Recycling aluminum uses about 95% less energy than making new one from bauxite ore, which compares very favorably with other types of recycling.

Yes, but we still have a problem, says Carl A. Zimrig in a new book "Aluminum Upcycled: sustainable design in historical perspective." Because we are using too much of the stuff.

Remember how aluminum cans are "100 percent recyclable into pure aluminum"? They lied.

Constructed as an "apartment-house" hybrid, this prototypical 753-square-foot house makes the most of a small lot.

Sort of, but there is less to it than meets the eye.

In a nod to Buckminster Fuller's design philosophy of "maximum gain with minimal input," the wooden supports for this lightweight canopy are recycled from a village renovation project.

Plastic Bottle Village demonstrates another approach to repurposing single-use bottles.

It turns out, there are a lot of chemicals that have to be dealt with before fabrics can be reused.

The largest city in America, home to the worst traffic jam in history and the highest number of helicopters in the world, is trying to start a bike revolution in elementary schools.

The space is the first to pop up at the recently opened Casa FOA interior design exhibition, the largest in the city.

An easy-to-emulate arrangement by local designers made for design exhibition Casa Cor Rio.

Woodzee founder opens a factory in his own hometown, to make wooden sunglasses from recycled materials.

Handmade from discarded items, this collection of young designers' chic jewelry shows that 'waste' is merely a mentality, not a fact.

Using a non-chemical process based on traditional techniques, these furniture pieces are created with fish skins that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Made from TigerBamboo and hand sculpted flax fiber composite joints, the bikes weigh around 1.75 kg, and, according to the designers, “have a ride quality similar to high end steel, but with better vibration absorption”. And they look funky!

As its reputation grows, the VeloBerlin film awards attract more talent

If you've been around the green scene for some time, you may feel some ideas get a little tired over time. That could have been the case for bags from recycled tires, but ever since I got one (not from this brand, of course) I've

This city used to be a model for the future of biking in North America. Now it is just a deadly mess.

Actually, this is something every country needs.

Changing attitudes about cities and getting people out of cars takes a lot of work.

Buell motorcycles are fast, beautiful and expensive. How does Erik Buell's e-bike compare?

A lovely lounger made from reused trampoline parts.

The resin reduces the energy needed to manufacture turbine blades and allows them to be recycled.

Recycled aluminum and silver get another shot at becoming beautiful with this handmade collection, created with Japanese origami papers.

A new episode of the War on Cars looks at an issue dear to my heart.

Probably, the decade of e-mobility

Urine for a surprise as Alex Wilson concludes that urine collection beats composting. I was, because they are not mutually exclusive.

Nutrient cycling is important. But it's not something you want to get arrested for.

Here are some tips for taking your recycling to the next level.

The War on Cars pitch wins conservative votes across North America.

It's more than just a bike; it is a different way of thinking about design and manufacturing.

Why can't we all just get along? New campaign humanizes cyclists.

Why stop there? Helmets for everybody!

Here's one way to tread a bit more lightly while traveling.

Need a bicycle basket that is even handier than the classic wicker thing? The Bent Basket covers a variety of carrying needs.

Norwegian engineering students debut an electric motorcycle made from carbon fiber. They say it will be fast, cheap, and get 100 kilometers to a charge.

Who knew that old rope could have such a dignified second life?

Barcelona's bike sharing users are in an uproar; the city council wants to raise the anual fee by 116% in order to reduce the transportation budget.

Instead of designing it himself, Curro Claret gets people in risk of social exclusion to create and build Camper's shoe store in Barcelona, using reclaimed materials. The result is a fun store with a lot of personality.

Can you guess which European cities have the highest percentage of walking + bicycling + public transport? Give it a shot.

Recyclability is key at yök's eco-renovation. First, preserve everything we can, then recycle everything that has to go and lastly, make sure any new stuff is recyclable in the future.

yök commissions upcycled stools by ex homess people and Curro Claret

Made from used wooden pallets and a recycled countertop, the kitchens at yök Casa + Cultura in Spain are made to last.

This is my last post about my current eco-venture in Barcelona: yök Casa + Cultura. We believe that good tourism is possible thanks to common sense, eco-design and working for People, Planet and Profit.

Devastating forest fires in the area haven't kept Haifa, Israel, from being able to put up a massive Christmas tree in the center of town. It helps, of course, that the tree is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles -- 5,480 of them.

Around the country, Christmas trees are recycled for an unlikely purpose: they make for good fish habitat.

Every year, the town of Barrydale makes a magnificent tree using upcycled plastic, ribbons, and interactive lighting.

£1 million in grants will be divided among groups wanting to improve recycling facilities. But why should people have to compete for help in dealing with Starbucks' own trash?

Stay cozy in the knowledge that you're diverting plastic waste and reducing demand for new material.

This reduces demand on animals, diverts waste, and minimizes environmental impact.