Conserving resources and reducing waste through recycling and reuse of materials.
Recycling & Reuse
Plastic Turns into Oil When “Blest”
By: Eloah James - 
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The Japanese company Blest has done something truly astonishing. They have created a machine which converts plastics back into oil. To be more accurate, they have developed several such machines, in varying sizes, from a home table top model to larger industrial scale versions meant for continuous use.
You can watch the Blest CEO, Akinori Ito, explain the machine in this video. According to what is shown in the subtitle clip, any type of plastic, including styrofoam, plastic bags and bottle caps, can be converted back into oil. The oil can then be converted into gasoline and other oil by-products.
I don’t know why we haven’t been hearing about it before now, since the technology has been around for over a year, but the $10,000 price tag does make it less than accessible for most people. Fortunately, it is Blest’s goal to continue to work on the technology and eventually create a machine that will be affordable for everyone.
In the meantime, perhaps it is time for businesses with a large need for oil and gasoline to invest in the continuous use versions. How fast could we clean up the planet if one large shipping company fueled their trucks on recycled plastic? Or how about if one of the major oil companies bought one of these machines?
Birmingham, AL to Host 2010 Green Building Focus Conference and Expo
By: Kate Agliata - Print This Post
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Beginning Tuesday, August 24th, the city of Birmingham, Alabama will host the 2010 Green Building Focus conference and expo. This 3-day event, which will be held at the Jefferson Convention Complex, is designed to showcase the latest in sustainable building development. Focused on exploring the popular and growing demand for green building, this year’s conference aims to inform and educate the southeast region’s leading architects, engineers, property owners, and construction professionals, as well as students, faculty, and those interested in learning more about the recent trends, technologies and materials available in the green building movement. Read More »
2 Cheap & Green Cosmetic Products You May Have Missed
By: Eloah James - Print This Post
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Searching for a mascara without parabens in it is largely a tedious and unrewarding exercise. However, there is good news. There exists a paraben-free mascara that is better for you, the Earth, and your wallet because, right now at least, it costs only $2 for a .27 fl oz wand. It may seem like an unlikely source for “green” products, but wet n wild’s mega-protein mascara™. In addition to being paraben-free, it contains soy and wheat proteins and is enriched with Acai oil.
