Last Minute DIYs for a Spookily Stylish Halloween!

Tomorrow is halloween - do you have your costumes assembled, treats baked and decorations made? If not, it's ghoul...I mean cool, we've got you covered!  

Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite DIY tricks and tips from around the web, from masks to decor to delicious snacks.  With  projects made with items you can find around your house, these how to's are easy on the eyes, and the wallet (not to mention the environment).  They are sure to turn your Wednesday night into a monster mash.  Here's wishing you a frighteningly fun holiday!

http://www.verysarie.com

www.marthastewart.com

http://www.jollymom.com/

http://www.shelterness.com

http://www.sunset.com

Video: SXSWEco Wrap-up and Interview

Great video of the fantastic Sarah Backhouse from Future360 at the South by Southwest Eco Startup Showcase.  Nice interviews with each of the semi-finalists, including our own Nathan Benjamin!  Thanks, Sarah!

It's a win-win-win

South by Southwest Eco wrapped Friday.  As we landed back in Kansas City, we brought with us a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.  The presentations and panels were enlightening.  The speakers were engaging, and people we met are sure to shape the future of sustainability. 

For us, an especially exciting part of the Conference was the Startup Showcase.  We were thrilled to be among 14 semi-finalists on the cutting edge of clean tech.   Each presentation was smart and inspiring.   A three-minute pitch to a panel of investors and a live audience landed us among three finalists.  When the announcement came  that PlanetReuse had won the final 8-minute round followed by Q&A, we couldn't believe it! 

We would like to thank SXSWEco conference organizers, Startup Showcase sponsors Autodesk and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the many supporters who encourage us everyday.  We believe deeply in our mission and are working every day to make reuse easy and a no-nonsense choice for anyone who wants to save money, time and ultimately the planet.   The fact that you do too…well, that's the biggest reward of all. 

Thanks.  

This trophy has an amazing backstory.
Read it here.  

KC Biz Journal Highlights Construction Material Reuse

The Kansas City Business Journal wrote a great piece on the mission and vision of PlanetReuse. We were happy to have the chance to spread the word about reuse and its positive environmental effects

“These materials found second lives thanks to PlanetReuse, a Kansas City-company that finds old building materials it can reclaim for new projects.”

Read the whole story here: 

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/print-edition/2012/10/12/kansas-city-company-puts-used.html

Keep Austin Weird - And Green!

The South by Southwest Eco conference begins today in Austin, TX.  The city's motto is "Keep Austin Weird" and this quirky, creative town has transformed itself into a haven for eco-mided enthusiasts, advocates and industry leaders.  The three day event is chock full of panels, discussions and events aimed at creating fresh answers to today's sustainability questions. Want in on the action?  You can watch keynote speakers live, on the SXSWEco site.

One of the highlights of the conference is the Startup Showcase, a chance for innovators and entrepreneurs to present their ideas for creating a more eco-friendly world.  We are so proud to be presenting at this year's Showcase, and are really looking forward to hearing the amazing things our fellow presenters have been up to.  Among the semifinalists are:

Actual Sun

CECFO

iLumi Solutions

Kiverdi, Inc.

KleenSpeed Technologies

Nexus eWater  

NuMat Technologies

Omni Water Solutions

Plovgh

Pvilion

Radiator Labs

Staxxon, LLC

Zeta Communities

Since we're in Texas, we thought it would be a great chance to stop by and see our friends at the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Dallas and Austin.  It's so interesting and inspiring to see how different cities around the country have embraced the Habitat mission.  Both cities do a fantastic job of getting the word out about their services and the positive impact their organization has on their local communities.  

We think these signs in the Austin ReStore are visually stunning and really drive home the importance of their continued efforts to create decent housing for those in need.  And the fact that Dallas is the largest builder of single family homes in the city?  Impressive, to say the least. Needless to say, these cities are definitely living up to the saying of "everything is bigger in Texas" - in this case, their commitment to the cause.  

It's events like South by Southwest Eco, and the chance to visit ReStores, that lights a fire under us for the future of sustainability.  We have a lot of work to do, and a long way to go, but with people like this leading the charge, we're surely heading in the right direction.  

Changing the Landscape of Sustainability

This past weekend was the ASLA Conference, and Nathan Benjamin was lucky enough to address the largest gathering of Landscape Architects in the world.  It was a unique chance to take the   pulse, and to map out the future of the field.  Among the distinguished speakers were Chris DeVolder of 360 Architects, Tobiah Horton of Rutgers University, and Erin Kelly of Next Energy.
    

Nathan's presentation focused on the roadblocks and misperceptions regarding using reclaimed building materials in commercial and residential projects.  He discussed the cost effectiveness, both financial and environmental, of reusing everything from hardwood floors to bricks to stone. Today, 40 percent of landfill waste comes from building construction and demolition.  Construction and demolition waste contributes 100 Million tons to US landfill waste annually. This means that every year we trash and bury the equivalent of 273 Empire State Buildings.

Landfills are filling up fast

But there's hope.  Nathan presented an alternative to buying new, one in which building materials are recycled into sustainable, polished projects that are good for the bottom line and for the planet. Those building or renovating would think "used" before "new" and those demolishing would think "reuse center" before "trashcan."  The ASLA Conference was a great opportunity to connect as an industry, showcase best practices, and present a blueprint for a more sustainable future.  

Building a better future, together

World Habitat Day

October 1^st is World Habitat Day, an annual event that reminds us of the importance of safe, decent housing for those in need.  This year’s theme is “Many Homes, One Community” and will highlight the critical role of adequate housing in growing neighborhoods. 

Volunteers, donors and advocates will participate in events around the globe today in support of Habitat for Humanity’s mission.  To find out more about this important organization, or to join in your local chapter’s special activities, head to their website.  

Join us as we strive to realize Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.