Plastic to Oil!

For the past several years, Surfers Without Borders have been researching various methods of producing energy from waste. While there are many clean ways to get electricity from biomass or organic matter, we were particularly looking for ways to create an incentive for people to clean up the ocean, mainly the plastic that has gathered itself and our attention in the Northern Pacific Gyre.

The Northern Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone
aka the Pacific Garbage Patch

There are more convergence zones than the Pacific Garbage Patch, and a total of 5 major gyres. We now know with reasonable certainty that plastic is indeed accumulating in all of these areas of the ocean.

"Geez, Professor, thatsalotta plastic... Could it be worth something?"
After all, its made from oil- isn't it?

After many sessions surfing the internet, we came across a pretty promising process and series of machines designed by the Blest Corporation of Japan. After contacting them we were put in touch with their US representatives, E-N-ergy Inc.

Jason Tanne, Harry, and Rod Sato of E-N-ergy

This last week, E-N-ergy visited Surfers Without Borders at the Orella Stewardship Institute to demonstrate the innovation that turns common household plastics into usable oil (click here to watch the video of the demonstration- 3 parts). The machines range from a small desktop units to large continuous processing machines and refiners that can handle up to multiple tons of plastic waste.

Over 50 people came out to view the Plastic to Oil demo
hosted by Orella Stewardship Institute

The Blest Be-h desktop unit was on hand converting plastic grocery bags, milk and water jugs, margarine and yogurt containers into oil that can run generators and other engines. The desktop unit is ideal for classrooms, small offices or home use. (click here to watch a video of the process)

Cutting up an old tupperware for processing

Plastics of type #2, #4, #5, #6 and some #7 are usable, including bags, wrappers, and other thin film plastics that are not recyclable (which are also the most damaging to the environment).

The plastics are put into the melting chamber where they are heated to around 420 deg C, at which point the plastic boils and the hot gasses are run through a water bath to be condensed into oil.

The machine in action- the cylinder on the right contains the gas from plastic that has

heated and is being condensed through normal tap water

Touchscreen makes for easy operation

The desktop unit uses 1 kilowatt of electricity to convert 1 kilogram of plastic into 1 liter of oil, at a cost of around US $0.25. The oil can then be further refined back through the same machine into gasoline, kerosene, and diesel. A small amount of ash is left over, and the off-gasses are turned into CO2 and water with a catalytic converter, or can be used to run a generator.

The process is called pyrolysis- and is a tried and true method for converting almost any type of material into energy. Material is super heated in the absence of oxygen- so does not combust, but vaporizes into gas. Since there is no combustion, the process is relatively clean.

Mark Morey and Glenn of SB Surfrider talk with Harry of E-N-ergy

Joining us for the demo were representatives of various interest groups in Santa Barbara, including the City and County solid waste managers. SWoBs is trying to bring together all of the players in our area who have the influence to bring this technology to our area.

Rod Sato of E-N-ergy in blue on left talks with (l to r) Carlyle Johnston and Mark Tautrim of SB County Public Works Waste Management Division, and Eric Lohela, Environmental Specialist with the City of SB Recycling and Trash Division. In the background are Russ Teall of BioDiesel Industries and Micheal Chiacos of the Community Environmental Council.

Santa Barbara County just recently put out a bid for waste conversion technologies, as our landfill is over 50% capacity and we need to start looking at alternatives to dumping our trash into a hole in the ground. This process seemed promising, with a City employee stating he was "Cautiously optimistic."

The Blester Be-h desktop unit

The oil is visible as the upper dark layer of liquid in the cylinder on the right

While this technology is not a silver bullet for the issue of marine debris, it is a start. The real value of this process is to demonstrate that plastic is a resource, even that which cannot be recycled, like all those silly bags of corn chips and candy bars.

Furthermore- we are not implying that we should continue to use more and more plastic because we can convert it to fuel. This technology offers one solution for plastic that is already in circulation, particularly that which is circulating the globe in the ocean. We must also continue to look at replacing plastics with other biodegradable or benign materials, like wax paper.

If we as humans can shift our perception of “waste”, we can create jobs that clean up the planet. If we consider our trash as treasure, people will think twice about throwing things “away”, wherever that is.

Read more about Blest machines and the process at E-N-ergy's blog:

http://www.e-n-ergy.blogspot.com/

10-10-10: Can We Save the World?

Does the world even need saving?
With all of the global crises lately- global warming, plastic in the ocean, oil spills- it sure seems that way. But the Earth will most likely not die or disappear if these crises remained unaddressed- but we will, just like the Dodo.


Every gallon of oil in the ocean, every degree the Earth heats, just makes life a little more difficult for us, not to mention the myriad species of plants and animals that are not as adaptable as humans. And nobody wants more challenges, more difficulty, or more stress.

So what we are really talking about is preservation- preservation of a quality of life, as well as species and habitats. But we must go beyond preservation at this point- just merely keeping the status quo is not enough. We must regenerate what we have destroyed in order to re-create the natural bounty enjoyed by our ancestors.

Tomorrow is 10-10-10
This day was selected by the folks at 350.org to challenge people to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% in the next year, with the goal to drop global CO2 concentrations to pre-industrial levels of 350 ppm.

Take the 10-10-10 challenge and join an existing event, create your own, or take the personal pledge to reduce you own emissions over the next year.

3 (incredibly easy and fun) ways you can reduce your CO2 footprint:

1. Grow (at least some of) your own food:
Planting a garden is not only funner and fresher, you also cut out an incredible amount of CO2 by reducing food miles.


Did you know that the average salad travels 1500 miles on its way to your table?


Speaking of salad, a mostly vegetarian diet creates far less greenhouse gasses (unless you eat a lot of beans...) If you can't grow your own, support a local farmer.



2. Dry your clothes on a line instead of the dryer.


Just like Grandma used to do... Do you think she was stupid? She knew that she could save money by using good ol' fashioned solar energy to get her whites whiter.


Not only can you save money, but you could keep around 1000 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere by line-drying for only six months out of the year!


You can even dry your clothes indoors in the winter if you are super core...


3. Walk, bike, or stay at home.
This is kind of a no-brainer, but the less you drive, the less CO2 you produce. Unfortunately, the current trend is more single drivers and less carpooling.



In today's age of hyper-cyber-connectedness, many people can work from virtually anywhere. If you can't, carpool with a friend, or that cute someone from the office.


Maybe talk to your boss about working more hours and less days. If we worked four ten-hour days we could cut out 20% of our CO2 emissions from commuting, or around 1250 pounds of CO2 per year per person.


It really isn't hard, inconvenient, or boring to reduce your impact on the planet. In fact, you will feel better, be healthier, and appreciate what you have even more than you do now.


Upcoming events...

October 10th: Carrot Mob "Buycott" at McConnell's Ice Cream on Sunday from 1-4 pm.

Come out and support the "Buycott" at McConnell's Ice Cream on the corner of Mission and De La Vina Streets in Santa Barbara. McConnell's has agreed to use all extra proceeds generated from the "mob" to improve energy efficiency in their store. Sounds like a sweet deal!

October 15th-17th: Central Coast Bioneers

Bioneers is inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other, and future generations. Bioneers has two keystone goals to help make this shift successfully:

Connect people with solutions by popularizing breakthrough ideas and practices, and grow social capital by catalyzing, connecting and strengthening strategic networks, including bioregional and community based alliances.

SWoBs Founder Loren Luyendyk will be tabling at the event. Email info@surferswithoutborders.org for more info

October 16th: Santa Barbara Surfrider Paddle-Out for Clean Waves
from 11 am to 3 pm at Ledbetter Beach. Food, music, and games also!

contact Ken Palley at 2palleys@cox.net for more info.


October 20th: "Last Paradise" Film

$10 general admission/$20 Center for Sustainability Supporters
Tickets at the door, or Arlington Ticket Office(805) 963-4408

An Eco-Adventure Film 45 years in the making with stunning original footage from Bali, Mexico, Portugal, New Zealand, Utah, and Australia. Young maverick sports pioneers exploring a world that no longer exists, meeting along the way surf legends, extreme sports pioneers, and scientists on the leading edge of alternative energy. Clive Neeson, extreme sports pioneer, filmmaker & physicist will be available for Q&A following the film.

contact: Margie, msbushman@sbcc.edu, (805) 965-0581, ext 2177 for more info

October 23rd: Friendship Paddle
from Santa Cruz Island to Chase palm Park, event to follow

Seven years ago, a group of friends formed The Friendship Paddle as a way to help a friend, Doug McFadden, battle an inoperable brain tumor. In doing so, this group of friends raised funds and spirits for Doug and his family via a relay paddle across the Santa Barbara Channel.

Following that initial success, The Friendship Paddle has held a new event each year to support a family in need. To date, with each member raising money for the paddle, the group has been able to provide financial and emotional support to seven special families who have faced life-threatening illnesses. The memories and the legacy created by this annual event had a very powerful and positive effect on the families and participants involved.

contact Alex Pappas at mystic_tubes@hotmail.com for more info

October 29th: "Nightmare at Gaviota"
SB Surfrider benefit for the Gaviota Coast, SoHo Restaurant and Music Club with special guests Makai


Last but definitely not least....

Our friends at Quail Springs Learning Oasis and Permaculture Farm just suffered a devastating flood that wiped out their pond and gardens, amongst other things. All told the deluge took out $40,000 worth of infrastructure, not to mention the 1000's of hours of work lost over the last six years of soil building. Please support them any way you can, by donating time or money to our wonderful family out in Cuyama.

Please contact info@quailsprings.org to help


wow... that was a long one. Thanks for hangin' in there if you made it this far. Until next time....

KEEP IT CLEAN!

Been a Long Time Comin'

It has been a long time since our last update- sorry for the lag. We have had some consuming personal adventures lately that have kept us away from the blogosphere, but we have still kept our fingers on the pulse of the hottest environmental topics of the day.

Lots of surf this winter- keeps one away from the computer

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been pushed under a sheen of a floating ball of oil. The nation and the world are now consumed with a more immediate environmental catastrophe- the Gulf Oil Spill from the failure of British Petroleum's Deepwater Horizon rig.

How Much Oil Does it Take to Run the World?

We are all responsible for the Gulf Oil Spill. Our everyday life (at least of 90% of the US) relies heavily on oil. Drive to work to earn money, drive to the bank to deposit it, drive to the store to buy food, drive home. Even the food we buy wouldn’t be at the store without cheap oil, or clothes, or cars.

So how many more times do we need to learn the lesson of oil? Seems like we still haven’t gotten the message. Oil is harmful to the environment every step of the way, yet we are so dependent on it, there seem no easy way out of the cycle.

That reality check in the bank, what can we do about the current reality- a gaping hole in the Earth, 400 feet below the sea surface gushing oil in untold quantities into the Gulf of Mexico? There is no accurate estimate at the exact volume of oil leaking, nobody can seem to measure it. A federal panel to investigate the spill flow rate has been formed, and includes a researcher from UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Ira Leifer.

Dr. Leifer and the panel have determined that the original estimate made by the government of 5,000 barrels a day was way low- they put a conservative estimate of the low range of the daily amount of oil leaking at 12,000 to 25,000 barrels, maybe up to 40,000 barrels per day. That’s around 504,000-1,050,000 gallons of oil leaking per day, at the low end. Click here to read more of the panel and Dr. Leifer's findings.

Of course BP does not want anyone to know this. They are not being the most cooperative in the investigation, giving the panel poor quality videos and lagging on providing any real information. Furthermore, they have made things worse with efforts to stop the spill- “Top Kill” may have increased the flow rate by many magnitudes.

As if things couldn't get any worse, our friends at Below The Surface have new information that there may indeed be more than one rig leaking in the Gulf. This among news that there was another spill of several thousand barrels on the Alaskan pipeline, which is mostly owned by BP. Seems like spills are business as usual for the oil companies.

Surfers to the Rescue!

Who ever thought that Surfers could make a difference with what is rapidly becoming the World’s largest oil spill? That is exactly what the founders of ReSurf are doing. They have created a containment boom that attracts oil like glue, and rejects water- out of waste polyurethane foam from shaping surfboards.

Furthermore, the waste left over is a mixture of oil and polyurethane filler, which is a great amendment to asphalt for paving. Basically, the oil is not completely lost- it can still be used to build roads to carry our petro-chariots, and is actually improved by the foam additive.

watch the video

What’s the answer to the energy crisis?

How can the world wean it self off of oil? We wish we knew. Our best bet is there will be no silver bullet, but many solutions in the context of the local region and climate. Bioregional ecological design will serve to solve the challenges of our energy needs.

One way to solve the energy crisis- grow your own food!

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal are some of the many sustainable options that we have to provide clean, renewable energy for our growing masses of consumers. Other technologies that are still fringe are beginning to gather momentum.

Methane production, or Biogas, from municipal waste offers huge potential. Waste reserves can be converted to electricity through the burning of the methane gas released by bacteria during the decomposition of organic residues. Many cities in Europe are using methane to power their vehicles, with good results. They are even running cars on bananas in Australia!

Compressed Air Technology, or CAT, is a very promising solution to cheap, emission free transportation. India recently put into production a car that goes 68 mph and has a range of 120 miles on a $2.00 fill up of air, or you can plug it in and it will be charged in 4 hours.

SWoBs in the News!

SWoBs had two articles come out recently in The Surfers Path and DEEP Magazine. The Surfers’ Path article was about the trip to Mexico from June 2008 to July 2009. DEEP highlighted SWoB’s trip to Alaska in September 2009 with the Coastal CODE.

Surfonomincs Study

Have you surfed in Baja California Sur in the last year? If so, please take a few minutes to fill out the Surfing Survey put together by the School For Field Studies. They are attempting to estimate the value of surfing as a tourist attraction to prove to the Mexican Governement the need to preserve their coastal habitats.

Local Events

This Sunday June 20th is International Surfing Day! Come celebrate and preserve our beaches and coasts in Santa Barbara at Surf into Summer, put on by Surf Happens and the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Beach clean-ups, surfing, and live music by Soul Majestic will help to ring in a super summer!

Surfing connects us to the ocean, the air, and the earth. We are all in the ocean together! Let's keep it clean!

From the Quench Summit to Alaska and....

In late August, SWoBs Founding Director Loren Luyendyk was a participant in the Quench Summit. The summit was organized by Safe Water International and the Eleos Foundation with the goals of meeting the “300 in 6” initiative to provide safe point of use (POU) water filters to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa in 6 years.

Clean drinking water is lacking for 1 billion people

The panel of international expert participants discussed water filtration and disinfection technologies that are currently available and that fit the criteria of being effective, easy to use, and affordable. Bio-Sand Filters and SODIS (solar disinfection) were considered the two best options based on the criteria. We also discussed the need for basic education about water-borne diseases. click to download the full Quench Summit report here

Alissa Sears of Christie Communications at the Quench Summit

From September 13^th to 20^th, SWoBs journeyed to Alaska with the Coastal CODE and Alaskan Brewing Co. for a week of beach clean-ups and adventure. Four people were chosen in an essay contest to participate in the trip: Loren Luyendyk of SWoBs, Jared Criscuolo of Below the Surface, Kathleen Egan of Stop the Plastic Wave, and Elizabeth Stergiou of Anchorage.

Make W.A.V.E.S.!

We helped the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation and the Yakutat Salmon Board to remove, categorize, and weigh literally tons of marine debris in three days. Over the last six years, they have removed over one million pounds from the remote coastlines of Alaska.

The Wrangel St. Elias Range north of Yakutat, Alaska

our national bird abounds in the last fronteir

that's close enough...

The beaches of Yakutat are long and isolated, with the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias range as a dramatic backdrop. Bald eagles soar overhead while seals chase the abundant salmon below.

Mount St. Elias stands foreboding in the sunset

This place is so remote that you would never expect to find trash, but unfortunately that is not the case. The Northern Pacific Gyre and the Alaska current push debris from commercial fishing and recreational boats onto the beaches there.

Small flakes of partially degraded plastic were evenly distributed in the shoreline sand, like imitation pieces of shell. Plastic bottles that previously contained motor oil, hydraulic fluid, and Gatorade gathered at the storm line. We spent several hours cutting up a tangle of nets and ropes that was the size of a small car that had beached itself on an uninhabited island.

Dave Gaudier of the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation stands aside the net monster

the monster up close- there must have been a thousand feet of rope and nets all tangled together

The locals in Yakutat were pretty darn friendly, and treated us like family. They even went as far as taking us out one morning, and we scored some pretty fun surf! A huge thank you to local rippers Sam, David, and Joey, plus the friendly staff at Icy Waves Surf Shop for hooking us up with boards and suits!

local grom David pausing off the bottom on a peeler

Kathleen lucks into a good one

lots of different waves in Alaska, you just have to show up

From Yakutat we flew to the capital city Juneau, where we spent International Coastal Clean-Up Day pulling out trash from the inner coastal waterway around the city with owners and employees of the Alaskan Brewing Company.

International Coastal Clean Up Day crew posing with the loot of trash

Alaskan Brewing Co. was voted one of America’s 15 best places to work, and hanging out with the owners showed us why this is so. They were so generous and genuine, feeding us fresh caught crab and listening intently to our ideas about ocean conservation.

that's a pot full of crabs caught and prepared by AK Brew founder Geoff Larson, almost ready to eat!

(l to r) AK Brew Co-Owner Marcy Larson, Jared Criscuolo, (squatting) Ak Brew master Steve Sano, Kathleen Egan, AK Brew Co-Owner Geoff Larson, Loren Luyendyk, Elizabeth Stergiou

We left early in the morning on the 20th, exhausted from a grueling schedule, but super stoked on Alaska and fired up to protect the beach! SWoBs was selected to join in this trip based on our work with waste-to-energy technology, specifically the gasification of plastic to produce electricity.

the Hubbard glacier near Juneau, rapidly receding

We are seeking funding for the development of the gasification idea, coupled with a marine debris study of the Gaviota Coast from Point Conception to Campus Point. The goal is to travel the coast by boat (powered by plastic) and collect shallow water and shore debris for categorization and weighing, with the goal of determining the sources of oceanic trash.

Don't forget to register for the upcoming Carbon Economy Series at the Orella Ranch this fall. Courses include Soil Food Web with Elaine Ingram, Holistic Management and Permaculture Design with Darren Doherty and Kirk Gadzia, Zero Energy Research and Intiatives with Gunter Pauli, and Pathways to Relocalization with Joel Salatin. Only three weeks left until the first course! click here to register or learn more...

Or come to the

Climate Action, Stand for Sustainability Community Event!

When: October 24th, 6-9pm (Worldwide Climate action day!)

Where: Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library

What: An open discussion forum to bring active local organizations together to share their ideas, projects and resources with the public about global warming, sustainable agriculture, permaculture, reduction of ocean pollution and other pressing issues related to sustainability. News will be shared about the upcoming Carbon Economy Series at the Orella Ranch. The goal is to raise awareness, build support and strengthen our community. How: There will be a projector available to show short informational videos about projects, as well as a microphone for speakers.

Cost: Free (donations to pay for the room gratefully accepted).

Thanks for reading- We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy writing it! Please comment on our blogs if you feel so inspired- all input is useful and important!

photo credits: Alaska photos courtesy of Jared Criscuolo