This isn’t just another story of how recycled materials have been turned into new items. In a dumping ground alongside the Paraguay River where over 1,500 tons of waste enters everyday, polluting the waterways which are also the area’s drinking supply, are where around 500 recycling workers and their children hunt through castoffs and refuse, continually digging and sorting. Often referred to as a sea of garbage, the murky slum of Cateura, Paraguay is one of the poorest zones in the region, causing the polluted landfill the area is built upon to be the main source of available livelihood for… read more

Reuse centers and warehouses accept donations and gather items that are still in usable condition, then offer them at economical prices for resale. Many are non-profit organizations that are available to the public for shopping, although some are only open to specialty customers, such as schools, construction industries or other particular businesses. In order to keep perfectly good items from local landfills, reuse supply centers generally operate by collecting and then offering materials at affordable prices, thus providing the community with needed, reasonably priced products. The inventory is continuously changing as new merchandise and contributions are received, but some available items… read more

Many companies sell environmentally friendly products. However not all of those are so committed to the green process that they earn the highest available rating from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), producing many of their products with 100% FSC certified materials. Forms + Surfaces, a California based business that specializes in doors, recycling bins, fencing and elevators, has accomplished this with their wood slat benches and other creations. Additionally, they either meet or exceed many other sustainable certification standards. In business for 40 years, their products are made from a high amount of recycled materials and are also responsibly obtained…. read more

In the battle of the digital dollar versus the printed, minted physical version, which is a more viable option in an increasingly networked age? Through the course of money’s history, it has often developed and adapted around the existing society who needed to use it. For one example of electronic money, take the Bitcoin, which is in the e-currency spotlight and soring, falling and rising again in value. Surfacing in 2009, bitcoins are online cash in which holders, referred to as miners, can accumulate and spread around coins. Collected bitcoins are ready to be gifted, traded or used for payments… read more

If you have heard of the Decentralized Dance Party (DDP), then you are probably not surprised that they have been in and out of the headlines lately. Their claim to social media and flash mob fame has been to drive a dance fueled party across North America, broadcasting playlists and dispatching a manifesto of global love. This ever growing group of individuals gathers sporadically in cities by the hundreds for a dancing demonstration of world peace and unity. The two organizers behind the DDP vision, Tom and Gary, seemingly have formed a party attitude into an interconnected movement. They have… read more

Reeling in customers with false representation or misleading claims are techniques some companies use to market their products. Trying to make labeling appear greener may fool some, but smart buyers are capable of being label aware. Some organizations have attempted to uncover the tendency to use greenwashing to sell merchandise, and it may be surprising how prevalently used one study found it to be. TerraChoice conducted an initial study in 2007 to uncover whether or not merchandise that was marketed as green was in fact an ecological choice, and that the products reviewed met their claims. What they found was… read more

The observance of Earth Day began in the U.S. in 1970 as a way for individuals to gather in response to the growing interest in a national environmental movement. Escalating concerns for ecological awareness in both the personal and political arenas were amplified by many during this time. A bit of history from The Old Farmer’s Almanac recounted that proactive John McConnell from California and Gaylord Nelson, then Senator of Wisconsin, both opened the gates for exchange in their local areas. They initiated people to gather together in order to demonstrate their unity over environmental issues. The spring equinox on… read more

The concept of sharing is instilled in young minds through interaction and reinforcement. While learning to share seems like a childhood endeavor, it has resurfaced in the adult world in a far-reaching way. The sharing economy has been evolving, and it is now more possible than ever to share nearly anything. As people decide that it is beneficial to them and the environment, more individuals and start-ups are springing forward to foster the new sharing model. As reported by Forbes, a growth of more than 25% is expected this year across the sharing boards. Though this notion of anti-retail consumerism… read more

Shark Tank is a television show that matches a panel of five potential investors who listen to pitches from budding American entrepreneurs. Gary Gagnon was one such entrepreneur who appeared last year and pitched his special sneaker. Previously named REMYXX, REKIXX aims to change an industry and the world. With more than 300 million pairs of shoes thrown away last year, in the U.S. alone, REKIXX is taking matters into their own feet. The sneakers properly named REKIXX are the only sneakers from laces to sole, that can go back into the recycling process for zero-landfill impact. REKIXX are unique sneakers that are 100% recyclable. REKIXX… read more

A lot of aspects of living are becoming more environmentally focused. One area, though, that may not be as publicized for doing so is the music industry. An original study done in the UK found that around 540,000 tons of greenhouse gasses are released annually from the music trade. When investigating the various sectors involved in bringing music to the masses the analysis found that 43% of this was from viewer travel, 26% was caused from recording and publishing and 23% occurred as the byproduct of live shows. Along with these statistics, the Huffington Post offers 9 captions of example… read more