Interview: SMART WASTE

Earlier this month, I wrote a post about 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. I wanted to delve into more detail to learn more about this association, so I interviewed Soha Atallah and Ms. Nell Abou Ghazale, the founders and brains behind this wonderful, green organisation.

• Can you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us your role in the association?

I am Soha Atallah, LibanPack Director and National Coordinator of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). I have founded Smart Waste with Ms. Nell Abou Ghazale who also works with me at LibanPack, the Lebanese Packaging Center. Smart Waste is a personal initiative with Nell and it is completely independent from LibanPack and has other objectives which are mainly dedicated to the advancement of environmental issues, primarily that of increasing awareness about the detrimental impact of products at the end of their life cycle on the environment.

• How did the idea of SMART WASTE come about and how was the association created?

We have difficulty in throwing solid waste, and the idea started as a personal hobby of creating useful objects out of solid waste. Actually we have been thinking of creating items and objects made out of recycled materials and waste since a long time ago and the designs were actually ready in our heads and they were just waiting to be implemented, especially since some of our furniture made of recycled materials are not easy to implement and require specialty skills. Therefore, when we got the opportunity to participate as Smart Waste in the Garden Show Exhibition we decided to bring Smart Waste to life and we have implemented the design and showcased them in the exhibition. We were very happy that the people liked our ideas and were so enthusiastic of supporting our mission for preserving the environment.

Some of the products created by Smart Waste

• How does SMART WASTE operate exactly?

Smart Waste collects dying products that would otherwise end up in our landfills or in nature and give them a new life by transforming them into high-end objects. Besides being creative and user-friendly, each piece is carefully crafted by Smart Waste and is unique.

We are actually recycling metal, wood, glass and paper. In the future, we will work hand in hand with other structures who work towards the same goals, on creating campaigns in schools and other youth organizations, to raise awareness on recycling and reusing the daily waste produced in Lebanon. We have suppliers of raw material who provide us with the items we need for the collections we want to create. Sukleen is one of them.

Another product by Smart Waste

• Where are you exactly located?

For the time being we don't have a shop or a showroom at the moment; we are operating online through our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/smartwastelb and our website: www.smartwastelb.com. We can be reached by phone on 03 446 029 and 03 828 141. We are also participating in exhibitions such as the Garden Show and we will also participate in the Jardins de Mazaar Exhibition that will take place in Faraya from 14-19 August 2012.

• How many members do you currently have?

Our Association is still very young so at the moment we are only 4 persons.

• Can anybody join the association and if yes, how?

Yes our NGO is open for membership and this will be possible as soon as we finalize the full papers for registration at the Lebanese Government.

• The Main Objectives of Smart Waste are: 

1) Reuse Waste: By combining creativity to waste management and the "Recycle, Reuse and Reduce" concept, Smart Waste rethinks waste as raw material, for the creation of new and attractive products with an added value linked to their identity.

2) Protect our environment: Smart Waste prolongs the life of products that would otherwise be disposed if in nature at the end of their life cycle, and thus initiate a momentum towards the protection of the environment. 

3) Find Sources of Income: Smart Waste also contributes to the generation of income to unemployed individuals tasked to execute projects under the large umbrella of Recycling.

Soha Atallah wearing one of their funky creations!

Ms. Nell Abou Ghazale surrounded by Smart Waste items that they have created!

For more pictures, kindly check their facebook page.

I'd like to thank Soha and Ms. Nell for the time they have taken to answer my questions and what they have accomplished so far really is intriguing. This green approach is actually the first that I have heard of in Lebanon and is a great example for people to learn from. I wish you the best of luck in expanding your association and the work you do, and I look forward to hearing about Smart Waste again in the near future to see what more will be achieved!


And I would like to wish you all a peaceful and blessed Ramadan!!

Jazi xxx    

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

A Must Watch: Saving Valentina

Anoud x

Climate Week 2012: How to Get Involved

Climate Week: Britain's Biggest Climate Change Campaign - 12 to 18 March 2012

"Climate Week is a supercharged national campaign to inspire a new wave of action on climate change. It culminates in thousands of events and activities, planned by organisations from every sector of society. Showcasing real, practical ways to combat climate change, the campaign aims to renew our ambition to create a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

Climate Week is backed by every part of society - from the Prime Minister to Paul McCartney, the NHS to the Met Office, the TUC to the CBI, Girlguiding UK to the National Association of Head Teachers. It is supported by a Headline Partner Tesco, and four Supporting Partners: EDF Energy, H&M, Nissan and SodaStream. During the first Climate Week in 2011 over 3,000 events were attended by half a million people across the UK.

Start thinking about how you could showcase your organisation’s sustainability initiatives during Climate Week 2012. Whatever you are doing, make sure you register your event on the Climate Week website and help to create a national movement for change."

To find out more about getting involved in Climate Week go to www.climateweek.com, email info@climateweek.com  or telephone on 020 3397 2601.

There is so much you can do to be part of the week long awareness campaign, here's a guide with ten easy ways to get involved.  Also, H&M is taking an active role in the campaign, and here's what they are doing and how you can easily participate:

For more, check out H&M's website here and be sure to RSVP to the event on Facebook here.


Anoud x

A Shopping Bag That Dissolves in Water? YES!

This is just great! Innovative, practical & realistic!

Puma recently took a step in the right direction & ditched its plastic shopping bags for a 100% bidegradable alternative made from cornstarch.

The new & improved bags are capable of completely degrading within just 3 months in a home compost pile. However, if shoppers do not have access to a compost pile or are not willing to wait for it to naturally degrade, the bag can also be completely dissovled in water in a matter of minutes! this replacement, according to Puma, will save 293 tons of paper & 192 tons of plastic each year.


Don't believe it? Watch the video below!




Also watch this video of another creative use of Puma's 'Clever Little Bag' :



Way to go Puma!

For more info, check out safe.puma.com.

Anoud


Image: greenergreener.com

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

Plastic State of Mind

Here's a nice way of spreading awareness. Maybe this will make you think twice when asked if you need a plastic bag at the supermarket till.

:)

Anoud

Solar Panel Necklace by Mae Yokoyama

How creative and cool is this solar panel necklace by design student Mae Yokoyama?

xo,

Anoud

Image: the coolist.com

Green Efforts

Walking around we spotted this in front of a construction site. Check out how POCHIN CONTRACTORS LTD aim to minimise the environmental impact of their site.

Great,

Green Eve x


ALL IMAGES BELONG TO GREEN EVE.