Day 17: Earth-Conscious Vacuum Cleaner?

Electrolux is a vacuum cleaner company turned earth-conscious crusader.  They have just unveiled their 'Vac from the Sea,' a limited line of 5 vacuum cleaners constructed from plastic retrieved from the world's oceans. Apparently while there is a shortage of recycled plastics on land to use for making sustainable home appliances, there are large islands, several times larger than the state of Texas, floating in the oceans.  

"Their aim is twofold: to bring attention to the issue of plastic pollution and to raise awareness on the scarcity of recycled plastics needed for making sustainable home appliances...The plan is to make a limited number of vacuum cleaners from plastic debris harvested from the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean, Baltic and North Seas. The techniques for harvesting the plastic will vary depending on the location – from diving after it to scooping it up from the waves."

This is part of a larger initiative to improve the process of collecting and recycling, also known as ecocycling.  There are smart people working on improving the process of recycling, and at Electrolux they are currently able to produce this vacuum cleaner with up to 70% recycled plastics.  Their ultimate hope, though, is to someday be able to completely construct home appliances using 100% recycled material.  An awesome goal, and totally achievable with such brilliant minds at work.  

"However, to fix the imbalance in supply and demand and get the cycle working properly, overall consumer perception must change.  “The ‘Vac from the sea’ project aims to do just that – educate consumers,” says Nord. “This issue is much too important to leave to politicians. Companies, consumers and politicians are equally accountable for the situation.”"  Yes, we are.  And thank you, Electrolux, for your creative ideas in engaging the problem and beginning to find a solution.  

Information for this blog was found on happynews.com and Electrolux's 'Vac from the sea' site.


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