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Most foods are still packed in plastic, which not only fills landfills and pollutes oceans, but also perpetuates petroleum consumption. Now we are beginning to see more prominent use of biodegradable disposable food packaging, particularly at green-oriented festivals and natural groceries. These "Bioplastics" are becoming a burgeoning industry as the cost of oil climbs and the disastrous nature of petroleum-based plastics is revealed in full effect.
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All over the crafting and recycling world, old jeans are a precious commodity. There are many creative ways to recycle these, turning them from backpacks to book covers. Your jeans can be a fashion statement and a valuable natural resource at the same time. They are made from cotton which is natural, renewable and recyclable. It's also an excellent material for insulation.
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The tropical rainforest tree Copaifera langsdorffii is known as the "diesel tree" or "kerosene tree". It produces a large amount of terpene hydrocarbons in its wood and leaves. One tree can produce 30 to 40 liters of hydrocarbons per year. The oil is collected by tree tapping much like rubber trees, but instead of rubbery latex, it gives up a natural biodiesel.
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The paper making industry is widely regarded as one which pays little attention to the environmental effects of its activities. It is seen as using up land, trees, water and energy to make a final product which has a very short useful life. Since the 1970s, public opinion has put increasing pressure on these companies to improve their attitude to environmental issues but the industry still consumes large amounts of natural resources.
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Much like "Act Naturally" or "tax cut," “landfill recycling” seems contradictory and an oxymoron, but if you think of it, landfill operations are consistently concerned with maximizing space and extending landfill life—so why not recycle the landfill? This is exactly what Salem County Utilities Authority (SCUA), New Jersey, did after being faced with a legal issue and dwindling landfill space.
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Experts predict that 2008 will be the year of the green toy as retailers and toy makers offer more eco-friendly options in natural materials. Board games specially should also score well as families stay home amid a challenging economy.
With so many toys on the market manufactured with environmentally unsafe materials, is no wonder that this is happening. Environmentally friendly toys are a very small (albeit growing) segment of the toy market so the potential for growth is explosive.
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It all started with a toothbrush. Back when it still wasn’t easy being green, Eric Hudson decided to break into the natural product arena by creating an innovative item unlike any other in the marketplace: a toothbrush made from recycled materials. This was a bold decision in 1996, given that recycled-material offerings were scarce in the marketplace.
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Construction and demolition (C&D) materials account for almost 22 percent of the waste stream. Many of these materials can be reused or recycled, thus prolonging our supply of natural resources and potentially saving money in the process. Common C&D materials include lumber, drywall, metals, masonry (brick, concrete, etc.), carpet, plastic, pipe, rocks, dirt, paper, cardboard, or green waste related to land development. Of these, metals are the most commonly recycled material while lumber makes up the majority of debris that still goes to a landfill.
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Since 1988, The Natural Step, an international non-profit, research, education and advisory organization that uses a science-based framework has helped organizations, individuals and communities move toward sustainability.
Founded in Sweden in 1989 by scientist, Karl-Henrik Robèrt, it works to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities and governments onto an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path.
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Hybrid marine power combines abundant, natural sun and wind energy with conventional engines. The results are vessels offering a compelling return on investment from fuel savings, exceptional passenger comfort and highly reduced environmental emissions. Described by the BBC as "possibly the greatest evolution in boats since the advent of steam."
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