recognition esply. his plastic polar bear-the symbol of climate change! This artist has his own style of churning out eco-art in form of recycled and reusable plastic bags and scraps sewn into different shapes and displayed over subways. � The white polar bear (which looks like a puppy) has drawn a lot of attention of passer-bys. Placed on subway grates the polar bear springs to life as it inflates when the train passes on the subterranean route and slowly fades away into a lump. The animated creativity reminds onlookers the fate of these majestic bears as they face extinction threat owning to Climate Change and Global Warming.

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With his unique oeuvre Harris has gained a fan following which discuss his work online and via blogs. Ever since the polar bear became a hit with New York’s residents Harris has come up with more creative forms and figures including a Centaur, some mythical creates and a Loch-Ness monster too! Jump below and click on the videos to have a look at this amazing art form!

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Via: FYI mag

Conserving water is everyone’s duty. If you belong to those areas of the world where, rainwater harvesting is the premium source of water-supply through out the year then, conserving every single droplet is mandatory. The good thing is now-a-days a number of water features are available. The ones offered by H20 Designs are the ultimate environmentally friendly, modern and stylish systems. Normally, the harvesting process requires a system which collects rain falling on the building’s roof and collects it into an underground tank via connecting pipes. The water thus collected is cleansed through a filter and then consumed. However, this is the run-of-the mill kind of system. H20 Designs’ water features are no less than oriental Zen-gardens thus providing you a sense of immense calm in the environs of your house.

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With these at your place, you don’t need to go to nearby park for your meditation sessions. These features recycle water in compliance with water restriction regulations. They require minimal maintenance and are flexible enough to be integrated into any other water feature. The added greenery as I said earlier, transforms your outdoors in to a mini heaven.

For the optimum functioning of these features till an extended time frame ,H20 Designs provide you with a hidden water storage unit which does not taps into external water supplies! Well, I bet it’s a good investment-one for not only your current needs but also, for those of the future.

Via: trendir

Being experimental augments one’s creativity! Well, I m sure about this one because not many people like to experiment with their waste products esply. waste plastic bottles.

And those who do like Amy M. Young, they create marvelous eye-catching work! His stunning sculptures are drawing crowds because they happen to be churned out of useless plastic bottles which are otherwise a nuisance of a waste (because of their non-biodegradability!).

Besides the giant sphere and Zen-temple, the whole animal kingdom seems to have come alive with chameleon, elephant, fish or lobster!

Also the sculptures are a refreshing change because we have seen a lot of recycled newspaper stuff but plastic bottles were pretty ignored till Young laid his hands on them.

Readers I’m sure this fella, can be the Nek Chand of west!
Source: thecontaminated

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Polyvinyl loveseats are out and recycled tyre seats are in. Now, you can opt for an eco-friendly seating arrangement inside your house by purchasing one of these tyre seats made from old scooter tires recycled from East London mechanics’ yards. The product comes out from an assembly of junk yard stuff and once ready looks as good as a modern art souvenir! Don’t be fooled by the tyre seats rugged look! They aren’t dirty and bacteria laden in case you were wondering about your family’s health.

These tyre seats are made by using tyres that are thoroughly washed and rinsed. Then their rubber rings are stuffed with foam cushions and an outer vinyl casing is fitted to prevent the foam falling out. The vinyl can be of a color of your choice. At the moment, these rough-n-tough seats come in three varieties – yellow, blue and pink. And they can be yours for $50 each.

Via OneEcoHome

Sam’s Club- United States’ second largest wholesale retailer has shifted to a new type of milk container being introduced in the U.S. markets recently. The milk container is not a looker or a sensation in terms of design. Infact, the new milk jug is a square shaped gallon. This packaging change isn’t a promotional gimmick but utility factor in case of the container. Milk has been transported for wholesale consumption in pitchers at the beginning. Then came the glass bottles (in 1800’s). Followed by, cardboard cartons and finally plastic gallons.

The new milk containers are also made form plastic but this time its 100% recycled plastic making it a eco-friendly option. Other interesting feature is that the new milk jug is so designed that in bulk transporting it doesn’t require crates or racks for shipping and storage thereby, reducing transportation costs! As per Sam’s Club, the new case-less jugs result in 10-20% cost savings to the consumers.
Also, 9% more milk can be accommodated now in these jugs thereby reducing overall fuel cost incurred by frequent delivery trips made by trucks. Additionally, water isn’t required to clean the crates or racks because this new milk jug is case-less.

Therefore, water is also saved. Cool! And last but not the least the new milk gallon is self-stacking; thanks to the flat spout. Also, each gallon can easily rest on another during transport. I hope like Sam’s Club other wholesalers should also reconsider their options and opt for this new and definitely ‘greener’ milk jug.

Via ModernEcoHomes

Simplicity touches our hearts like nothing else. Especially in a world full of myriad designs, multitudes of complex patterns and hi-fi stuff brought daily into our homes, one definitely longs for the simple joys of life! However, sometimes making simple things requires complexity as well Gregory Siegal’s Coffee Clock is an example of a simplicity and complexity working synergistically. This eco-friendly clock is recycled from three different things: a discarded French press, a coffee mug and a small alarm clock.

“Inspired by the simplicity of the interaction of a French press, my aim was to create a product of equal spareness in both form and interface. The whole in the woven metal aligns with one of the twelve holes of the metal plate behind it on every hour”, said the designer and clock maker. This eco-friendly idea was undertaken to explore the meaning of the form of products in relation to their function.

Thus discovering how complexity of structure might give rise to simplicity of form and vice versa. Whatever be the philosophy of Siegal, in my notion, the recycling of old, and discarded junk to create a new functional product is simply eco-friendly indeed. Also, it seems to be the need of the hour!

Celebrate this 4 July with red, blue, white & green. In today’s age, celebrating your country’s and thus, your own freedom in an irresponsible manner is just not fair! We have already done a lot of merry-making at the expense of Mother Nature and now facing the consequences as well. While the buzz words these days are carbon footprint, green house gas emission and sustainability. Let’s see how we can decrease the first two and embrace the third entity this fourth-of-July.

Points to Remember:
· BBQ but in a green manner by using natural gas grills over charcoal grills.
· Say no to plastics (cups& plates). Use recyclable/reusable crockery (SEE below the list of some eco-friendly products that should be used).
· Go for organic food on your palette.
· Share resources, celebrate together with your locality.
· Resist the temptation of burning crackers at home; if must watch nearby town celebration where authorities use green crackers for firework displays.

And here’s the list of some eco-friendly products which you can use this July4th and make them a part of your daily lifestyle for a greener and eco-conscious living.

1) Bamboo Bar Board
Product USP- Perfect for the bar or other small area; has sleek, modern design but is smaller in size.
Price - $14.90

2) Preserve Cutlery
Product USP- Made from 100% recycled plastic.
Price - $8

3) Preserve Tableware Large Plates
Product USP- made from 100% recycled plastic, will bring flair and elegance to any occasion.
Price - $10

4) All-Occasion Veneerware Bamboo Plates
Product USP- is disposable but doesn’t looks so!
Price - $11.45

5) Fire & Light Big Bowl
Product USP- recycled glassware and dinnerware are perfect for both practical dinner settings, and more elegant occasions.
Price - $61.90

6) Boxwood Goods Organic Flax Cocktail Napkins
Product USP- perfectly sized for drinks and nibbles and are bio-degradable.
Price - $25

7) Ecolution Hemp Apron
Product USP- made by grown and processed without chemicals or pesticides in Romania and the workers are paid fair wages.
Price - $27.95

Ecolution Hemp Oven Mitt
Product USP- made from 100% Hemp, can really take the heat.
Price - $8.95

Via DIYLife