Sundance Channel

Recycling tornado debris: finding opportunity in disaster

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:54:30 +0000

As tornadoes have left wreckage across numerous parts of the US in recent months, a number of people are looking at all the debris left behind... and seeing opportunity. In Birmingham, Alabama, for instance, Southeast Renewables has set up station at the North Georgia landfill to sort our recyclable materials... a process that will make the company money, and save some for the city on disposal fees: the company claims it can recycle up to 80% of the tornado wreckage. In North Carolina's Triangle area, individuals are the ones taking the initiative: local television station NBC-17 reported on a couple collecting scrap metal debris and taking it to a recycler... and making about $300 a day.

Italy’s Greensburg, Kansas

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:40:05 +0000

While Greensburg, Kansas may have fallen off the media radar just a bit, the Midwestern town's determination to rebuild green after an EF5 tornado leveled it in 2007 still provides a lot of inspiration. While I can't say it for certain, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that Greensburg's vision provided a model for the tiny village of Pescomaggiore, Italy.

Greensburg, Kansas celebrates “Better, Stronger, Greener” on second anniversary of tornado

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:29:36 +0000

On May 4, 2007, the western Kansas town of Greensburg was almost completely destroyed by an EF5 tornado (one of only two ever recorded). This past weekend, the town, along with supporters, well-wishers, and likely lots of media, came together to celebrate Greensburg’s commitment to rebuild itself as a “model green community.” The event’s theme, [...]