Reduce, reuse, recycle

Five research projects at WSU have been awarded “Organic Waste to Resources” grants by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The grants belong to the department’s Beyond Waste Plan which aims to reclaim all waste materials through recovery systems in the next 30 years, in hopes of creating sustainable reclamation statewide.

The five projects include: converting Washington biomass to bioethanol, organic soil amendments, turning waste organic material into a soil amendment, and using bio-refineries to convert softwood bark to transportation. For more information visit the WSU Today website at http://wsutoday.wsu.edu/ and search waste.
(Photo from hotrotsystems.com)

Denmark microbiologist to lead efforts to convert biomass into products.

An internationally recognized microbiologist will join Washington State University as the director of the Center for Bioproducts and Bioenergy and as the Battelle Distinguished Professor, based at WSU Tri-Cities.

Read the rest of the story at http://wsu.edu/spotlight/star-researcher/index.html

WSU Recycling Pilot Program

WSU Waste Management has been working on a new recycling program, check it out

Direct Seeding - The Future of Farming?

We take a look at a more environmentally-friendly farming practice being adapted around the world.

I don't have time for magic tricks

Did you know Washington State University has a Sustainability Office? Ya, I didn’t know that either, and guess why? They don’t do anything. Or at least anything that’s worthwhile, newsworthy, or even important enough to post on their website at http://www.sustainability.wsu.edu/. This seems like another “pull the bunny out of the hat type trick”. We are simply too distracted and impressed by the fact that there is an actual department (bunny), to notice that it’s not doing anything. So the question remains. Where did that bunny come from? And why should I be impressed?

Publisher receives 'green' certification

Washington State's printing facility, University Publishing, has received an honor from the Forest Stewardship Council, due to their efforts to further the University’s commitment to the environment and sustainability. For more information visit For more information, visit http://www.publishing.wsu.edu/

Can you dig it?

Photo from www.unikeep.com

Monday’s bitter blanket of snow may have caused a stir of confusion, but the fact of the mater remains; spring is one its way! As spring begins to reawaken our senses, we must not forget that there is much to be done. Yes, I mean spring cleaning (horrible, scary music dramatizes the scene). But I don’t mean it’s time to start dusting the shutters or washing the windows, no one ever does that anyway. Rather, it’s time to wallow in the mud, slide into your favorite pair of outdoor clogs, and clean up your garden.

For helpful tips of advice visit the Moscow Food Co-op's page http://www.moscowfoodcoop.com/ and view "In the Garden" by Holly Barnes. Now a shameless plug, go on and ready my articles about food. You have to eat don’t you?