But along comes a New York waste company and a town in California who want me to do something else with my dirty diapers. Like cover my roof with them. Or walk on them. Or build a doghouse with them, perhaps.

Does this sound nuts? Well, it's not. In fact, this project just won world's top happiness award: 2003 Happy Guy Award (www.The HappyGuy.com).

A few months ago, we lived in a "vertical community". When The Little Lady was born, we wanted to expand our home to make room for her, but our neighbors below objected to us digging a basement, and a front porch would have blocked hall. So we opted to move out to country, and with that move we had to sacrifice diaper service and any environmental high ground we could claim.

Yes, we became what we had always wanted to avoid being: diaper-dumpers.

If you have never had children, you may not realize how much a little child can dispose of. In olden days, a couple would have a dozen kids, give or take a few. In these modern times of disposable diapers that just is not possible – diapers from first child take up more place on this planet than several dozen siblings would.

Even oceans are cause for environmental regulation. The resent oil tanker that broke in two off coast of Spain has become world news and threatens ocean's eco system and industries that rely on it. From an investment perspective its fishing industry's concern, as losses can run into multi-millions. But fishermen aren't only one's who'll suffer.

In 2015 all oil transport ships are to be double hulled. That's current regulations and they're already talking about reforming that act. That spill is going to force those regulations to be changed, and rapidly. What that means is more ships will have to be built sooner. But it will also increase cost of transporting oil in short term and that means YOU are going to pay more for heating oil and gas for your car.

That brings me to point of this article. The environment can provide green investments or mean investments, depending on which end of spectrum your on.

The fishing industry off coast of Spain is going to suffer, ship builders are going to benefit, transportation industry is going to suffer and then micro economic effects begin to (pardon my pun) spill over to smaller businesses.

Investing in environmental companies that are charged with clean up is a pretty safe bet. But only those that are consistently involved are safest investment and have greatest chance for growth; better green than mean. Go for safe, consistent segments.

What do we mean by a safe investment? In environmental industry there are certain sectors where demand for their services are growing, especially since regulations began to be enacted to deal with mounting waste issues. Two of safest areas we've found are in recycling field. Automotive byproducts, tires, are one of more consistent demands in recycling. It's a green investment! The other is toxic metals and water. Very consistent demand, another green investment!

Axcess Business News looked at two green investments in recycling industry, Greenman Technologies, Inc. and KBF Pollution Management, Inc. We recently interviewed CFO of Greenman Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: GRN) in Axcess Business News Inside Wall Street column and had selected it as one of our "best picks" in our Stock Guide. The other company, KBF Pollution Management, Inc. (OTCBB: KBFP) is also in our Small Cap Corner's "best picks" column. GRN recycles tires and KBFP cleans up toxic metals and waste water. Two environmental companies in recycling sector, both with consistent demand for their services. Green investments!

GRN and KBFP By The Numbers

Greenman Technologies, Inc. Classification: business services. In first row are Industry Averages and in second row are Greenman Technologies, Inc. numbers. Source: Market Guide as of 11/17/02

Mkt. Cap P/E Profit (%) Margin Price to Sales ROE Sales per Share Debt to Equity EPS Growth (5 yr.) 404.71 33.60 9.49% 6.73 15.48 NA 0.24 17.67 30.82 21.51 4.97% 1.09 93.04 1.84 2.35 NM

KBF Pollution Management , Inc. Classification: waste management services. In first row are Industry Averages and in second row are KBF Pollution Management, Inc. numbers. Source: Market Guide as of 11/17/02