Recycling + cycling = WIN!

From the Globe and Mail: Waste-collecting cyclists put a new spin on recycling

ReCYCLISTS is the green vision of two trash-talking men, Aaron Bichard, 34, and Jason Adams, 36.

For Mr. Bichard, a committed cyclist who grew up in a funky Okanagan home where he “ate carob instead of chocolate,” nimble bikes are the answer to downtown waste collection for small businesses.

So three years ago in Duncan, B.C., he started a business where traditional recyclable materials are picked up by bike.

Looking to Victoria’s dense downtown, he realized the capital could be well-served by bikes that can wheel into spots unsuited to bigger vehicles.

Mr. Adams approached garbage from another angle.

While a University of Victoria student, he worked for a garbage-collection company that “made good money at the expense of the landfill.”

With three trips a day, Mr. Adams saw how quickly the dump was being filled, even with material that had value.

“There were commodities worth chasing,” he said.

Read the whole article here.

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Tuesday links, buildings of unusual supplies edition

This morning I looked in my “Tuesday links” folder in my bookmarks (yes, I am that anal retentive) and found not one single link! OH GOD WHAT TO DO?

A look at the foundation of Curtis Wilson's sustainable house. Kerry Elspeth Crooks photo.

So I bring you a collection of videos and articles about weird stuff to build houses out of.

 

My pal Curtis Wilson, who lives in good ol’ Thunder Bay, Ont., is currently building a rammed earth house out of recycled tires and dirt. I’m super impressed and inspired by what Curtis is doing, although I think I’m even more impressed that someone my age owns 23 acres of land.

Be sure to check out Earthship.org for the complete word on these unique buildings.

 

This article also talks about earth/tire houses, as well as houses made of cardboard and straw bales.

 

This Argentinian man spent 19 years and used over six MILLION glass bottles and concrete to build his home.

 

 

In no mood for words? The Huffington Post has a slide show of buildings made out of garbage, including the Texas Beer Can House and the above-mentioned beer bottle house.

 

And finally, Built from Trash! chronicles how two women have been building a home out of discarded items for the last five years.

 

Please tell me someone gets the reference in the title!

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