Author Archives: Salman Zafar

About Salman Zafar

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.

What Constitutes Hazardous Waste?

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Hazardous waste is any waste that poses significant health and environmental risks. This waste comes from various sources, including commercial processes and household activities. Examples of waste generated commercially include painting wastes and cleaning solvents. In homes, common types include batteries, fluorescent lamps, and computer monitors.

what is hazardous waste

Characterization of Hazardous Waste

The EPA lists four characteristics that waste must meet to be deemed hazardous.

1. Ignitability

Waste that falls in this category includes liquids whose flashpoints are less than sixty degrees, flammable solids, combustible oxidizers, and compressed gasses. This group of wastes falls under the waste code D001, including petroleum parts washer solvents and waste kerosene.

2. Corrosivity

Corrosive wastes are the aqueous types with a pH up to 2, and for liquids that can corrode steel, only those with a pH of atleast 12.5 fall under this category. Examples include rust removers and caustic tank waste.

3. Reactivity

Wastes that fall under this category are volatile, react with water, and may release fumes. These wastes can also explode when heated and even when left undisturbed. Examples include metallic sodium and cyanide plating

4. Toxicity

Toxic wastes pose a threat because of their harmful nature when consumed. They can also seep through the soil and contaminate groundwater. To be deemed toxic, this waste must undergo testing under the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). Examples of poisonous waste include oily and painting waste.

Importance of Managing Hazardous Waste in the Oil and Gas Sector

Environmental threats are one of the top risks posed by oil and gas companies due to their operations. Other than greenhouse gas emissions, this industry is responsible for producing hazardous waste.

disposal of contaminated soil

For this reason, these companies must find ways of appropriately managing such waste. Remember, hazardous waste poses health, economic, environmental, and social threats. And while contamination can make waste management a challenge, there are several management schemes that oil and gas companies can undertake.

These include:

  • Companies can source raw materials that generate less waste. At the beginning of the lifecycle, addressing waste generation reduces pollution, saves costs, and promotes resource efficiency.
  • This industry can extend the life cycle of items by reusing them by utilizing waste oil to build roads.
  • Companies can convert waste products such as chemical containers into usable items.
  • This process may involve detoxifying and neutralizing hazardous waste through thermal analysis and physical filtration.

Household Hazardous Waste Management

Household hazardous waste poses a similar threat to the environment and humans. Improper disposal, such as draining into storm sewers or combining with everyday trash, can result in pollution and health problems.

household hazardous wastes

We recommend practicing proper household waste management. You can do this by:

  • Checking and following instructions on products that release hazardous waste. Take note of the usage, storage and disposal guidelines to reduce the risk of fire and other accidents
  • Keeping chemicals in their original packaging and never taking out their labels
  • Not mixing chemicals as some are ignitable. Also, doing so contaminates the containers rendering them unsuitable for recycling
  • Checking with the state or local waste agency on existing management guidelines for hazardous waste. If your neighborhood lacks a designated waste collection site or day, consider talking to your local professional trash collectors for safe disposal

Conclusion

If your business or home generates hazardous waste, it is imperative to understand the level of threat they pose, whether they are toxic or corrosive. More importantly, it would be best to find correct waste management schemes to reduce how much waste you generate, conserve energy and other resources plus ensure safe waste disposal.

With the world facing a climate crisis, secure management of hazardous waste can go a long way in protecting non-renewable resources and ensuring that the environment is habitable for future generations.

IT Asset Management and How It Can Help The Environment

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Did you know that the IT industry is one of the world’s largest consumers of energy? In fact, it’s responsible for up to 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why it’s important for organizations to adopt effective IT asset management practices. By doing so, they can not only save money and reduce their carbon footprint but also improve their overall efficiency and security. Here are just a few ways that IT asset management can help protect the environment:

How IT asset management can help the environment

1. Automated tracking of IT assets

One of the most important functions of IT asset management is tracking and managing inventory. This helps organizations avoid over-purchasing or under-utilizing assets, both of which can lead to wasted resources. Automated tracking also makes it easier to identify when an asset needs to be replaced or upgraded so that these changes can be made in a timely and efficient manner.

2. Improved data centre efficiency

Data centres are some of the most energy-intensive facilities in the world. As such, they present a major opportunity for organizations to reduce their carbon footprint through improved efficiency. IT asset management can help by providing greater visibility into how data centre resources are being used. This information can then be used to make adjustments that lead to reduced energy consumption.

3. Optimized server utilization

Under-utilized servers are a major source of wasted energy in many organizations. According to IT asset management provider Greenbox Australia, ITAM can help by providing insights into which servers are being used most heavily and which ones could be taken offline or downsized. This information can then be used to make changes that result in significant energy savings.

4. Reduced e-waste

E-waste is a major environmental problem, as it contains harmful toxins that can leach into the ground and contaminate soil and water supplies. IT asset management can help reduce e-waste by ensuring that assets are properly decommissioned when they reach the end of their useful life. This ensures that they are properly recycled or disposed of, rather than simply being thrown away.

5. Increased recycling

Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of IT assets. IT asset management can help by identifying which assets can be reused or repurposed, rather than being sent to landfills. This information can then be used to make changes that result in increased recycling rates.

6. Improved sustainability

Sustainability is an important consideration for any organization, and IT asset management can play a role in this. By providing visibility into the environmental impact of IT assets, it can help organizations to identify areas where they can make changes that lead to improved sustainability.

e-waste crisis in united kingdom

7. Enhanced security

Security is another important consideration for any organization, and IT asset management can help to improve it. By ensuring that all assets are properly tracked and accounted for, it can help to reduce the risk of theft or loss. This information can then be used to make changes that result in enhanced security.

8. Reduced costs

IT asset management can also lead to reduced costs for organizations. This is because it can help to avoid over-purchasing of assets, as well as reduce the need for replacement or repairs. In addition, it can also help to improve efficiency and reduce waste, both of which can lead to cost savings.

Conclusion

IT asset management is a critical tool for organizations that want to save money and protect the environment. By adopting best practices, they can achieve significant reductions in their energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Food Waste Management

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The waste management hierarchy suggests that reduce, reuse and recycling should always be given preference in a typical waste management system. However, these options cannot be applied uniformly for all kinds of wastes. For examples, food waste is quite difficult to deal with using the conventional 3R strategy.

food_waste

Of the different types of organic wastes available, food waste holds the highest potential in terms of economic exploitation as it contains high amount of carbon and can be efficiently converted into biogas and organic fertilizer.

There are numerous places which are the sources of large amounts of food waste and hence a proper food waste management strategy needs to be devised for them to make sure that either they are disposed off in a safe manner or utilized efficiently. These places include hotels, restaurants, malls, residential societies, college/school/office canteens, religious mass cooking places, communal kitchens, airline caterers, food and meat processing industries and vegetable markets which generate food residuals of considerable quantum on a daily basis.

anaerobic_digestion_plant

The anaerobic digestion technology is highly apt in dealing with the chronic problem of food waste management in urban societies. Although the technology is commercially viable in the longer run, the high initial capital cost is a major hurdle towards its proliferation.

The onus is on the governments to create awareness and promote such technologies in a sustainable manner. At the same time, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations and environmental agencies should also take inspiration from successful food waste-to-energy projects in Western countries and try to set up such facilities in cities and towns.

What Are Advantages And Downsides Of Solar Photovoltaic Energy

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Solar “photovoltaic cells” can prove to be confusing verbiage relating to solar technology. Many people are unsure if this has anything to do with solar panels or solar energy.

It, in fact, does. Each is a component of a “solar PV system,” with a slight difference in the phrasing. Check this link to learn how solar panels work.

The solar panel converts the sun’s rays into a separate energy form like electricity or heat. The panels can transfer the sun’s rays into electricity using the assistance of photovoltaic cells.

pros and cons of solar PV

All these cells in only one panel have the capacity to generate adequate electricity for powering an entire household.

What Are Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar PV Energy?

The sun has the capability to radiate sufficient energy to suffice a year of human consumption. That makes the green energy of solar PV panels a wise investment, with homeowners able to see that return with utility costs.

There are, however, not only advantages, as you’ll see with any product or service, there will be downsides as well. Let’s review each so you can make an educated decision regarding your energy resource.

Pros

1.  An environmentally sound green resource

The primary advantage of solar PV cells is their status as an environmentally sound green resource and clean energy. The panels won’t generate harsh “greenhouse gasses,” including carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.

More people worldwide are taking advantage of solar energy because this resource is among the most environmentally friendly and sustainable sources for going off-grid.

The savings in energy costs alone allow a great return on the initial investment, although upfront costs can be high depending on a few variables. Go here for details on solar power systems.

2.  The sun is a free commodity

Fortunately, there is an abundance of raw materials required to generate energy using solar PV panels, and the materials are free. The suggestion is on days when there is inclement weather or during the nighttime, there need to be concessions, plus you need to invest in a battery.

Still, once you adjust, conserving becomes second nature. It’s wise to do a walk-through in the home when deciding to incorporate the panels to see where you can begin to cut back on energy, your carbon footprint.

There is much waste that people are unaware of, like small appliances that are not in use should be unplugged, charging cords for mobiles shouldn’t be left plugged in when not being used, and on.

3.  Reduction in price point

The initial cost of the energy systems was significant. Still, the expense is beginning to come down with the system’s popularity and demand, making them more affordable and accessible to more people. The investment boasts a wise one with the savings in energy costs.

The renewable energy resource is a government subsidy promoted with financial incentives, further making the investment attractive for homeowners looking to switch their home’s energy to a more environmentally-friendly alternative.

4.  Minimal care and upkeep

Once the solar PV panels are installed, there is minimal care and upkeep for the homeowners. Occasionally, the panels are cleaned with a gentle hose to ensure optimum energy generation. Still, the suggestion is if you’re in an area with sufficient rain, that shouldn’t even be a requirement.

Plus, it’s recommended to have the experts handle the cleaning, particularly if the panels are located on your home’s roof, to avoid potential damages to the panels and possible hazards for you.

The operating costs are minimal compared to other renewable energy resources making them among the most sought choices.

The way the PV panels operate, there is no noise making them an attractive choice for any neighborhood or community, not to mention the homeowner, who doesn’t have to worry about a lot of sound being produced when in use.

factors while buying a solar battery

Cons

1.  Intermittent power

Because of the availability of energy, the downside to this resource is that the power is intermittent depending on the conditions outside. When it’s dark or cloudy, it’s challenging to generate electricity; meaning PV cells can’t fully meet the demands of an electric system, making them a less reliable power resource.

A solution for the intermittency is investing in storage batteries. Many people choose to do so to allow power when the conditions are not sufficient for regular operation using the sun’s rays.

2. Fragile

Homeowners won’t need to worry about care or upkeep of the solar PV panels, and the operating costs are minimal, but the fear is how easy these are to become damaged due to their fragility. The recommendation is to add insurance coverage in an effort to have sufficient protection for the investment.

Final Thought

Solar PV panels provide an environmentally friendly green resource for household energy needs. More people are investing in the option as a renewable energy resource system.

Still, it takes considerable time, effort, and patience to learn how to be conservative, plus incorporate the storage batteries to avoid interruptions with the alternative.

After making the initial investment and making the necessary adjustments, the return can be worth it in the savings you achieve with utility costs. As with anything, there are positives and negatives; it’s merely a matter of adjusting to what equates to a new type of lifestyle.

7 Ways to Live a Stress-Free Life in College

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Everybody knows that college is not just about long lessons, wise teachers and interesting acquaintances. Sometimes it’s get harder to be in a harmonious and amicable mood when everything starts to fall apart, and students are trying to fix it but at the same time making the situation much worse.

The most common reasons of stress in college are as follows:

  • Different conflict situations with teachers and other students;
  • Huge lack of sleep and ineptitude to manage time;
  • Getting low grades and not completed homework and tasks;
  • Fears of the unknown and uncertain future;
  • Large amount of educational materials to study;
  • Difference between expectations and reality of chosen profession;
  • Intensive mental activity with a huge quantity of information.
  • Environmental crisis

There are some ways and tips how to live without stress at college, which can help you tackle with stressful situations by yourself.

1. Think about your time management

Try to do all the complicated lessons first and don’t leave your homework until midnight. Start with compiling a task list every week. Write down at least three important, short-term goals that you want to achieve. No matter what kind of your goals are, stick to them and do your best to achieve them! You can do more and you will feel better without delaying things “later”. Make small changes in your life and self-organization —find a place for each thing. Self-pity is a waste of time.

2. Acquire colorful and bright stationery

It will always make you smile in any way. Notebooks with your favorite flowers or animals will bring you peaceful mood and it will help you to be concentrated on pleasant thoughts. Buy some nice pens, pencils and other stationery and you will feel the difference and motivation to do something with these cute things.

3. Eat only healthy and wholesome food

“We literally are what we eat”, says chief editor at Pro-Papers. If you feel stressed, instead of reaching a pack of biscuits or the nearest fast-food chain restaurant, try to eat something healthy and it will help you manage the stress.

For example, avocado and bananas are loaded with potassium, a vital mineral which can keep blood pressure within normal parameters. Feeling low? Eat some almonds, pistachios or walnuts and your immune system will be boosted by vitamins and zinc!

4. Sleep well, at least 8 hours per night

Lack of sleep can cause bad mood, concentration problems and a general severe fatigue. It also affects our ability to perceive and memorize information, which can cause a strong stress when you have to learn a lot. If you have good sleep, it increases your attention, self-confidence, memory, social skills, and appetite. Use a weighted blanket in order to reduce stress and anxiety.

5. Think of your new hobbies

Do you know the best way to put an end to all the stressful situations? Knitting and painting increases the activity of the prefrontal cortex and improve your creativity skills. Scientists have found that gardening improves mental health and physical health, as well as reduced levels of depression.

Cooking is a rather meditative exercise and a great way to deal with stress. Everything that you need to do — is to find your own hobby and get the benefits from it!

Also Read: Factors to Consider Before Scheduling Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

6. Listening to peaceful music

Music not only affects our mood, but also inspires, relieves stress, calms and even heals. Gentle music with a harmonic tune will help reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes damage to our mind and body. Just turn on the new album of your favorite band and start relaxing after nervous day at college.

7. Go to shopping

Sometimes all we need to feel happy is a new dress or new sneakers, isn’t it? According to psychologists, shopping is one of the most effective ways to help relieve depression.

The main thing is not to get nervous about some little things. It’s undeniable that these little things cause a serious stressful condition which is too destructive for our nervous system and mental health. Avoid contact with people who are sources of negative emotions, thoughts, moods. If you think, “I will never finish on time,” stop thinking that way. Better imagine your success — visualize how you will feel, shaking the hand of your professor, how he says that you have done a great and important job.

Your hard work will pay off as soon as you leave the tears and regrets behind you. Do not accumulate anger and negative, make a decision, shake off the burden of negative emotions and go on. When you arrange your priorities properly, you will become more organized and have your stress relieved by focusing more on your success. Only then, you are likely to become a confident student for whom studying is just a piece of cake.

The Most Modern Inventions That Have Become A Revolution In Education

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Supporting the education of all generations is critical to our recovery and progress toward a more world. Using innovative technology, educational leaders can do more than support the education system.

Revolution in education

Education today is evolving at a rapid pace, keeping pace with the world’s advances and challenges. The need for a continuous, consistent learning process is evident. Along with the need to provide teachers and students in schools or colleges with access to digital resources and lessons. To improve learning outcomes, there is a growing demand for blended learning in the education sector.

Modern Inventions That Have Become A Revolution In Education

Separately, it is worth mentioning that the latest systems in education have allowed new projects to emerge:

1. Self-learning

Now you can learn almost any field on your own, thanks to the vast amount of open information. And you do not need to go to archives and libraries for this – it is enough to have a personal computer with Internet access.

2. Distance learning

Higher education is very important, but some people live too far away from institutes, or they do not have enough time. Doing assignments, projects, and sessions remotely is a great way to replace the classic form of education.

3. Communication with the teacher

This also applies to tutors, who can now teach via Skype. Opportunities to learn languages with them or get a new, not too difficult profession.

Digital Classrooms

As the end of the pandemic approaches, schools and universities of higher education at all levels are thinking more about leveraging investments in technology. In doing so, many are moving toward computerized learning.  Some schools and institutions of higher education are moving toward new hybrid solutions. This is especially evident in the higher and further education segments.

The digital classroom is nothing new, but the pandemic has highlighted the difference between those who have access to technology and those who don’t. Especially in terms of the ability to learn from anywhere, including homeschooling. And it is highly important to read more on the topic of accessibility and essay examples about education in the digital classroom, to understand that such problems cannot be ignored and the opportunity to write essays with others in the class should be open for everyone. That is the true aim of online classroom.

Education leaders, technology experts, and governments must come together. This will help accelerate the digital transformation of classrooms.

Effectively creating future-oriented digital classrooms for all will become the Norm. This will be made possible through strong partnerships and cross-sector collaboration to find customized solutions that fit each environment.

Technology in Learning

The greatest support for the education system is needed in the area of digital technology. The main goal is to strive for a better world in which today’s students will succeed tomorrow. Close cooperation between the public and private sectors will help accelerate change. It will allow everyone to learn wherever they are. Rethinking education can help us build a more sustainable world.

online-learning

Education will be the engine of human progress, encouraging students to learn. We are in the midst of a technological revolution. So that everyone can take part in the emerging global digital ecosystem.  Education, combined with universal access to learning, will drive economic recovery and prosperity.

Pandemic: Education Statistics

According to UNICEF, more than one-third of low- and lower-middle-income countries. At the time of the pandemic, less than half of their students were enrolled in elementary school. At least 70% of preschoolers were not enrolled in school. There are problems and limitations of online preschool education, lack of home-based distance learning facilities, and lack of distance learning programs for this category of students.

Before 2020, the world already had significant educational disparities classes: 258 million girls and boys were out of school. The pandemic marked the beginning of the largest distance learning experiment in history. When restrictions and lockdowns began around the world in 2020, digital inequality became a barrier to education for many.

Conclusion

It’s time to invest in technology that will provide critical sustainability and equity in the system. We are on the cusp of a technological revolution, the right preparation for this generation of students will determine their ability to succeed.

online-learning

Progress can be accelerated through collaboration between the private and public sectors. And by bringing together experts on the ground to identify the most effective digital strategies. We are at the beginning of this journey, and we can only make progress together. We want to see a world where everyone has access to learning opportunities from anywhere.

Educators around the world are trying to catch up after the difficult months of the pandemic. The availability of online resources for students from home will play a key role in filling learning gaps. Homework has taken on new meaning for parents, teachers, and students through blended learning. The process is also becoming increasingly interactive, which improves learning outcomes.

How Modern Technology is Transforming Urban Development?

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Australia is famous the whole world over for its incredible scenery and stunning countryside, from the arid yet beautiful outback to the shimmering sands of the Gold Coast, but the country is also home to some of the world’s favourite cities. Australia’s population is growing, and so urban development and planning is becoming ever more important. The way we plan, design and build our urban centres has changed rapidly over the last decades thanks to evolving needs, environmental concerns and rapidly advancing technology.

It is this combination that is helping Australian towns and cities lead the way when it comes to urban generation and regeneration.

More Accurate Surveying

Thorough surveying is the key to successful development, and it was once a laborious and time-consuming process, and therefore by necessity, an expensive one too. One modern invention has transformed this task completely, as the most forward thinking planners now utilise unmanned aerial surveying techniques.

Using the latest high-powered drones, planners and developers can now get a much more accurate and holistic picture of the land that they plan to build on. The highly detailed maps produced from the air allow clients to make more informed decisions quicker than they would otherwise have been able to, thus helping to ensure that projects come in on time and on budget.

Greener Developments

Many Australians are becoming increasingly concerned about the effect that mankind is having upon the environment, and the effects of climate change can be seen across this nation and beyond. That’s why surveyors and designers have to be very careful when planning urban developments, as it’s imperative that expanding urban centres don’t adversely impact upon our ecology or the incredible animal life that also calls Australia its home.

Today’s leading urban surveying companies put green issues at the heart of the work, using the latest computer modelling techniques to thoroughly assess the impact of an urban development upon the environment surrounding it; in this way, it’s possible to maintain the equilibrium between the need to develop new urban spaces and the need to protect our ecosystems.

Bringing Greater Benefits to Urban Dwellers

There are many factors to be considered when planning an urban development, as well as the green concerns mentioned above. It’s essential for planners to be able to make accurate assessments of what benefits their development will bring to the people who live within it and upon its neighbourhood, and this involves careful study of a wide range of metrics and projections.

The highly detailed maps produced from the air allow clients to make more informed decisions quicker

Whilst this remains a specialist and highly important job, the appearance of specialist computer programmes now allow planners to make an economic and demographic assessment that’s more accurate than ever before.

Expert urban planners know how essential it is to use all of the technological innovations now available to them, from unmanned aerial surveying, to high tech demographic assessment tools and greener planning software. This is why new urban developments bring benefits for residents and businesses, and for the economy as a whole, while still protecting the rural areas and environment that make Australia the envy of the world.

How To Save Energy at Home

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Utility costs keep rising by the day, and the situation may persist in the coming years. There are small things that can be done, such as sourcing environmentally friendly trash disposal or turning off gadgets when they’re not being used – but, if left unchecked, utility bills can add up significantly and eat into your home budget. Thankfully, there are small actions you can take to save energy and ultimately lower your utility costs. Here are simple tips to save energy at home:

How Energy-Efficient Technologies Can Contribute to Sustainability

1. Turn Gadgets Off

The gadgets you leave on all day long consume a lot of energy. So, make sure your TV, PC, video game consoles, video recorders, and cable boxes get turned off or completely unplugged when not in use. Chargers for tablets, cell phones, and other cordless devices consume electricity even when not in use.

Over time, the consumption will add up and balloon your energy costs. The devices you use should get plugged into a power strip so that you can switch them off at once. You may also want to set your computers in sleep mode when taking breaks in-between work.

2. Install Smarter Bulbs

Your home’s light bulbs stay on for hours on end. As such, they use a lot of electricity. Having your lights on is sometimes inevitable, so consider installing smart, energy-efficient bulbs. For instance, an LED light bulb, which costs around $5 at a home improvement store can save you over $100 over its lifetime.

LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs to deliver a similar amount of light. They also come in different colors, shapes, and intensities and reach full brightness immediately. LED light bulbs are compatible with dimmer switches, so it’s easy to set lower illumination levels and save energy.

Energy-Saving Tips for Small Businesses

3. Only Use the Energy You Need

Your energy consumption could be high because you use more than you need. For instance, it’s needless to run a half-full dishwasher because it will consume the same energy required to do the dishes when it’s full. Set the washing machine to the recommended water level when doing your laundry. Unless you’re handling a dirty load, always use cold water.

The refrigerator is another heavy energy consumer in your home, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The refrigerator temperature should always be set at 28 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit, while the fridge needs to be set at 0 to 5 degrees. Avoid opening them regularly and keep them sealed tightly.

If you have a clothes dryer at home, only use it when you have to. When running at full capacity, clothes dryers consume as much energy as a dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator combined. For this reason, air-dry your clothes when possible. If you must use the clothes dryer, clean the lint filter after each session. Also, use the moisture-sensor or auto-dry setting and avoid adding wet items to partially-dry loads.

4. Monitor How Much Energy You Consume

You won’t know how much energy you consume until you monitor your consumption. Electricity monitor meters measure the energy consumption of each gadget in your home when on and turned off. Most electricity monitor meters cost less than $30 and will provide an insight into your home energy use. For instance, it could reveal that your video game console is drawing 20W even though you’re not gaming.

5. Seal the Cracks

Adding up all the cracks around doors and windows in an average American house leaves you with a nine ft² sq hole in the wall. It shows just how much heat escapes from your home. When checking out homes for sale in San Antonio, energy efficiency is often a key priority. That should be the case even after moving into the house, and there’s no better way to ensure that than sealing cracks that cause draughts.

In this regard, weather-strip and seal off cracks that cause air to escape from your home. If there are gaps around your window panes, use putty to seal them. Attaching shoes or sweeps to the bottom of your doors can also prevent cooled or heated air from escaping.

Better insulation in the attic, around the hot water pipes and heater, in crawl spaces, and under your floors can help you save energy. You can benefit from something as simple as covering care floors using rugs or replacing old windows. Undertake an energy audit regularly so that potential areas of energy loss get identified and fixed.

6. Keep Your Curtains Closed at Night

It’s a no-brainer that drawing the curtains during daytime allows natural light and heat into the home. This will light and warm your home naturally without requiring you to switch on the bulbs or AC. When dusk falls, it’s advisable to close the curtains since it helps retain the heat in your home. You won’t need to keep the heater on for long hours. Nonetheless, avoid draping the curtains over the radiators.

7. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

Your energy consumption could be high because you use old and outdated appliances in your home. Newer appliances have energy star ratings and considerably lower energy consumption. Although they are somewhat costly, they help you to save costs in the long run. Appliances with a high energy star rating use up to 50% less energy than older appliances. Over time, the energy savings will make up for the initial cost.

how to make your home energy efficient

8. Turn Down the Thermostat

During the colder months of the year, we like to keep the thermostat on for far too long. Likewise, we tend to overcool during the hot months. Keeping the room temperature at 19 degrees may be pleasant. However, many people still find themselves turning the heat up to 25 degrees, translating into higher energy costs. Turning your thermostat down by as little as one degree can cut your energy consumption by 5%. You may also want to install a solar cooling and heating unit to save energy.

eco friendly business practices

9. Reduce Your Water Consumption

You can save energy and reduce your water bill by minimizing water consumption. For instance, taking shorter showers or only washing clothes and dishes when you have a full load reduces your electricity and gas bill. You should also consider investing in a solar hot water system since it provides many energy-saving benefits.

Dyne Testing and its Usefulness

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Dyne Testing is a technology, a method to measure surface wettability. The low surface wettability of polymer-based substrates is the sign of poor adhesion of inks, glues and coatings. Thus, to obtain the optimum amount of adhesive it is necessary to increase the surface energy of the substrate which can be done by surface treatment with either Corona or Plasma. It will result in good wetting of the material over the surface of the substrate and hence, it improves adhesion.

For the optimum adhesion, while printing, gluing, or coating the various substrates, it is necessary to obtain high surface energy which can be obtained by Dyne Testing Markers. The fluid that is present in the Dyne Testing markers is based on ISO 8296 method for measuring the surface energy of polythene film.

When the Dyne Testing Pens are being applied to the surface, the liquid will form a continues film or will form a small trail of droplets. If it is being stretched as a film for at least 3 seconds, the substrate will have a minimum surface energy of that ink value which will be expressed in mN/m (Dynes).

The exact surface energy (Dyne level) can be determined by applying a range of increasing or decreasing values of Dyne test pens thereby taking the steps to improve its condition.

The Dyne Test Pen may lose its accuracy for which there are 3 reasons:

  1. It could get contaminated with the foreign substance
  2. It could evaporate quicker than it is expected to be
  3. And the third reason is ageing, during which chemical reactions take place among the constituents.

The experts have also faced the problem with the ageing of Dyne Testing Equipment. If their hue or color density are almost past their expiration date, it is advisable to replace them as stated by experts. The lower Dyne value states that the value stated on the bottle does not match true surface tension. You must be sure that retains the substrate used for the measurements are to be kept well sealed, free from contamination, and stored under laboratory conditions.

The ideal Dyne Testing Pen should be:

  • easy to handle,
  • perfect for the quick spot checks on the production floor,
  • very easy to read,
  • no subjectivity for this type of test,
  • no wiping off necessary,
  • lasting display of result, and
  • very striking coloring.

Conclusion

The Dyne Testing Kit is based on valve tip applicator and not the magic marker type. The quick test 38 pen is our most popular product amongst all and it is available in a bright red ink. This is the quick test pen which serves to check the surface treatment of all plastic substrates.

It has a shown an effect onto the material such that a stroke of the pens leaves a full line on the material if the material’s surface energy is below 38 Dynes/cm. Also, as mentioned above if the materials surface energy is below 38 Dynes/cm, the fluid will form small drops on the surface. The fluid applied to the surface will dry within seconds; it does not need to be wiped off anymore.

Sustainable Agriculture with Organic Liquid Fertilizers

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Agricultural practices are increasingly leaning towards committing to a sustainable environment. In light of this, organic farming has become acceptable to many farmers. Many are practicing environmental- friendly practices such as using organic liquid fertilizer instead of the synthetic alternative.

The misuse and abuse of synthetic fertilizers is responsible for many of the health problems that humans experience today. It has also contributed to a large extent to the deterioration of the environment.

Organic agriculture has experienced fast growth globally. Organic systems involve the natural management of soil through the following practices:

These nourish the soil by steadily releasing nutrients to the crops as the organic matter that has been added to the soil breaks down. The chemical and physical properties of the soil are improved by the exogenous organic matter applied to the soil. This also improves the biological functions of the soil which results in a healthy and wholesome crop free of dangerous disease causing chemicals.

liquid-fertilizer

Why Organic Liquid Fertilizer is Sustainable?

Organic liquid fertilizer is derived from naturally existing products such as plants and animal manure. This makes it a sustainable product. Waste from animals such as cows, rabbits, fish and chicken is used to make organic fertilizer that provides much-needed nutrition to plants and soil as well.

Naturally occurring vegetation and waste will always be available as it renews itself. Besides, plants can be reused to make fertilizer for the next batch once harvesting is done. Since organic farming takes care of the environment, it is safe to say that vegetation is safe for the long run. Organic liquid fertilizer is also made from human waste such as urine and that is definitely sustainable.

ecofriendly-gardening

Organic gardeners love to have a bottle of organic fish fertilizer on hand for feed young seedlings. This fertilizer also works well on plants in containers and any crop that may be suffering from ‘malnutrition’.

Why and When to Use Liquid Fertilizers

Seeing as liquid manures act faster than solid organic ones, they are the best option in the following circumstance:

  • For seedlings that have exhausted the nutrients provided by newly sprouted seed. It is especially crucial if the fertilizer you are using is a soil-free seed starting mix. While it helps in damping off, it fails to provide adequate nutrients.
  • When seedlings show signs of not having had enough nutrients. If the color fails to darken after a fertilizer has been added, it is an indication that they have not had a fair share of nutrients.
  • If you have container-grown plants, liquid fertilizers are what your plants yearn for. Container-grown plants depend entirely on the grower for nutrients and moisture. They need to be fed frequently with an organic liquid fertilizer in order to thrive.
  • When you are growing cold-tolerant crops which begin their journey of growth in low soil temperatures. Liquid fertilizers are great for boosting nutrients for such plants since it is difficult to absorb nutrients such as nitrogen in wintry temperatures.

Organic liquid fertilizers are short-acting. Consequently, they are easier to regulate that dry organic ones which are longer-acting. The ease with which liquid fertilizers can be used makes them quite popular and therefore sustainable.

Important Tip

Do not mix too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer into the soil. This is not reversible. The release of nitrogen into the soil increases as the temperature rises. You may consequently end up with huge plants but no production. The best time to apply a short-acting fertilizer is just when it is needed by the crop. Then you have less chances of overdoing the application.

When your plants are well into the season, you can feed them an organic liquid fertilizer to rejuvenate crops such as tomatoes which live long in the ground. Tomatoes are known to awaken with gusto once you give them two feeds of a good organic liquid fertilizer.