Two very interesting resources have come across the radar this week:

1) The Blue Economy:  What would the world be like if we took the most promsing 100, nature inspired technologies and ganged them up together into one system?  The answer Gunter Pauli insists is an economic "ecosystem" complete with symbiotic relationships, reinforcing technologies, and recycled nutrients.  To the critics who might think this is just another researcher's impractical wet dream, Pauli involved a project team to review and assemble the ideas-- everyone from corporate strategists to economists to financiers and policy makers.  The ideas go beyond the "less bad" in order to do "more good".  The book is forthcoming and it looks damn promising. 

2) AltUse: The website presents alternative re/uses for everything from egg cartons to banana peels.  Some very worthwhile and economic ideas here, from coffee grounds in the garden to hairspray as a stain remover.