Yahoo! Green: RECYCLING

20 money-saving ways to reuse old pantyhose

Jeff Yeager — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:30:59 PDT

[In his ongoing but sporadic series Don't Throw That Away!, the Green Cheapskate shows you how to repurpose just about anything, saving money and the environment in the process. Send him your repurposing ideas and challenges, but whatever you do, don't throw that away!]

I was a bank robber, the first Halloween I can remember. That involved carrying a burlap bag filled with stacks of newsprint "loot" over my shoulder, wearing a black turtleneck sweater like Illya Kuryakin wore in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and -- most memorably -- sliding one of my grandmother's worn out silk stockings over my head.

That memory (the last part, in particular) is etched upon my mind. And, my therapist says, no amount of counseling is ever likely to erase it.

Silk stockings are of course as long gone as my dear grandmother; truly sad to say, in both cases. But here are 20 creative ways to repurpose today's worn-out nylon pantyhose, even if you're not planning to rob a bank:

Gift wrap storage: Keep rolls of gift paper neat and tatter-free by storing them in old pantyhose -- one roll per leg -- and hanging them in the closet.
Green Cheapskate soap on a rope: Put bath soap slivers in the foot of a pair of pantyhose to get every last bit of suds out of them in the shower. Rub-a-dub-dub, there's a cheapskate in my tub. (See more "Recycling Oddities.")
Plant ties: Use lengths of pantyhose to stake up tomatoes and other plants in the garden; because of its elasticity, it's easier on tender plants than string.
Mold and mildew stoppers: Partially fill pantyhose with kitty litter and place in shoes, luggage, closets, dressers, etc., to absorb moisture and reduce mold and mildew.
Panty-pantry storage: Store onions, potatoes, and garlic in pantyhose and hang them in the pantry to promote good air circulation and keep them from rotting.
Sweet smelling sachets: Fill lengths of pantyhose with potpourri, tie off at both ends, and use to keep closets and dressers smelling sweet. They also work well when filled with cedar shavings or moth-repelling herbs to prevent damage to clothing in storage.
Pillow stuffing: Cut pantyhose into strips and use to stuff throw pillows or toys.
Repair torn pair in a pinch: If she has a run in the left leg and a matching pair with a run in the right, my wife sometimes cuts off her bad legs (so to speak) and doubles up, wearing two layers of panties with a good leg attached to each. (God I love that frugal woman.)
Packing peanut storage: Store menacing foam packing peanuts in a pair of pantyhose to keep them from invading the house until you're ready to reuse them. Cut a hole in the toe and tie it off with a twisty seal for easy peanut dispensing.
Homemade Bungee cords: The elasticity of pantyhose make them perfect all-purpose tie down straps, or tie a metal "S" hook from the hardware store on each end for a homemade Bungee cord.
Lint mitt: Use like a mitten to remove lint and pet hair from clothing and upholstery rather than a lint brush. The mitt will also remove deodorant residue from clothing.
Scratch-less scrubbers: Try pantyhose to scrub tile and other surfaces where you're afraid of scratches. Also good for applying polishes to silver, brass, gold and other easily scratched metals.
Protect prized veggies: Put pantyhose over vegetables like squash and melons while they're still growing in the garden to protect against pest damage without using chemical pesticides. Is that a zucchini in your pantyhose, or are you just happy to see me?
Flower bulb storage: Store seasonal bulbs in pantyhose and hang them up in a dry place to promote good air circulation.
Shoe shine buffer: Old pantyhose are perfect for putting the spit-shine on shoes.
Wear them outdoors: Guys, don't be shy about sporting a pair of worn out pantyhose next time you go camping or work in the yard. Real outdoorsmen (and outdoorswomen) have known for years that they prevent chigger and other insect bites and minimize foot blister.
Draft dodgers: Partially fill pantyhose with kitty litter to seal off cold drafts from under doors and windows.
Fishing trick: When I wasn't wearing my Granny's worn out stockings over my head, my Gramps was using them to catch catfish. He'd wrap a piece of chicken liver bait in a section of nylon stocking to keep it on the hook; the fish would still bite, and he'd still have his bait.
Paint/stain/plaster applicator: Use pantyhose to add interesting texture and designs when applying and/or finishing paint and plaster.
Special photo effects: Stretch pantyhose over your camera lens to give photos a muted or starburst effect. (Note: It's best to have her take them off before you try this.)

Jeff Yeager is the author of the book The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches. His website is www.UltimateCheapskate.com.

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Which batteries to recycle, which to trash

TDG Community — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PDT

Stephen O'Shea asks: My high school has been collecting a large quantity of used household batteries with the intention of having them recycled. But when I contacted the local recycling agencies, they said these types of batteries are just considered trash. Before I dump them in the trash, do you know anymore about this?

Manna Jo Greene replies:

Rechargeables need to be recycled: Nickel-cadmium and ni-metal hydride batteries are made with heavy metals.

In early 90s, I served on the New York State Battery Task Force and we (collectively those working on battery issues) got the industry to stop using mercury in alkaline, single-use AAA, AA, A, C, and D batteries as an antioxidant (Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996).

So these batteries are not toxic per se, but do contain a metal (steel) casing and can technically be recycled with scrap metal if you have a metal can full of them, but make sure they are fully discharged. Also, do not close the storage container tightly as they can give off some hydrogen. Most people just put these safely into the trash.

It's lead, NiCd, NiMH, and lithium batteries that are toxic. Mercuric oxide, rare specialty batteries are not used by general public, but must be recycled. Zinc air and silver oxide are substitutes.

Silver oxide batteries contain silver, a precious metal, and should be recycled and can be easily.

Lead acid batteries (for autos) must be recycled, and there is a rebate in N.Y. when you trade them in.

Lithium batteries are highly reactive and should be recycled.

In summary, rechargeables and button cells can and should be recycled, single-use can be tossed.

More info on battery recycling.

Manna Jo Greene is the environmental director of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

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How to make handmade paper ... from trash

Adina Levin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:17:11 PDT

Adina Levin, co-founder of Collab, an ambitious new project aimed at re-localizing the economy by enabling artists, artisans, and inventors to collaborate in the same space with a variety of efficient green machine tools. It's based in Manhattan.

In her spare time, Adina is a crafter extraordinaire, and The Daily Green recently asked her to show us how to make beautiful handmade paper -- a great gift -- from the trash in your paper recycling bin.

The instructions are straightforward, the video shows you how. Just add your own trash and some creativity, and your homemade paper-making days have begun.

Supplies

Frame or old window screen
Screen (silk screen fabric, old stockings, or window screen)
Duct tape or staple gun
Plastic bin or cookie sheet (larger than the screen and deep enough to hold enough water to cover screen with water)
Blender (food processor or a handheld blender)
Paper (junk mail, bills, old catalogs, memos from the boss, magazines, etc.)
Sponge
Old rags or a very absorbent towel
Draining board or something to lay wet screen on

Make your screen

Use the frame to make your mold. Take the screen fabric, and stretch it over the frame.
Staple or adhere the screen fabric so that it becomes the bottom of your mold. It is important to make sure that the screen is stretched tightly and that no water can escape through the edges of the screen.
After your first side is tacked down, make sure your next area to tack will be the opposite side.
Once your screen is made, set it aside. You can continue to use this mold and change out the fabric as often as you like. Different textures will create various effects. It is fun to experiment with different kinds of materials to use as your mold.

Make your pulp and paper

Gather the junk mail or whatever material you would like to use for your pulp. You can mix different kinds of paper and experiment to produce different colors, textures, and styles.
Fill the container you are using as a tub with water. Make sure that you use enough water to submerge your screen. If you do not have a plastic container, you can also use duct tape to cover the kitchen sink drain.
Rip up the paper into smaller sheets, use your judgment based on the kind of equipment you are blending with. If you have a hand blender, you can blend your paper into pulp right inside the plastic container. If you are using a blender or food processor, throw your ripped sheets of junk mail or whatever you are recycling in the blender and fill it with water.
Blend. You can experiment with different consistencies of the pulp by using different speeds on the blender.
You can add color to your pulp in this step or wait until later. Depending on what you are using as the base for your pulp, you may find that your pulp turns a color because of the ink used on the substrate you are blending.
Once you are satisfied with your pulp mixture, place the screen in the water and pour the mixture on top of the screen to catch the pulp.
Move your fingers around a bit on top of the screen so that the pulp covers the middle of the screen in a paper-like shape, without a lot of holes.
Once you are satisfied with the placement of the pulp, lift up the mold from the water and hold it still as the water drains from the screen.
Once the draining slows, place the screen on your draining area and gently use a sponge or towel to pick up any excess water. You can squeeze excess water back into the pulp mixture, or add more pulp to fill holes.
Place the absorbent towel over the wet paper pulp and press it down so that it creates a bond with the sheet you are making. Use your judgment as to when the sheet is ready to lift of the screen.
Turn the screen over and scratch the opposite side of the screen so that the paper begins to separate from the screen and falls off on the transfer fabric you are using
Take your sheet and dry it in the sun or leave it by a window. You can hang dry it or set it flat to dry. Depending on the thickness of the sheet drying times will vary.
You can add different elements of color and texture to your paper at any time during paper-making process. Use all of your pulp and if you have left over scraps recycle them for your next project ...

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10 creative ways to reuse packing peanuts

Jeff Yeager — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:31:48 PDT

(Getty Images)

I've always hated those foam packing peanuts that fly out of the box and end up everywhere whenever you open a mail-order package. They seem to be a product designed more to annoy the recipient than to protect the recipient's cargo.

In fairness to the packing peanut industry, they have made some strides over the years to at least make some packing peanuts more eco-friendly, if no less annoying.

There are even new, environmentally friendly packing peanuts on the market that are made out of corn starch, wheat, and other natural materials, so they biodegrade quickly and some even dissolve in water. Shippers will usually put a slip in with your shipment letting you know if they use biodegradable peanuts, in which case you can just add them to your compost pile.

Traditional packing peanuts are made out of polystyrene and are now color coded to indicate the origin of the material they contain. Polystyrene takes hundreds of years to decompose in nature, so recycling it is key. Green-colored packing peanuts are made from at least 70% recycled material, while white and pink colored peanuts are composed of at least 70% raw (i.e., non-recycled) materials.

Here are my prescriptions for creatively reusing foam packing peanuts so you'll save money and save the planet:

Reuse: Shipping services like Mailboxes, Etc. will often accept peanut donations, as will many stores and businesses that do a lot of shipping. If nothing else, list them on the Freecycle Network, since someone in your area is bound to be moving or shipping something.

Or reuse them yourself. Store packing peanuts in an old pair of pantyhose to keep them from over taking your house until you're ready to ship them off to someone else. Cut a hole in the toe -- if there's not already one there -- and tie it off with a twisty-seal for easy peanut dispensing.

Recycle: More and more recycling programs are accepting packing peanuts, but make sure you put them in a bag or box so that they don't escape and invade the neighborhood.

Refuse: If you detest packing peanuts as much as I do, ask mail-order companies if they use them before you agree to place an order, and encourage them to use the new biodegradable variety.

Sometimes companies, particularly smaller outfits, will agree to ship your order with shredded newspaper or some other more eco-friendly substitute instead.

Make ice last longer: Put packing peanuts in a sealable plastic bag and place on top of the ice in your ice chest. The ice will last longer and everything will stay colder.

Potted plant drainage: Substituting packing peanuts (the non-biodegradable variety) for gravel in the base of potted plants not only provides good drainage, but it makes the containers much lighter and easier to move.

(Photo: Lenore M. Edman /
www.evilmadscientist.com)

Stuff a costume: Whether it's Santa's belly at Christmastime, a goblin for the front yard for Halloween, or a scarecrow for the summer garden, think packing peanuts whenever you need some lightweight costume stuffing.

Floating key chain: Thread a few packing peanuts on your key chain if you're going boating or to the beach. They'll keep your keys from sinking to the bottom of the deep blue sea.

Perfect pet pillows: Use packing peanuts to stuff a pillow for your pooch or a cushion for your kitty.

Deck the halls: String up multicolored packing peanuts instead of old-fashioned popcorn and cranberries for some festive yuletide decorations. Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like repurposing would-be throwaways.

Home Insulation? No, but maybe an entire home: Unlike foam insulating materials used in home construction, packing peanuts have not been treated to make them flame retardant, so they shouldn't be used as insulation.

But that didn't keep this 12-year old genius from building an inexpensive, modular home for disaster victims out of them. Check out the video:

Jeff Yeager is the author of the book The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches. His website is www.UltimateCheapskate.com.

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Recycling your cell phone just got easier

Megan Treacy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:52:00 PDT

While some cell phone companies are introducing convenient ways for you to recycle your phone once you're done with it, a new start-up is making it just plain simple. EcoATM will be deploying kiosks at retailers around the country where you can drop off your old phone, have its value assessed and immediately get an in-store trade-up coupon or gift card.

The first of these kiosks has been stationed at the Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha for the last year. After great success with that one kiosk, the company is going install the e-cycler at wireless and big box stores in San Diego, Washington state and Vermont in the next couple of months. By the second quarter of next year, the kiosks will be popping up around the country and the machines will soon be able to accept other gadgets like MP3 players, cameras and laptops.

The EcoATMs have cameras that can detect damage to the phone and then come up with its value. If the phone is worth nothing, you can still choose to have it recycled and receive a free waterproof phone case and, for every phone recycled, the company plants a tree. The machine will also recycle your used batteries.

The company makes it beneficial to the retailers by installing the machines at no cost and making the payments redeemable in-store, increasing their sales. It also allows them to apply donations from the machine to their favorite charity.

via CNET

Seven frightfully fun costumes made from recycled materials

Brian Clark Howard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:02:29 PDT

Dressing up is one of the best things about Halloween. However, it also can be one of the most wasteful when millions of Americans purchase ready-made costumes, wear them once, then cast them off.

So instead of filling up landfills with once-used plastics and fabrics, get creative and come up with your own unique look made from reused and recycled materials. You'll save money, as well as reduce impact on the planet.

(Photo: Jen Cahill)

Sweet Treats

Jen Cahill snapped this adorable photo of her daughters in cupcake and cotton candy costumes.

These sweet designs were homemade with love from recycled tights, leggings, a laundry basket, and bits of fabric.

We're sure they love saying "trick or treat"!

(Photo: Lenore M. Edman /
www.evilmadscientist.com)

Handmade Crocodile

The creative folk over at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories made this fearsome crocodile costume out of a cardboard box, some butcher paper, tissue paper, and a little tape.

The site gives detailed instructions on how to fold, cut, and tape it in the right places. Pair with an old clock and a friend dressed as a recycled Captain Hook for a great theme duo (actually, the Peter Pan possibilities may be endless).

Plus, when you are finished scaring your friends and neighbors with your toothy grin, you can easily recycle the cardboard once again.

(Photo: Lizette Greco / Grecolaborativo)

Recycled Witch

Much older than Halloween itself is the figure of the witch, which has taken different forms over the centuries in different parts of the world. Now, the classic costume is getting a green makeover, thanks to Lizette Greco of the family collective Grecolaborativo.

Lizette's crafty witch costume was handmade from recycled fabric (the hat came from a thrift store). The cauldron was made from papier-mâché, wire, and cork, and the accompanying frog, rat, and spider were handmade.

Lizette and her family handmake a delightful array of plush animals and costumes from recycled and reused materials. Most of their designs are based on children's artwork, and they remind all of us to embrace our youthful spirit.

(Photo: kudzutech / Flickr)

Recycled Samurai

This fantastic samurai costume was made from Rubbermaid 32-gallon garbage cans and rubber stoppers. Talk about taking the battle against trash literally!

The costume's creator, Flickr user kudzutech, told TDG that a grateful Rubbermaid has sent him six new garbage cans free for this year's costume.

Of course, that's not quite recycling, but we get the idea.

(Photo: Windell H. Oskay / www.evilmadscientist.com)

Recycled Umbrella Bat

Winged mammals of the night, bats are extremely beneficial to farmers, as well as natural ecosystems (not to mention anyone plagued by mosquitoes). Unfortunately, bats have long been misunderstood, even persecuted, and their numbers have been dwindling due to habitat loss, pollution, and other factors.

But you can show your love for this age-old, warm-blooded symbol of Halloween with a clever, relatively easy costume fashioned from an old umbrella.

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories shows you exactly how. The only materials you need are an umbrella and a hooded zippered sweatshirt, as well as some common tools: needle and thread, pins, pliers, scissors, and bolt cutters or tin snips.

(Photo: CoderKev / Flickr)

Lego Shaun of the Dea

North Carolina-based Flickr user CoderKev says he came up with this quirky mash-up in a hurry after his original Halloween plans fell through. He had seen a Lego costume on another site, and somehow came up with the idea of mixing it up with the lead from one of his favorite movies.

On Xenomachina, you can get detailed instructions on how to make your own Lego head from Styrofoam and some paint. For the boxy body, find some old cardboard.

Given the enormity of the Lego universe, we're thinking there are a lot of opportunities for individual expression.

(Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Gleich / segnyc.com)

Segway Zoltar

Last year, New Yorker Jonathan Gleich wowed the Greenwich Village Halloween parade with his whimsical Segway Pirate.

In summer, he took first prize at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade with his homemade Zoltar creation, again using his Segway as a moving base (so clever!).

Gleich told us he normally commutes to work with his Segway (sans outlandish outfit). See behind-the-scenes photos of Zoltar here. Hopefully some memorable costumes will be in your near future.

Have a happy, creative Halloween!

Check out this video of Zoltar in action:

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Five homes made out of the darndest things

Brian Clark Howard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:15:53 PDT

Green building -- designing homes and businesses to maximize energy and water efficiency and minimize harm to the environment -- has been gathering steam across much of the world.

In New York City, architects are exploring the exciting potential of growing fresh food in the urban landscape through green roofs and vertical farms. In the heartland, more folks are taking advantage of home energy tax credits to tighten up their home's seal, invest in more efficient systems, and install renewable energy. Folks are even taking green digs on the road with them!

There are many ways regular folks can green up their current residences, from swapping out those light bulbs to planting shade trees. This article isn't about those things. It's more along the lines of the famous "hobbit house," which combines elements of the old-fashioned prairie sod-house with a whimsical, aspirational attitude of "why not?"

We don't expect most people will be moving into reclaimed trains, planes, and automobiles any time soon. But we do think these home designs are a lot of fun. They show what's possible if we think outside the ticky-tacky box and dream of something different. You may not be reusing an airplane wing today, but maybe you can reuse some second-hand lumber or furniture or perhaps switch to paints that are better for your air quality.

(Photo: JoAnn Ussery)

Houses made from airplanes

A number of creative individuals have taken to converting used airplanes into living spaces. Some relish the novelty and connection to aviation, while others trumpet the toughness of the frames themselves, not to mention low cost.

In 1994, a hairstylist in Benoit, Mississippi, named JoAnn Ussery lost her 1,400-square-foot house to an ice storm. Ussery had a relative who worked in aviation, and the two came up with the idea to salvage a Continental Airlines 727.

It cost her $2,000 to buy the plane, $4,000 to move it to her lakeside lot, and about $24,000 to outfit it comfortably. Ussery did much of the renovation herself and took advantage of the ample windows and storage bins, as well as lavatory. Ussery told reporters that she was mainly attracted to the idea due to the plane's affordability and durability.

Mercedes-Benz dealer Francie Rehwald of Malibu, California, has been working on a unique home built from an entire recycled Boeing 747, at an estimated cost of $2 million. Rehwald told reporters she is interested in green building, and that her project involves turning the wings into a roof, the nose into a meditation temple, and the trademark "bulge" into a loft.

(Stan Fader / Flickr )

Boat houses

Lots of resourceful people have converted boats into living quarters on dry land.

One fine example can be found on South Bass Island in Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay, Ohio. After 50 years of service on the Great Lakes, the good ship Benson Ford (built by Henry Ford!) was sectioned by an enterprising Ohio couple, who turned the most elegant cabins into a private residence.

In the 1920s, a southern California architect and recycler by the name of Miles Minor Kellogg built two distinctive homes in the shape of boats, out of bits of material he found locally.

(Photo: Courtesy of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage)

Converted grain bins

Another intriguing idea is making your home out of an existing grain bin. Many of the houses are surprisingly attractive with decent lighting. Used grain bins are common in many rural areas and can often be bought for a song. They aren't even that daunting to move, given the right gear of course.

The sustainable living center known as Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, Missouri, converted a grain bin into a two-bedroom apartment.

According to the center, "We chose the grain bin because it already had walls, a roof, and a concrete floor. This made for a simpler project that we could complete in the three months before winter." The pleasant dwelling is insulated with locally sourced straw bales, is powered by solar panels, and is heated with wood stoves.

(Photo: Adrian Wright)

Converted churches

Over the centuries, church buildings have occasionally been reused in different ways, from emergency shelters to storage areas. In recent decades, some have even been turned into thumping nightclubs and modern homes.

Entrepreneur Adrian Wright recently converted an 1870s Anglican church in East Cambridgeshire, England, into a beautiful living space, which he sold in 2007. Wright recently purchased another Victorian Anglican church and is repeating his success.

Wright's finished work is a marvel, with underfloor gas central heating, a comfortable living/dining/kitchen area, master bedroom suite, and ample parking. It includes a study and 2,275 square feet of open-plan space.

(Photo: Silohome.com)

Missile silo homes

In the fascinating Chris Smith documentary Home Movie, viewers meet an affable couple who made a comfortable home on the sweeping plains of the Midwest … in a decommissioned missile silo.

The self-proclaimed pacifists relished the challenge of turning an object of mass destruction into a welcoming abode. And they aren't the only ones. A number of relics from the Cold War have been converted into homes and other purposes, from storage to an astronomical observatory.

Own your own piece of history with the recently renovated Silohome in upstate New York. Located in scenic Adirondack State Park near Lake Placid, the former Atlas-F Series silo is a "pristine mountain property with panoramic views in combination with the ultimate level of security and privacy," according to restorers Bruce Francisco and Gregory Gibbons.

Silohome features a small runway, hangar, and spacious living areas on the surface. Below ground, the former launch control center has been converted into a two-level residence, with three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and an open living area and kitchen, adjoined by a spiral staircase. Star Wars-like doors open to the tunnel that accesses the silo.

Not everyone has a house like that!

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Recycling human hair to make eco-friendly products

EcoHuddle Community — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:06:45 PDT

Could you imagine cleaning up a pound of hair every day? Well that’s what more than 300,000 hair salons in the U.S. do at least once a day before closing time. The stylists carefully sweep up your old hair and throw it in the trash, leaving it destined for the dump.

Instead of taking the excess hair to the landfill, some entrepreneurs have come up with ways to recycle old hair into eco-friendly products. It may sound a bit strange, but there are some very cool things that hair can create. Here are a few:

Oil spill hair mat

Most people who follow the green movement can recall 1989’s Exxon Valdez oil spill. It is considered one of the worst human-caused environmental disasters in North American history, spilling over 10.8 million gallons of oil into the Alaskan sea.

Alabama hair stylist Phil McCrory watched the eco-tragedy television, and when he saw the oil-soaked animals, he got an idea. He noticed how the fur on otters helped to trap the oil, so he thought about using human hair to clean up oil spills. McCrory showed his idea to NASA, and the rest is hair history!

His idea helped inspire the OttiMat, which soaks up about 7.8 gallons of oil in less than 3 minutes. It can also be wrung out and reused more than 100 times. This video demonstrates:

McCrory’s invention inspired the charity organization Matter of Trust to create the Hair for Oil Spills Program, which takes hair donations from salons and turns the hair into oil spill mats.

(Photo: Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry)

Woven hair jewelry

The Victorian Hairwork Society was created for people who are interested in creating art out of hair.

In the 19th century, it was fashionable to weave sentimental jewelry out of a beloved -- and often deceased -- person's hair. People today are keeping the art, uh, alive.

For inspiration, check out the many vintage examples at Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry.

(Photo: Phil Smith and
Ronald Thompson)

Stiletto chair

Created by former hairstylist-to-the-stars Ronald Thompson, the unique stiletto chair was conjured up when Thompson was cleaning hair clippings on the set of Batman Begins.

He realized how sturdy a piece of hair was as opposed to fiberglass, and he decided to create an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fiberglass molds.

Thompson designed the stiletto chair, which is waterproof, fire-resistant, and totally amazing. Although it costs $15,000, he does hope to develop less-expensive models.

(Photo: Ananova)

Human hair dress

Croatian designers at Artidjana Company used 165 feet of blond hair to make a dress worn by model Simona Gotovac. The outfit was featured at a fashion show in Zagreb.

(Photo: Jim Cole / AP)

Dartmouth banner

Using 420 pounds of human hair from Dartmouth students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Hanover community, artist Wenda Gu created a human-hair banner that hangs in the college’s Baker-Berry Library. It is a part of Gu’s “united nations” project that began in 1993.

The trimmings from 42,000 haircuts were sent to a studio in China, where they were dyed, glued, and shaped with twine to form the banner.

See, recycling hair is a great way to make eco-friendly products, and unless human evolution dramatically changes, hair will be around for us to use forever!

How to better reuse and recycle old electronics

Dan Shapley — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:04:00 PDT

How much is a ton of old recycled phones worth? $15,000, thanks to the silver, gold, palladium and copper used in each phone. (That's about $2.50 in precious metals per phone.)

The value of e-waste was the topic at the world's first-ever e-waste academy, where a more urgent questions were like these: How does Peru manage to refurbish more than 85% of the old computers it imports, while the rate is 20% in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Ghana? How can China police its estimated 2 million "backyard" e-waste recyclers, so that they aren't incinerating old devices to recover precious metals, releasing toxic pollution in the process? How can discarded electronics from North America, Europe and Japan benefit schools and small businesses in Africa, Asia, and South America?

The goal of the organizer, Solving the E-Waste Problem (which goes by the acronym StEP), is to boost recycling and reuse rates, while protecting third world countries from the hazards that can accompany both e-waste recycling and dumping.

The conclusion: "Processes and policies governing the reuse and recycling of electronic products need to be standardized worldwide to stem and reverse the growing problem of illegal and harmful e-waste processing practices in developing countries."

"Millions of old devices in North America and Europe could easily double their typical three or four year 'first life' by being put to use in classrooms and small business offices across Africa, South America and Asia," says Ramzy Kahhat of Arizona State University, who advocates a return deposit on electronics similar to that used on carbonated beverage containers in many states, so that devices are recycled promptly while they're still most useful to a new user. "An old Pentium II computer with an open-source operating system like Linux can run faster than some of the latest new models on store shelves."

If you're ready to recycle an old cell phone, laptop, iPhone, digital camera, or other electronic device and want to harvest some cash in exchange for the precious metals or years of life it embodies, one option is NextWorth, which will pay you for your old phone (or at least cover the cost of shipping it, if the company deems the item has no value). The trade-in value of devices ranges as high as $340, and averages $25 or $30.

Other options include Dyscern, a 2009 Heart of Green award winner, and these four charity cell phone recyclers.

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Recycling oddities: Beyond metal, glass, paper, and plastic

Jeff Yeager — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:25:15 PDT

(Photo: Cevdet Gökhan Palas / iStockPhoto)

If you’re old enough to remember the Carter administration like me, you’re old enough to have witnessed the birth of modern day recycling in the U.S.A. I’m glad -- and proud -- that we’re now a nation where recycling is as common as an 8-track tape player was in an AMC Gremlin back when Jimmy was president.

Today, more than 80% of U.S. households have easy access to locally based programs for recycling paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum.

But recycling isn't just about everyday household items any more. Nonprofit organizations and specialized businesses are springing up everywhere to recycle almost everything imaginable.

Here are 10 recycling oddities that might surprise you.

Human hair

Locks of Love is a well known nonprofit organization that accepts donations of human hair to recycle into hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss.

But even smaller quantities of human hair -- including much of what used to end up in the barbershop’s wastebasket -- is now being recycled into a variety of gardening products that encourage healthy plant life and naturally deter unwanted pests in the garden.

Coffins

Why not try a recycled coffin? You won't know the difference, after all. Consider renting a casket from the funeral home rather than purchasing one if you’re planning on being cremated ... or think you might still snap out of it.

For cremation or regular burial, often times it’s even less expensive and more eco-friendly to buy a cardboard coffin, many of which are made from 100% recycled materials.

Dentures

Every year, there are roughly 3.6 million sets of dentures manufactured in the world, and each set contains about $25 worth of precious metals, including gold and silver. Most unwanted dentures are thrown away, but a nonprofit organization was recently created in Japan to recycle the metals found in dentures and donate the proceeds to UNICEF.

To date, it has raised more than $250,000 for UNICEF and other organizations. Is anyone looking for a worthwhile nonprofit venture to bring to the U.S., maybe something to sink your teeth into?

Prosthetic limbs

According to the Amputee Coalition of America, “Prosthetic components are generally not reused in the United States because of legal considerations. However, used prosthetic limbs may be disassembled and the components shipped to Third World countries for use by landmine victims and/or other individuals in need.”

See this website for a list of organizations in the U.S. that accept donations of prosthetics.

Adult novelties

Just when you thought you’d heard all of the recycling news that’s fit to print, here’s some that perhaps isn’t (so be forewarned before opening this link): The folks at Sex Toy Recycling are in the business of doing just as their name implies.

Apparently their mothers never told them, "Don't play with that thing. You don't know where it’s been."

Mattresses

An increasing number of mattress retailers will accept your used mattress for recycling, but specifically ask/insist about recycling before you agree to buy a replacement.

Mattress recycling centers are springing up around the country, where they recycle about 90% of the mattress into fiber for clothing, wood chips, foam products, and scrap metal.

Given that about 20 million mattresses are replaced every year in the U.S., you’ll sleep better knowing that your old mattress isn’t spending the night in the landfill.

Diapers

Of course cloth diapers have always been recyclable, although few Americans use cloth diapers anymore. But since 1999, a British company, Knowaste, has been pioneering the recycling of disposable diapers, or disposable “nappies” as the Brits call them.

The movement (so to speak) is catching on in the U.S., which a good thing since the average baby requires about 6,000 disposable diapers by the time he or she is potty trained.

Hotel soap

Ever wonder what happens to those little slivers of soap you leave in the shower at the hotel? More and more hotel chains are recycling their leftover soap and shampoo, or joining forces with nonprofit organizations like Clean the World to recycle it and donate it the needy.

Of course you can always take the soap slivers home with you, like I do. Put a bunch of them in the heel of an old pair of pantyhose to make your own Green Cheapskate soap-on-a-rope.

Running shoes

Given their hefty price tag, you can bet that I run my running shoes into the ground before retiring them. But even worn out shoes can be recycled into building materials, or, if they still have some life in them, donated to the less fortunate.

Check out the website www.recycledrunners.com for shoe recycling facilities and organizations near you.

Bicycles

For many people of the world, a bicycle is basic transportation -- not recreation -- but still a luxury they can’t afford. Providing bicycles to those living in third-world countries can change lives for the better.

Americans throw away more than 15 million bicycles each year, but the nonprofit organization Bikes for the World is working to keep those unwanted bikes out of our landfills and put them in the hands of people who really need them.

Jeff Yeager is the author of the book The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches. His website is www.UltimateCheapskate.com.

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