Recycling Plastic into Oil

A Japanese company called Blest created a small, very safe and easy to use machine that can convert several types of plastic back into oil.

You put in plastic bags, styrofoam containers and bottle caps and out comes gasoline, diesel, or propane. I hope that someday soon plastic bottles and styrofoam containers will be eliminated, but until that day we have to do something with them. Recycling them would be so cool.

I want one of these machines....

Here is the video and article.  Watch the movie and be amazed. the article is pretty long, but worth your time. http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/plastic-to-oil-fantastic/

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Recycled Sneakers Help Kids in Need

Greg Woodburn, a sophomore at the USC cleans used sneakers and shares them with underprivileged children in the United States and 20 other countries. I'm going to look in my closet right now, surely there is an old sneaker waiting for a new life.

Read his story online at the Reader's Digest
http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/recycled-sneakers-fit-for-sharing/article167335.html

Learn more about his non profit -  Woodburn's Share Our Soles (S.O.S.)
http://www.shareoursoles.org/

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Goats Gobble up Kudzu

Folks in Atlanta are using Goats to get rid of kudzu (an invasive grass). No need to use Roundup or other harmful chemicals, just Goats. I hope Goats will be used in more situations where chemicals have previously been employed. I hear they can eat berry bushes and poison oak.

Read all about it at:
http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2010/10/01/trees-atlanta-employs-goats-yes-goats-to-clean-up-kudzu-at-future-beltline-park

The organization that rented out the goats may have other interesting ideas visit their site at: http://www.treesatlanta.org/

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Tree Planting in San Francisco

Charlie Starbuck has helped to plant trees on the streets of San Francisco for 30 years. As an avid gardener I applaud Charlies efforts. Trees give me tremendous  satisfaction in my backyard and I am sure the trees Charlie has planted have brought great joy to San Franciscans. 

I admire his efforts to "spread the green" in an urban environment. Planting a tree is such a "hopeful" event.

Read about Charlie's efforts at

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0405/One-man-s-volunteer-effort-to-plant-trees-in-San-Francisco

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Shower to the People

Frank and Louise Fargo from Everett, Washington have a mobile home they use to offer showers to  homeless folks who are in need. How cool is that? Its a simple comfort, provided by generous hard working people.

Read about the Fargos at
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100923/NEWS01/709239891/0/FRONTPAGE

How you can help

Donations of toiletries and new socks and underwear can be dropped off at Cascade View Presbyterian Church, 1030 E. Casino Road, Everett.

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Welcome

This blog is a collection of posts about "ideas that work". Simple, isn't it?
I find myself  in a world where the news is filled with failed programs, wasted tax dollars,  discouraging statistics, and folks screaming at each other.

After watching this news, I often need a lift.

If you are tired of hearing about how our schools are broken, alarmed by Global Warming, or annoyed by fanatics, check in often, to read about ideas that make things better. Learn about folks who are helping to solve problems.  Who knows, maybe you can use some of these ideas in your community?

I love finding out about people, organizations, and governments that are making things better. I find it immensely inspiring. After reading one of these stories I find myself thinking about it at random times during the day. A little bit of encouraging news can go a long way.

I hope my discoveries can also cheer you.

Please send me a note if you discover an "idea that works" so we can all be encouraged, motivated, and enriched. lhemenway@santarosa.edu

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