Kid Rewarded For Being Degrading

More than 500 billion plastic bags are  produced worldwide each year. While convenient to use, they can take up to a millennium to decompose, overtaking landfills, littering streets and parks, and killing the wildlife that mistake them for food. If only there was a way to make he plastic decompose faster it would be an environmentalist’s dream come true.

A teenager in Waterloo, Ontario has found a way to do just that. With a little preparation, some common household chemicals, and a few select microorganisms, Daniel Burd has been able to make plastic bags degrade in as little as three months – about the rate of a banana peel.

Play It Again, Samsung

In previous posts we reported about the growing problem of electronic waste (aka, e-waste) and even how some ‘businesses’ are taking advantage of the recycling process. But, wouldn’t it be better if businesses reinvested in existing technology, upgrading rather the continual cycle of replacement which adds to the landfills and the increases the likelihood of toxins being leeched into the soil?

Bring Your Best Game

For those of you that haven’t been paying attention, Christmas is a mere 137 days away. According to mass-merchants like Walgreens and Michaels it’s time to start making your list and checking it twice.

While you’re at it, you might as well add Bioviva and Head1liners to your list of stocking-stuffers, two ‘green’ games that are certain to be high on any eco-geek’s Christmas wish list.

The Green-Father, eh?

As the currents towards going green becomes increasingly stronger, everyone seems to be riding the wave… including criminals. In a report released this week by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC), organized crime in Canada is turning to environmental crime as an increasingly lucrative way to raise money.

The annual survey of organized crime indicates the mob is beginning to use such markets to complement traditional revenue sources, such as narcotics. Organized crime networks have developed underground markets for everything from electronic waste to scarce natural resources.

All Tied Up

Some guys I work with recently re-wired our main network closet. It was a huge effort to set-up and complete with little to no impact on our network. The actual re-wire took about 20 hours (straight) to complete, but took 2 months to prepare. I drew this cartoon for the company newsletter to recognize their efforts.

Kudos, guys!

By briansrapier

Fortune’s Favour Smiled Upon Me

DISCLAIMER: the following post is not at all related to business or environmentalism and only remotely related to technology. You have been warned.

This weekend I had the wonderful experience of *finally* seeing Great Big Sea in concert. I’ve been a fan for many years, but I only get out to see a concert once in a great while. I missed an opportunity last year when they played the Warner Theater in DC. But, that was actually a good thing because this time they played Wolf Trap – a beautiful, relaxed venue, not to mention easier to get to.

Big Blue Goes Green

IBM announced on Monday a plan to launch a consulting practice for reducing energy and water usage at businesses by using networked sensors and data analysis software. The group, code named “Green Sigma”, is based on the Lean Six Sigma management strategy that was originally designed to focus on operational efficiency and customer requirements.

Green Sigma’s mission started as an in-depth analysis of a company’s water and energy usage, both at its own facilities and also its supply chain partners. The concept worked so well that IBM is now piloting the method at two of its own facilities as well as with two of its customers’ organizations.

When You Wish Upon A (Green) Star

Environmentalism in a hot topic these days and has been receiving a lot of media attention. However, the green movement would not have made it this far without a little help from our friends in Hollywood.

Let’s face it, every time Brad Pitt farts he instantly winds up gracing the cover of 15 magazines. Wouldn’t it be great if he could do it while wearing an organic cotton shirt while driving a bio-diesel powered car? In the movie industry this is called ‘product placement’.

There are a number of stars that have voluntarily hopped on the eco-bandwagon. Long time environmentalists, such as Jack Nicolson blazed the path when most people weren’t even paying attention, while newcomers to the scene (e.g., Miley Cyrus) speak to the next generation.

Super-Kid Clobbers Water Wasters

The average American taking the average shower uses approximately 15,000 gallons of water per year – on average. Elizabeth Rintels, a 12-year-old from Keswick, Virginia is trying to break that ‘law’ of averages.

The 12-year-old from Keswick, Virginia devised a device called the “Water Watcher” which monitors personal water usage and alerts the ‘water waste’ when their usage becomes excessive. The device earned Elizabeth first prize in the national “Going Green Challenge”, winning out over thousands of other entries, and netted the pre-teen $10,000 (US) for her ingenious idea.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

By briansrapier