Earth911 Weekly Roundup: February 27 - March 2

from Nate Lipka 03/02/12 0

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We revisit the biggest, best and most buzz-worthy stories of the week that was…

1. VIDEO: Amazing Recycled Bicycle Machines

Photo: Maya Pedal Asociación

Chef, food educator and author Laura Stec thinks you should adopt green habits that you enjoy. "If it ain't fun, it don't get done," she says. Photo: Laura Stec

Bicycle recycling is nothing new. But a Guatemalan nonprofit is turning trashed bicycle parts into innovative, electricity-free machines that you have to see to believe.

Based in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala, Maya Pedal Asociación accepts donated bikes from the U.S. and Canada, which volunteers either recondition to sell or break down to create a range of pedal-powered machines called Bicimáquinas.

Some of Maya Pedal’s most awe-inspiring creations include a corn thresher – a bicycle machine adapted to fit a hand-powered grinding mill – and a water pump, which can lift water at five to 10 gallons per minute from wells and boreholes up to 98 feet deep.

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Nate Lipka Managing Editor

Based in Phoenix, Nate lives vegan, shops local and always doodles in the margins. He subjects himself to rooting for the Sun Devils and Cubs, so take it easy on the guy.