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Gross but Green Disposal of Human Remains: Dissolving them with Lye

May 12, 2008 · Print This Article

Disposing of dead bodies is gross, no matter what. There are, you know, smells and fluids and ewwww… stuff like that involved. Finding a way to bury our dead has been a concern since the dawn of humanity on this planet, and over time, it’s gotten more and more complicated.

Some folks are looking for a simpler way, and that’s bringing all sorts of alternative burial possibilities to light, including the latest idea: dissolving bodies with lye.

From Yahoo News:

The process is called alkaline hydrolysis and was developed in this country 16 years ago to get rid of animal carcasses. It uses lye, 300-degree heat and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch to destroy bodies in big stainless-steel cylinders that are similar to pressure cookers.

No funeral homes in the U.S. — or anywhere …

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Chow Down on Insects to Help the Environment

May 12, 2008 · 2 Comments 

Doesn’t the sound and texture of insect exoskeletons being crushed between your teeth make your stomach growl? Especially when their crispy outsides break open and you get that gush of mushy innards all over the inside of your mouth. Some people describe the grayish, greasy meat of the giant water bug as “perfumey, tastes like salty apples”. Sorry if I just ruined your lunch, but, eating insects is being called a great new way to help the environment. David Gracer, a composition teacher at a Rhode Island community... [Read the full story]

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May 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

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Politics

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John McCain Announces Climate Change Tour; America Scratches its Head

May 12, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

GOP presidential candidate John McCain announced on “The Chris Matthews Show” last weekend that he’s planning a climate change tour. Our question is, what does he aim to do exactly – speed up climate change? Make it worse? Tell people it’s not real? Surely he doesn’t expect us to believe that he’ll be as effective at promoting awareness of climate change, or actually doing anything about it if he were to be elected President (OMG, please, no!). Well, at least according to him, McCain does intend to talk to... [Read the full story]

Fun

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Gross but Green Disposal of Human Remains: Dissolving them with Lye

May 12, 2008 · 2 Comments 

Disposing of dead bodies is gross, no matter what. There are, you know, smells and fluids and ewwww… stuff like that involved. Finding a way to bury our dead has been a concern since the dawn of humanity on this planet, and over time, it’s gotten more and more complicated. Some folks are looking for a simpler way, and that’s bringing all sorts of alternative burial possibilities to light, including the latest idea: dissolving bodies with lye. From Yahoo News: The process is called alkaline hydrolysis and was developed... [Read the full story]

Green Gear

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New Firewinder Light Uses Wind Power

May 5, 2008 · 1 Comment 

Years ago, ‘green’ things were known for being pretty boring. I can recall sitting through a demonstration at a power plant on a third grade field trip, desperately wishing I was someplace else while someone in a hard hat lectured to us about turning off the lights. Most of America feels the same way about all of the eco-education that’s going on right now, and that’s part of the problem. Green stuff isn’t thought of us fun. That’s why people like the inventor of the Firewinder make me happy. From Firewinder: Firewinder®... [Read the full story]

Green Business

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What Can Save the Floundering U.S. Economy? Green Technology!

May 12, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

The state of the U.S. economy has a lot of people worried. They’re not just concerned about their own bank accounts (though that is a major part of it), they’re concerned about their retirements, their businesses and their children’s futures. Everything seems like a bit of a mess at the moment, and New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten had some big questions for Michael Novogratz, president of the Fortress Investment Group, at the latest New Yorker Stories from the Near Future conference. From Wired: Our current... [Read the full story]

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Gross but Green Disposal of Human Remains: Dissolving them with Lye

Disposing of dead bodies is gross, no matter what. There are, you know, smells and fluids and ewwww… stuff like that involved. Finding a way to bury our dead has been a concern since the dawn of humanity on this planet, and over time, it’s gotten... [Read more]

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