Solid Waste Management – History and Future Outlook

The disposal of municipal solid waste is the second most major concern for public health in developing countries because of population explosion, rampant poverty and high urbanization rates combined with poor government funding to curb waste management. Factors such as waste composition, technologies and lack of infrastructure have been found to set apart the good management of solid wastes in developing nations. Municipal waste is mainly comprised of paper, vegetable matter, plastics, metals, textiles, rubber and glass. In some countries (developing as well as developed), municipal solid waste is mixed with medical wastes and this may pose health risk to waste handlers and general public.

Historically, burying the wastes is the most preferred method for waste management in many countries. This method is still used in many more countries. Tackling environmental issues has become more important and more preferred than pollution and consumption of unsustainable utilization of resources. Most importantly, the primary objective of waste management is to put emphasis on protecting the people and environment from potentially harmful effects of waste.

Methods of Solid Waste Management

Depending on the types of wastes generated, four methods of solid waste management has been used throughout the history, i.e. dumping, incineration, recycling and waste prevention. Waste generated from household is much different from industrial waste, agricultural waste, medical waste or mining wastes.

When wastes contain any hazardous component, or it has capability to become hazardous with time, poses very serious threat to environment and health. Hazardous wastes generated needs to be handled very carefully, with special techniques. This is one of the major reasons of open landfills are getting replaced with sanitary landfills.

At a landfill, wastes are covered with thick layer of soil. By the late 1950, this practice was very common for waste management across the world. Earlier landfills had considerable sludge and methane emissions, which were harmful to the environment as well as animal and human health. But these issues have been resolved largely by modern disposal methods, which were developed around 20 years ago. Modern landfills are equipped with thick layer of clay followed by plastic sheets. This method was practiced by some nations and still going on.

In 1930-1940, many cities in USA adopted new technology to curb waste issues by burning at high temperature, this method is known as incineration. During initial years, this method was not very efficient and emit very large amount of poisonous gasses, this is the major reason of incinerators shut down during that period. During mid-1970s, scientists modified incinerators to generate energy, which are known as waste to energy plants. But after around a decade, it has become major issue to build these plants, again because of emission issues.

With development of technology, waste burning in advanced form of incinerators became common in 1970s, researchers across the world bet on incinerators or waste to energy plants for solution to energy crisis in 1973. However, with realisation of impact on environment and air quality, it become very difficult to find location to build any waste to energy plants, mainly because of public opposition. Another issue with incinerator is production of ashes, which contain huge amount of heavy metals, toxic and inorganic compounds.

waste-to-energy-plant

Incineration is the most common waste-to-energy method used worldwide.

Future of Solid Waste Management

The overall concept of wastes needs to be considered economically, it will be more considered as economically viable product if waste is considered as an inefficiency of the production process not as rejected residue of waste product. A permanent rejection or heavy restriction into products which produces waste that cannot be accumulated back into the environment safely.

The major challenge in waste management is to persuade people/community to consider waste as a resource, rather than a liability on society, which can be created with more innovation and technological development of manufacturing industry, waste processing industry and new business model and plans.

This planning system will create circular economy where product value created by inputs (e.g. energy, materials, labour etc.) is extended by enabling a material that goes into circular economy, beyond product life. We go from mineral to metals to product then back to minerals/metals. By understanding economic cycle of waste, people will understand the creation of opportunities to more sustainable product in future with limited resources.

How Food Waste and Recycling Could Generate Bioenergy

Food waste is a major issue globally, with an estimated 1.3 billion tons of food wasted each year. This not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also wastes valuable resources such as water and energy. However, there is a solution that not only tackles food waste but also generates bioenergy: food recycling.

bioenergy from food waste recycling

What is Food Recycling?

Food recycling is the process of taking food waste and turning it into a useful resource. This can be done through a variety of methods, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and fermentation. The result is a valuable product that can be used as a fertilizer or as a source of energy.

Generating Bioenergy from Food Waste

One of the most promising applications of food waste recycling is the generation of bioenergy. Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from organic matter, such as food waste. By using food waste to generate bioenergy, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease our carbon footprint.

1. Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is one of the most common methods of generating bioenergy from food waste. This process involves breaking down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as a by-product. Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide that can be burned to generate electricity or heat.

The process of anaerobic digestion starts with the collection of food waste. This can be done at a household level, with individuals separating their food waste from other types of waste. Alternatively, food waste can be collected from commercial and industrial sources, such as restaurants and food processing plants.

Once collected, the food waste is transported to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is mixed with water and placed in a sealed tank called a digester. Inside the digester, bacteria break down the organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as a by-product. The biogas is then collected and used to generate electricity or heat.

Advantages of Anaerobic Digestion

One of the advantages of anaerobic digestion is that it can be done on a small scale, making it a viable option for households and small businesses. In fact, many households in rural areas use small-scale anaerobic digesters to generate their own electricity and heat.

biogas-enrichment

Another advantage of anaerobic digestion is that it produces a valuable fertilizer as a by-product. The residue left over from the process, known as digestate, is a nutrient-rich material that can be used as a fertilizer for crops.

2. Fermentation

Fermentation is another method of generating bioenergy from food waste. This process involves breaking down organic matter using microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria. The result is a product such as ethanol or biobutanol, which can be used as a fuel for vehicles or as a source of energy.

The process of fermentation starts with the collection of food waste, which is then mixed with water and enzymes to break down the organic matter. Microorganisms are then added to the mixture, which ferment the organic matter and produce ethanol or biobutanol as a by-product.

Advantages of Fermentation 

Like anaerobic digestion, fermentation can be done on a small scale, making it a viable option for households and small businesses. However, it is not as common as anaerobic digestion, as it requires more specialized equipment and expertise.

Key Challenges in the Implementation of Waste-to-Energy

The biggest challenge in the implementation of Waste-to-Energy projects lies not in the technology itself but in the acceptance of citizens. Citizens who are environmentally minded but lack awareness of the current status of MSW-to-energy bring up concerns of environmental justice and organize around this. They view waste-to-energy as ‘dumping’ of pollutants on lower strata of society and their emotional critique rooted in the hope for environmental justice tends to move democracy.

Spittelau-Incinceration-Plant

An advocate of public understanding of science, Shawn Lawrence Otto regrets that the facts are not able to hold the same sway. Some US liberal groups such as the Center for American Progress are beginning to realize that the times and science have changed. It will take more consensus on the science and the go ahead from environmental groups before the conversation moves forward, seemingly improbable but not without precedent.

Spittelau Waste-to-Energy Plant

The Spittelau waste-to-energy plant is an example of opposition coming together in consensus over WTE. It was built in Vienna in 1971 with the purpose of addressing district heating and waste management issues. Much later awareness of the risks of dioxins emitted by such plants grew and the people’s faith in the technology was called into question.

It also became a political issue whereby opposition parties challenged the mayor on the suitability of the plant. The economic interests of landfill owners also lay in the shutting down of the WTE facility. The alternative was to retrofit the same plant with advanced technology that would remove the dioxins through Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

Through public discussions it appeared that the majority of the people were against the plant altogether though thorough studies by informed researchers showed that the science backs WTE. The mayor, Helmut Zilk eventually consulted Green Party members on how to make this technology better perceived in the eyes of the people, and asked the famous Austrian artist Freidensreich Hundertwasser, who was a green party member to design the look of the plant.

Freidensreich Hundertwasser after carefully studying the subject wrote a letter of support, stating his belief as to why WTE was needed and accepted Mayor Helmut Zilk’s request. Later public opinion polls showed that there were a majority of people who were either in favor of or not opinionated about the plant, with only 3% in outright opposition of the plant.

Polarized Discussion

Waste-to-Energy or recycling has kept public discourse from questioning whether there may not be intermediate or case specific solutions. This polarization serves to move the conversation nowhere. For now it can be agreed that landfills are devastating in their contribution to Climate Change and must be done away with.

The choice then, of treatment processes for municipal solid waste are plentiful. If after recovery of recyclable materials there remains a sizeable waste stream the option of waste-to-energy can be explored.

Primary Considerations in WTE Projects

  • Environmental implications (i.e. CO2 emissions vis-à-vis the next best fuel source) given the composition of the local waste stream. If the waste stream consists of a high percentage of recyclables the more sustainable waste strategy would be to ramp up recycling efforts rather than to adopt WTE,
  • Likely composition and variation of the waste stream and the feasibility of the technology to handle such a waste stream,
  • Financial considerations with regards to the revenue stream from the WTE facility and its long term viability,
  • Efforts at making citizens aware of the high standards achieved by this technology in order to secure their approval.

Note: This excerpt is being published with the permission of our collaborative partner Be Waste Wise

Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality Without Sacrificing Energy Efficiency

Every year, illnesses caused by household air pollution from incomplete combustion of fuels used for cooking, like kerosene and biomass, claim the lives of 3.2 million people, according to The World Health Organization. Many people believe that indoor air quality in homes is cleaner than outdoor air, and preventing outside air from seeping into living spaces can help reduce pollution. Unfortunately, these assumptions aren’t true because indoor air is highly polluted and poor ventilation increases pollutants and energy consumption.

how to improve indoor air quality

Typically, moving to a well-designed energy efficient building helps you manage a home’s indoor air quality effortlessly. However, there are several ways to reduce the impact of indoor air pollution even if your home doesn’t feature energy-efficient designs. Below are the best tips to improve indoor air quality without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Use Natural Ventilation Strategies

Natural ventilation strategies rely on wind and buoyancy to enhance air circulation and cool buildings. For example, opening a window at night during summer is an easy way to let fresh air in your home. The cool air then pushes pollutants outside and creates a cooling effect inside the building without artificial cooling equipment.

Other effective natural ventilation strategies include the chimney effect and allowing the cooling sea breeze to ventilate homes through large, operable windows facing the ocean. The chimney effect uses convention, where cool air enters the home in the basement or first floor, absorbs hot air, rises and escapes through upper floor windows.

Add Indoor Plants

Findings from a study on the impact of indoor plants on air quality published in the Air Quality Atmosphere and Health Journal reveal that plants can reduce nitrogen dioxide, a common pollutant, by up to 20%. Since plants absorb pollutants and release oxygen, they are a perfect option for purifying indoor air. Plants also increase humidity and reduce dust levels, thus improving indoor air quality.

Ways to Learn More About Plants

Popular plants that people add to their living spaces, like the pothos plant, peace lily, English ivy, and bamboo palm plants, are effective in improving indoor air quality. However, you can add to your indoor plant collection house plants with fuzzy leaves, such as the green goddess, pussy willow, chenille plant, lamb’s ears, and old man cactus.

The leaves of these indoor plants have tiny hairs on the surface that give them a velvety texture. Besides adding character to your space while improving air quality, these plants are low maintenance. That’s because the tiny hairs also help plants draw moisture from the air, so they can survive on regular spritzes of clean water.

Replace Filters in AC Systems Regularly

Your AC filters play a significant role in trapping pet dander, pollen, dust, and spores to keep indoor air clean. But as dust and other pollutants accumulate on air filters, your AC stops circulating clean air in your home, thus increasing pollution. When air filters are dirty, your AC works harder and consumes a lot of energy. With this in mind, changing your air filters regularly helps enhance air quality and keep your AC system working efficiently.

clogged filter of AC

Contrary to popular belief, indoor air isn’t cleaner or healthier than the air outside. Also, allowing fresh air from outdoors to infiltrate your house doesn’t push energy bills up. With this in mind, using natural ventilation strategies is one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality without sacrificing energy efficiency. Other practices for improving your home’s air quality include adding house plants and changing AC air filters regularly.

Top 7 Tips To Make Your Home Energy Efficient During Summer

Your home is a full-fledged system. And you’re the person who decides how to run its operations. This goes for the appliances you choose, and the equipment you install. So naturally, when you implement cost-effective measures, you’re able to save money, energy, and improve performance. As a homeowner, there are two particular seasons in which you wish your home to be the most energy efficient. Those are summer and winter. So how do you keep cool in the hot weather without overworking your AC? Here are our top 7 tips to make your home energy efficient in summer.

Importance of energy efficient appliances and equipment

Energy efficient appliances and equipment use the least amount of energy to perform their required tasks by default. So if you get energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and laundry machines, you’ll be conserving energy. This automatically translates into reduced utility bills. You will be saving money and protecting the environment.

Energy efficiency in home appliances is extremely important. Especially when you consider how the energy and money you saved could be used for something else. So, you get a discounted bill with minimum exploitation of natural resources.

how to make your home energy efficient

How to Make Your Home Energy-Efficient in Summer

1. Check your home insulation

A good insulation system will keep your home well protected against the elements. One of the main places that people tend to ignore is the attic. When your attic is poorly insulated you’ll notice that during the cold months, snow on your roof will melt faster. This means that a substantial amount of warm air is leaking from your home. Similarly, during summer, poor insulation will allow cool air out. This will automatically make your heating and cooling system work harder to compensate for the air leaking.

home-insulation

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s research, proper insulation will help you save 15% on heating and cooling costs. So, if you want to make your home more energy-efficient, you need to seal any crack and openings. Inspect your floors for any possible crawl spaces and your doors and windows for caulking that could have degraded.

2. Optimize your thermostat settings

If you’re looking to save up on energy bills during summer, you need to tackle the source of the issue. That is your cooling system. It might feel really nice to blast your AC when it’s unbearably hot outside. However, you don’t want the temperature inside your home to be so cold that you need to use a blanket. In fact, you can be comfortable enough with your thermostat set at 78 degrees.

eco-friendly-business-practices

For every degree below 78, your energy increases by 6 to 8%. Accordingly, your energy bill increases as well. For instance, if you raise your thermostat from 74 to 78, you save 24% in energy usage. Keep the thermostat as high as possible before you leave the house, or turn it off altogether. The bigger the difference between the temperature outside and inside, the higher your energy bill will be.

3. Replace your air filters

When your air filters are dirty and deteriorating, your HVAC is going to overwork itself to keep your house cool. This will result in poor energy efficiency and higher utility costs. Cleaning your air filters might not be enough since you’re supposed to replace them every three months. The same goes for your air vents.

You need to clean those as well on a regular basis. And if you have pets, you will need to clean them more frequently. Not to mention the allergens and dust that circulate through your ventilation system. If you don’t have much experience in home maintenance, you need to call a professional to check them for you.

4. Use fans strategically

You might be reluctant to exclusively rely on fans to cool your home in summer, especially during heatwaves. After all, fans don’t do much except move the existing air in a particular space around over and over again. However, you can place fans throughout your home in a strategic manner so that they work more efficiently.

One great way to increase energy efficiency is to work both your cooling system and fans at the same time. The thing is that you only need to put your AC on at a higher degree than you normally would. Then, plug a fan and direct it towards the AC so that it propagates cool air throughout the whole room.\

You may think that in a place like your garage an air conditioner might be the right choice, but unless it’s insulated, it’ll only run up your energy bill. It’s wise to install a garage ceiling fan instead to avoid this issue.

5. Install double glazed windows

Upgrading your windows is the best thing you can do to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, both during summer and winter. The gap between the two glass panes in double glazed windows acts as an additional layer of insulation. Like so, this layer creates thermal resistance that obstructs the outdoors air from coming in and indoor air from escaping. This means that in winter, warm air won’t leak outside of your home. The double glazing will also prevent the harsh cold from infiltrating your living space.

On the other hand, when the weather is really hot, your double glazed windows have the reverse effect. They hinder warm air from creeping in, and they block the cool air inside your home from seeping outside. Double glazed windows also have the added benefit of minimizing the outside noise, limiting UV damage, and increasing security.

6. Upgrade your light bulbs

If you’re still using incandescent lighting then it’s time to make the switch to LED light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs actually generate way more heat than their LED counterpart. This gives your HVAC system one more thing it has to contend with. Not just that, incandescent lights only last for 1,000 hours. They convert a mere 5% of the energy they receive to light, while the rest 95% gets lost as heat.

energy efficient home

On the other hand, LED bulbs last 25 times longer, they consume 75% less energy, and they run cooler. If buying LED light bulbs seems a bit out of your budget, you could consider compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Their lifespan is 10 times longer than that of incandescent bulbs. And you’ll still be saving about 67% in electricity usage.

7. Unplug energy-sucking appliances

Consider this a rule of thumb to energy efficiency in summer: if you’re not using it, then unplug it! Think of it this way: any appliances that use electricity will also generate heat. If you want to keep your home cool and comfortable enough during the hot weather, unplug electronics you’re not using. That goes for anything from your coffee machine and toaster, to your phone chargers and computers.

Top Career Choices for Biotechnology Degree Holders

Biotechnology is not a new subject and is often referred to as the manipulation of living bodies to modify or create useful byproducts. Biotechnology dates back over 10,000 years, starting from seed crop modification to selective livestock breeding.

The 20th century witnessed penicillin and DNA structure discovery, and the 21st century has even more to offer, including bioinformatics, personalized medicine, and stem cell reprogramming. The advancements in computational science have allowed scientists to map any living process, even if it cannot be directly manipulated.

top biotech career options

Biotechnology products have helped evolve agriculture, the environment, and medicine greatly. Due to this, experts in biotechnology are in great demand. This has raised educational requirements and salaries. The best part is that experts can work in one of several fields that touches the biotechnology discipline.

If you wish to be a part of biotechnological processes that help cure disease, eliminate defects and extend human life, today, we shall look at the best possible career options for a biotechnology degree holder who graduates from a renowned university like the American International College.

Top Career Paths for Biotechnology Experts

1. Biofuels Engineer

Biofuel is formed from the fermentation of biomass and is considered an alternative energy source. Ethanol and biodiesel are considered the first generation of biofuel that are paving the path towards the creation of renewable energy sources. The final goal is to reduce CO2 and CO emissions and eliminate the dependency on petroleum globally.

algae biofuels

Biofuel is used in homes for heating purposes as well as in the automotive industry. Many biofuels are distilled from corn, and research has been conducted to see if fast-growing tree bark, grains, and starchy vegetable skins can be used to create renewable fuel.

  • You can pursue a career in biofuel technology by opting to become a chemical engineer.
  • The United States BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reports that chemical engineering jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 14% between 2021 and 2031. The growth rate for other occupations is only 5%.
  • Chemical engineers earn $105,550 per year on average, and 2,000 new jobs are reported to emerge between 2021 and 2031.
  • Engineers must earn a professional certificate from the National Society of Professional Engineers to pursue their career legally.

2. Biomedical Engineer

A biomedical engineer focuses on how mechanical and living processes are interwoven. These engineers create products like laser systems for corrective eye surgery, insulin regulation devices, artificial limbs, internal organs, etc. These enable people with disabilities to hear, see and walk again.

A biomedical engineer can work in a commercial industry, in a research facility, or even at a hospital. They can work in a range of industries and can take on several responsibilities like sales, maintenance,  product designing, patent law, etc.

  • Biomedical engineering jobs are reported to grow by 10% between 2021 and 2031 owing to rapid technological advancements (3D printing and smartphones, for example) and a rapidly aging population.
  • Engineers need a license from the NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers) to pursue a career legally. Engineers must complete a four-year degree, obtain the PE (Professional Engineer) certificate, pass two exams, work under a licensed PE for four years, and get state licensure before they apply for the NSPE.
  • The BLS reports that the average annual salary of a biomedical engineer is $97,410.

3.    Bioinformatics Specialist

Bioinformatics is a merger of computer science and biological science. It focuses on complex tools to help understand complex biological processes. Due to this, biotechnology concepts and big data are becoming very codependent. Modern bioinformatics specialists take up huge chunks of biological data (gene and mutation data, for example) and analyze it to produce practical insights using a computer.

bioinformatics specialist

A bioinformatics specialist needs to have sufficient knowledge of statistical analysis, biological processes, computer science, and mathematics to develop data mining tools or analyze the results produced. Previously, bioinformatics specialists were expected to have 2 doctorates. However, specialized and streamlined Master’s degrees are slowly becoming the ultimate educational requirement.

  • The BLS reports that computer and information research scientist careers are expected to grow by 21% between 2021 and 2031. These scientist jobs are very similar to that of a bioinformatics specialist.
  • 7,100 new jobs are expected to emerge in just 10 years (2021 and 2031)
  • The average annual salary for computer and information research scientists is 131,490 USD.
  • Computer programming language efficiency is often the only measure required to assess qualification levels, as there are no industry-level certifications to become a bioinformatics specialist.
  • Specialists can pursue courses in computer languages like Unix, Ruby, Perl, Python, Linux, and others to gain a competitive advantage.

Endnote

We only touched upon the top career options for biotechnology experts above. There are many more career options you can opt for due to the increased versatility in the biotechnology sector.

How to Earn Money By Telegram

Do you want to make a little extra cash on the side without having to leave the comfort of your own home? If so, then have you considered leveraging Telegram to earn money?

Sure, it’s less glamorous or lucrative than some other methods out there, but with its low barrier to entry and easy-to-use interface, making money using Telegram is surprisingly straightforward.

how to make money on telegram

If you are wondering how to earn using telegram? Don’t worry! In this blog post, I will outline how you can use Telegram as a platform for generating income. So if making passive income while in your pajamas sounds like something that interests you – read on!

Tips to Earn Money By Telegram

Telegram is a popular messaging app that provides many opportunities for people to make money online. Here are a few insightful tips to help you get started earning money through Telegram:

1. Leverage Your Network on Telegram

The first step is researching and joining Telegram groups relevant to your niche. Once you have joined these groups, engaging with the members is important by providing valuable information and insights about your expertise.

It will help establish yourself as an authority in your field and build trust with potential clients or customers.

You can also share links to a website or blog posts that provide further value or offer services directly through the platform.

With consistent effort and strategic networking, earning money through Telegram can become a lucrative opportunity for those willing to invest time and effort. If you want, you can also buy Telegram followers to grow your channel from the start.

2. Offer Paid Services

You can use the platform to promote and sell various services or products, such as web design, digital marketing, virtual assistant services, and more. Once you have established a following on the platform, you can promote your services through dedicated channels or groups.

This can be a highly convincing way to reach potential clients and customers who are already interested in your offer. You could soon generate significant income through Telegram with the right approach and strategy.

3. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Many programs offer affiliate marketing opportunities through Telegram groups. As an affiliate marketer, you would promote other people’s products or services and receive a commission for each sale through your unique referral link.

By joining relevant Telegram groups and engaging with members, you can promote these products and services to a targeted audience likely to be interested in your offer.

This can be a highly efficient way to earn passive income while building relationships with potential clients or customers.

4. Create Your Channel

You can also make money from telegram channel or group. With Telegram’s channel feature, you can create a platform for content marketing and monetization by leveraging ads and sponsored content.

By producing high-quality content that resonates with your audience, you can grow your following and attract advertisers or sponsors willing to pay for access to your audience.

You can also use Telegram’s built-in advertising system to promote your channel to a wider audience and generate revenue through ad impressions or clicks.

5. Launch a Crowdfunding Campaign

Launching a crowdfunding campaign on Telegram can be a perfect way to raise funds for your projects or causes. Telegram offers a built-in crowdfunding feature that allows you to create campaigns for donations or projects.

By sharing your campaign with your Telegram community and social media networks, you can attract supporters willing to contribute to your cause.

You can also offer rewards for different levels of contributions, such as exclusive content or merchandise.

6. Host Your Events or Workshops

Hosting your events or workshops on Telegram can be a great way to monetize your knowledge-based skills while sharing them with a wide audience. You can use the platform to share your expertise in a particular area and provide valuable insights or training to participants.

By charging a fee for access to these events, you can generate revenue while building your reputation as an expert in your field.

Plus, by hosting events on Telegram, you can reach people from all over the world without the need for physical travel or venue rentals.

7. Offer Sponsored Posts to Advertisers

Offering sponsored posts to advertisers is a great way to monetize your Telegram channel or group. Here are some tips for creating successful sponsored posts:

  • Choose sponsors that align with your audience’s interests and values.
  • Disclose that the post is sponsored in compliance with FTC guidelines.
  • Create content that resonates with your audience while promoting the sponsor’s product or service.
  • Use high-quality visuals like images or videos to make the post more visually appealing.
  • Include a clear call-to-action that encourages your audience to take action, such as visiting the sponsor’s website or making a purchase.
  • Negotiate fair compensation for your sponsored posts based on factors like audience size and engagement rates.

8. Launch a Subscription-Based Newsletter

Launching a subscription-based newsletter on Telegram is another great way to monetize your content. Here are a few useful tips for creating a successful newsletter:

  • Choose a specific topic or niche that you’re passionate about and knowledgeable about.
  • Provide valuable insights, information, and analysis you can’t find elsewhere.
  • Use engaging storytelling techniques to keep readers interested and invested in your content.
  • Offer exclusive content only available to subscribers, such as interviews with experts or behind-the-scenes access to your work.
  • Set a fair price for your subscription based on the value you provide.
  • Promote your newsletter through social media, email marketing, and other channels to attract new subscribers.
  • Use analytics tools to track engagement rates and make data-driven decisions about improving your content over time.

9. Launch an Online Store

Launching an online store on Telegram is another great way to earn money. You can use the platform to sell digital or physical products like ebooks, video tutorials, apparel, art prints, and more.

By creating high-quality product descriptions and visuals that attract customers’ attention, you can generate revenue from sales and build a loyal customer base.

You can also use Telegram to promote your store, share discounts or promotions, and provide customer support.

10. Create Paid Courses

Creating paid courses is another great way to monetize your knowledge and skills. You can use Telegram to share lectures, course materials, quizzes, and assessments and support students enrolled in your courses.

online-learning

You can also create a membership site where people pay a monthly or annual fee for access to exclusive content. This could include additional video tutorials, live Q&A sessions with experts, interactive group discussions, and more.

You can attract customers and generate revenue from your online courses by offering value you can’t find elsewhere.

11. Offer Consulting Services

Finally, offering consulting services is another great way to make money on Telegram. Whether it’s career advice, business advice, or marketing advice, you can use your expertise to help others and earn money.

You can set up a PayPal payment account and accept payments for your consulting services through Telegram. You can also offer one-on-one video calls or group chat sessions where you can provide personalized advice to paying customers.

Tips To Pay Yourself When Self-Employed in Canada

By offering valuable insights and guidance, you can increase your income while helping others achieve success.

How Does Telegram Get Paid?

Telegram is a free messaging app that does not charge users fees for using the platform. However, Telegram has recently introduced some new features, such as voice calls and file sharing, that are part of their monetization strategy.

Telegram has also launched a cryptocurrency called “Gram,” which they plan to use for in-app purchases and other services in the future.

Does Telegram Bot Pay Money?

Telegram bots do not pay money as they are automated programs that perform specific tasks on the Telegram platform. However, some developers create bots that provide paid services or products such as games, trading signals, or subscription-based content.

In these cases, users may need to pay a fee to access the bot’s services or products. Additionally, Telegram offers a Bot API for developers to create bots and monetize them through various means, such as in-app purchases or advertising.

How Do Telegram Videos Make Money?

Telegram does not directly monetize videos on its platform. However, some users and channels may use Telegram to share videos that generate revenue through other means, such as advertising or sponsorships.

For example, a content creator may use Telegram to promote their YouTube channel or website, where they can earn money through ads or affiliate marketing.

Additionally, some channels on Telegram offer premium content or services for a fee which may include video content. In these cases, the videos are not generating revenue but are part of a larger monetization strategy.

How Can I Earn Money from Telegram?

One way is by creating and promoting your channel or group with many subscribers. You can monetize your channel or group by offering paid content, advertising, or sponsored posts.

Another way to earn money on Telegram is through affiliate marketing by sharing referral links and earning commissions for every sale made through those links.

Additionally, you can offer services such as consultancy, coaching, or freelancing through the platform. Building a loyal audience and providing valuable content regularly is essential to get money from telegram.

Conclusion

To summarize, using Telegram to make money is a great way to cash in on the huge social media platform. Whether you are a content creator, businessman, or just looking for passive income opportunities, Telegram provides many tools and channels to help you achieve your financial goals. With so many options available, there is sure to be something that works for you.

Air Conditioner or Heat Pump: How to Make a Choice?

Is the summer getting intolerable for you? If so, then most probably you’re thinking of getting the best technology or device for your home or office space to deal with it.

It is very obvious that you’re facing a little dilemma on whether to go with a heat pump or an air conditioner; which one would be the best option to serve your purpose. Don’t forget to check out the heat pump glossary to spruce up your knowledge.

In this article, we will help you figure out just that. You will get everything you need to know about heat pumps and air conditioners starting from their basics to the pros and cons followed by a comparison.

Analyze them, know your priorities, and make the decision. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

air conditioner benefits

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a technology that transfers the inside heat of the house to the outside or vice versa. Generally, a heat pump is used to eliminate the heat that is inside a house or building to the outside air in summer.

But in winter, the function of the heat pump just reverses. In cold weather, when you need heat in your homes, a heat pump extracts the heat from the outside air and transfers it to the inside.

Types of Heat Pump

Heat pumps are broadly divided into two major types. They are:

Air Source Heat Pump

This kind of heat pump uses the heat from the outside air in winter and expels the hot air from the inside to the outside in summer.

Geothermal Heat Pump

This type of heat pump utilizes the heat from the soil in winter to supply hot air into the house and expels the heat from the inside air to the soil or water in the hot weather.

Considering the design of the heat pumps, they are divided into two types. Those are as follows:

Split Type

This type of heat pump consists of two different indoor and outdoor units.

Packaged Unit

Such heat pumps contain all the components of the system combined within one single cabinet.

Heat Pump Components

The heat pump constitutes a good number of components. Each is required for different functions. The components that more or less all  heat pumps possess along with their functions are as follows:

Compressor: Transports refrigerant which is a compound responsible for heat exchange converting liquid to gas and absorbing the heat from the environment to transfer it somewhere else.

Coils: Condenser and evaporator coil for heating and cooling the air.

Reversing Valve: Changes the refrigerant flow.

Thermostatic Expansion Valves: Regulate the refrigerant flow.

Accumulator: To adjust with the season and the weather.

Air Ducts: To allow the hot or cold air released from the heat pump to flow throughout the house.

Refrigerant Lines: This component is applicable only for split-type heat pumps to connect the components from the inside to the outside.

Heat Strips: This generally comes with the packaged unit for providing extra heat on cooler days.

How does a Heat Pump Heat?

In winter, the reversing valve of the heat pump changes the system from cooling to heating. So that the heat from the outside air is extracted and pulled inside the house.

heating-radiator

Generally, a heat pump has the ability to heat up a house up to 70 degrees, but as long as the outside air is above 30 degrees. So, if the temperature goes below 30 degrees, the heat pump needs to utilize the additional heat sources.

Advantages of a Heat Pump

There are several advantages to having a heat pump. Some of the most mentionable are listed below.

  • Reducing the need to access natural gas or keeping a propane tank.
  • The home duct system of the heat pump ensures heat is distributed equally to every corner of the house without leaving any spaces cold.
  • As heat pumps don’t consume fossil fuels, they are more environmentally friendly.
  • The biggest advantage of a heat pump is providing two separate services in two different seasons, saving money for any other device or their maintenance.

Disadvantages of a Heat Pump

Even though heat pumps offer some very impressive benefits, there are few drawbacks as well.

  • In freezing winters, heat pumps won’t be enough to warm up the entire house.
  • In colder winters, you might have to use additional heaters or furnaces along with a heat pump to heat up your house.

What is an Air Conditioner?

The air conditioner does the same work as the heat pump in summer, that is, eliminating the heat inside the house to the outside air. But it also cools down the air inside by releasing cool air.

Types of Air Conditioner

There are different types and designs of air conditioners. The most usual and popular among them are listed below.

Central Air Conditioners: This type of AC packs the evaporator, compressor, and condenser in one single unit. The unit is connected by supply and return ducts that are installed in the walls of the houses.

Split-type Air Conditioners:  These air conditioners have two different outdoor and indoor units and the air supply takes place through the ducts.

Window Air Conditioners: This kind of air conditioner is ideal for a room as it combines all the components in one box that can fit a window.

Air Conditioner Components

The components of the air conditioner are somewhat similar to the heat pumps. This includes an outdoor unit consisting of the condenser, compressor, and fan.

The indoor unit has an evaporator and a fan. The refrigerant moves through the condenser and evaporator and the cool air produced moves through the ducts with the help of the fan.

AC components

AC Coils of HVAC systems require regular cleanup

Advantages of an Air Conditioner

An air conditioner bears some advantages compared to heat pumps. Those are as follows :

  • AC’s are very efficient for cooling down larger rooms and keeping the house cool for a longer period.
  • Air-conditioned rooms reduce dehydration.
  • AC improves the air quality of the room by removing allergens and is beneficial to patients with respiratory problems like Asthma.

Disadvantages of an Air Conditioner

There are some clear and obvious disadvantages of air conditioners. They are:

  • AC’s cannot produce or extract heat from the outer environment like heat pumps.
  • AC generally requires fossil fuel to run.

Comparison Between an Air Conditioner and a Heat Pump

To make it easier for you, let’s make a short comparison between heat pump vs air conditioner on some important factors to consider while buying them.

Purchase Cost: Generally, air conditioners are way costlier than heat pumps.

Installation Cost: Usually, the outdoor units of the heat pump cost more for installation than installing AC or indoor heat pumps.

Energy Efficiency: If you’re looking forward to improving your energy efficiency in the house, the heat pump should be your ideal option. Because heat pumps are more effective in saving energy than ACs.

Durability: If you’re not down for compromising the durability and longevity of your cooling device, then go for air conditioners. Because heat pumps don’t last more than 15 years.

Final Words

Do you still have confusion about which one to go for? Think about what matters to you more; saving money and energy or durability and longevity. Then choose wisely by evaluating heat pump vs air conditioner.

Hope this article was able to help you solve your dilemma. Thanks for reading till the end.

How to Find a Job in 2023: A Guide for Graduates

The prospect of job hunting in 2023 can be filled with uncertainties. As unfortunate as it is, this year, fresh graduates will be competing for fewer positions. There has been a significant decrease in the internship and placement opportunities compared to the last few years.

This declining trend is likely to continue at least for the beginning of this year. As such, you need to make the most of your downtime to stand the best chance of getting hired. We have drawn on our career expertise to come up with a few tips that will help you prepare for your job search in 2023.

job-search

1. Polish Your Resume – Both Online and Offline

It is common knowledge that the job market has been slow. However, recruiters are looking to see how you used the extra time you had to improve yourself. Make sure that your resume and your LinkedIn profile reflect any recent work you took upon.

Did you take on any paid or unpaid projects? Did you try freelancing? What online courses did you take to enhance your skills? Any task you did to benefit yourself or your community can find a place in your resume. These accomplishments will help you stand out from other candidates.

Also, give careful attention to your resume’s design and layout to create a visual impression on your recruiters. A well-written, error-free resume can instantly get you on the good side of the recruiters.

2. Create a Bot-Beating Resume

Recruiters are increasingly relying on the applicant tracking systems to sort out any unsuitable candidates. As such, it is paramount that you tailor your resume to each job you apply for. This means you have to include relevant keywords so that the resume beats the ATS bots.

If you need some help in this regard, you can and should reach out to get professional help from career advice experts. These days professional resume building services can help you not only to build a resume but also to offer you other career resources. For instance, they can connect you with the right recruiters and offer you career guidance in terms of training or work experience. It is well worth investing in a reputed resume maker as they can increase your chances to land a job.

3. Build Your Professional Image

Since you are only entering the job market, it is important that you look the part of the job you want. This means you have to be extra cautious of the image you project. This includes not only your job profiles but also your social media accounts. Be careful of the content that you leave open for others to see.

Recruiters have included social media screening as a part of their process, and your posts could cost you a job. Before you start sending resumes out, review your privacy settings to know what your potential employers will be able to access.

4. Register With Recruitment Agencies

Agencies, unlike online job portals, are looking for people to represent. They will also know where the high demand is and can nudge you in the right direction. If possible, you can look for a specialist recruiter in your respective industry.

Working with a recruitment agency can also allow you to choose a job that matches your requirements, such as specific hours and the work-life balance. That said, bear in mind not to excessively hassle the recruiters. Fix a regular time for contact and make sure that you are at the front of their mind.

recruitment-agencies

5. Up Your Networking Level

Thanks to the never-ending confinements, people continue to be more accessible these days. Do not miss out on this perfect opportunity to reach out to new contacts or reconnect with the old ones.

While at it, do not start a conversation indicating that you are desperately looking for a job. Instead, let the conversation take its natural flow. If you have fallen out of touch with your classmates, or alumni, send them greetings, politely enquire how they are doing. The goal is to keep your relationships intact.

In case you are looking to build new professional associations, scour the internet and social media for opportunities. The networking events have shifted online, and the location is no longer an issue for you to attend these.

6. Stay on Top of Job Listings

Regardless of whether you are working with a recruitment agency, make sure that you have a visible profile across all types of job listings. Some are general, whereas you will also find platforms that cater only to specific industries. For example, you can visit Personal Support Worker HQ to find free courses and new job listings.

If you come across a job opening that interests you, go to LinkedIn to check if you have any contacts at the respective company. This will be highly beneficial to connect with the right person at the firm. You can also do some additional research to find out about the hiring manager.

7. Prepare for Video Interviews

If you have successfully reached the last stage of the hiring process, it is time to get ready for the interview.

While doing an interview from home might be more convenient, you should also put in sufficient preparation to create the right setting. This also means ensuring that the interviews go without any technical difficulties.

Hiring experts recommend that the space is well-kit and distraction-free. This also includes turning off your mobile phone or to the very least, keeping it in silent mode.

First impressions still count – so be sure to wear office-appropriate clothing. Have all the important documents in front of you, such as any work experience certificates, online diplomas, and your CV. This can help you answer more promptly if asked about your student years or internship.

Wrapping Up

The job market might be tough, but as a fresh graduate, you have the flexibility to choose a job that aligns with your career goals. Think about what kind of firm you want to work for, and how you can fulfil your dream. Always do your homework: learn about the company and the employer. Once you have found the right fit, follow our tips and start applying for jobs.

Recommended Reading: Career Options for Biotechnology Graduates

Product Life-Cycle Assessment: Closing the Loop

If you’re interested in green and environmental issues you may have heard the phrase ‘life-cycle assessment’ in relation to a particular product. It can be difficult to ascertain exactly what this life-cycle assessment involves – so we’re hoping to shed some light on the process, the different types of assessment that take place and explain what’s involved with each step.

product-life-cycle-assessment

A look at the bigger picture

Essentially, a product life-cycle assessment takes an overall view of that item’s impact on the environment – and in doing so, offers a true picture of how green that product really is. The aim is for consumers, manufacturers and policy makers to be given a true environmental picture of any product.

Although it’s an example that divides the opinion of environmentalists around the world, the Toyota Prius provides an interesting picture of why the product life-cycle assessment is required in a world driven by a company’s desire to be seen as green. The Prius is an electric-hybrid car which Toyota claims delivers an impressive 60 miles per gallon of fuel – a statistic that puts it as a firm environmental favourite.

However, there are claims that the construction methods used to create the batteries that power the Prius are hugely detrimental to the environment – with some sources saying the manufacturing plant impacts the environment so greatly that by the time a Prius is driven from the showroom – it’s already had the environmental impact it would take any other car 1,000 gallons of fuel to match.

What’s the verdict?

So, is the Prius good or bad? That’s not for us to decide – and we’re not suggesting one way or another, we’re simply using this as an illustration of how complex any environmental consideration can be in a product with such an intensive manufacturing process and prolonged lifespan. At the other end of the calculation you’d have to consider how long the Prius will run for – and whether that balances a supposedly negative building method.

Stages of product life-cycle assessment

The product life cycle analysis is ordinarily broken down into different stages:

1. Extraction and processing of raw materials

This is a full understanding of the journey from source to point of manufacture that the building blocks of any product take. For example, in the manufacture of a table you would begin by looking at the trees that provide the wood, the logging process that takes them from forest to timber yard and the impact of the machinery used throughout that process.

You would repeat this process for every raw material that goes into the table’s manufacture.

2. Manufacturing

Next comes the manufacturing itself – if machinery or any industrial process is used to piece our table together then resources used in that process must be considered when we look at the overall impact of the product on the environment.

3. Packaging

The packaging that a product is delivered in is effectively another product in itself. Although unlikely in our table example, it’s not uncommon for extravagant packaging to represent 10-20% of a product’s recommended retail price. Curtis Packaging, an award-winning UK based sustainable packaging company suggest manufacturers pay careful consideration to the impact of packaging on a product’s overall green credentials – from raw materials to the point of disposal, the packing that adorns your product can have serious environmental considerations.

4. Marketing

At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking marketing a product comes with no environmental impact – but you’d be wrong. From the printing of advertising materials – to the sales team’s 20,000 annual miles in company vehicles – there can be a lot of resource put into any marketing process. However, measurement is no mean feat – companies can find it difficult to differentiate between their overall carbon footprint and that associated with any one product.

5. Product use, re-use and maintenance

This is where the impact of a product moves from the manufacturer and into the hands of the consumer. What does typical use look like? How long is a product being used for? Does one person’s use vary compared to another’s? For our example table, the answers could be fairly simple – on the other hand, there’s a huge amount of variation when you look at a broad range of car drivers.

Packaging that adorns your product can have serious environmental impact.

Packaging that adorns your product can have serious environmental impact.

For any product that requires maintenance, the LCA just became much more complex (again!) – just as packaging represented an entirely separate product that requires its own assessment – a similar process is required when a car receives a tank of fuel, a top up of coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs, brake pads… hopefully you get the picture (hint – it’s complex and sprawling!)

However difficult it might be to anticipate, it’s an environmental imperative that big industry is aware of the impact they have – even when their product has left their hands.

6. Recycling, disposal and waste at the end of the product’s life

From pizza boxes to old cars, it’s easy to think of their job as being done when they’re waved off to a recycling bin or breaker’s yard – but environmentally this could just be the beginning of their impact.

In terms of recycling – the effort and impact of the process must be outweighed by the benefit of the salvaged material, it’s often in life-cycle assessments that decisions are made around what is worth recycling – and what should be destined for landfill. If landfill is the ultimate resting place for any product, what does the deterioration process look like and what does that mean to the environment in the short, medium and long-term?

Then, to bring the assessment cycle full circle – any product that can be processed and re-used re-enters the assessment cycle back at the extraction and processing of raw materials stage…

Ultimately, what is the life-cycle assessment done for?

There’s no one reason that a product life-cycle assessment is done. For some companies, they’re keen to explain the full back-story of the product. For others, it can be an exercise in understanding the full process and highlighting any areas that can be financially streamlined – it certainly provides a solid baseline from which improvements can be made.

For the most environmentally ethical companies, the life-cycle assessment gives a true picture of the impact they have on the well-being of the planet – and offers a chance to get a full and honest picture of the moves they and their partners can make in creating a product that fulfils the requirements of the environment – as well as those of the customer and shareholders.