A Nevada-based company, Ecologico-Logic, is launching an aerobic machine that has been aptly named the Muncher.

The reason this is good news? A number of cities around the world now sort their municipal trash, diverting organic matter into large anaerobic composters that turn it into nutrient-rich soil. Such systems can be very expensive and the composting process is time-consuming.

Jacob Jacobson and Mohammed Memon claim to have solved the time problem and the accompanying odors that often turn people away from composting locales. The Muncher converts organic waste into mulched and liquid compost in less than an hour via aerobic digestion.

Memon says 11 years have been invested in developing this machine and the accompanying technologies. “It’s been a long road to get it to where it is today – a working prototype.”

This should be good news for the landfill and waste management industries. The two men are out presenting their prototype to interested corporate and municipal parties who they report their interest. One principal reason for garnering interest is how fast the system works. A normal mulching process might require anywhere from 30 to 365 days to convert waste into useable mulch. The Muncher can accomplish this same work within 15 minutes, Jacobson says.

This machine features a patented accelerated waste digestion process. It commences with mechanically shredding pre-separated organic garbage, followed with aerobic microbes within the system and a proprietary chemical treatment that rapidly breaks the matter down into a marketable product. For existing municipal systems the resulting compost can then be used for city projects or sold to agricultural or landscaping entities.

The results can be impressive. Not only is the organic waste kept out of the landfill, it also takes up much less space. Momin reports that one ton of garbage can be converted to about 600 pounds of solid cake mulch and liquid effluent. In addition, he says the Muncher creates no toxic gases, hazardous compounds or foul odors, that it kills pathogens in the garbage, and that the compost it produces contains no harmful chemicals.

There are also economic considerations. A big factor in the solid waste business is the cost of dumping fees. Reducing the mass that ends up in the landfill makes for a positive proposition, says Jacobson. In addition, the end products are nutrient-rich compost and fertilizers – potentially valuable commodities.

Ecologico-Logic is currently looking at building industrial Munchers that are capable of processing up to 50 tons of waste per day. Memon believes the return on investment for the Muncher is between two and five years. Down the road these men also hope to develop smaller units that might be used by restaurants or in homes.

For those people following the trail of trash that gets shipped to the landfill every day, consuming more landfill space, the Muncher may have some good solutions.

Photos:  Jacob Dickinson

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/12SW0)

Architect Doug Eichelberger designed this gabion wall barn, collecting scrap rock.

Gabion baskets, traditionally used for building retaining wall and controlling erosion, also can be used as a homebuilding product for emergency settlements or by those wishing to construct walls with new material approaches.

Colorado architect Doug Eichelberger has used gabion baskets to construct an experimental building on his ranch southwest of Larkspur, CO that he now uses as attractive free-standing barn. But he is most interested in the potential use of gabions where natural or human-caused disasters have occurred and there is a critical need for emergency housing.

As Eichelberger writes: “In war and natural disaster situations, emergency housing is one of the first requirements in the lives of survivor/refugee population. Gabion baskets are most often used for erosion control along rivers and streams. The baskets can also be used in a vertical wall structure. Because the baskets are easy to transport and assemble, they can be taken (even by mule) to the most remote locations. The baskets can be filled with rubble from destroyed buildings, then left as is or covered with indigenous mud stucco finishes. The baskets can be arranged into homes or refugee barracks.

Eichelberger says these are features to this structure:

• Baskets can be filled with stone or concrete rubble
• Baskets are easy to transport to remote locations, where they can be filled with material of choice
• Weight of filled baskets makes for stable floating foundation
• Inexpensive materials are used for fill

A gabion walls ready to support roof. gabionbaskets.net

A couple of places worth visiting for gabions are GabionBaskets.net and Maccaferri.  Maccaferri, based in Williamsport, MD is a pioneer company in gabions, constructing its first wire basket in 1893.

According to Maccaferri, the first gabion retaining structure was constructed in 1893 to retain the banks of the River Reno at Casalecchio. It took 650 workers, 34 days to install the 2,900 gabions.

Gabion retaining structures are rectangular wire mesh baskets that are usually (concrete rubble, in some cases) filled with rock at the project site to form flexible, permeable structures such as gabion retaining walls for commercial, industrial and road projects. They are also used for erosion control for bank stabilization, channel linings, and gabion weirs.

Gabion strength lies in its double twisted hexagonal mesh of steel wire which is reinforced by selvedges of heavier wire running along the edges and by transverse diaphragms. The wire will not unravel even when cut. Assembly is easy, requiring no specialized labor and nearby rock is used for fill.

Gabion retaining structures are available with different levels of protecting coating for durability. With 30% voids, gabion structures offer free drainage providing greater bank stability when used for riverbank protection.

Styrofoam can be recycled

In spite of what many recycling proponents think, Styrofoam now has a place in the recycling supply chain, reports Fort Collins artist, Nancy Dobbs, who has been storing Styrofoam junk in hopes her wait would lead to getting the material recycled.  That was when she heard about one innovative company, ACH Foam Technologies, which ran a recycling operation from its corporate offices in Denver.

While Styrofoam may be regarded as a miracle substance for the packaging industry, it has long been considered a curse with no cure by recyclers and environmentalists due to an interminably long lifespan and its difficult fit in the recycling industry, where most regard it as nonrecyclable.

Thus Dobbs was happy to make the long drive south from Fort Collins with a carload of Styrofoam she had collected over the years. ACH indicated it was willing to receive the load, as long as it hadn’t been contaminated with food.

ACH,  a leader in expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry, manufactures products for construction, geotechnical, packaging, and industrial applications. ACH reports that many of its products can be easily recycled to make new EPS products, or thermally processed to be turned into other plastics materials.

Styrofoam packaging Photo: ACH

As it turns out, some methods of recycling Styrofoam have been going on since 1991, when the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR) was formed. This organization represented some 80 companies in the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry. Since that time, AFPR has expanded to facilitate the development of recycling and awareness communications and programs.

“The possibilities are limitless,” says ACH’s website “Our products have virtually unlimited design flexibility and can be easily customized. This design flexibility means our products can be used in almost any industry and for a wide variety of applications.”

Polystyrene does not fit very well in the category of sustainability, however, it sounds far better if it can be recycled and remanufactured into useful products. In this video,  Mike Hagood, Walmart senior director of innovations, believes the practice fits quite well with his company’s push for sustainability.

This additional video is available for those wishing to see one part of the Styrofoam remanufacturing process.

A composting toilet from BioLet in Sweden. Photo: BioLet

For those considering building without a septic tank or access to a sewer line, it might be time to look at composting toilets, especially if putrid smells can be avoided.  Swedish-based BioLet has manufactured waterless toilets for 35 years and indicates odor is not a problem, especially in Sweden where waterless toilet systems are required in many places. Here, the average American uses 7,665 gallons of water each year just flushing the toilet.

Just a few years ago mention of a composting toilet brought far more in the way of frowns than applause. As Peter Andersson, BioLet USA’s president pointed out in a press release, “People would go, “A what toilet…?!?” You either quickly changed the subject, or went into an ever-lasting explanation about what it is, how it works and especially why on earth anybody would want to have a toilet that doesn’t flush. Things are changing.”

Biolet waterless toilet Photo: BioLet

That is certainly true for the number of shopping options that exist today. Try an Internet toilet mall, for instance, called http://www.compostoilet.com/ which offer a variety of composting toilets including Sun-mar and Biolet brands. The green toilets use little water and are designed to help the environment while reducing your water bill.

Another waterless toilet retailer, Letsgogreen.com contends that a composting toilet is the most economical, convenient and environmentally friendly way to process toilet wastes when you can’t connect to a sewer or septic system, or in areas of water shortage.”

As BioLet’s website states, “These days, waterless toilets – and toilets that use less water – have become very common; in some areas they are even considered a necessity. Waterless urinals can be found at many airports or sport arenas, and people are gradually becoming more educated about wise water usage. “

The principle is very simple. Human waste is transformed into a dry, odorless material that can easily be disposed of, or even recycled back to the earth. The toilet consists of various control mechanisms that guarantee an odor free operation and let’s the proud owner of a BioLet appreciate the benefits of having a fully functional toilet while doing his or her part to protect their nation’s precious water resources.

For more information, BioLet’s video archive provides much worth watching.

Photo of Chang's Hong Kong apartment Source: Marcel Lam

Architect Gary Chang has implemented some stunning solutions for small-space living in his Hong Kong apartment. To get a first-hand glimpse of Mr. Chang’s take on how spaciousness in a small space might look and feel, look at this You Tube video clip: story from Hong Kong.

This compact living space represents an inspiring case study for anybody considering the challenges of living in inner city areas with limited space. From the standpoints of density and functional practicality, this Chang design offers great potential. Consider that Chang’s apartment contains not just one room, but 24 rooms in one.

For instance, his living room wall can be slid back to reveal a storage and changing area, something Chang refers to as his spa. Behind the spa is a bathroom that receives natural light from the apartment’s single exterior window. When the bathroom is not in use, the space converts to a guest bedroom, using a pull-down Murphy bed. The entire place makes a showcase in modular functionality that, as shown here on this Reuter’s story will continually surprise visitors.

Virginia Gardner, writing for The New York Times Home & Garden, described Chang’s magic: “He grabbed a handle near the wall-mounted television, pulling a section of the wall itself toward the center of the room. Behind it, a small countertop with two burners, a sink and a spice rack appeared. Opposite the countertop, on the back of the now-displaced wall, he lowered a hinged worktop made of a lightweight laminate of honeycombed aluminum. Suddenly, he was standing in a kitchen.”

Of interest, Chang grew up in this apartment with his parents, three sisters, and a tenant. The unit contained three very small bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and dining area. Chang says he has renovated the apartment four times since buying it from his parents 20 years ago. Call it a work in progress – a fabulous one.

On the positive side, V-16 engines at the DADS landfill run on captured methane to generate enough electricity for 3,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gases. Photo: grmeyers

This Sunday’s Denver Post runs a thought-provoking column by Susan Greene that is worth reading. The subject: trash management in Denver compared to other cities.

Greene writes, “I’m talking trash — heaps of bags, lawn trimmings and boxes in cans and Dumpsters across town. Most of us city folk toss garbage with no fees and no clue where it’s headed.”

I recommend reading her column. Many of us in Denver believe we are leading the way in cultivating a greener lifestyles, including practices such as wasting less and recycling more. Not quite true, it appears.

“Denver lost funding for its pilot compost program, which managed to slash household trash 38 percent, and will end that project this spring. Progress is stalling in a town that recycles 22 percent less than the U.S. average.”

The comparison showing Denver recycles 22 percent less than the US average hit me the hardest. I hoped we were leading the pack and we aren’t even close concerning the measures of recycling and wasting less. All of us need to start regarding sustainability issues more seriously.

Meet Planet Blue! source: SavePlanetBlue.com

An interactive online game site, SavePlanetBlue.com has been launched. After one year of development, children around the world are invited to come register and become Planet Blue Savers. Registration is free.

According to the launch announcement, children today are more aware of  environmental issues than at any other time before. Site visitors will encounter an animated 3-D website that provides customizing options.

According to the announcement, kids begin in The Planetarium filled with vibrant colors and a view of the Universe. The Planetarium is where they create their own personal Planet Blue Saver, a bouncing weeble-type character who moves through the website. choosing everything from hairstyle and skin color to the color of the Planet Blue Saver vest.  Navigation will provide communication options for site visitors who participate in games.

Developers of the site claim to be in the midst of developing a television series. A trailer can be seen at http://saveplanetblue.com/trailer/

Sustainable packaging winners announced. Source: Converting Magazine

This press release came at the end of May care of Converting Magazine. We usually tend to shy away from releases, however, what was covered here — sustainable packaging — was important enough we chose to offer the information and the video of the awards ceremonies by Dupont.

Have a look at some great works that combine imagination and social responsibility in the packaging field:

29 May 09 Wilmington, DE — “A diverse group of businesses in multiple market segments are turning to sustainable packaging solutions to improve the environmental profile of their product offerings, according to DuPont as the company today announced the winners of the 21st DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation at the industry’s first online interactive exchange on sustainable packaging (left). Winners include well-known brands such as Estee Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Conagra for food, pharmaceutical, personal-care and other packaging segments. For more information on the winners and their sustainable packaging innovations, click here.YouTube.com: DuPont Announces Winners of the 21st DuPont Awards for Sustainable Packaging. Video Link

During the event, members of the program’s independent jury panel provided their perspectives on the achievements of 10 winners from a diverse cross-section of food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other packaging segments. Julian Carroll, managing director of the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN), led an interactive session on issues arising from lack of consensus on standards for reporting sustainability of packaging.  Ronald Cotterman, executive director of sustainability for Sealed Air Corp., led a session on future post-use solutions for packaging after it has fulfilled its primary purpose of protecting food and other products. The event has been archived and is available by registering at this link.

“To reduce the event’s environmental footprint, DuPont is using web-based technology for the award ceremonies and related activities taking place at the DuPont Sustainable Packaging Exchange.  This enables the entire industry to learn from winners of this year’s DuPont Awards, which focuses on breakthroughs in sustainable packaging and to interact with industry experts.  This is aligned with DuPont’s commitment to help reduce the environmental footprint of the value chains where we participate,” added Weber.

The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation is the industry’s longest running, independently judged global awards program honoring packaging materials, technology and service innovations.  The program has a special emphasis on recognizing innovations that demonstrate sustainable packaging breakthroughs.  This year’s panel was facilitated by Anne Johnson, director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.  Over 120 entries were received from around the world.

View of Denver City & County Building from State Capitol. Pictures courtesy of www.aviewoncities.com

The City & County of Denver has partnered with Best Buy and Guaranteed Recycling Xperts (GRX) offering Denver residents an easy way to recycle their electronic items such as old televisions, monitors and computer components.

According to Denver Recycles, “Disassembling electronics for recycling is an intensive and costly process. The E-cycle Coupon helps to offset the cost of this process and enables resident to drop-off electronic items for recycling at a significantly discounted rate.  To apply for an E-cycle Coupon visit Denver Recycles online at DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.”

Today’s email from Denver Recycles continues:

Recycling fees with the E-cycle coupon are as follows:

First Item with coupon  Additional items with coupon    Regular Price (without coupon)
Monitors        $5                      $8                                                      $12
TV’s                 $10                   $15                                                     $15 to $40
Others            $2                      $2                                                      $5
(electronics & small appliances)

Old televisions and monitors with Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT’s) contain significant amounts of lead and other heavy metals, which are toxic substances. When televisions or monitors are placed in landfills and break apart, they release lead along with other toxins into our environment and create serious pollution problems.  Additionally, many electronics contain toxic metals and other hazardous materials, it is important that residents not place their electronics in City trash containers or in City alleys, as they can pose a health risk to neighbors and trash collectors handling these items.

Instead of disposing of electronic waste in the trash, these products can be disassembled and the metals inside, plastic shell and glass can all be recycled.  By recycling these materials, we can conserve our natural resources, reduce strip mining land, lower air and water pollution and lessen the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into our atmosphere.

The E-cycle Coupons are for residents living in the City & County of Denver only, and there is a limit of one coupon per home.  Only a limited number of E-cycle Coupons will be available, and coupons will have an expiration date.  Electronic items will need to be brought to GRX’s facility during normal working hours, and residents will need to present the coupon upon arrival.

To apply for an E-cycle Coupon, visit Denver Recycles online at DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.  Denver Recycles is a program of Denver Public Works/Solid Waste Management.

For more information about other Denver Recycles programs call 3-1-1 or visit us online at DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.

In Denver, Qwest and Grubb & Ellis, the property manager for the Qwest headquarters building in Denver, extinguished the iconic blue Qwest light in the Denver skyline in observance of Earth Hour.  We’d love to see more business participating in this event in future years.  It’s an easy, yet powerfully symbolically way to raise awareness about the need to address climate change in our public debate.

Here’s some images taken from the north side of Downtown Denver from before sunset, until after Earth Hour ended.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

12►