recycled

Using Reclaimed & Recycled Materials for Exterior Home Projects

jchait — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:05:11 -0400

I recently read this awesome post at CalFinder - Tools & Tips: Fencing Types that Just Say “Vintage”. This cool post looked at vintage fencing and why old can often be the best choice, both in terms of aesthetics and reuse. Check out the whole post for ideas about materials for fences such as wrought iron, wood options, and stone and rock.

The reason this post rocked is because it easily translates to good green choices. You can find many items for fence building at reclaim stores, junk yards, or you can find left over materials from a recent home construction or deconstruction project. Often, you may find a material that is not truly meant to be a fence, but could work. Try thinking outside the box, and you may get a totally unique home idea. For inspiration visit Junk Creation.

Other outside living ideas that can be created out of reclaimed or recycled materials include porches and patios, big fat garden containers, walkways (think old flat rocks or bricks), cooking areas like a fire pit, gates, arches, gazebos, kids play houses and treehouses, even swimming pools.

When you're trying to go green, your house is a large opportunity to apply greener building and remodeling practices and techniques, but don't forget about your outdoor living spaces - all of them can easily be made more green.

To learn more take a look at:

Debbie Does Hollywood Up with a New Eco Boutique

ckane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Environmentally conscious fashion designer Deborah Lindquist, who is renowned for her recycled cashmere creations and her bustier-incorporating wedding dresses, just opened a boutique in Toluca Lake. Ecorazzi has photos from the opening here. Lindquist's designs have been spotted on stars from the (animal unfriendly, fur-wearing) Sharon Stone to (animal-friendly, fur-eschewing) Pink, as well as Gwen Stefani, Keyshia Cole, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and Charlize Theron. Her designs use recycled fabrics like repurposed saris and kimonos, and vintage scarves, as well as hemp, organic cotton, and organic wool.

At that premiere was Gorgeously Green author Sophie Uliano, who told Ecorazzi, “I save my money and buy one unique piece, like Deborah Lindquist, and it will be a timeless classic.” She's echoing an old-fashioned yet timely sentiment that iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been trying to tell everyone lately. To paraphrase, instead of buying so many disposable clothes, just choose a few well-made pieces that look great on you. You will spend more, but they will last longer.

Image: Econouveau

Parking the Bicycles: Who Knew all the Possibilities?

Julia — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:04:47 -0400

More and more people are riding bicycles these days. How many people feel restricted from riding bikes because of issues with theft, or with not knowing where to lock up the bike? My guess would be a lot of people. Fortunately, companies are coming out with all sorts of nifty ways to park and lock bicycles.

The first is BikeLid Systems. These are polyethylene shells attached to a steel bike frame that is cemented into the concrete. They look like little, individual igloos to protect and enclose the bike. Even better, the shells are also made from 90 percent industrial plastic waste materials and recycled steel. You simply lift the unit up and place your bike underneath, and seal it all up with a padlock.

Another option is the Bike Tree. It looks exactly how it sounds; it is a vertically long bike stand and multiple bikes can hang from it at one time. There is a control panel attached to the stand, with finger print sensors. The control panel allows you to lock and unlock your bike. You press the button and the bike correlating with that fingerprint is lowered. It conserves lots of space! How cool is that?!

SLIM, but Modular is an interesting design for parking bikes. It consists of a slanting steel rod that almost looks like the bottom of a ski. It is faced upward and you can park the bike in place, hands-free! It is the wheels and the bike that gets locked in, making it kind of impossible to steal. It’s still in the design phase, but something to get excited about!

Lastly, there are Cyclepods. This looks like a lamp, lampshade included (See Picture!) There are eight spaces on it, and the bikes are placed upward. Like SLIM, the cyclepods can lock the wheels into place. The lampshade type structure protects the bike from ugly weather conditions. They, ALSO, are made from 95 percent recycled aluminum.

Wow. Technology never ceases to amaze me.

Sounds like it’s time dig your bikes out of the garage and get them all spiffed up for the warm weather!

Recycled Record Snack Tray

RiverWired.com — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:55:10 -0400

It’s Good: New York artist Jeff Davis has created these delightful little serving platters out of actual 12-inch vinyl records that have been remolded and laminated to protect against damage and moisture. Bust these bad boys out at your next shindig for a hip, unique flair and a nostalgic trip back to a time before the iPod became king.

It’s Green: These handmade trays were once actual, fully-functional LPs that have been handily recycled and reincarnated as trendy party dishware, giving the records a brand new lease on life. Why throw away that Best of Engelbert Humperdinck record that’s been sitting in your closet when you convert it into a stylish popcorn bowl?

It’s Here: UmcommonGoods.com

It’s: $25.00

Want to find out more about recycling?

Recycling Tips: Did You Know You Cannot Recycle Messy Pizza Boxes?

The Benefits of Recycling: Let’s Talk Trash

Recycling the Looking Glass: When Garbage and Art Collide

Top 10 Recycling Resources

The Benefits of Recycling Cardboard

The Art of Garbage

Reduce, Reuse… FREECYCLE

Recycle Those Electronics!

Back to Basics—RRR

Picking Up Garbage TVs and Recycling as Art

Students Recycle and Reduce Garbage: Take It Or Leave It

Knight Rider Recycled—Reborn With Green Twist!

Recycling Your Garbage: Where Does it All Go?