Norway Powers Up with Poop!

March 31st, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese

poopDon’t start pooping into your gas tank, but apparently one person’s year of bowel movements can produce 2.1 gallons of biodiesel.

So, to capitalize on the power of poop, the Norwegian capital of Oslo will convert sewage from a local treatment plant, processing the waste of 250,000 people, into fuel for its 80 city buses, which travel 62,000 miles each.

Compared to normal gas, costing more that 1.0 euro per liter, poop fuel goes for only 7.2 euros. City officials are excited about it:

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s extremely good for the climate and also for the quality of urban life,” beams Olaf Brastad of the Bellona environmental organisation.

“I see absolutely no downsides. On the contrary, it is an optimal way of using a renewable energy that has always been there, just waiting to be exploited,” he adds.

The initiative, if extended to Oslo’s second waste treatment plant and complemented with biofuels made from food waste, could provide enough fuel for all of Oslo’s 350 to 400 buses.

“If our entire fleet switched to biomethane, carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by around 30,000 tonnes per year,” Anne-Merete Andersen of Ruter, the operator of Oslo’s public transport system.

And despite what you might think. The crappy fuel doesn’t stink. Other countries have gone poop gas too. Kalmar, Sweden is making fuel out of animal poop and so is the Toronto Zoo.

Biofuel is a great move for all three countries, because in right now, the cost of regular gas in Canada is $4.58 per gallon and $7.52 in Sweden and Norway.

Via Cosmo and Discoblog.

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De-Ice Your Driveway the Green Way…

February 25th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese

snowyI have bad luck shoveling snow. In college, we had a blizzard and I got stuck unearthing my car out with a bucket! It took me nearly three hours. Then last year, I broke two snow shovels freeing my car from the driveway. Not fun.

But despite the aggravation and stiff back, my snow grief was actually very green. No harmful rock salt. No exhaust from a snow blower. And no ice-melting chemical pellets. Hooray for me.

Now, if you’re in search of eco-friendly ways to clear the snow from your driveway. Here are some tips from The Daily Green:

  • Shovel it.
  • Use an electric snow blower instead of gas.
  • Invest in a “snow melt mat.” It’s an electric heating system installed in the blacktop.
  • Scatter sand or birdseed for traction.
  • Go easy on the chemical de-icer.
  • Calcium chloride salt is less harsh than sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
  • Don’t use kitty litter or wood ash. They’re messy and don’t melt ice.
  • Avoid products with nitrogen-based urea.
  • Wear boots with good tread.

I’ve got a couple redneck friends that would probably add starting a big bonfire on the ice or doing something involving M-80s and shotgun shells. But I am sad to see shoveling with a bucket in your running shoes with a post-frat party hangover didn’t make the list.

And if none of these make sense to you. You can always stay inside and wait for spring.

Via Julie’s Health Club.

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Improve Your Gas Mileage…

January 22nd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese

yikespumpLuckily gas prices are on the down. But let’s face it. It won’t last! By the time summer rolls around, fuel prices will be way up again.

So, instead of pulling a Cheech and Chong and siphoning out someone else’s gas into a trash can, try these easy tips for boosting gas mileage:

  • Drive under the speed limit. Keep it under 60mph.
  • Properly inflated tires can improve mileage by 3%
  • Use right the fuel. Check your owner’s manual.
  • Keep up with maintenance. Get tune ups and oil changes.
  • Lose weight. Have less bodyweight to lug around.
  • Cut wind resistance. Remove luggage racks.
  • Tighten your gas cap. Don’t let gas vapors escape.
  • Don’t sit idle. Turn off your car in gridlock.
  • Map out your trip. Plan a shorter route.
  • Don’t run the air conditioning and park in shade.

You could probably add to that list. Try walking or bike riding more or taking public transportation—if you dare—like buses, subways and trains.

In related news, if you think the U.S. gets hammered with gas prices. Be glad you don’t live in the Netherlands, where gas prices can top $9.97 a gallon. Eek!

Via GreenUpgrader.

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