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For most of us rubbish is a tiresome waste of space.
But green entrepreneurs and people who need to make
money see it differently. For them where there's waste
there's opportunity.
'Waste to Wages' follows people who are turning waste
into profit. In case you're wondering, have classified
hemp as 'waste' purely because it's a great untapped
resource!
High
Hopes:
Hemp has been grown for over 12,000 years and has
over 25,000 uses. Largely misrepresented due to its
illegal cousin, marijuana, a cooperative of French
hemp growers is showing its potential by processing
40,000 tonnes of hemp each year. From paper to plastic,
food to fuel, hemp is proving that its reputation
is no match for its versatility.
Eat
Your Heart Out:
Looks at how two entrepreneurial Thai scientists have
come up with an edible answer to packaging food. Biodegradable
trays and plates made from Cassava are helping to
reduce waste which profits both themselves and the
environment. But watch out, stand around too long
and you might find your food has disappeared!
Tubular
Belles:
Bicycle's are a familiar sight in The Netherlands.
With an estimated 15 million, almost one for every
person, finding a supply of used rubber is easy. For
two sister's designing unusual fashion clothing from
bicycle inner tubes, the only problem is how to keep
up with demand. Using only scissors, a hole-punch
and their imagination, these Dutch designers are happy
to see waste on the catwalk.
Hell
For Leather:
Finds out how one of the world's largest centres for
tanning leather, in Pakistan, is cleaning up its act.
Treating the waste discharge from over 200 tanneries
is making a big impact on the health of the local
community as well as their appreciation. With the
help of training, they are truly getting an environmental
education.
Marapodi
Make Over:
When Violet Mutema was trained in solid waste management,
she became conscious of waste. Now her vision to see
the streets of Marapodi, on the outskirts of Zambia's
capital city, dirt and disease free. Taking rubbish
collection literally into their own hands, Violet
and her team of collectors are proving that rubbish
is no longer a dirty word.
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