RIPPL #30: La Tricyclerie – the circular economy, à la pédale

La Tricyclerie is an initiative based in Nantes, France, which collects organic waste from local businesses on cargo tricycles and bike trailers. The waste, which comes from 30 restaurants in three Nantes neighbourhoods, is collected by a team of volunteers. Twice-weekly collections add up to an estimated 20 tons annually, which is taken to local composting facilities. All collections are weighed, with the business or restaurant’s contribution tracked. Continue reading “RIPPL #30: La Tricyclerie – the circular economy, à la pédale”

RIPPL #25: Food Justice by bike in Colorado and beyond

Denver and Boulder, two American cities about 50km apart, are nestled at the feet of the Rocky mountains in Colorado. They have plenty in common, even in terms of cycling culture; for example, both cities host regular ‘Cruiser Rides’ which look like great fun (check them out here Denver Cruiser Ride, and here Boulder Cruiser Ride).

The two cities are also home to Food Rescue organisations Denver Food Rescue and Boulder Food Rescue, both of which use volunteer-ridden bikes with trailers to collect food which would otherwise be discarded from grocery stores.

Continue reading “RIPPL #25: Food Justice by bike in Colorado and beyond”

RIPPL #23: Gruten – turning coffee waste into soap… and how bikes are involved…

Launched in 2014, Gruten is a small business which collects coffee waste from cafes in Oslo on an e-cargo bike. The bike has a name – Hurtigruten, after a Norwegian cruise ship operator. The coffee waste is used to produce hand made natural scrub soap and as compost for growing mushrooms. Continue reading “RIPPL #23: Gruten – turning coffee waste into soap… and how bikes are involved…”