Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management.
Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals.
Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.
People are more environmentally conscious than ever, and want to do their part to help reduce waste. Not only are they themselves eco-friendly, but they also want the companies they purchase from and support to do their part as well. Nearly every wyoming llc will produce some type of waste, despite their best intentions. Even things like offices can create a lot of waste. This waste can have a terrible impact on the environment, for everything from wildlife to our own public health.
However, producing zero waste isn’t always possible for companies (at least not currently). As a result, it is more important than ever to have a good waste management strategy for your business. These plans help you deal with responsibly getting rid of waste, as well as reducing it where possible.
Unfortunately, crafting one isn’t always easy. Thankfully, we are here to help. This article is going to go over some great tips for creating a better waste management plan for your business.
Do Your Due Diligence
First and foremost, hire a waste production manager to perform an adequate amount of due diligence on waste processes in your business. While some companies might think they know all of the waste that they are producing, that isn’t always the case. There could be remnants of waste on your property from years ago, which could be damaging the soil and the environment.
In order to truly get the full picture of the waste you are creating or have created, you need to have testing, site-walks and other types of due diligence conducted. The more you know about the kind of waste you are creating, and how much, the better suited you will be to build out your customized plan.
Whether you are an established company wanting to improve or create your plan, or a company looking for a new workplace or site, doing due diligence is a must. If you want to learn more about this environmental due diligence, and the assessments involved, you can do so in this Phase I Environmental Site Assessment article.
Find Ways to Reduce and Reuse
While responsibly disposing of things is often at the heart of any waste management plan, it should be about so much more than that. In fact, actually throwing things away at a dump or landfill should be kept to a minimum. Instead, your plan should be focused primarily on reducing your waste and reusing what you can.
This could be by changing up certain processes, using new technology, or simply identifying what methods produce the most waste, and optimizing them. Also seek to reuse the waste that you can. If you yourself can’t use it, see if another company or industry might be able to.
For example, instead of tossing food waste in the garbage, it can often be used as compost by large farms. While not all types of waste can be reduced or reused, you would be shocked at what can be done if you take your time and come up with a plan.
Know the Responsibilities and Guidelines in Your Area
In most areas, businesses have certain responsibilities when it comes to waste management. It could be anything from offering the right receptacles to staying below a certain threshold of waste. You need to be aware of your responsibilities wherever you operate. If you don’t comply and do what you are responsible for doing, you could end up with some serious penalties or fines to deal with.
In addition to knowing the responsibilities you have in your local area, also be aware of the guidelines. Some cities or areas will require the waste to be sorted or disposed of in a certain way. Be sure to have all of these policies and rules clearly stated for everyone, so they aren’t left confused about anything.
On a similar note, be aware of the local services that can assist with waste management. Know where they operate, what sorts of materials they can help you dispose of and what the associated costs are.
Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by a chic, retro look. These types of furniture pieces often have very clean lines, and come in a wide variety of colors. For this type of design, the sofas are often made of soft materials such as velvet or tweed.
Once you have decided that you want to go with a mid-century modern design for your place, you will need to select furniture pieces that align with the theme. When it comes to mid century sofas, you must make your choice carefully since you are likely to remain with them for a long time. Below we have, therefore, outlined a few tips to pay attention to while making your selection:
1. Comfort
In this digital age, there has been a shift towards e-commerce shopping for many items in our homes. It is a fast, easy and convenient method which saves us a lot of time and energy. And while this method is advantageous, it may not be the best approach to take while purchasing items such as furniture.
Just like when buying a mattress, you need to try it out and see if it is the type of sofa you would like. Pay attention to factors such as the length and the height of the couch for optimum back support.
2. Color
One of the defining characteristics of a mid-century modern sofa would be the incorporation of bold colors such as gold, or a contrasting color palette.
Black and white especially are great to complement a minimalist home, to give it an edgy, elegant vibe. Softer colors such as teal or peach are also excellent to create a brighter look in your home. Go for whatever color seems best, and for that which goes along with the tones in your house.
A mid-century modern sofa can come in different types, such as sectionals, loveseats, or couches. Whichever type you wish to have, you must consider the size to ensure that it fits well within your space.
One of the handy tricks that you would do beforehand is to measure out the open space that you have and take the measurements with you when you go shopping. This will allow you to select furniture that will fit nicely in your room, and not give you any headaches.
4. Price
Pricing is always an important factor to consider when making a purchase. Nobody wants to splurge and end up in debt or without the necessary money to pay their bills.
To get a nice couch that will not leave a massive dent in your pocket, you must do adequate research and compare prices before making the purchase. This will help you pick the best couch that suits you at the most convenient price.
5. Durability
For a couch to last long, it must be made of durable materials. As such, it is best to go for a sturdy wood frame as it will provide the most support for a long time. Particleboard or plywood may however not be the best case for couches, but they are good for kitchen boards.
As you are planning to get enrolled in college, you are not just choosing the movie club to visit or think about what book to read. It is the choice of life that can change your future forever. Nevertheless, making your first choice is also not the end of the world because you have to explore and see what would be the most efficient solution for you. Therefore, you should learn various tips and recommendations before you take the first step towards your academic career.
Things You Must Learn Before Starting College
1. Take Time to Study Available Options
Never ever hurry when you are looking for college. Think about what you would like to learn. Create various personal statement letters. Read them aloud, give it time to see if it sounds good to you. You can also request professional assistance by checking the best essay writing service reviews to see who can guide you as you look through the list of colleges. Just give it time and see what works for you!
2. Consider Community Colleges
If you want to save some funds and get the basics of college life to make a good transition, consider certain community colleges. It will help you to see how it feels to learn on campus.
3. Take a College Year Gap
It is not obligatory to join the college as you graduate from your high school. Sometimes it is good to get older and have some rest to see things differently. You just want to have some fun and do those things that you always wanted to do. When you take some rest by taking a year gap, you will always feel much better! Just think about it!
4. Take Various Tests
You can consider taking a CLEP exam to graduate sooner by skipping through the general subjects like Maths, Chemistry, and English. It will also help you in terms of funds and boarding!
5. Consider Community Work First
You can also consider working as a volunteer and add something valuable to your resume before you join college. Consider checking GrabMyEssay.com reviews and see how to compose your resume and write essays to apply for a scholarship. If you have some community merits, you will have better chances of joining a prestigious college!
6. Think About Online Courses
Before you join the college in 2021 and become a victim of a student loan, consider taking a look at various remote learning courses. Of course, there are pros and cons of online education, which means that you should explore if it works best for you!
7. Visit Colleges in Person
Just take time to walk around the campus and explore things on your own. It will help you to see the major and minor differences. Talk to people and learn things.
8. Foreign Exchange Students
If you are up for some challenges, you should consider joining a foreign exchange program. It will make it possible to learn and travel at the same time. For example, if you want to learn specific subjects that may not be available in your country, joining one of the foreign programs is the way to go!
9. Read Online Reviews
Do not forget to read testimonials from those who have already joined relevant colleges. It will help you to estimate your opinion and see what pros and cons you have.
Do Not Abandon Your Hobbies
We all know how people who used to do sports often gave up on playing basketball or baseball. Likewise, students who used to play guitar or piano would focus on their studies all the time and ignore their hobbies.
The most important is to learn about your college campus facilities to see what sport, arts, or music clubs you can join. Even if you do not have something that interests you, it is always possible to participate in community and charity work to keep inspired and show your soft skills!
Urban waste management has emerged as a big challenge for the government and local bodies in Saudi Arabia. The country generates more than 15 million tons of municipal solid waste each year with per capita waste production estimated to be 2 kg per day, among the highest worldwide. Municipal waste production in three largest cities – Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam – exceeds 6 million tons per annum which gives an indication of the enormity of the problem faced by civic bodies.
The Problem of Waste
Municipal waste generation in Saudi Arabia is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Due to high population growth rate, rapid urbanization and fast-paced economic development, MSW generation is expected to cross 30 million tons per year by 2033. More than 75 percent of Kingdom’s population is concentrated in urban areas, and collected garbage is thrown in landfills or dumpsites without any processing or treatment.
Most of the landfills in Saudi Arabia are non-sanitary and prone to problems like leachate, vermin, flies and spontaneous fires, apart from greenhouse gas emissions. It has become necessary for the Saudi government to devise an integrated waste management strategy, using international best practices and modern technologies, to tackle heaps of garbage accumulating across the country.
Promise of Waste-to-Energy
Waste-to-energy provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to both energy demand and MSW disposal problems in Saudi Arabia. Increasing waste generation, inability of existing solutions to tackle waste and expansion of cities into ex-dump sites are strong drivers for large-scale deployment of WTE systems in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has tremendous waste-to-energy potential due to plentiful availability of good quality municipal waste. Modern waste-to-energy technologies, such as RDF-based incineration, gasification, pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion have the ability to transform power demand and waste management scenario in the country.
A typical 250 – 300 tons per day garbage-to-energy plant can produce around 3 – 4 MW of electricity and a network of such plants in cities around the country can make a real difference in waste management as well as energy sectors. In fact, such plants also produce tremendous about of heat energy which can be utilized in process industries and district cooling systems, further maximizing their usefulness.
Key Challenges
Around the world, waste-to-energy finds wide acceptance as a tool to manage urban wastes, with more than 1,000 waste-to-energy plants in operation globally, especially in Europe, China and the Asia-Pacific. However, waste-to-energy is struggling to get off-the-ground in Saudi Arabia due to several issues, the main reason being the cheap and plentiful availability of oil which prevents decision-makers to set effective regulations for waste-to-energy development in the country.
Waste-to-Energy is widely accepted as a part of sustainable waste management strategy worldwide.
Policy-makers in KSA should consider waste-to-energy as a sustainable waste management solution, rather than as a power-producing industry. Unlike Western countries, waste management services are practically free-of-cost for the waste generators which act as a deterrent for governmental investment in new waste management solutions and technologies, such as waste-to-energy. Infact, waste collection, transport and disposal methods in Saudi Arabia do not match the standards of a developed country.
Future Outlook
Vision 2030, touted as most comprehensive economic reform package in Saudi history, puts forward a strong regulatory and investment framework to develop Saudi waste-to-energy sector. An ambitious target of 3GW of energy from waste is to be achieved by 2025. A methodical introduction of modern waste management techniques like material recovery facilities, waste-to-energy systems and recycling infrastructure can significantly improve waste management scenario and can also generate good business opportunities.
To sum up, environmental issues associated with non-sanitary landfills, ineffectiveness of prevalent waste management model and rising energy demand are key drivers for development of waste-to-energy sector in Saudi Arabia.
For many centuries, architects have continued to amaze the world as they continue to design more complex buildings thanks to fast advancing technological development. Architecture and nature have been closely related to building design reflecting a certain part of nature or being inspired by nature.
Recently, biotechnology architecture has begun taking root with structures that intertwine with nature being designed and thereby creating harmony and favoring natural equilibrium. What has for many years be seen as stories only achievable in fantasy and sci-fi books is now a reality.
Nature contributes a lot to building materials
From traditional homes, complex modern squares to places to spend holidays, you will find natural material in every square inch of any building. Cement is mined from limestone, metal ore is processed to produce metal, trees are cut for wood, and so on.
Without natural material, it would be impossible to build any lasting structures. One thing will always remain as truth and it is the fact that all houses are built in collaboration with nature.
From books to reality
The Hobbit was written in 1937 by J.R.R Tolkein. The fantasy novel was awarded by New York Tribune as the best novel for children. Hobbits lived in houses that looked like holes in the mountains. The fantasy book inspired the writing of Lord of the Rings, followed by Hobbit movies, cartoon characters, and games.
Architecture lovers inspired by the fantasy novel have to date put some greatly striking house projects around the world. Some of the projects are Woodland Home – West Wales, Hobbit Hotels – New Zealand, and the Dune House, USA.
Another important novel is Hyperion, a Novel by Dan Simmons, published in 1989. He describes a creature named Shrike that is worshipped by some, some want to destroy it and some fear it. Yggdrasill, which connects the seven worlds, inspired some architects to designed Yggdrasill homes, bringing them to reality.
There many more books and essay examples that contain lessons about the future and students can study them and write wonderful essays. Even after referring to the essay examples and books, a student can seek help from a writing service if they want more quality work.
Importance of biotechnology architecture
For many years. Biotechnology has been applied to improve plant species for better production. The technology later advanced to include animal species where cross-breeding was first adopted before technology advanced to the use of genetics.
Today, biotechnology is used to develop better products, fight diseases, reduce harm to the environment, produce cleaner energy and promote safer manufacturing processes. Biotechnology architecture relies on information instead of form. Its recommendations are not based on the structure of a building but its behavior.
Living homes
Using biotechnology in architecture, bio architects envision future homes as homes that are alive. When biology and engineering are brought together, building structures that are part of nature can become a reality. Recent technology has discovered mycelium, a fungus that can grow fast and create material with important structural performance.
Veldt – a good example of a jungle room
In his book titled The Veldt, Ray Bradbury describes a scenario where some children created a fully automated house. They are living a leisure life and then Peter and Wendy create a nursery, which is a virtual reality room. Interestingly, the room can create any environment-friendly living for the children to live in. The house performs all chores like cooking, laundry, brushing their teeth. Soon, the parents and children realize the nursery is too real.
The sci-fi book is currently 70 years old but its stories continue to live. The fictional stories of a happy life home are today’s real stories. Inspired by the Veldt story, Krista Kim created the first NFT digital house and offered it for sale. Although it’s virtual, the house opened a new door for green homes realty. More real green homes are the Hobbit Holes in New Zealand that have been turned into hotels.
Advantages to future generations
A green home will save future generations from pollution, environmental destruction, and unhealthy lives. Green homes will be able to produce their own energy to power them, heal themselves and provide a healthy environment to live in.
In his book, Ray Bradbury envisioned a future generation that would create a living corner of wildlife in the house. Back in his time in this book, Ray Bradbury raised the question that against the background of developing technologies, a person should be closer to nature and not live in a “concrete jungle” and that a person will try to be closer to nature.
Therefore, the topic of biotechnology will always be relevant. Even when a person colonizes distant planets and flies off the earth in a spaceship, he will still need nature to survive and maintain inner harmony.
Conclusion
Bioscientists and architects look forward to future green cities whose reality must start today. The once fantasy and sci-fi books have today inspired technology-driven green buildings. The hobbit holes hotels in New Zealand are real testimony that it is possible to bring the future to today and build green homes around the world. It calls for commitment from architects, bioscientists, and governments to bring this vision to reality.
Solar power is getting increasing popularity as a dependable source for street lighting all over the world. Some of the benefits associated with solar street lights include reduced dependence on conventional energy, conservation of energy and less reliance on the national grid. In countries experiencing abundance of sunlight, solar lights are the best option to illuminate the streets, garden, parks and other public spaces.
Solar-powered lights are a perfect eco-friendly green lighting solution
Nowadays, solar street lights are powered by PV panels, in-built battery, LED lights and smart sensors, all integrated into a single compact unit. Solar LED street lights have emerged as a cost-effective and environment-friendly to light up roads and public spaces. LED lights are widely acknowledged for energy conservation, are long-lasting and good-looking, and are maintenance-free. These characteristics make LED-based solar street lights well-suited for commercial as well as domestic lighting applications.
Key Features
A modern solar street light has embedded solar panel, inbuilt lithium-ion batteries, battery management system, night and motion sensors as well as automatic controls. The fully automatic device comes with LEDs, inbuilt and replaceable Lithium-ion battery and passive infrared (PIR) sensors. A typical solar street light is weather-proof and water-resistant, has low insect attraction rate and low glare and has a longer life.
The embedded solar panel converts solar power into electrical energy which is stored in the inbuilt battery, and used for dusk-to-dawn lighting operations. The main innovation of modern solar street lights is the battery management system which is facilitated by the presence of night and motion sensors.
During the first 5 hours of night, the system works at average lumens brightness. Subsequently, the intensity of the light reduces till dawn or until PIR sensor is activated by human movement. When people are within a certain radius away from the light, it automatically turns to its full brightness. This smart feature makes solar street lights device a perfect combination of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Solar powered lights have been tried and successfully tested in a wide variety of domestic and commercial applications. The device is well-suited for lighting up streets, courtyards, gardens, parks, compounds, boundary walls, car parks etc. in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner.
Unending Benefits
Due to off-grid nature of solar street lights, solar street lights incur minimal operational costs. Such lights are wireless in nature and are independent of the utility company. Compared to conventional street lights, solar street lights require almost zero maintenance.
Due to the absence of external wires, these lights do not pose any threat of accidents like electrocution, strangulation and overheating. Infact, solar lights illuminate the streets throughout the night irrespective of power cuts and grid failures.
Solar street lights are a delight for environmentalists around the world as it can provide significant lowering of carbon footprint of individuals, homes and businesses. In other words, solar-powered lights are a perfect green lighting solution. In terms of cost, solar street lights are a better investment than conventional street lights if the capital as well as O&M costs are considered.
The issue of energy efficiency and high energy costs is a growing concern for many homeowners. To reduce energy consumption and save money, it is essential to take a comprehensive approach to improve the energy efficiency of one’s home. This involves analyzing both the big picture and daily habits to identify areas for improvement and making strategic investments in energy-saving solutions. With the right approach, significant energy and cost savings can be achieved. In this article, we will explore what is home energy efficiency, how can you get your solar panels and maximize energy efficiency, and the energy efficiency gap and look into some steps that can be taken to create a more energy-efficient and cost-effective home.
What does home energy efficiency mean?
You know what they say, “old habits die hard,” but that doesn’t have to apply to our energy usage in our homes. Any house, new or old, can be more energy efficient. Sure, new construction has to meet higher energy standards, but older homes can be upgraded too. And, let’s not forget, the people living in these homes can do their part in being more energy efficient too.
When we talk about an energy-efficient home, we mean…
1. Cost-effective
Has a high EnerGuide rating, meaning it’s well-insulated and airtight
Has energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment to keep utility bills low
Has low-flow accessories to lower water consumption and costs
Residents keep inside temperatures reasonable and use electricity wisely
Uses ENERGY STAR® certified products and appliances
2. Comfortable and healthy
Warm in winter, cool in summer, and draft-free
Has excellent ventilation and air quality
Uses a programmable thermostat for heating and cooling management
3. Energy-efficient upgrades add resale value
Home fixtures that promote energy efficiency provide more resale value.
New windows and doors save energy and add on resale value
Investments in renewable energy like solar panels pay off in the long run
4. Kind to the environment
It lowers energy consumption and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Shrinks the home’s carbon footprint.
What’s the “energy efficiency gap”
People aren’t investing in energy-efficient devices as much as they should, leading to the “energy efficiency gap.” This means there’s a difference between the potential savings from these investments and the actual investments made. The gap is even larger from a societal perspective, taking into account environmental costs and public benefits.
For example, reducing energy consumption might make more sense than building a new gas plant with higher economic and environmental costs. To help facilitate this gap, society should invest in energy efficiency improvements with lower combined private and ecological costs than alternative investments. If you are seeking more sustainability pieces of advice, you can learn more on eco-oriented websites like EcoAdvice.
Why is there an energy efficiency gap
There are potential reasons for the energy efficiency gap.
Market failures: People make good decisions for themselves, but sometimes the market doesn’t accomplish the best outcome. Take energy efficiency, for example. Suppose a landlord owns a home’s appliances, but the tenant pays the electricity bill. In that case, the landlord might not want to buy energy-efficient appliances even though they save money because the tenant gets the benefit, not the landlord.
Lack of information: When you don’t have all the info, it can mess up your chances of making an intelligent decision. If a car salesperson lies to you about how much gas a car uses, you might buy a different vehicle if you had the correct information. In theory, people are supposed to make smart choices based on their information, and if they lack info, it can stop people from making energy-saving investments. A lack of information is considered a market failure.
Behavioral failures: When people don’t act rationally, that’s called behavioral failure. Take loss aversion, for example. That’s when people put more weight on losses than gains, which can make them shy away from buying an appliance with a higher upfront cost, even if it would save them money in the long run. Another behavioral failure is inattention. This happens when people need to pay attention to or understand important information when deciding. For instance, information about a product’s energy use might be available, but the customer may need to take the time to read it before buying it.
Hidden Cost: Sometimes, the energy efficiency gap might be smaller than it seems. For instance, someone might choose a gas car over an electric one because of reasons like driving performance or the unavailability of charging stations. But when you consider these factors, the market will naturally reach an efficient outcome. While there could be some hidden costs that contribute to the energy efficiency gap, studies suggest that there could be other reasons, too, like market failures or human behavior.
Tips for improved home energy efficiency (steering clear of the energy efficiency gap)
1. Request for an energy audit
Get a free energy checkup from your utility provider. They’ll give your house a once-over and look at your energy use and past bills. This way, they can spot where you’re wasting energy and help you save. It’s a simple but super helpful first step in figuring out how to use energy more efficiently.
2. Upgrade Your Windows
Swap out those old, drafty windows for some new ones, and you’ll be chillin’ (literally) in the summer and toasty in the winter. Sure, it might be a pricier project, but think about all the long-term energy savings you’ll rack up. Look for windows with argon gas insulation between the panes and a low-emissivity coating on the glass for ultimate energy efficiency.
3. Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
They might cost a bit more upfront, but they last way longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often. Plus, they use less energy, so you’ll see those savings on your electricity bill in no time. CFLs run about $3 to $5 each and last 10x as long as standard bulbs, while LED bulbs cost about $15 each but are worth the long-term savings. There are even LED options that work with Alexa and Google Assistant!
4. Update Your HVAC System
Swapping out your old HVAC for a new one can mean significant savings on your energy bills all year round. You’ll stay warm in winter and cool in summer without breaking the bank.
When shopping for a new HVAC, look for one with a high rating from Energy Star. And make sure it’s the right size for your home – you can get a heat-loss calculation from a contractor to figure that out.
Some Mitsubishi Electric Heating and Cooling Units are Energy Star certified and allow you to control different parts of your home separately for even more efficiency. Remember that a complete replacement will cost at least $5,000.
Once your new HVAC is installed, get it serviced once or twice a year to maintain it operating smoothly. And remember to use media filters with an antimicrobial coating for improved air quality.
5. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliance
If you’re looking for a new washing machine, dishwasher, or other appliance, look for one with the ENERGY STAR certification. This means they use less energy than similar models and can help you save in the long run.
Energy-efficient appliances might cost more upfront, but they can save you money in the long term by reducing your energy bills. So don’t be discouraged by the sticker price. Think about the yearly operating costs too.
6. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels for homes are a popular way to turn the sun’s energy into electricity. They’re a clean, renewable source of power that’s growing in popularity for homes and businesses.
Installing solar panels can be pricey, around $12k on average, after tax breaks, but they generate their power and can seriously cut your electricity bill. Plus, they last forever without needing any repairs or replacements, so it’s worth considering as an investment.
7. Take advantage of the sun or natural light
Taking advantage of natural light is an easy way to make your home more energy efficient. Using the sun or natural light can reduce the need for artificial lighting and save on your energy bill. This can be done by installing large windows facing the sun or using skylights or light tubes to bring in natural light. Use reflective surfaces like mirrors or light-colored walls to bounce light deeper into your home. Not only will this help reduce your energy consumption, but it will also create a brighter and more inviting atmosphere in your home.
You can make smart decisions about your next investments by taking a step back and analyzing your home’s energy inefficiencies. Don’t feel like you have to do it all at once – be strategic and slowly integrate innovative energy solutions into your home improvement plan. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a more energy-efficient, cost-effective home!
Costs can spiral in any sustainable installation scenario if you aren’t on the ball from the very beginning. The key is to plan properly, and have tools on hand to help everything run smoothly.
With that in mind, here are some pieces of advice to follow that will avoid budget overruns in your own projects going forward.
Use ERP Software to Keep Everything Under Control
First and foremost, it’s worth pointing out that using an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software package is the best way to ensure that everything runs smoothly and stays under control.
This type of system allows companies to organize all their data in one place, including financials, inventory management, human resources information, and more.
It also helps them track project costs by providing real-time visibility into labor hours and materials used. With this tool at hand, it’s easier than ever before for businesses to make informed decisions about how much money they should allocate towards each job—and stay within their allotted budget.
It’s worth exploring ERP solutions for your organizations like opusflow.io, as this is a growing market with plenty of competing platforms to consider.
Identify the Necessary Steps and Create a Plan of Action
You need to know what steps are involved in each project, and plan how you’ll tackle them, before you can get a precise idea of costs, and make realistic estimates for your budget.
Starting off with an accurate assessment of project scope, timeline and cost estimates can help ensure that each step is properly planned out ahead of time.
Additionally, it’s important to have regular updates throughout the process so that nothing falls through the cracks or gets missed along the way.
Also, having specific milestones in place gives companies something tangible they can track their progress against—helping them stay within their allotted budget at all times, and identifying issues ASAP so that evasive measures can be implemented.
Monitor Your Spending Regularly
Speaking of pinpointing problems so that they can be minimized immediately rather than left unaddressed, frequent monitoring of project spending is a must in this context.
Make sure that all expenses are tracked accurately and in real-time, and don’t delay in acting when inconsistencies or imperfections become apparent. The sooner you swoop in to fix things, the less chance there is of spending running out of control.
As part of this, it’s important to have access to detailed financial reports on demand which give an overview of the project budget. The aforementioned software solutions should serve you well in this regard.
Take Advantage of Cost Saving Opportunities Whenever Possible
Part of the role of sustainable installation projects is to be eco-friendly and efficient in their own right. This means making sure to avoid any kind of waste when budgeting, which is only achievable if you are looking for places where savings are available.
For instance, companies can take advantage of bulk discounts when ordering materials, or negotiate better payment terms with their suppliers.
Then there’s the opportunity to harness energy efficient solutions and renewable sources to power the moving parts of a project. If you can set up solar panels on-site, your energy costs can be driven down, for example.
The Bottom Line
Keeping sustainable installation projects from running over budget isn’t just about dealing with one issue, but several.
You have to be realistic about what your spend might be, plan out how you’ll stick within the allotted budget, and watch every penny as progress is made. This is the best way to avert disaster and keep clients happy.
Due to research and the increased efforts to reduce toxins and live more sustainably, many of our everyday products are a lot safer than they were 50 years ago. However, there are still some common products that contain substances that are toxic to the human body. Here are some common household items that you probably use every day but they may contain potentially harmful chemicals and some alternatives to those products.
Personal Care Products
1. Lotion
Some lotions may contain binders and preservatives derived from chemicals. Acrylamide is a binder thought to be a cause of breast cancer, while parabens (including propylparaben and methylparaben) are a type of preservative known to be a hormone disruptor. Avoid lotions and other personal care products with these ingredients as often as you can.
2. Sunscreen
Some sunscreens contain Ultraviolet (UV) filters such as benzophenone, homosalate, and octinoxate, which are also endocrine (hormone) disruptors. A safer alternative to these ingredients is mineral sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in forms that aren’t inhaled. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb the UV rays.
Household Cleaners
1. Antibacterial Hand Soap
Studies have shown that antibacterial soaps don’t actually make us cleaner than non-antibacterial soaps. In fact, the main ingredient in antibacterial soap (triclosan) increases the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It has also been found that triclosan has contributed to toxic algae in water sources. Bottom line, soaps and other cleaners labeled “antibacterial” are potentially doing more harm than good.
2. Multipurpose Cleaners
Many household cleaners, including window cleaners, contain an ingredient called 2-butoxyethanol. The EPA has found that this toxin can contribute to liver and kidney damage. While companies are not required to list this ingredient on their labels, you can avoid this by sticking to simple cleaning compounds, such as baking soda. Not only is this better for your health, but it’s also better for the environment.
Food Items
1. Sodium Nitrate
This is found in processed meats. While it prevents the growth of bacteria, it also has some potential health issues. When sodium nitrate is heated at high temperatures, it can increase the risk of stomach cancer. Of course, this is more probable when consumed at higher rates, so it’s best to limit the amount of red meat you eat.
2. Glyphosate
Glyphosate is the main ingredient found in most weed killers that have been linked to certain cancers. Unfortunately, this ingredient has been found in several foods as well. Oat-based breakfasts (including oatmeal, granola, and cereal) have been shown to have high levels of glyphosate. This is likely due to the use of pesticides and herbicides in food production.
Other Tips to Remember
Not all “natural” is good.
While we are looking for natural alternatives, remember that not everything labeled natural is good. Products can be labeled as being 100% natural, but harmful substances can be classified as natural. Also, not all synthetic ingredients are bad. Always read labels, and if you don’t recognize an ingredient, you can always look it up.
Fragrance
Who doesn’t love scented products? Companies are not required to list the ingredients that go into creating their fragrances, but they do have to list “fragrance” or “parfum” among the ingredients. Unfortunately, that “fragrance” can be a mixture of anything. Whenever you can, choose “fragrance-free” products. It sounds boring, but an alternative would be to purchase essential oils to add your own fragrance to products.
It’s important to note here that essential oils should always be used as directed. Though they are natural and generally harmless, they are not to be ingested unless stated otherwise. They should also be used in small amounts and diluted with water or a carrier oil.
Science doesn’t change, but as new studies and information come out, we may have a better understanding of certain ingredients. For now, it’s important to research questionable ingredients and learn if they are okay at lower levels, or if we should just avoid them altogether.
The idea of a zero-waste lifestyle has become increasingly popular in recent years. It entails aiming to generate no more waste to save the planet. How does this work? Well, all the trash that humans generate ends up in landfills. These huge dumpsites are incredibly harmful to the environment. On the one hand, they contaminate the soil. On the other hand, they significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. That, in turn, contributes to global warming. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to reverse the damage already caused. Nevertheless, we can try to minimize future damage by following zero-waste trends and incorporating them into our lives. Here’s a simple guide to help you transition to a zero-waste lifestyle.
1. Inspecting your waste
That might sound a bit gross, but you need to inspect your trash to identify your waste habits. That enables you to determine where most of your waste comes from. For example, if you mainly generate food waste, then it’s time to make a change in this department. Specifically, you should find ways to shop smart and not buy too much. A good solution here would be to plan your meals for the entire week and buy only the ingredients you need to prepare them.
2. Make compost
A great way to transition to a zero-waste lifestyle is to make compost. Composting is a natural process through which you recycle food waste and other organic materials and turn it into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Firstly, this enables you to minimize and eliminate food waste. Secondly, it’s a great way to eliminate other types of waste, such as sawdust, wood chips, grass trimmings, and even small pieces of paper and cardboard.
Composting is a great way to transition to a zero-waste lifestyle
3. Buy less processed foods
Apart from shopping smart to avoid food waste, you should also aim to buy less processed foods. That is beneficial not only for your health but the environment as well. Specifically, it helps you generate less plastic waste. This is because most processed foods come in plastic packaging, while fresh food doesn’t.
Of course, grocery stores usually provide plastic bags for these products. But you can easily avoid using them by bringing reusable grocery bags and containers. At the same time, if you need to buy processed foods, look for those that come in glass or aluminum containers. As opposed to plastic, these materials are entirely recyclable.
4. Always recycle
Recycling is the process of turning waste into reusable materials and products. As a result, recycling saves energy and natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and shrinks landfills. One way to transition to a zero-waste lifestyle is to correctly sort your trash and use recycling bins. However, you should do some research first. Because if you don’t do it right, you’ll make it much harder for recycling facilities to do their job.
To transition to a zero-waste lifestyle, you should always recycle.
5. Avoid single-use items
Single-use items generate a tremendous amount of waste and pollute the environment. Thus, you should do your best to avoid or minimize their use. These items include everything from paper towels and tissues to plastic bottles. You might view these as essentials, but you can easily replace them with reusable items. For example, you can use washable kitchen towels and handkerchiefs. And you can opt for a thermos or sports bottle instead of a single-use water bottle. That is not only eco-friendly but will also help you save money.
6. Reuse packing materials
Most of the household items you buy come in cardboard boxes. Your first instinct is to throw them away to eliminate the clutter. Nevertheless, you should resist this urge because old packing materials can be beneficial. For instance, let’s say you want to go green in your storage unit. In this case, reusing packing materials is one of the most efficient ways to make them sustainable; specifically, you can use old cardboard boxes to organize your belongings instead of investing in plastic containers.
7. Buy second-hand and donate
Whether you need to update your wardrobe or redecorate your home, you should consider shopping in a thrift store. You’ll find everything from clothes to furniture at a meager cost here. That is not only good for your finances but also the environment. More precisely, it reduces waste by reusing old items and materials. As for the items you want to get rid of, you can either sell or donate them to avoid generating waste. That mostly depends on their current condition and value.
8. Go digital
Everything you receive by mail generates paper waste. That includes utility bills, various invoices, newspapers, magazines, etc. So, it’s time to go digital if you want to transition to a zero-waste lifestyle. You only have to contact your providers and tell them you wish to receive all correspondence via email. The same goes for newspapers and magazines that are now available online.
9. Look for a zero-waste community
The zero-waste movement is becoming more and more popular by the day. As a result, you’ll find zero-waste communities all around the globe. These groups can provide you with precious information and valuable suggestions to make the transition easier. Therefore, you should look for and join a local or online zero-waste community.
In conclusion
Given how harmful landfills are to the environment, reducing waste should become a priority worldwide because landfills are harmful to the environment. Unfortunately, as individuals, we don’t have the power to change international environmental laws. However, we can help protect the environment by changing our lifestyle. Going zero waste is a great solution, but it can be hard to achieve. So, use this simple guide to help you transition to a zero-waste lifestyle and go from there. Once you get used to it, you’ll realize it’s not that hard.
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