(Picture from RecycleBank)

The blog Social Entrepreneur points us to this social enterprise in Philadelphia called RecycleBank. There's also a video story on it at NBC, via the RecycleBank page. This seems like a great concept that more local businesses could get involved with, both to aid recycling habits and bring customers to their stores. Where I live we do have weekly recycling pick-up, and we pretty much recycle everything we can. But I still wonder how many people use that option, even with the bins being picked up every week. Incentives could work even better. Check out the video testimonials here.

In other social enterprise, social entrepreneurship, and microfinance news ...

*Defeating Global Poverty looks at the implications of for-profit microfinance.

*From the Financial Times, two twenty-somethings have created a business worth just under £1m after 10 months' trading by turning the traditionally dilapidated structure that is the bikeshed into an elegant piece of urban design.

*From India's Business Standard, a few words on Bill Gates and corporate philanthropy. More on Gates recent decision to devote himself to full-time nonprofit work at the Washington Post.

*In New Orleans, a new center offers shelter to displaced nonprofits.

*Turning coconut waste into profitable products for the Phillipino poor.

*A community garden in the UK helps train unemployed in horticulture.

*Beth's blog survey's collaborative fundraising approaches.

*Enterprising Nonprofits has launched a social enterprise development website. Via the Social Change Institute blog.

*The Microloan Foundation will have a fundraising 'canal walk' on the 24th of September in London.

*The Stanford Graduate School of Business has launched a podcasting channel, Social Innovation Conversations, offering free audio programs addressing some of the world's most pressing social and environmental challenges.

*Joshua Venture is offering fellowship programs for social entrepreneurs.