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Scavengers Are India's Real Recyclers

Raghu Karnad

July 29, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Bhalswa, Delhi

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks to tackle the mounting trash problem in India, millions of unacknowledged urban poor – known as scavengers and ragpickers to the locals – have been making their livelihood identifying resources from what others have deemed trash. If brought into the nation-wide effort, India may see a cleaner future at a faster rate.

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Nebraska recycling: Cities with carts tend to recycle more, so why does Omaha still use bins?

Henry J. Cordes

July 13, 2015 |

Omaha World-Herald |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

When North Carolina cities shifted from using small bins to large carts for recycling, there was a statewide increase in recycling collections. Now in Omaha, Nebraska, where a curbside recycling program has been implemented, advocates of the program think they would see much more success if they too adopt carts in place of the bins.

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In South Korea, An Innovative Push to Cut Back on Food Waste

Karim Chrobog

May 20, 2015 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: South Korea, Seoul

According to the United Nations, approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted every year, which is costly to the environment and the economy. In Seoul, technological waste bins calculate the weight of the garbage against a set limit, and if the disposal is too heavy there is a fee. To reduce landfill deposits, Seoul has also composted food waste by turning it into animal feed, fertilizer, and electricity generation.

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Fish Net Fashion

Gelareh Darabi

May 18, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Slovenia, Ajdovščina, Municipality of Ajdovščina

"Ghost gear" are nylon nets and other waste left behind in our oceans by fishing boats - they cause massive environmental damage, releasing toxins in the water, ensnaring wildlife, and clogging up beaches. Now one organisation, the Healthy Seas Initiative, is working with fishermen and a sportswear company called ECONYL to retrieve abandoned nets from out of the ocean and convert the materials into clothing, carpets, and more.

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Recycling Unused Medicines to Save Money and Lives

David Bornstein

March 20, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Jose, California

One in five seniors reports cutting back on basics like food or heat to afford prescription drugs - for many, cutting back on medicine led to faster health declines, increased hospitalizations and premature death. Sirum, a new nonprofit, was designed to make it easy for institutions to donate medicines with the assurance that they would be safely transported and dispensed to people who needed them.

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Why DIY Public Spaces Are Starting to Take Off in Turkey

Jennifer Hattam

February 10, 2015 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Turkey, İzmir

An absence of public infrastructure and park space hasn't stopped the people of Izmir, Turkey from gathering in and enjoying the outdoors. Now a few clever and creative individuals are helping teach their communities to reclaim public spaces, sharing designs for recycling materials to build things like benches or docks for all to enjoy.

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The Floating Gardens of Bangladesh

Amy Yee

November 18, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh

Each year the brown waters of the Gumani river swell during the summer monsoon, creeping over the surrounding fields to flood Charbhangura, a village of 2,500 people in the Pabna district of northwest Bangladesh - when the fields flood, the farmers have no work. Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha trains locals to create floating farms and provide work, money, and food in all seasons.

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The Company That Turns Plastic Bottles Into Fabric—and Jobs

John Tierney

November 07, 2014 |

The Atlantic |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Haiti, Port-au-Prince

Thread is a social enterprise out of Pittsburgh taking a two-for-one approach to the issues of both poverty and pollution in Haiti. They help take plastic waste out of the environment by turning it into durable fabrics that are sold to clothing and accessory companies looking to source responsible materials, and they create sustainable jobs for Haitians who collect and process the plastic waste.

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Scott Paper's Tube-Free Toilet Paper Cuts Down On Waste

Lorraine Chow

September 02, 2014 |

NationSwell |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Every year, more than 17 billion toilet paper cardboard tubes are thrown into the trash. To cut down on waste and make the tissue more eco-friendly, Scott Naturals line of toilet paper is eliminating the inner tube altogether.

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Man-Made Wetlands Turn Toilet Water Into Tap Water

Lorraine Chow

August 27, 2014 |

NationSwell |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Fairfield, Texas

Facing repeated droughts, Texas is pioneering a method to turn wastewater into drinking water. Although the process is not quick, the results have lead to an additional 65,000 gallons of drinking water and benefited the local environment, providing wildlife with a new habitat.

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