Green Idea: Water Bottle Light Bulbs

Last year in Nairobi, Kenya a simple idea using a plastic bottle, water & bleach transformed the lives of many of the city's impoverished communities. It all started in Korogocho, when Mateo Magalasia stumbled upon a YouTube video that demonstrated the use of the water light bulb technology in Brazil. The technology uses water and bleach in a plastic bottle to refract sunlight and moonlight, providing light equivalent to a 55-Watt light bulb!

Members of the youth group Koch Hope installed the water light bulbs throughout various households in Korogocho, allowing many families to finally enjoy adequate light to carry out many day-to-day activities and, most importantly, save energy. Veronica Wanjiru, a resident who has a water bulb installed in her home said: "I've seen a big difference, especially with my children's education. If they're given homework, they can finish it on time. And they don't have to wait for me to come and light the candle or go outside and do their studies outside so that they can finish their homework."

Watch the videos below to see how the water light bulb works, and hear from residents of Korogocho on how this technology has improved their lives:

What a great, sustainable way of providing light for those in need. It's amazing to see that such a simple idea can have a great and lasting impact!


Anoud x



Image: ernalenergy.blogspot.com

Lebanon: A Smart Approach to Recycling Waste

I have always been very curious to know what Lebanon is doing in terms of environmental sustainability and if the country is involved in any means of conservation and preservation. This is because I am half Lebanese and although I have lived in Dubai my entire life, I do visit Lebanon almost every summer.

Lebanon is made up of beautiful mountain landscapes, coasts and golden beaches. It is rich in nature and is a feast for the eyes, and so there is much to preserve in this country. This is where my curiosity stems from.

I was very delighted to come across SMART WASTE, which is a non-profit Lebanese association that is devoted to the advancement of environmental matters in an interesting approach, by combining creativity to waste management. The association particularly renders recycled solid waste into useful items, art and objects. So, when the products are at the disposal stage of their value chain, SMART WASTE, through smart and inventive solutions, reconsiders the waste as a raw material to create new and attractive products.

This is what I call Creative Sustainability!

For more information about SMART WASTE and to see the innovative products they have created, you can visit:

Their website: http://smartwastelb.com

Their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/smartwastelb

Very proud to see that my country is taking steps towards preserving it’s environment, for it’s beauty should not be wasted and withered.

Jazi xxx

Recycling With A Vengeance

Recycling made fun! Instead of the usual and maybe rather boring recycling methods, take a look at this new way of recycling: smashing glass bottles as therapy!

Would love to throw a few of those bottles myself....

Anoud x