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Sustainability Archives

Science and technology have created the possibility of renewable, closed loop systems that bring health and energy to people and the economy with absolutely no waste. Making it a mainstream reality is essential for the economy's long term survival, not to mention human life.

January 12, 2009

Where does our garbage go? - Letter to London City Council

For a potential project I am exploring, I searched online to try to find out where the garbage that I throw out in city garbage/rubbish bins goes.  The best information I could find was article in the Guardian called "Following the rubbish trail," but it was from 2004.  I wrote an email to the author Leo Hickman, but so far, no response (I'm sure he busy on new articles).

So I asked my housemate, a proper Londoner where she would look, and she pointed me to the city councils.  After a quick google search, I found the newly organized London Waste & Recycling Board, and sent the following letter to the contact person listed.  I'll let you know how it goes.

--
Hi,



Thanks for the work you do for the city of London.  I used to live in
New York City, and London is definitely a much cleaner city.  As
someone interested in environmental issues, I have become interested in
finding out more about the impact (positive and negative) that I make
with my daily life and choices.



One specific piece of information I haven't been able to find online is
where the rubbish is taken that I put into the public bins around the
city.  Do you know where I would be able to find out?  While I'm
intersted to know where it all goes, the buroughs I am more interested
in are my home burough of Hackney, as well as Islington, Camden and
City of London. 


Any information or contact information for the right person to contact would be very much appreciated. 



Cheers,

Colin

Posted by Colin | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 28, 2008

Fun Flash Eco-Footprint Calculator

As mentioned previously, I think the most important tool that still needs to be created is an implicit carbon footprint calculator (so the data is based on reality, and users don't have to make up numbers submitted into a form).  However, in the meantime, the flash video footprint calculator from Earthday.net is one of the more fun I've seen. 

Posted by Colin | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 2, 2008

Mazdar City in Dubai

Check out Mazdar, the future green city being built in typical Dubai fashion. Lots of money, totally from scratch, and now, with 100% renewable energy and zero waste.

Link to Youtube video (embedding was disabled for some reason).

Posted by Colin | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 13, 2008

Home Grown Food for hire - I want this

From Springwise:

Your Backyard Farmer requires just a plot of land big enough to feed the mouths involved—10 by 10 square feet is about the minimum for an individual or a family of two—along with six hours of direct sunlight a day and an outdoor water source. In exchange, the farming team will provide clients with an organic vegetable farm right outside their door, customized to their family's size and dining choices.

Posted by Colin | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2008

Dancing feet to power a new London club

Check this from the ever inspiring source for new biz ideas Springwise: "dance energy has popped up again in the form of an eco nightclub that's slated to open next week in London."

That's hot. I'm definitely gonna have to free the white booty that night.

Posted by Colin | Permalink | Comments (0)