Spotted in India: Recycled Upholstery

While I didn't encounter a lot of evidence of recycling India I did spot these beach loungers in Goa that had been reupholstered with old advertising banners. I'm not sure if this was a very common practice as they were the only chairs that I saw like that out of the hundreds I passed by on the beach.

Spotted in India: Paper not Plastic

Based solely on my observations there India does not seem to have a strong infrastructure for dealing with trash or recycling, but it was nice to see at least that an effort is being made to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags (as evidenced by this sign spotted in Mumbai). Several stores offered inexpensive cloth bags as alternatives and one place even had these nifty bags made from recycled newspaper with a hand stenciled logo on them. Each one was unique and surprisingly sturdy.

Spotted in India: Coke Tree

Since I was in a more Christian part of India shortly after Christmas, there was still a lot of holiday related decoration up everywhere. In one town I saw this large faux Christmas tree covered in soda cans. I was hoping it was just a nice bit of recycling, but upon closer examination the decoration was clearly an advertising ploy as it was covered in only pristine Coca-Cola cans. Coke was also advertising their classic (white skinned) Santa Claus on billboards throughout the area as well.

Linkage: From Kafka Pest Kontrol to B'eau Pal Water

Yikes, where does the time go?! After heading down to Austin to talk at the How Design Conference and then opening After Life my art show at Quirk Gallery and finally a business trip to NYC, I've finally caught up with things enough in the office to return to my non-skull related blogging. First up, a bunch of links that have been sitting on my shelf that haven't quite hit their expiration date yet...


Literary reference trucks deliver books and a message about reading. (image shown, more HERE) via

SpecWatch keeps you updated on the insidious world of design competitions/crowdsourcing. Thanks @PrixMadonna

Captcha graffiti to tell if you're human or not. (image shown) via

A public bicycle counter shows that you are not the only one on two-wheels in Copenhagen.

Get a free brochure on how not to greenwash from Roughstock Studios.

You know you want a USB-powered chainsaw! via

Traitor Joe's gives you the dirt on a well-known (and similarly named) grocery chain's seafood sources. via

Bizarre attempt for a multi-national corporation to "localwash" (the local movement's equivalent of greenwashing). via

Boring flyers get free makeovers from Cardon Copy! (image shown) via

Reincarnated McMansion is going to take 1 wasteful house and turn it into 2 green homes! Thanks Stephanie!

The 3/50 Project wants to save local brick & mortar stores with your help. Thanks Mim!

Eco-Mag, a magazine about art, design & sustainability, is available as a free downloadable PDF via

B'eau Pal Water is the Yes Men's response to Dow Chemical's toxic waste in Bhopal. via

What happens when you put pianos on the street for anyone to use?

No Longer Empty turns vacant storefronts into art venues. via

Artist Favianna Rodriguez explains why is graffiti a good thing.

Eco-friendly cardboard coffins, come with the image of your choice printed directly on them. Thanks Amy!

Jamba Juice rips off Get Your War On! Thanks Kate!

Grand is turning their junk mail into self promotion. (image shown)

A newspaper in China goes from printing press to recyling bin with no stops in between.

SafeLink provides free cellphones and airtime for lower income Americans.

Linkage: Art Crimes and Clothing Punishment

The Onion Network is looking for socially conscious design and marketing partners.

Does the gay flag need a makeover?

Getting the word out with mud stencils (image shown).

What to do with reusable bags, when they're used up. Thanks Mim!

A hand-cranked eco-vibrator for the ultimate environmentalist. Thanks Leah!

Would you wear the same dress every day for a year if it was for a good cause? via

Making a barrel monster will get you arrested in North Carolina (image shown) Thanks Carlos!

Who doesn't like free books?

Mass consumption visualized.

Artist Chris Jordan talks about his large scale photographs documenting and visualizing our mass consumer culture...

Chris Jordan at Gel 2007 from Gel Conference on Vimeo.

1,500 bottles = 1 second

Watershed is an installation for the upcoming Figment Art Festival on Governors Island in NYC made out of 1,500 plastic water bottles, representing one second of consumption in the US...

Watershed Assembly at MSLK 5/24/09 from MSLK on Vimeo.

Linkage: From Self-Erasing Paper to Self-Imposed Homelessness

Xerox's answer to recycling: paper that erases itself! via

Innovative campaign makes you into a homeless person (image shown).

Disney may need to sue themselves for copyright infringement. via

One for the true design geeks: "Helveticaca" Onesies (image shown).

And a few longer articles worth reading...

Ode on the mainstreaming of social entrepreneurship.
and a medicine hunter's support of indigenous cultures.

Mother Jones on the future of sustainable food in the US, fake farmer's markets, and bio-fuels VS rainforests.

Linkage: Cooking with Blockbuster and Pimping the Homeless

Growing your own food and have too much, why not trade with fellow gardeners? Thanks Scott!

PimpThisBum.com written on homeless man's sign makes a real difference. (image shown) via Thanks Russ!

New label to look out for in the coming years: Water Stewardship. via

E-waste recycling done right, in pictures (image shown). Thanks Mim!

Improv Everywhere's April Fool's video ends fooling newscasters who don't do their research.

DIY stove made from Blockbuster drop box. (image shown)

Target Women's hilarious take on Carl's Jr. ads is not to be missed.

Reclaimed Trophies

I was recently hired to design four trophies for the Better Housing Coalition here in Richmond, VA. The organization, which builds housing in the city for people who usually can't afford it, is having their first annual Leadership Awards ceremony in an old wood mill that is in the process of being transformed into a mixed-use community. In the spirit of the transformation I was invited to scavenge materials that were left over from the previous owners to create the trophies. They are entirely made from the reclaimed materials and finished with water-based stains and coatings. Titles and descriptions of each award were used as inspiration for the designs...


Creative Collaborator - Individual or entity that encourages and participates in community enhancing collaborations.























Changer of Lives - Individual or entity that strengthens families and improves lives within Greater Richmond.





















Community Revitalizer - Individual or entity that strives to positively transform areas within Greater Richmond.























Henry David Thoreau Environmental Conservator - Individual or entity that promotes preservation of the earth through exemplary environmental responsibility and innovative green practices.

Bury Your Words

LANDFILL is a new annual publication promoting the use of recycled/able materials in printing. The first issue, created by designer Brian Ponto in partnership with green printer Greg Barber Co., features real stories of second chances at life that were then printed on flower seed infused paper and buried. Read the entire first issue online HERE.

Linkage: Organic Hamsters and Heartwarming Graffiti

Heartwarming graffiti that no one will complain about. via

Do you trust a bank whose logo looks like underpants? Thanks Sherry & John!

Ant-consumerist Rev. Billy is running for Mayor of New York. via

Nature's Revenge graffiti (image shown) via

"Available Online For Free" the sticker (image shown) via

Biodegradable bag lasts just 60 days via

How green is your toilet paper? via

Hamsters prefer organic food, or at least this one does. via

Take Back The Filter: Success!

A while back I posted about an attempt to get Brita (and other similar companies) to recycle their disposable water filters, that many people use as an alternative to bottled water, and I am very happy to learn that the campaign was a success!

The Take Back The Filter Campaign has just announced that at long last Brita will be implementing a recycling program for it's water filters by partnering with Recycline (makers of recycled toothbrushes and razors). They will be collecting filters starting in January 2009 at pick up locations in Whole Food stores and also via the mail.

Full details are HERE.

Congratulations to Beth Terry who started the campaign and whose efforts made this possible!

(Why the massive effort had to be made by an individual and not just be a matter of course of running a business in today's world is another matter to address later).

Spotted in NYC: Office Space

Saw this amazing chandelier made out of thousands of paperclips at Metropolitan Home's Showtime House. It's designed by Gary Ponzo and costs thousands of dollars, though with an excess of office supplies and a long weekend you could probably make your own DIY version for just a few bucks!

Recyled Plastic Laptop Sleeve

Just had to show off my lovely new custom laptop sleeve made from fused plastic bags by Bekah Worley. Not only is her work both beautiful and environmentally friendly, but it's really affordable too! Check out her blog Recycling Is Rad and see more of her stuff for sale on her Etsy page.

SustainAble Book + Interview

SustainAble is an invaluable new practical handbook on environmentally conscious graphic design from Rockport Books. Author Aaris Sherin, has done a fantastic job of compliling the latest information on materials and techniques for designers interested in working with the environment in mind [full disclosure, my company is featured prominenetly, but I really would recommend it regardless]. Not only is the content on point, but the book itself was printed using a range of sustainable methods (a rarity in publishing). Going beyond standard recycled papers, they actually used make-ready sheets for the covers and end papers. The last real handbook on these issues (The Complete Guide To Eco-Friendly Design by Poppy Evans) came out in 1997 and has been out of print for years, so this type of book has been long overdue. Considering the massive increase in interest in going "green" by corporate America, the need for designers knowledgeable about these issues will only continue to grow as well. Kudos to Rockport being the first to fill the void.

Aaris kindly agreed to a mini-interview about the book, so I sent her a few minimalist questions to answer however she interpreted them...

ALR: Why now?
Aaris Sherin: Graphic Designers tend to be concerned about social and environmental issues, and yet many have not idea how to apply this ideology to their professional practice. Increasingly clients are asking for eco-friendly design solutions and many practitioners are tasked with having to learn the relevant problem-solving and technical specifications for environmentally preferable production. To date there really hasn't been a comprehensive resource to go to for this information. My idea was to make a sort of one-stop reference for
those interested in the topic. The book covers topics that include sustainable forestry, basic history and theory, as well as practical information about eco-friendly production materials and techniques. The second half of the book is devoted to case studies that trace how designers approached specific projects with the environment and social systems in mind.

ALR: How?
Aaris Sherin: The book is filled with tips for how to approach design problem solving and production with sustainability in mind. Here are a few of the most basic. 1. Using proper sizes or asking for custom sheets is an easy way to reduce waste 2. Every designer should be able to identify and understand the value of FSC and other third part certifications 3. Eco-friendly paper doesn't always cost more. 4. Creating customized environmental checklists is a great way to bring consistent value to clients

ALR: So what?
Aaris Sherin: I really believe that design has a crucial role to play as we move toward the cultural shift that will need to happen in order to become more sustainable. Graphic design is so often the conduit between manufacturing/services and customers/audiences; as such we can bring value to clients who working with environmental and social consciousness in mind. By making simple changes in the way we work and offering our services to like-minded organizations there is an opportunity to make fantastic, visually arresting work that doesn't have to cost the earth.

ALR: What's next?
Aaris Sherin: There are so many people (many of whom were early adopters) who have created their own resources, libraries, and community groups for teaching and practicing sustainable design. As I talked to people I realized that a lot of them are duplicating each other's work. We really need more resources and more sharing of information so that the next generation isn't tasked with replicating our work.


SustainAble is in stores now and of course available via Powells and Amazon.com.

For Vegetarian Trophy Hunters

I couldn't resist buying one of these lovely laser-cut recycled/recyclable corrugated cardboard puzzle animal head trophies from Cardboard Safari today.

Spotted in San Francisco part I: City Compost Bin

For those of you in S.F., this post won't be a big deal, but for folks like me in places where having a recycling pick up at your house is a big deal* it was quite a shock to learn that the city of San Francisco picks up compostable items as well as the usual trash and recycling. Considering that city dwellers don't often have the yards necessary to do their own composting or the interest in keeping worms under their sinks, this is a fairly awesome thing. Does anyone know if this service exists in other US cities? In other countries?

*Buildings with more than 4 apartment units in Richmond, Virginia don't get recycling pick ups!

Take Back My TV

Take Back My TV is a campaign to get TV manufacuturers to take responsibility for recycling the products they create, especially as more and more are being discarded in anticipation of the impending change to digital only broadcasts. Find out more HERE.

Secret Life of Cell Phones

The Secret Life of Cell Phones is a mini-documentary from Inform on the environmental reality of our cell phone addiction ...

via Inhabitat

Brita Filter Recycling Campaign

Beth Terry has started a grassroots campaign on her Fake Plastic Fish blog to encourage Brita, the popular water filter manufacturer (owned by Clorox), to take back and recycle their used filters. Get the details and find out how to get involved HERE.

Thanks Jessica!

Paper Calculator

Environmental Defense has created an easy way to determine the benefits of using recycled papers in your print projects. By filling out a few fields on their Paper Calculator you can quickly see how much wood and energy are used and how much wastewater, solid waste, and greenhouse gases are created by your paper choices. You can even compare multiple papers and display the data as a chart of graph. Check out this handy tool HERE.

How To Make Books

My friend Esther, from the lovely little artists' letterpress Purgatory Pie Press, has a new book out that is definitely worth picking up. Chock full of easy instructions with clear illustrations How To Make Books is a handy resource for crafters, zinesters, designers, recyclers, and artists alike. I especially like the suggestions for making books out of recycled paper, envelopes, postcards, and even cake boxes! Plus the whole thing is beautifully designed and would make a lovely conversation piece on your coffee table. Look for it at your local independent bookseller!

Target Goes Thrifty

Sometimes a step forward is a step back.
After seeing that many used electronics were returned to their stores in "perfect working order", Target retailers decided to start selling used electronics through their website. (Reuters - Link)

The 'Pre-Owned' page on Target.com currently offers a variety of iPods as well as big ticket items like rear-projection TVs and plasma screens.

Looks like just the thing for this frugal holiday season!

e-waste documentary

eDump is a documentary by Michael Zhao about the problem with electronic waste. It follows America's 2.6 million tons of annual e-waste as it travels to foreign countries for recycling and the pollution and health problems it causes along the way. This powerful short film can be watched in its entirety on Zhao's site HERE. Find out more about e-waste HERE.






Thanks Anne!

Compact Fluorescent Recycling

You now have another way to recycle your dead compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can take them with you to Ikea. The store's new program allows you to bring in any brand of CFLs thus preventing the toxic mercury within from ending up in landfills.

via EcoGeek

Kleenex Strikes Out

In a follow up to their previous hijacking of a Kleenex commercial in NYC the folks at Greenpeace follow the film crew to Chicago as part of their Kleerkut campaign to encourage Kimberly-Clark to stop using old growth forest trees in their paper products...

News Roundup

Getting caught up here from a very busy spell, I have lots to post, plus it's Blog Action Day so definitely want to get some environmental links out there. Here's a smattering to start you off...

From the Christian Science Monitor:
Amazon Farmers work with Corporations to Save the Forest
New Yorkers Using Biodiesel for Heating

From Ode Magazine:
Sesame Street working for Middle East Peace
Organic Agriculture CAN Feed The World
How Hospitals Make You Sick

From Mother Jones:
The Problem with Plastics (including a handy chart for your fridge)

21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle

The current issue of Co-Op America Quarterly gives a quick overview of recycling options for just about everything you can think of (from Appliances to Tyvek Envelopes) in "21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle". It's pretty basic, but if you know someone who is just getting becoming more environmentally concerned it's a good starting place. Get the entire list of 21 things here.

Freitag's Recycled Shipping Container Store

Freitag, Swiss manufacturer of sexy recycled bags, has built a new flagship store in Zurich out of recycled shipping containers! More details at Telstar Logistics.

via Superuse.org

Computer Recycling Made Easy

The Computer Take Back Campaign has made a simple downloadable PDF of the latest information on recycling old computers for individual consumers. If you're ready upgrade grab this handy guide here (PDF updated March 07). And if you want to learn more about or join the campaign to encourage computer manufacturers to take more responsibility for the products they create visit the Computer Take Back site for details.

Light Bulb Recycling

While more geared towards industrial users, LampRecycle.org is a good resource for information on recycling mercury-containing light bulbs (called "lamps" in the industry). This will be a growing concern as more folks use (and discard) compact florescent bulbs.
They recommend consumers use Earth911 to find local recycling facilities by zip code.

Whose Fault?

I just spotted this ad on an environmental website and had to laugh at the audacity. Gee, thanks for letting us take care of your waste problem.

Kleenex Cleanup

In this video, Greenpeace activists annoy a Kleenex commercial film crew.

The Kleenex campaign Greenpeace is manipulating here, is distasteful on many levels. Asking people to tell personal stories which drive them to tears on camera in exchange for 200 Dollars if ad execs find it worthy enough to use in their million dollar tissue marketing campaign is, well, as gross as a snotty, slimey, used Kleenex brand tissue.

I am not sure how effective this action was in the tradition of Greenpeace 'direct action' but I like that they can piggy-back off of an expensive ad campaign to make a little YouTube video and promote their cause for free.

Recycled Coffin

From the UK comes the environmental friendly coffin: EcoPod. It's made of 100% recycled paper and is available in a range of colors and designs (including gold leaf!). The company also offers an acorn shaped recycled paper urn. Get the details here.