Archive for September, 2009

5 ways to reuse plastic bottles

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

We all realize that plastic bottles are harmful to the environment, but with a little creativity they can be used in multiple ways:

  1. I must start with PET material. The bottles are broken down and recycled into this material. It just so happens that this is the material used in our English Retreads Bags.
  2. Uniforms made from plastic bottles? For the 2010 Winter Olympics Coca-Cola is making 550 uniforms for their employees at the event. Seems like they have to make up for those plastic bottles somehow, and this is a good solution.
  3. This next one may seem a bit strange, but how about a trash temple? Yes this is indeed true. The SALZIG Design Team created the trash temple in 2007 out of plastic bottles bales. Talk about some creativity.
  4. Another option would have to be a plastic bottle greenhouse. Greenhouses made from plastic bottles have been popping up all over the nation. A fun little project with a good use of resources. That’s what I like to hear.
  5. Funky multiple uses for plastic bottles? Check ‘em out here. Everything from cookie cutters to mosquito traps. Genius.

I’d love to hear more uses for plastic bottles! Please comment with any ideas.

Sammy, Blog Maven

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It’s all about the solar panels

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

I am intrigued by the constant advancements made in the solar energy industry. And for that reason I am devoting a whole blog to some of the new ideas coming forth:

  1. Solar Panel Roadways. Based in Idaho, the company Solar Roadways is pursuing alternative uses of the typical solar panel—with a little spin. The panels are capable of being driven on, with the top layer adding traction for car tires. The 25,000 square miles of roadways in the United States could be transformed into solar roadways, that could produce three times our current electricity consumption. Not only do they produce energy, they include built-in heaters to melt away the snow. Say goodbye to snow plows and hello to the latest energy advancement.
  2. Jewel-toned Solar Panels. GreenSun has created new solar panels that pick up different parts of the light spectrum and can produce energy without direct sunlight. The panels use less solar cells by dispersing the light to the edges of the panel where the solar cells are located. Instead of being completely covered with the cells, only the edges are, thereby creating energy at a lower cost.
  3. Buried Solar Panels. EarthSure has created a new idea for solar panels called solar tubes that can be buried in the ground. While the technology is still in the beginning stages, the idea involves taking solar panels one step further. Just one collection disk would be placed on the roof, where the energy is then transferred to underground storage panels.

It’s all about the solar panels. Just one more thing to help push us towards a more sustainable future.

Sammy, Blog Maven

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College “green” life = the good life

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

After the University of Colorado was named the “Top Green University” by Sierra Magazine back in August, it made me wonder what other Colorado schools were doing to promote a green life. Then I heard about FortZed.

The project is located in Ft. Collins, Colo., covering the downtown area as well as the CSU campus. It is a combination of projects and initiatives to generate local power to cover the area. It is quickly growing to become the world’s largest zero-energy district.

I was personally amazed by this concept. While the idea of net zero energy has been a popular one in the last few years, very few have taken it to the extremity that FortZed has. I hope that other cities or even businesses will take a look at the FortZed concept and possibly implement it into their lives. For more info, check out there website here.

A University of Colorado student, Christina Aalto, is also implementing new ideas into the Boulder community. Interning for CoPIRG (Colorado Public Interest Research Group), Aalto has worked on energy efficiency in rental homes. CoPIRG’s mission is to recruit and train students to be involved in their communities. This Tuesday, September 15 at 10 a.m., CoPIRG will be holding a press xonference at 19th St. and Cascade in Boulder. A tour will be held to show the inefficiencies of rental homes as well as to educate others on how to reduce energy use. For more info on CoPIRG, click here.

The University of Colorado and Colorado State University are both participating in action to benefit our communities and society as a whole. Being a University of Colorado student and beloved fan of the Buffs, it was difficult to cope with the idea of the Colorado State Rams beating us in football last weekend. While CSU may be one up on CU in football, it’s good to know that we are both fighting for the same cause—a greener life.

Sammy, Blog Maven

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Can you imagine wearing the same dress for 365 days?

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Sheena Matheiken makes it look easy. With the addition of unique accessories, she makes a completely new look for every day of the year. Talk about being creative.

But she doesn’t just do this for kicks and giggles; she’s raising money for the Akanksha Foundation. The foundation is focused on educating children who live in the slums of India. With the help of college students, the Akanksha Foundation is able to teach 2,400 kids every day.

Currently, the Uniform Project has raised over $12,000. If you would like to make a donation, visit the site here.

So, support fashion. Support sustainability. And definitely support education.

Sammy, Blog Maven

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