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  • In Istanbul, You Can Pay Your Subway Fare with Recyclables

    October 30, 2018 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Turkey, Istanbul

    A pilot program in Istanbul, Turkey allows subway commuters to pay for their fares with bottles and cans instead of cash. While a one way fare via the "reverse vending machines" costs about 28 1.5 liter bottles, the government is working to make the recycling system more efficient and easy for travelers.

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  • The cost of keeping Singapore squeaky clean

    October 29, 2018 |

    BBC |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Singapore

    Singapore maintains its state of cleanliness through fines, public education, and an army of low-paid cleaners. Fifty years ago, the Keep Singapore Clean campaign was the first time the government used fines as a method of social control. Now that the city is wealthier, the fines aren’t as effective. Singaporeans rely on cleaners to do the majority of the work.

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  • A Baseball Bat Dies, and Chopsticks Are Born

    October 25, 2018 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

    When baseball bats break, as they often do during games, they don't always find another purpose. As part of a recycling and conservation effort in Japan, though, these bats are repurposed into chopsticks that don't just serve a practical purpose, but also raise awareness about the kind of wood used to make the bats.

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  • 'Zero waste' town recycles most of its trash

    October 18, 2018 |

    WHYY |

    Radio |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: Japan, Kamikatsu

    Kamikatsu, a small town in rural Japan, went from incinerating trash to recycling about 80 percent of it--all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money. The program is run by Zero Waste Academy, a nonprofit that helps train residents and businesses on best recycling practices. Now, Kamikatsu's success has drawn planners from around the world to learn.

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  • Iowa company that turns recycled cartons into building materials coming to Colorado

    October 18, 2018 |

    Colorado Springs Gazette |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Colorado

    In Colorado, trash either ends up in a landfill or is recycled by being shipped to another state. To increase efficiency and implement better recycling practices, an Iowa-born company that turns recycled cartons into building materials is crossing state lines with the help of funding from from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

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  • Istanbul Vending Machines Offer Subway Credit for Recycled Bottles and Cans

    October 17, 2018 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Turkey, Istanbul

    In an attempt to lessen their role in contributing to waste, Istanbul has installed “reverse vending machines” at metro stations that incentivize recycling. For every plastic bottle or aluminum can inserted into the machine, public transportation users earn cash to redeem for trips.

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  • Ocean plastic is a huge problem. Blockchain could be part of the solution.

    October 16, 2018 |

    NBC News |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Haiti

    Plastic waste often ends up in oceans which in turn impacts not only the health of the coastal ecosystem, but human health as well when people consume fish that have ingested the plastic fragments. To keep plastic out of the oceans, Plastic Bank, a company based in Vancouver, has created and launched a blockchain-based recycling system in Haiti that exchanges cryptocurrency via an app when plastic is deposited in a recycling center.

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  • Why aren't we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil?

    October 16, 2018 |

    Ensia |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Cantonment, Florida

    Across the country, projects that mine landfills for reusable metals and soils are underway. Can such mining prove profitable enough to spur similar efforts on a grand scale? So far, some projects have seen profits while others have not. But as society increasingly values pollution and greenhouse gas reduction, incentives for refuse mining can only grow.

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  • Why do we demolish buildings instead of deconstructing them for re-use?

    October 09, 2018 |

    Ensia |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Each year, roughly 500 million tons of waste from the tearing down of buildings goes into landfills in the United States. Deconstruction, the idea of dismantling old buildings instead of the traditional method of tearing them down, diverts some of the waste, provides jobs, and makes affordable building materials more accessible. Though deconstruction does not work in all scenarios, it is a growing alternative with many benefits.

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  • Mending Our Disposable Culture

    October 02, 2018 |

    BBC |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Netherlands, Bussum

    When something breaks, most people go to the store to replace it. In Amsterdam, the UK, and elsewhere, people take their broken goods to repair cafes. Led by volunteers who want to preserve the art of repairs while also reducing waste, these organizations can make a big difference. There are now at least 1600 repair cafes around the world.

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