Starbucks has promised that 100 percent of its cups will be reusable or recyclable by 2015, but that doesn’t mean none will end up in landfills. To deal with the challenges of cup recycling, the company hosted its third ‘Cup Summit’ last week in Boston convening more than 100 industry leaders – including Starbuck’s competitors – to discuss industry standards and solutions for the recyclability of drink packaging in the U.S. and Canada.
Starbucks Tries Again to Tackle Cup Recycling
Hope on Wheels: Disabled Dogs Inspire Rehab Patients
Cruising around with wheels instead legs, Chili and Arlo are the center of attention wherever they go. But for patients at a Rehab hospital in Dallas, these two canine caregivers are also an inspiration.
“Many of the patients are new to wheelchairs,” said Linda Marler, program director at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. “When they see Chili and Arlo, they say, ‘If those dogs can do it, so can I.’ ”
Men’s Morning Patrols Aimed at Giving Kids ‘Safe Passage’ to School
A simple plan is making sure that D.C. children who live in the troubled communities east of the Anacostia River see welcoming black male faces on their way to school in the mornings.
Four times a week, at the crack of dawn, Curtis Watkins and a group of men walk the streets greeting students in a process they call “Safe Passage”. Their opening line is often: “Good morning, young brother! Good morning, young sister!”
Many of the men who walk the streets are ex-offenders searching for ways to give back to the communities they once committed crimes in.
(READ the story in the Washington Post)
Image by Sun Star
Rewards of Federal Service
Those who make sport out of denigrating the federal workforce should meet the winners of this year’s Samuel Heyman ‘Service to America Medals’.
During a period when government workers face the uncertainty of budget cuts, these awards — better known as the “Sammies” — are a welcome and needed relief.
Seniors Gain YouTube Fame In Accidental Webcam Video
An elderly Oregon couple gained unexpected fame after a webcam accidentally recorded the two while they tried to figure out their new computer. Their granddaughter posted the three-minute video clip, entitled “Webcam 101 for Seniors….” on YouTube.
Its shows Mrs. Esther Huffman attempting to use the webcam on their new computer while her husband goofed off, sang songs, and soothed her eventual frustration. The accidental video has gone viral with 7 million viewers since Aug. 21.
(WATCH the video below)
Hero’s Welcome for David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy in Freed Libya (Video)
David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy received a hero’s welcome from Libya on Thursday as they toured Tripoli and Benghazi, the cities they decided at great political risk to liberate from the grip of Col. Gaddafi six months ago.
In Tripoli’s main hospital, doctors climbed over each other to touch them.
In Benghazi, babies were named after the French president. “Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy decided to save my son’s life so when he was born on March 21 we named him Sarkozy and I have brought him here today to thank them both.”
Hero’s Welcome for David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy in Freed Libya (Video)
David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy received a hero’s welcome from Libya on Thursday as they toured Tripoli and Benghazi, the cities they decided at great political risk to liberate from the grip of Col. Gaddafi six months ago.
In Tripoli’s main hospital, doctors climbed over each other to touch them.
In Benghazi, babies were named after the French president. “Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy decided to save my son’s life so when he was born on March 21 we named him Sarkozy and I have brought him here today to thank them both.”
Naval Analysts Honored for Quiet Role in ’09 Rescue of US Ship From Somali Pirates
On Thursday, 2 1/2 years since the Maersk Alabama was attacked by four Somalis in a drama that played out over five days and ended in no American deaths, the anonymous band of intelligence analysts who helped in the rescue was given a formal thank-you from the Maersk Line, the ship’s Norfolk-based operator.
Patagonia Asks Customers Not to Buy Unless They Really Need it
Clothing company Patagonia is asking people not to buy its outdoor sportswear and gear unless the really need it. The company may be the first ever to ask customers to formally take a pledge to reduce consumption and be partners in the effort to keep products out of the landfill or incinerator.
Last week it launched its Common Threads Initiative – asking customers to reduce consumption, and partnering with eBay to help promote the reuse of clothing and gear that might be useful for someone else.
“The Common Threads Initiative addresses a significant part of today’s environmental problem – the footprint of our stuff,” notes Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder and owner. “This program first asks customers to not buy something if they don’t need it. If they do need it, we ask that they buy what will last a long time – and to repair what breaks, reuse or resell whatever they don’t wear any more. And, finally, to recycle whatever’s truly worn out.
Patagonia in turn commits to make “products that last” and help repair quickly anything that breaks.
To help customers put back in circulation used clothes, Patagonia and eBay Inc. have joined forces to launch a new marketplace for customers to buy and sell used Patagonia gear. Patagonia’s Common Threads Initiative store on eBay establishes a new model for consumption: It marks the first time a major retail brand actively encourages its customers to buy and sell used products on eBay, and it is eBay’s first multi-seller branded store.
A customer who lists a used Patagonia product on eBay will be asked to take the Common Threads Initiative pledge and become a partner. Membership will make the customer’s listing eligible for inclusion in the Common Threads Initiative store on eBay and on Patagonia.com. Patagonia will not receive any of the profits associated with the Common Threads Initiative storefront.
The collaboration between Patagonia and eBay was born out of their common interest to extend the useful life of products. eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, has, developed innovative ideas to do just that. The eBay Box encourages buyers and sellers to reuse packaging; and eBay Instant Sale encourages customers to sell and/or recycle their used electronics.
Maybe this new model for consumption within the apparel industry – one that emphasizes product, reuse, and tapping the full useful life of clothing – will catch on with other retailers.
“As eBay says, the ‘greenest product is the one that already exists.’
(WATCH a video about customers who would rather repair their Patagonia gear than replace it)
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Patagonia Asks Customers Not to Buy Unless They Really Need it
Clothing company Patagonia is asking people not to buy its outdoor sportswear and gear unless the really need it. The company may be the first ever to ask customers to formally take a pledge to reduce consumption and be partners in the effort to keep products out of the landfill or incinerator.
Last week it launched its Common Threads Initiative – asking customers to reduce consumption, and partnering with eBay to help promote the reuse of clothing and gear that might be useful for someone else.
UPDATE: Rescuers of Trapped Biker From Burning Car Speak Out
The heroes who saved a biker from beneath a burning car have described the moment they dropped their tools to leap to the aid of the trapped Utah college student, seen being rescued on video, here.
Construction worker Mike Johnson recalls: “A lady got down on her belly and stared under there, right into the flames. She yelled out ‘He’s alive,’ and after that, everyone just converged on the car and lifted. I don’t know who she was, but that lady did a great service.”
In a statement, the biker’s uncle said, “It just really restores your faith to have seen what happened yesterday. We are extremely thankful.
(READ more of about the interviews in the Daily Mail)
Girl, 6, Finds Huge 160mil Year-old Fossil With Plastic Shovel
A British girl of six, who unearthed a massive ammonite during her first archaeological dig, has donated it to a museum to be enjoyed by the public.
The 16 inch-long fossilized sea creature — with defensive spikes and a spiral-patterned shell — was a mollusk that lived in the oceans during the Jurassic period.
(WATCH the ITV video below, or READ the story in the UK Sun)
Marine Who Saved 36 While Under Fire Gets Medal of Honor
President Obama today awarded the Medal of Honor to Dakota Meyer, a former active duty Marine Corporal from Kentucky who saved the lives of dozens of men by returning to the battle five times under heavy fire, Forest Gump style, to rescue his “brothers”.
He is the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. And at 23, he is also one of the youngest recipients in decades.
Sergeant Meyer was recognized for courageous actions in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, where he risked his life above and beyond the call of duty and saved 36 lives amid a Taliban ambush. In prepared remarks, the President compared the story to one that “will be told for generations.” Obama continued:
Marine Who Saved 36 While Under Fire Gets Medal of Honor
President Obama today awarded the Medal of Honor to Dakota Meyer, a former active duty Marine Corporal from Kentucky who saved the lives of dozens of men by returning to the battle five times under heavy fire, Forest Gump style, to rescue his “brothers”.
He is the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. And at 23, he is also one of the youngest recipients in decades.
Sergeant Meyer was recognized for courageous actions in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, where he risked his life above and beyond the call of duty and saved 36 lives amid a Taliban ambush. In prepared remarks, the President compared the story to one that “will be told for generations.” Obama continued:
Blue Whales Put on Rare Show off Southern Calif Coast (Video)
Ten years ago seeing any blue whales in Southern California would have been rare. This year already, there has been more than 500 sightings of the world’s largest creature.
The length of a basketball court, a blue whale visits this warm stretch of the Pacific Ocean to fill up on Krill, a tiny shrimp prevalent here this time of year.
Blue Whales Put on Rare Show off Southern Calif Coast (Video)
Ten years ago seeing any blue whales in Southern California would have been rare. This year already, there has been more than 500 sightings of the world’s largest creature.
The length of a basketball court, a blue whale visits this warm stretch of the Pacific Ocean to fill up on Krill, a tiny shrimp prevalent here this time of year.
New App “LocalHero” Gives Opportunities to Help Friends With Specific Needs
A new iPhone app launched this week, called LocalHero, lets friends help each other by identifying the people in a person’s social network who are nearby and have the right skills or interests to assist with any task or need.
The mobile networking application unveiled at the TechCrunch event in San Francisco matches a person’s location to the skills and interests of nearby friends, allowing helpers throughout a region to reach out and be a “hero”.
“While social networking applications have helped connect people in ways previously unimagined, there is currently no way to reach out to a select group of friends for help without broadcasting to the entire network,” said Ana Baltodano, CEO and co-founder of LocalHero. “With LocalHero, we have created a smart way for friends with specialized talents to take action and become real heroes to their friends and people nearby.”
LocalHero can be used for a range of requests, such as finding other friends who are interested in joining a group task, like a painting party, or to brainstorm on a specific problem.
The app categorizes friends by activities and interests and requests can be organized with tags.
“I had the privilege of attending a class in business school with a group of highly accomplished executives who shared their knowledge and skills to help each other out,” continued Baltodano, who is located in Palo Alto, California. “However, once we left the class, even though we were connected online, there wasn’t an easy way to continue that reciprocity that was so valuable to us all. That’s when I started to think about creating the LocalHero application.”
LocalHero, is available immediately for free download at the iPhone apps store and at the website:
Many US Cities Still Thriving Despite the Economy
Newsweek rated American cities on their job creation, sustainability, livability and transportation-infrastructure, to cull a list of the nation’s top performing metropolises.
Of the 20 cities topping the list, the highest rated were these ten which represented diverse areas of the country — west coast, east coast, south, center and northeast: El Paso, Oakland, Riverside, San Antonio, Omaha, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Atlanta, Buffalo and Austin (pictured here).
Cat Missing for 5 Years Found in NYC 1600 Miles From Home
Willow, a calico cat who disappeared from her Colorado home five years ago, was found Wednesday on a Manhattan street and will soon be returned to her family.
How she got to New York, more than 1,600 miles away, is a mystery, but thanks to an implanted microchip, Willow will be reunited with her owners, who had long ago given up hope, especially with all the coyotes in the area.
Bystanders Lift Burning Car to Save Trapped Biker (Video)
A 21-year old motorcyclist who collided with a BMW on the campus of Utah State University was lying unconscious beneath the burning wreckage when bystanders rushed to help.
Workers at a nearby construction site began to lift the car along with students, while a professor shot the scene on his camera phone from an upper window of a building.
