Monthly Archives: March 2022

4 Ways to Dispose of Your Car

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When your older car is on its last legs, it may seem like an eyesore sitting uselessly in your driveway. If it’s too dangerous to drive or not running at all, you’re probably looking for the most efficient way to dispose of it.

Selling the car to a new driver may require repairs or maintenance to make it worth it. Luckily for you, this isn’t the only option available.

Read ahead for 4 alternative ways to dispose of your car without the hassle of selling it yourself.

Ways to Dispose of Your Car

1. Donation

An efficient means of disposal that will also directly benefit someone in need is a donation. Several different charities accept old cars. If it doesn’t run, many are more than happy to tow it from your residence for you.

Maintenance isn’t required for this option, but if you’re donating to Goodwill or a Veteran’s donation program, it’s good to at the very least clean it before it’s given away.

2. Junk Removal Service

Another efficient way to get rid of old cars is vehicle parts recycling or a junk removal service. You’ve likely seen posted ads for junk removal services on telephone poles, but you should research the sources before calling these numbers.

A proper junk removal service will tow your car for free and pay you cash, anywhere from $250-$20,000! While donations can be written off as a tax deduction, immediate cash payments can be more desirable.

Determine first whether your scrap vehicle is still considered an intact car or is damaged in a way that a removal service would consider junk parts. Some companies will tow a badly damaged vehicle but will not purchase scrap parts by themselves.

3. Recycling

Looking for the greenest method of disposal? Consider recycling your broken-down car, which yields many of the same benefits as donating, including free towing/removal and financial benefits.

For many drivers, cars hold a sentimental place in their hearts, and when your vehicle has reached the end of its life, it may seem like a waste to leave it in a scrapyard where it’ll sit for years and years.

Recycling is a great benefit to the planet, and you can rest easy knowing your old vehicle is disposed of properly. If your vehicle is still in good enough condition to drive, some companies may suggest you go the donation route.

old car disposal

4. Trade-In

The most common way to get rid of a paid-off vehicle is a trade-in. For those with functioning cars looking for credit going towards their next vehicle purchase or leasing, trade-ins can be the most beneficial.

Out of everything disposal method listed here, this one may require a smaller bit of research to get the most bang for your buck.

While a junk car can be hauled off regardless of condition, you can certainly haggle for the value of your trade-in vehicle, especially if you bought it during the pandemic.

Car Disposal that Benefits You

An unwanted car may seem like a heavy burden at first, but there are several common methods that move your vehicle from your residence and cash into your pocket. To find the best method of disposal, assess your car’s condition and your own needs.

Would a tax write-off benefit you more, or is a one-off cash payment a more immediate convenience? Is your car able to drive safely, or is it a hunk of scraps that’s simply an eyesore on your property?

Car disposal doesn’t have to be a chore without benefit; consult these 4 popular procedures to find the right one for you!

What LED Light Colours Help With Relieving Headaches?

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Most people don’t realize just how much light affects us. Our bodies have all sorts of hidden triggers and unusual responses associated with light, and being aware of them is a good way to control how you feel throughout the day and night.

Moreover, with the help of modern led lights, we can take the reins and choose which colours of illumination we are exposed to. So with that in mind, let’s investigate the best hues and tones to pick if you are prone to headaches and are looking for relief.

Which LED Light Colours Help With Relieving Headaches

Going green and avoiding blue

For a large number of people, migraines are an everyday reality that they have to live with, and when suffering from this severe form of headache, sensitivity to light is an inevitable side effect.

Thankfully studies have found that green light of a particular wavelength can actually minimize the intensity of migraines. Furthermore, green light can even reduce the likelihood of an intense headache occurring in the first place.

On the other hand, blue light has been shown to actually increase the influence of headaches and migraines. This means that you should avoid it where possible, steering clear of things like smartphone screens and using a blue light filter mode if your handset provides one.

Likewise when choosing evening lighting, the use of night light bulbs which do not emit blue light will both ease the impact of a headache, and also give you a better quality of sleep by not disrupting your circadian rhythm.

Considering the rest of the spectrum

So far we’ve established that green light is good for relieving headaches, and blue light is problematic in this context. But what about the rest of the colours on the spectrum of visible light?

Well, the bad news is that those who are prone to headaches will not find any relief with any other colour of light, whether that might be red, amber or pure white.

In fact, the closer you get to white light, the worse the effects will be. This is why so many migraine sufferers are advised to lay down in dark rooms to try and quell this complaint.

Managing your exposure to light

Clearly it may not be convenient to always think about the light you are exposed to, but it could be worthwhile if you do have headache issues that are getting out of hand.

As mentioned, lots of modern people are spending an excessive amount of time on their smart devices which means that blue light exposure is occurring well into the evening, outside of the daylight hours when we would normally encounter it. The same applies for any display, be it a computer monitor or a television.

As well as switching to modern LED bulbs which filter out blue light, you can change your habits to reduce screen time, particularly during the evenings, so that headaches are not brought about.

climate anxiety

This could even help you to reconnect with those around you, whether in your household or in social situations, as the temptation to take out your phone and scroll aimlessly will be quashed in your efforts to stop headaches arising.

There are also specialist glasses lenses which offer blue light filtering that can help any migraine sufferers out there, although obviously these do not remove all of the wavelengths of visible light, so the effect is not guaranteed to work optimally for everyone.

Ultimately it is about getting to know your own body and your own rhythms, and listening to it so you can detect when a headache may be brewing, then stepping in to stop it.

The Pyrolysis of Scrap Tires

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Pyrolysis of scrap tires offers an environmentally and economically attractive method for transforming waste tires into useful products, heat and electrical energy. Pyrolysis refers to the thermal decomposition of scrap tires either in the absence or lack of oxygen. The principal feedstocks for pyrolysis are pre-treated car, bus or truck tire chips. Scrap tires are an excellent fuel because of their high calorific value which is comparable to that of coal and crude oil. The heating value of an average size passenger tire is between 30 – 34MJ/kg.

scrap-tires-pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is the most recommended alternative for the thermochemical treatment of waste tires and extensively used for conversion of carbonaceous materials in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Pyrolysis is a two-phase treatment which uses thermal decomposition to heat the rubber in the absence of oxygen to break it into its constituent parts, e.g., pyrolysis oil (or bio oil), synthetic gas and char. Cracking and post-cracking take place progressively as the material is heated to 450-500°C and above.

Process Description

The pyrolysis method for scrap tires recycling involves heating whole or halved or shredded tires in a reactor containing an oxygen free atmosphere and a heat source. In the reactor, the rubber is softened after which the rubber polymers disintegrate into smaller molecules which eventually vaporize and exit from the reactor. These vapors can be burned directly to produce power or condensed into an oily type liquid, called pyrolysis oil or bio oil.

Some molecules are too small to condense and remain as a gas which can be burned as fuel. The minerals that were part of the tire, about 40% by weight, are removed as a solid. When performed well a tire pyrolysis process is a very clean operation and has nearly no emissions or waste.

The heating rate of tire is an important parameter affecting the reaction time, product yield, product quality and energy requirement of the waste tire pyrolysis process. If the temperature is maintained at around 450oC the main product is liquid which could be a mixture of hydrocarbon depending on the initial composition of waste material. At temperature above 700oC, synthetic gas (also known as syngas), a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, becomes the primary product due to further cracking of the liquids.

Schematic for Pyrolysis of Scrap Tires

Schematic for Pyrolysis of Scrap Tires

The nature of the feedstock and process conditions defines the properties of the gas, liquid and solid products. For example, whole tires contain fibers and steel while shredded tires have most of the steel and sometimes most of the fiber removed.

Processes can be either batch or continuous. The energy required for thermal decomposition of the scrap tires can be in the form of directly-fired fuel, electrical induction and or by microwaves (like a microwave oven). A catalyst may also be required to accelerate the pyrolysis process.

Useful Products

The high acceptance of pyrolysis for the treatment of scrap tires is due to the fact that the derived oils and syngas can be used as biofuels or as feedstock for refining crude oil or chemical products. The pyrolysis oil (or bio oil) has higher calorific value, low ash, low residual carbon and low sulphur content.

The use of pyrolysis oil in cement kilns, paper mills, power plants, industrial furnaces, foundries and other industries is one of the best uses of scrap tires.  Pyrolysis of scrap tyres produces oil that can be used as liquid fuels for industrial furnaces, foundries and boilers in power plants due to their higher calorific value, low ash, residual carbon and sulphur content.

The solid residue, called char, contains carbon black, and inorganic matter. It contains carbon black and the mineral matter initially present in the tire. This solid char may be used as reinforcement in the rubber industry, as activated carbon or as smokeless fuel.

Recommended Reading: Environmental Impact of Tire Recycling

Commercial Bins: 8 Amazing Reasons They Are Important

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Commercial skip bins are large containers with an open top. The commercial skip bins can be used to dispose of vast quantities of waste at a go. They are a fantastic approach towards waste management in the commercial and industrial sector

Even small businesses can hire commercial skip bins to make their project place less messy. However, you need to hire the right skip bin to enjoy its amazing benefits according to your purpose. Have a deeper look into this article and understand the advantages of bin hire in Moorabbin.

Importance of commercial skip bins

8 Benefits of Commercial Skip Bins for Your Business

By 2050, the global share of solid waste is expected to rise to 3.4 billion metric tons. Using commercial skip bins is becoming more relevant in the current context. Go through the amazing advantages of hiring commercial skip bins for your business.

1. Decluttering Your Project Area Without Hassle

Rubbish lying all over your project area can create an uncomfortable atmosphere at work. The mess and litter all around your workspace can affect productivity and cause several inconveniences. You might lose important tools or equipment in the waste leading to hindrances in your workflow.

With commercial dumpsters, all the waste can be dumped in them. Especially in small working areas like homes, working becomes easier with no waste lying around you. Place the skip bin in a place where it can be easily accessed by everyone.

2. Increased Safety

Waste generation in your project area is inevitable, but you don’t find sustainable ways for disposing of it. For instance, it’s a construction area with several workers doing their job throughout the day. Bits of metal, glass, cement and various other things might be lying around the entire area.

It can be unsafe for the individuals who are working in your project area to complete the construction project on time. But with the rental skin bin industry at your service, you can prevent such accidents by dumping all waste products inside the skin bins.

3.  Save Time

Disposing of waste on your own can make you feel more productive. But using a skip bin is quite a convenient option and causes less stress. If you are working on a construction or remodelling site, you can’t fathom the amount of waste that will be generated.

Sorting through the accumulated waste will take a lot of time. Apart from that, you will also have to choose a transportation vehicle for driving out the waste. There’s also the hassle of loading and unloading the waste products.

Having a skip bin will ensure that your waste disposal process can be streamlined. You only need to hire the right skip bin to save yourself from taking trips to the landfill.

4. Reduce Carbon Footprint

With environmental issues on the rise, people should start developing waste management strategies. Using bin hire services for your businesses is a responsible thing to do in current times. Using skip bins prevents the extremely detrimental habit of illegal waste dumping anywhere and everywhere.

Illegal dumping of waste leads to the release of harmful chemicals in the environment. Waste products containing harmful chemicals should never be mixed with components that can lead to the emission of toxic substances into the air.

Using skip bins help in ensuring the safety of workers in the project spaces. It also makes the workers more conscious about the environment and the impact of harmful waste on the environment.

5. Increased Space for Business Operations

Apart from the obvious benefit to the environment, skip bin hire services can also help you get more business space. Job sites get messy all the time. Sometimes so much waste is generated that little space is left to conduct business operations. But having a practical solution for filtering all the waste, workers have sufficient space for their assigned jobs.

skip bins

Dumping waste in the skip bins will help your business run smoothly and finish tasks on time. The right skip bin for your business can also keep unhygienic practices at bay. Especially in the hospitality industry, skip bins can increase the efficiency of a business despite the number of waste products.

6.  Transform into a “Green” Business

As people are becoming more environmentally conscious, green businesses are earning a positive reputation. People have begun to understand how going green can benefit the environment. Therefore, they prefer dealing with businesses with an environmental protection approach. Using efficient ways of waste management can help in strengthening your brand image to a great extent.

7.  Trust the Professionals

You will have to focus on a lot of things in your project. Looking after waste management can be a huge burden on your shoulders. You will have to be familiar with the resource cycles for proper waste management. You will also have to know which waste chemicals can create harmful reactions when mixed with others.

Waste management is a technical process with extensive rules and regulations. Hiring skip bins will only require you to dump all your waste products in the bin. The professionals will come after the designated time to collect the bin from your site. They will use their technical knowledge to segregate the waste products and reduce negative environmental implications.

8. Affordable Option for Waste Management

Hiring skip bins is much more affordable than removing waste on your project space by yourself. You will have to buy a proper waste container and arrange for transportation. You will also have to bear other potential charges for waste management on your own.

skip bins for effective waste management

Apart from that, you also need to find out whether you are dumping waste legally without harming the environment. Hiring a skip bin will reduce all worries and enable waste removal at an affordable price.

Wrapping up

Start looking for the most efficient bin hire services in your area. It is an efficient form of waste management and reducing the harmful impact on the environment without any burden on your shoulders. Enjoy working in a clean project space with the availability of skip bins.

Will Solar Roadways Ever Be Possible?

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In the United States, the primary mode of transport is cars — and when you have many people driving, you need a lot of road. In total, there are around four million miles of paved road in the United States. According to one estimate, that’s more than 13,000 square miles of paved land.

These roads have a big impact on their local environment before, during and after construction. First, there’s a carbon cost to laying asphalt. After construction, when it rains, the impervious surface of the road can carry polluted rainwater directly to storm drains — where the water will run off into the environment.

There’s also evidence that expanding roads encourages people to drive more often, increasing emissions over time.

Without a major shift in the U.S., these roads are likely to stick around well into the future. As a result, environmentalists and engineers want to find ways to take advantage of all that open space and offset some of the environmental cost of roads.

solar-highway

Solar roadways — roads outfitted with special solar panels — have arisen as one possible solution to reduce the environmental impact of roads. If you outfit all these roads with solar energy, you can use that paved land to generate energy. At first glance, it looks like a good idea — but would it work in practice?

Why People Are Interested in Solar Roadways

While solar roadway technology has been theoretically possible for a while, interest in the idea has grown significantly over the past decade. This new interest is likely due in part to the growing availability of new solar technology like home solar systems and batteries.

Changes in road materials may have also made the idea seem more practical. In recent years, rising asphalt prices have many cities turning to concrete for their roads. Concrete is somewhat tougher and more durable than asphalt, meaning concrete roads may be a better candidate for projects like solar roadways, where damage to the road could loosen or destroy embedded solar panels.

Growing knowledge about the environmental impact of travel by car may have also inspired recent interest in solar road projects. After all, if we can find a way to make roads eco-friendly, we won’t need to worry as much about their potential long-term effects on the climate and the environment.

The Challenges to Overcome

No one has attempted a large-scale solar roadway yet — but the first few experimental applications of the technology have not yielded encouraging results.

The Wattway solar road project, built in the Normandy region of France in 2016, lined a full kilometer (0.62 miles) of road with 2,800 photovoltaic solar panels. The project engineers designed panels coated with a special resin containing silicone. The company behind Wattway said the resin was strong enough to protect the panels from the weight of an eighteen-wheeler.

While sound in theory, the project was a disaster in practice. The resin was able to mostly protect the panels from traffic at first, but the sound created by cars passing over the panels was so loud that the village had to limit local speed limits to just over 40 miles per hour.

Three years after installation, there are solar panels peeling off the road and the protective resin is splintered and shattered in many places.

In terms of energy production, the project was also a bust. While solar panels are decent energy sources in well-lit regions of the world, Normandy only sees around 44 days of full sunlight every year. The region’s strong weather, in addition to potentially damaging the panels, further limited the power the panels could collect.

wattway-solar-road-project

On one hand, the Wattway project may seem like a failure of planning. The choice of region, road and materials were all suboptimal. The combination of these mistakes could easily have been enough to sink the project.

However, the Wattway project also shows the serious challenges that engineers will overcome to make solar roadways and other “solar surfaces” workable. To start with, designers will need to use panel materials that are strong, resilient to traffic without generating too much noise and easy to maintain. Project planners will also have to select the right region for the roadway and find a road with the right angle towards the sun for maximum energy production.

What Will Future Solar Technology Look Like?

Growing demand for clean sources of energy will prompt engineers and designers to continue searching for new applications for solar panels. Solar roadways, however, seem likely to remain theoretical in the near future. The challenges of road-ready solar panels and the limited amount of suitable area will probably mean that solar engineers will look elsewhere before turning to projects like a solar panel highway.

What is CNC Turning and What are its Benefits

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CNC turning is a manufacturing process that uses a CNC machine to turn a workpiece on its axis. The workpiece is held in place by a chuck or collet and rotated while a tool is moved along the X and Y axes to create the desired shape.

CNC turning offers several benefits over traditional machining methods. First, it is a more efficient use of material. The workpiece is only machined where it needs to be, resulting in less waste. Second, it is a more precise process. CNC machines can produce extremely accurate results, down to the thousandth of an inch. Third, it is a faster process. CNC machines can often produce parts faster than traditional machining methods. Finally, it is a more versatile process. CNC machines can be programmed to produce parts with a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

What is CNC Turning

How Does CNC Turning Work?

The first step in CNC turning is to create a computer model for the desired part. This model can be created using CAD software or by scanning an existing part. Once the model is complete, it is saved as a computer file and imported into the CNC machine.

Selecting the material for the part is the next step. The material is loaded into the machine and the tool paths are programmed. The CNC machine then carves the part from the material. This process is monitored and adjusted as necessary to ensure accurate results.

When the part is finished, it is removed from the machine and cleaned up. It is then ready for use in manufacturing or further processing.

Types of Materials are Best Suited for CNC Turning

Materials that are well suited for CNC turning include metals, plastics, and composites. Metals such as aluminum, brass, and steel are commonly machined using CNC turning. Plastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate can also be turned on a CNC machine. Composite materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, can also be machined using CNC turning.

Why Choose CNC Turning Over Other Manufacturing Methods?

There are several reasons why CNC turning is a better choice than other manufacturing methods. First, it is a more efficient use of material. The workpiece is only machined where it needs to be, resulting in less waste.

Second, it is a more precise process. CNC machines can produce extremely accurate results, down to the thousandth of an inch.

Third, it is a faster process. CNC machines can often produce parts faster than traditional machining methods. Finally, it is a more versatile process. CNC machines can be programmed to produce parts with a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

How is CNC Turning Changing the Manufacturing Industry?

CNC turning is changing the manufacturing industry by making it more efficient and precise. CNC machines can produce parts faster than traditional machining methods, and they can be programmed to produce a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

This versatility allows manufacturers to create parts that are more complex and better suited for their applications. In addition, CNC turning is a more efficient use of material, resulting in less waste. This makes CNC turning a more sustainable manufacturing process.

What Industries Use CNC Turning?

CNC turning is commonly used in the automotive, aviation, and medical industries to produce parts and components for their products or services.

Engine blocks, brake rotors, and wheel hubs are some of the parts that are produced by the automotive industry. The aviation industry uses CNC turning to produce parts such as landing gear, wings, and fuselages. The medical industry uses CNC turning to produce parts such as prosthetic implants and replacement joints.

ecofriendly-manufacturing

How to Choose the Right CNC Machine for Your Needs?

There are a few factors you should consider when choosing the right CNC machine for your needs. First, you need to decide what type of materials you will be machining. This will help you narrow down your choices to machines that are designed for your specific application.

Second, you need to consider the accuracy and precision requirements of your parts. CNC machines can produce extremely accurate and precise results, so you need to make sure the machine you choose is capable of meeting your requirements.

Third, you need to consider the speed of the machine. CNC machines can operate at very high speeds, so you need to make sure the machine you choose is capable of running at the speed you need. Finally, you need to consider the price of the machine. CNC machines can range in price from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. You need to make sure you choose a machine that is within your budget.

Conclusion

CNC turning is a versatile and precise manufacturing process that is changing the way parts and components are produced. CNC machines can be programmed to produce a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and they can operate at very high speeds. This makes CNC turning a more efficient and sustainable manufacturing process.

Why Biofuels Should Be a Key Part in America’s Future

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Biofuels are one of the hottest environmental topics, but they aren’t anything new. When discussing these fuels, experts frequently refer to first, second-and third-generation biofuels to differentiate between more efficient and advanced ones currently in development and more traditional biofuels in use for decades.

Biofuels are increasingly being used to power vehicles around the world

First-generation biofuels are things like methanol, ethanol, biodiesel and vegetable oil, while second-generation biofuels are produced by transforming crops into liquid fuels using highly advanced chemical processes, such as mixed alcohols and biohydrogen. Third-generation, or “advanced” biofuels, are created using oil that is made from algae or closed reactors and then refined to produce conventional fuels such as ethanol, methane, biodiesel, etc.

Cleaner Air and Less Impact on Climate Change

As biofuels come from renewable materials, they have less of an impact on climate change as compared to gasoline, according to multiple studies. Ethanol in gasoline has been helping to decrease smog in major cities, keeping the air cleaner and safer to breathe.

Starch-based biofuels can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 30- to 60-percent, as compared to gasoline, while cellulosic ethanol can lessen emissions even further, as much as 90 percent.

Reduced Danger of Environmental Disaster

Can you imagine buying one of the oceanfront Jacksonville condos in Florida, looking forward to enjoying peaceful beach strolls every morning only to find injured or killed animals and globs of oil all over the sand? Not exactly the vision of paradise you dreamed of.

A major benefit of using biofuels is the risk of environmental disaster is dramatically reduced. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon Spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico released millions of gallons of oil. It not only cost BP nearly $62 billion but caused extensive damage to wildlife and the environment. Biofuels are much safer. For example, a corn field won’t poison the ocean.

More Jobs and an Economic Boom

Numerous studies, including one conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), have found that biofuels lead to more jobs for Americans. In 2014, the ethanol industry was responsible for nearly 84,000 direct jobs and over 295,000 indirect and induced jobs – all jobs that pay well and are non-exportable. The biofuels industry in the USA also added nearly $53 billion to the national GDP, $27 billion to the national GDP and over $10 billion in taxes, stimulating local, state and national economies.

Many experts predict that these figures will increase with significant job creation potential in biorefinery construction, operation and biomass collection. If the potential for producing cellulosic ethanol from household waste and forestry residues were utilized at commercial scale, even more jobs are likely to be added.

Energy Independence

When a nation has the land resources to grow biofuel feedstock, it is able to produce its own energy, eliminating dependence on fossil fuel resources. Considering the significant amount of conflict that tends to happen over fuel prices and supplies, this brings a net positive effect.

A Glance at College Recycling Programs

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Just one look at your local landfill is enough to convince you that there is a need for more recycling programs. Recycling should be a priority for all institutions across the country. College recycling programs ensure that such institutions make a contribution to environmental conservation.

Every student should have a recycle bin where they dispose of recyclable materials like paper, batteries, water bottles, and so much more. The world is going through a green resource transition, and college institutions such as essay writer helper should not be left behind.

 

Local communities can also borrow a leaf from college institutions and recycle their waste. The internet is quite resourceful when it comes to researching how a recycling program should work. Students can also use online resources to make their school life easier. For instance, thesis writing services ensure students get the marks they need to graduate.

1. American University

American University strives to be 100% waste-free. Its zero waste policy was adopted in 2010, and since then, the institution has had significant milestones. The system ensures that all university wastes are diverted from landfills. AU uses only renewable materials to ensure no waste is going into the environment.

The university’s environmental conservation efforts ensure it maintains a healthy student community. AU’s fraternity practices sustainable purchasing to maintain an environmentally-friendly campus.

AU makes paper towels from restrooms as well as kitchen wastes. The elimination of water bottles and food trays also helps cut down on wastes. The kitchen grease is recycled for electricity to help manage utility bills.

This institution has one of the finest recycling systems in America’s academic scene. In 2012, the school beat over 600 other universities at a RecycleMania contest.

2. Valencia College

Valencia College has a decade-old recycling system that’s updated each year. The institution has established itself as the model for university sustainability by bagging RecycleMania gold for waste minimization from 2012 through to 2014.

The school encourages students to reduce their waste output. It has a seamless paper, aluminum, plastic, and e-waste management system in place. The school no longer uses water bottles as this is the source of plastic waste in many institutions. Valencia College recycling program aims to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint.

3. College of the Atlantic

College of the Atlantic is well known as the greenest university college in the country. The institution’s recycling system is a comprehensive program that offers outlets for all types of waste.

Aside from outlets for food, the university also has units for composting disposable flatware and kitchen napkins. For foods that cannot be recycled, the campus uses these as a source of renewable energy. The recycling program is run by students to teach them the importance of environmental conservation.

4. University of California

One of University California’s goals is to achieve zero waste by 2020. A 90% waste diversion from landfills will have a significantly positive impact on the environment. The campus also aims to phase out procurement and distribution of Expanded Polystyrene.

Within the institution, is a hub for repurposing items. Students also collect leftover food in their rooms. The school rethinks daily operations to achieve a comprehensive diversion campaign.

5. Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College is another higher learning institution with comprehensive waste management and recycling program. The school not only recycles but also donates stationery, mirrors, lamps, and so much more to the surrounding community.

The school’s recycling department handles the exportation of food waste to a local pig farm. Kalamazoo College also recycles e-wastes like batteries, calculators and electric motors.

In addition to recycling, the department also takes up reuse and waste reduction responsibilities. The recycling department is run by students under the supervision of staff in charge. This way, students can understand just how much waste goes into the environment. The campus has two dedicated electric-powered golf carts that help with transportation of waste.

6.     Harvard University

Harvard University is one of the institutions that adopted the single-stream recycling. This means that all recyclable materials are mixed together in one waste receptacle. This is an effective system because it eliminates any confusion or guesswork.

The school runs a recycling program for different kinds of waste, including e-waste, food, ink, paper, and cartridges. Over the years, the recycling program has evolved and improved in efficacy. The school uses competitions to encourage students to reduce waste.

Conclusion

College recycling programs ensure students learn the importance of environment conservation. Institutions of higher learning are an excellent platform to teach students about environmental friendliness. Diverting waste from landfills ensures they don’t overflow with items that can be reused or recycled.

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Oman

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Municipal solid waste management is a challenging issue for the Sultanate of Oman. With population of almost 3 million inhabitants, the country produces about 1.9 million tons of solid waste each year. The per capita waste generation in Oman is more than 1.5 kg per day, among the highest worldwide.

Landfill_Middle_East

Prevalent Scenario

Solid waste in Oman is characterized by very high percentage of recyclables, primarily paper (26%), plastics (12%), metals (11%) and glass (5%). However the country is yet to realize the recycling potential of its municipal waste stream.

The predominant waste disposal method in Oman is landfilling. Most of the solid waste is sent to authorized and unauthorized dumpsites for disposal which is creating environment and health issues. There are several dumpsites which are located in the midst of residential areas or close to catchment areas of private and public drinking water bodies.

Solid waste management scenario in Oman is marked by lack of collection and disposal facilities, as well as lack of public awareness about waste in the country. Solid waste, industrial waste, e-wastes etc are deposited in very large number of landfills scattered across the country. Oman has around 350 landfills/dumpsites which are managed by municipalities. In addition, there are numerous unauthorized dumpsites in Oman where all sorts of wastes are recklessly dumped.

Al Amerat Sanitary Landfill

Al Amerat landfill is the first engineered sanitary landfill in Oman which began its operations in early 2011. The landfill site, spread over an area of 9.6 hectares, consists of 5 cells with a total capacity of 10 million m3 of solid waste and spread over an area of over 9.6 hectares. Each cell has 16 shafts to take care of leachate (contaminated wastewater).

All the shafts are interconnected, and will help in moving leachate to the leachate pump. The project is part of the government’s initiatives to tackle solid waste in a scientific and environment-friendly manner. Being the first of its kind, Al Amerat sanitary landfill is expected to be an example for the future solid waste management projects in the country.

The Way Forward

Solid waste management is among the top priorities of Oman government which has chalked out a robust strategy to resolve waste management problem in the Sultanate. The country is striving to establish 16 engineered landfills, 65 waste transfer stations and 4 waste treatment plants in different parts of the country.

Modern solid waste management facilities are under planning in several wilayat, especially Muscat and Salalah. The new landfills will eventually pave the way for closure of authorized and unauthorized garbage dumps around the country. However investments totaling Omani Rial 2.5 billion are required to put this waste management strategy into place. Oman is also seriously exploring waste-to-energy as a tool to manage garbage in a sustainable manner.

Things to Know About Backup Batteries for Renewable Energy

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Renewable energy is a force that can help combat climate change. However, without the right proactive steps, there can be pitfalls. For instance, solar power is becoming more widely available but can use some improvements. Solar backup batteries are a critical solution when renewable energy fails.

solar-battery-storage

The Need for Renewability

Renewability is one of the keys to stopping and reversing the climate crisis. It’s time to phase out fossil fuels and harmful environmental practices and focus on sustainable energy sources. There are various deadlines when people must act, and stopping climate change becomes more pressing every day.

However, while renewable energy is a solution, these sources may need a backup system. Often, resources like solar and wind energy are durable and hold up through harsh weather and high demands. When they fail, though, it can leave millions without power. A full renewable system requires constant clean energy.

During the 2020 California wildfires, residents reported their photovoltaic (PV) panels were no longer working, and they were losing power. The ash from the fires was covering the panels, and the smog in the sky was disrupting the transfer of sunlight. During instances like these, a backup plan is necessary.

Battery power is the solution. If solar fails, then the backup system can kick in and keep residents’ homes, schools and companies running.

Integrating Backup Batteries

A backup battery system will most prominently help solar energy setups. While PV panels are versatile, they can nevertheless use assistance. Microgrids will especially benefit from solar backup batteries. The ultimate goal is to keep emissions low at all times — but people will still need power. If a solar system fails, like those in California during the wildfires, then it’s not operating on a fully renewable level.

Experts can integrate batteries into the electrical setup with the proper enclosing tools to prevent surges and stalling. They’ll connect to the lights, HVAC system and other necessities of the building. For schools, internet access may be required to contact parents during blackouts. Businesses may need to keep computers running to prevent data loss.

solar-microgrid

Each system will depend on the supply demands of the location. A smaller home may not need a large network. However, if a solar microgrid powers a university, then the backup battery system will need to account for that demand. Experts must consider the power level of the PV panels, too. That is what will bring solar backup batteries to the next level.

Battery systems can generate power when renewables can’t. It maintains a sustainable impact while still providing people with electricity at all times.

Why It Matters

Renewable energy is groundbreaking. It shows the way forward with no carbon emissions, lower pollution and benefits for public health as well as the environment. While there can be power outages and mishaps with fossil fuels, renewable energy can draw more people in with foolproof generation.

Batteries don’t produce any emissions, so the renewability continues — as does the consistent supply of power. Outages and surges can become less common and not as much of a setback if they do happen.

The partnership of batteries and renewable energy opens up the future. From here, experts will want to work on scalability. Microgrids are a prime area for integrating backup batteries with renewable energy. On larger scales, though, the possibilities could be endless.

Better system setups mean bigger solar and wind farms could also use battery power. While these operations have less chance of failure due to the amount of energy going into them, batteries could still facilitate optimal energy flows and provide backup assistance.

In Development

With energy companies expanding their renewable energy services and integration, every step must receive a backup. Batteries are long-lasting and durable. Adding them to renewable energy setups will create a more foolproof dynamic — one that’s sustainable and always providing power.