Green @ Home

Posts Tagged ‘recycling’

According to some very old survey, the metal paperclips mostly are used as anything else than paperclips : as toothpicks, tactile relaxing objects (bending during conversations), electric shorts, temporary repairs of clothes and any kind of hooks, you name it. Then came plastic ones – bright colors, various sizes…but…require waste procession after end of life as any other usual plastic.

This time there is paperclip made from pressure fortified paper and 100% renewable, recyclable and disposable. Sure it cannot be a toothpick, but from other side, you will eliminate chances of dental injury. And among other benefits, the risk to broke shredder is also gone. Thrown away, it is degradable too and will not plaque the drain hose of washer machine (known experience with metal paperclips).  So, again, recycle matters!

Re-using is even better than recycling. This media box was basically made from re-used computer components and free open-source software. The project was done in 2003 and after few minor upgrades still works well.

• The case is from non-working SONY branded DVD player
• Motherboard is EPIA micro-AT with all ports onboard
• Power supply is taken from one of the used PC boxes and modified to fit inside the case
• Boot load is made from old Compact Flash Card, 32M with IDE/CF adapter ($4.99 at eBay)
• Linux distribution GeexBox media center
• Remote – PC DVD from Creative (local computer surplus store, $8)

Total cost – about $30

DIY illustrated guide