Category Archives: Recycling

Eco-friendly Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation For Metal Buildings

  By | | , , ,
5 Comments

Fiberglass insulation was first put on the market in 1938, and in all the years since, no alternative has really challenged its preeminent position as the most effective choice for insulation on both commercial and residential construction projects. Fiberglass insulation improves a structure’s energy efficiency, reduces heating and cooling costs, and makes occupants more comfortable. These are just a few of the advantages that make it the insulator of choice, even in the latest eco-friendly projects. Below are  additional benefits of fiberglass insulation:

1. Moisture Resistance

Fiberglass insulation does not absorb or retain water according to www.cyclonebuildings.com who utilise it in some instances. It can still be contaminated or compromised by moisture; insulation that has gotten wet needs to be inspected and dried to ensure that it does not lose its insulating properties.

Wet insulation can be successfully re-installed and deliver its full R-value as intended by the manufacturer so long as installers confirm that the insulation and the area around it in the structure have not been compromised by water.

In order to provide full insulating value, fiberglass insulation requires a vapor barrier. When properly selected and installed, a vapor barrier catches condensation before it can penetrate the building envelope and reach the insulation. The vapor barrier’s perm rating must be appropriate to the structure and the local climate, and it must be sealed into place with a proper adhesive so that it does not leak.

2. Fire Resistance

Fiberglass insulation is inherently non-combustible because the materials from which it is made – sand and/or recycled glass – are non-combustible themselves. Fiberglass insulation does not need to be treated with chemicals to make it fire-resistant, and it does not become any more combustible as it ages.

In many areas, local building codes even allow the use of fiberglass insulation as an effective fire stop in wall assemblies made of wood or steel.

3. Sound Dampening

Fiberglass insulation absorbs sound, and this means it reduces sound transmission through walls, ceilings, floors, and HVAC ducts where it is used. As a general rule of thumb, one inch of fiberglass insulation increases the sound transmission class, or STC, of a building assembly by three or even four points. Additional inches of fiberglass insulation each add two more points to the STC rating.

4. Use Of Recycled Materials

The manufacture of fiberglass insulation has come to rely on incorporating a significant amount of recycled material. Between 1992 and 2000, insulation manufacturers used over 8 billion pounds (3.6 billion kg) of recycled glass from pre and post-consumer sources. Using this material productively saved millions of cubic feet in landfill space.

The total amount of recycled material used in fiberglass insulation varies from brand to brand and product to product, but some products are made with as much as 80 percent recycled glass. Fiberglass insulation also requires the use of silica sand, which is an abundant and naturally-renewing resource.

Bottom Line

Fiberglass insulation remains a highly competitive and attractive insulation option, even when considered according to environmentally-friendly “green” priorities. In the decades it has been used, it has proven time and again to be a reliable and effective material.

How Skip Bins Help in Effective Waste Management

  By | | , ,
6 Comments

Typically, dealing with a lot of wastes can be very overwhelming. Whether it’s food containers, plastic packaging, water bottles, hazardous chemicals, food wastes, and many more, these wastes can be a hassle if they’re not managed and disposed of properly. Not only that, but too much waste buildup in your property can be harmful to your health and the environment. In today’s world, we have to deal with a lot of problems every day, from the waste to a myriad of assignments. But there is a solution to everything, for example, you can always buy dessertation online rather than having to spend all your energy and time on it. For effective waste management, this is where the use of skip bins becomes beneficial.

By definition, skip bins refer to waste receptacles that can be used to remove a larger amount of wastes from a property. They can also be used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes.

Thus, if you consider using skip bins for your rubbish, here’s how these receptacles can effectively help in your waste management efforts.

skip bins

1. Available In Various Sizes At Your Disposal

Generally, knowing the correct volume of your wastes can be very difficult. If you don’t know the amount of rubbish you’re dealing with, you might be unable to remove and dispose of them properly. Thus, if you’re looking to effectively manage all your wastes, then using skip bins in various sizes can be an excellent solution.

For example, if you want a significant volume of wastes to be eliminated from your premises, then using a bigger waste receptacle makes a lot of sense. On the other hand, if you’re only dealing with a small amount of rubbish, mini skips for Sydney residents or wherever you may be located can be a great option for effective waste disposal.

Remember, by using the right size of skip bins, you can speed up the disposal process and get rid of all your rubbish at once.

2. Can Help Keep You Safe

Waste management is crucial for your health. This is because most wastes contain chemicals and volatile materials that are toxic and harmful to the body. So, to ensure effective and safe waste management efforts, using skip bins can be the best thing to do.

Since these receptacles are stable and dependable, you can rest assured that wastes are handled properly by the experts. Moreover, by hiring skip bins, you’ll be working with specialists who are trained in doing the best waste removal methods in the most secure and safest way possible. This is especially true if you’re working on a construction site where the buildup of wastes may result in accidents and injuries. Hence, by having skip bins by your side, you can make the site safer for everyone involved.

3. They’re A Convenient Option

Effective and sustainable waste management for businesses and homeowners can be a complicated undertaking. This is especially true if you have no idea how and where to start. Fortunately, with the use of skip bins, the entire process of rubbish removal and disposal will become more convenient and smoother.

Typically, using skip bins is convenient since the skip company will deliver these waste receptacles to your location without hassle. Once you’re done with the disposal, the company will collect the bins after a certain period of time. With this kind of setup, you don’t have to get or return the skip bins by yourself. The skip bin company will handle your wastes, making waste management more effective and seamless.

4. Can Help Save You Time, Money, And Effort

In most cases, using skip bins means hiring a reliable skip bin company, like the Mobile Skips. But the good thing about the use of these waste receptacles is that they can help you save time, money, and energy. Instead of doing the dirty work of disposing your wastes on your own, you have other people to do the job for you.

All you need to do is place all your rubbish in the skip bins and the skip company will remove and dispose of them from your property. As a result, you can save some money on gas by not having to drive all your wastes to a landfill. Plus, you can save time and effort by not doing the job yourself.

5. Help Ensure Your Wastes Are Properly Disposed Of

Unless your work involves waste management and disposal, you may not know the best common practices in handling rubbish on your property. When this happens, you might dump all your wastes in the landfills, which isn’t the perfect way to dispose of them. This is where skip bins come to the rescue.

skip bins for effective waste management

By using skip bins from a reliable skip bin company, your wastes will be managed by experts. Instead of doing the disposal by yourself, you can rest knowing that professionals will handle all your wastes in the right way. For example, they can segregate your rubbish and bring some items to a facility for the recycling process. Also, they can make sure that some of your waste products won’t end up in the landfills.

6. They Can Generate More Space For Working

When dealing with home renovation, effective waste management plays an integral role in the success of the project. Generally, your entire workspace can quickly become messy and chaotic due to the accumulation of wastes during the construction process. When this happens, you might be unable to make your home renovations as efficient as they should be. This is one reason why skip bins are essential in effectively managing rubbish on your premises.

By accumulating all your wastes in the skip bins, you’re able to create more working spaces for your home renovation tasks. Always keep in mind that having less rubbish on a working site can make the whole project more efficient and your waste management practices more effective.

Bottom Line

Indeed, skip bins from a trustworthy skip bin company can be an ideal solution to eliminate wastes of all sizes. Whether you’re dealing with large or small wastes, these receptacles can effectively help your waste management efforts.

Therefore, if you consider using skip bins, keep this information in mind so you’ll understand their importance in waste removal and disposal. Due to their enhanced efficiency and durability, they’re popular among homeowners and businesses. Lastly, managing wastes doesn’t need to be complicated with the help of skip bins.

Plastic Waste Reduction Leads to Growth in Plastic Recycling Market

  By | | , ,
6 Comments

Wide-spread environmental concerns about plastic waste are leading to increased demand for the plastic recycling market that has various uses for plastic waste. At the same time, and in line with this growing need, an increased number of industries that produce plastic products have committed to reducing their use of virgin plastic and ensuring that the plastic they do produce is recyclable, reusable, or compostable.

Growth of the Plastic Recycling Market

Valued at around $43.73 billion in 2018, research indicates that the plastic recycling market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% in revenue and 8.8% in volume by 2027. Findings are that rising environmental concerns will be the primary driving force along with the concerted global effort towards effective waste management and sustainability. Another is the growing awareness of the need for recycling plastic and the anticipated market growth of the PR market.

A new report released by Research and Markets in February 2020 gives a market snapshot in its executive summary and discusses the plastic recycling market by material type, source, application, and geography. Titled Global Plastic Recycling Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2019 to 2027, it explores the roles of the many global and regional participants in the plastic recycling market and analyses anticipated acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations. These, the report states, are likely to be the major strategies market players will follow in an endeavor to expand their geographic presence and market share.

An older report published mid-2018 gave a slightly lower CAGR for the period 2018 to 2023 of 4.3%. This report, Global Plastic Waste Management Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 stated that it would grow from an estimated $27,1000 in 2017 to $34,900 in 2023.

Global Focus

When research for the new report was carried out during 2018, the Asia-Pacific region including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, had the highest market share in plastic recycling. This was attributed to the fact that the region has the largest share in the generation of plastic waste and is also the biggest plastic waste importer.

However, Europe was pinpointed as a region poised to become the fastest-growing in the plastic recycling market due to increasing government initiatives and the improvement of recycling facilities in this part of the world.

While the report covers at least 16 companies involved in plastic recycling globally, the Hungarian MOL Group has been highlighted as a result of its acquisition of Aurora, a German recycled plastic compounder company. MOL is a well-established supplier of virgin polymers and was motivated by its Enter Tomorrow 2030 strategy that aims to move its business from a traditional fuel-based model to a higher value-added petrochemical product portfolio. More specifically, MOL intends to strengthen its position as a supplier in the sustainable plastic compounding segment of the automotive industry.

The older report focused on plastic waste management not only in the Asia-Pacific region but also in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Use of Recycled Plastic

In terms of plastic materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) had the biggest market share in 2018. The reason given for this was a rapid surge in demand for PET and HDPE for the manufacturing of packaging. Hopefully, this won’t increase the production of PET and HDPE, but will rather help to get rid of waste.

As the CEO of Unilever, Alan Jope, said in a press statement late 2019: “Plastic has its place, but that place is not in the environment.” He was announcing Unilever’s commitment to halve its use of virgin plastic, reduce its use of plastic packaging, and dramatically step up its use of recycled plastic by 2025. They would also help to collect and process more plastic packaging than it sells – which will amount to about 600,000 tonnes per year, he said.

plastic-wastes

 

Additionally, technological advances in the plastic recycling industry have led to other less expected uses including the manufacture of denim clothing.

Realizing the environmental impact production of denim clothing has, Levi Strauss & Co. has taken bold steps to reduce its use of water and chemicals in cotton and cotton-clothing production, and about a decade ago, the company launched its much more sustainable Water<Less range of jeans. In 2013, Levi’s used dumped plastic bottles and food trays to make 300,000 jeans and trucker jackets for its spring collection. Of course, not the entire product was made from plastic, but it was guaranteed that at least 20% came from recycled plastic content.

Many other items are also made from recycled plastic, some with more plastic content than others. They include bags, rugs and mats, blankets, bottles, planters, dog collars, shoes, decking, fencing, and outdoor furniture.

The Future of Plastic

While many people talk about plastic as a material that should be eradicated, it does have remarkable uses as Alan Jope implies. But there is a dire need to change our thinking. The irony is that when recycled plastic was invented it was used to try and solve environmental problems like reducing the hunting of elephants for ivory and to provide protective sheaths for electrical wiring.

There is undoubtedly too much virgin plastic being produced worldwide and during the process, there are too many other natural resources being depleted. Added to this, too many consumers have no knowledge or concern about the use and disposal of plastic products. They simply don’t care!

We, as a global nation, need to focus more on the reuse, recycling, and remanufacture of plastic, which is exactly what plastic recycling companies can do so successfully.

Ultimately, we need to eradicate plastic waste by making it useful, and there is no doubt that the mechanical engineering sector is well positioned to find solutions.

Recommended Reading: How to Recycle Plastics

Waste Management Challenges in Middle East

  By | | ,
3 Comments

Middle East is one of the most prolific waste generating regions worldwide with per capita waste production in several countries averaging more than 2 kg per day . High standards of living, ineffective legislation, infrastructural roadblocks, indifferent public attitude and lack of environmental awareness are the major factors responsible for growing waste management problem in the Middle East. Lavish lifestyles are contributing to more generation of waste which when coupled with lack of waste collection and disposal facilities have transformed ‘trash’ into a liability.

garbage-middle-east

Major Hurdles

The general perception towards waste is that of indifference and apathy. Waste is treated as ‘waste’ rather than as a ‘resource’. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness about environmental issues, waste management practices and sustainable living. Public participation in community-level waste management initiatives is lackluster mainly due to low level of environmental awareness and public education. Unfortunately none of the countries in the region have an effective source-segregation mechanism.

Waste management in Middle East is bogged down by deficiencies in waste management legislation and poor planning. Many countries lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with wastes. Insufficient funds, absence of strategic waste management plans, lack of coordination among stakeholders, shortage of skilled manpower and deficiencies in technical and operational decision-making are some of the hurdles experienced in implementing an integrated waste management strategy in the region. In many countries waste management is the sole prerogative of state-owned companies and municipalities which discourage participation of private companies and entrepreneurs.

Many Middle East nations lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with urban wastes.

Many Middle East nations lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with urban wastes.

Due to lack of garbage collection and disposal facilities, dumping of waste in open spaces, deserts and water bodies is a common sight across the region. Another critical issue is lack of awareness and public apathy towards waste reduction, source segregation and waste management.

A sustainable waste management system demands high degree of public participation, effective laws, sufficient funds and modern waste management practices/technologies. The region can hope to improve waste management scenario by implementing source-segregation, encouraging private sector participation, deploying recycling and waste-to-energy systems, and devising a strong legislative and institutional framework.

The Way Forward

In recent year, several countries, like Qatar, UAE and Oman, have established ambitious solid waste management projects but their efficacy is yet to be ascertained. On the whole, Middle East countries are slowly, but steadily, gearing up to meet the challenge posed by waste management by investing heavily in such projects, sourcing new technologies and raising public awareness.

However the pace of progress is not matched by the increasing amount of waste generated across the region. Sustainable waste management is a big challenge for policy-makers, urban planners and other stake-holders, and immediate steps are needed to tackle mountains of wastes accumulating in cities throughout the Middle East.

كل ما يجب معرفته حول إعادة تدوير المحولات الحفازة

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment

إذا كنت تمتلك سيارة، فلديك قطعة معدنية ذات قيمة مدهشة في نظام العادم الخاص بك. تؤدي المحولات الحفازة وظيفة مهمة لسيارتك وتحتوي على بعض المكونات الثمينة للغاية التي يمكن أن تستحق سعرًا جيدًا

بطبيعة الحال، فإن أفضل طريقة لضمان حصولك على سعر جيد للمحول الحفاز المستخدم الخاص بك، وأن يتم التعامل معه بالطريقة الأكثر مراعاة للبيئة، هي من خلال إعادة التدوير.

catalytic-converter

ما المقصود بالمحول الحفاز؟

تعد المحولات الحفازة جزءًا من النظام العادم في المركبات الحديثة التي تساعد على تقليل التأثير البيئي السلبي للسيارات. تقوم مجموعة المحفزات بتحويل الغازات الخطرة التي تنتجها السيارات إلى مواد أقل ضررًا.

فعلى سبيل المثال، يتم تحويل أول أكسيد الكربون والهيدروكربونات (التي تنتج الضباب الدخاني) إلى ثاني أكسيد الكربون والماء. تُستخدم المعادن الثمينة، مثل البلاتين، داخل المحولات الحفازة وتشجع التفاعلات عندما تتدفق أبخرة العادم.

يجب أن تدوم المحولات الحفازة طوال عمر السيارة؛ ومع ذلك، قد يحتاجون إلى الاستبدال في وقت مبكر إذا كانت السيارة تأتي بنتائج عكسية في كثير من الأحيان. يمكن أن تكون البدائل باهظة الثمن بسبب تركيبتها المعدنية.

تحتوي المحولات الحفازة على مجموعة من المعادن الثمينة مثل النحاس والنيكل، والسيريوم، والحديد، والمنغنيز. لاكن الأهم من ذلك، أن المحولات الحفازة تحتوي على الروديوم والبلاتين والبلاديوم. هذه المعادن الثلاثة ذات قيمة خاصة وتستخدم للمجوهرات والإلكترونيات والأغراض الصناعية.

لماذا يجب إعادة تدوير المحولات الحفازة؟

أولاً، يمكن أن يكون تعدين خام المعادن وتصنيع المعادن عملية كثيفة العمالة والطاقة، وتتطلب تعدينًا مكثفًا وعمليات مكلفة ومعالجات كيميائية ضارة. على سبيل المثال، يجب استخراج خام البلاتين من الأنفاق العميقة، مما يتطلب الكثير من طاقة الحفر، وهناك حاجة إلى كمية كبيرة من الخام لكمية كبيرة من البلاتين المنتج النهائي (1 طن من الخام مقابل 1 أونصة من البلاتين). بمجرد استخلاصه، يجب معالجة خام البلاتين بالمواد الكيميائية للحصول على المعدن. ليس هذا ملوثًا للبيئة فحسب، بل إنه سلبي أيضًا لعمال المناجم الذين يتقاضون أجورًا منخفضة عادةً ويجبرون على العمل في ظروف قاسية.

ثانيًا، وهو أمر مهم لعملائنا، يمكنك الحصول على المال مقابل المحول الحفاز عند بيعه لتجار الخردة أو شركات إعادة التدوير. نظرًا لمكوناتها القيمة، فمن الشائع إعادة تدوير المحولات الحفازة مقابل المال، مما يساعد البيئة عن غير قصد … الاستفادة والفوز.

كيف يتم إعادة تدوير المحولات الحفازة؟

كما هو الحال مع معظم المواد، بمجرد قبولها في منشأة استرداد المواد، يتم تصنيف المحول الحفاز، وفصل المكونات القابلة لإعادة التدوير فبمجرد فصل المعادن، يمكن نقلها إلى مرافق إعادة التدوير لإعادة استخدامها.

من المهم أنه لا يجب عليك محاولة إزالة المحول الحفاز ومحتوياته بنفسك. حتى لو كانت سيارتك خردة، فإن المكونات المعدنية الفعلية داخل المحول الحفاز يصعب إزالتها ويمكن أن تكون خطيرة للغاية.

لا تشكل المحولات الحفازة تهديدًا عند تركها دون إزعاج، ولكن بمجرد فتحها وتعرض الطوب الخزفي للهواء، فإنها تعتبر نفايات خطرة. لذلك من الأهمية ترك مجال للتدبير من قبل الخبراء الذين لديهم الخبرة ذات الصلة ومعدات السلامة.

إذا كنت تبحث عن طريقة آمنة ومربحة لإعادة تدوير المحولات الحفازة، فيمكنك التواصل مع مجموعة ايكوتراد التي ستتيح لك الرجوع إلى دليل التسعير لتحديد المواد وبيعها بسهولة بالغة.

Can We Create Zero Waste?

  By | | , , ,
4 Comments

A zero waste society is something we all agree would be ideal. Imagine if everything used could be turned into a new product or go back into the earth. Several companies are moving their businesses into biodegradable containers, which means that maybe we can rethink landfills. Even Coca-Cola has said that by 2025, their bottles will be compostable, which could be a gamechanger.

biodegradable-containers

How Should We Change our Habits?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018, the average American produced 4.9lbs of waste per day. This number might not seem that high, however, calculate that figure for all of the US, and you are now looking at 292.4m tons. This number helps us understand the society we live in and the changes needed.

Why Recycling isn’t the Answer?

Most people think, “I’ve used a bottle, recycled it, and now I’ve done my part.” There’s a lot more to this, though. How was that bottle made? Plastics, as we know them, harm our environment. Zero waste means we don’t think about recycling. The product is simply gone or used.

Many of us believe that all plastic is recycled, and if that is the case, we will reach zero wastage. However, when we look closer, only a small percentage of these recycled products is used to create a new product. In other words, this is good for now, and in the future, we will be more resourceful.

The EPA’s strategy begins with the product life cycle. If each company considered how their product would be used and waste reduction, we could reach a zero wastage time sooner. Companies should therefore create either biodegradable or reusable packaging.

What is Composting?

Landfills require a lot of space and emit methane gasses into the air. Composting decreases wastage and aids plant growth. Composting requires you to take food scraps, which used to be considered garbage and turn them into a product.

benefits-composting

Vegetable scraps are ideal for composting as they can break down quite quickly. Using a three-stage composting bin, you can create rich soil, which is used as a fertilizer. If you don’t own a garden, there are often organizations that will request homemade compost.

Ways to Reach a Waste-free Society

As a consumer, we shouldn’t be using one-time plastic bags. We could opt for reusable material bags. Bring our coffee mugs when we want coffee on the go. When you buy takeout, have handy cutlery already on you, preventing you from using more plastic.

When you do your weekly food shopping, be mindful of what you will consume. By buying the right amount, you have already helped save the planet. If you find you bought too many vegetables, find a way to use them and freeze them for a future meal.

Our society makes us think that once we are seen in a clothing outfit, it’s old. T-shirts last for some time, and you don’t always need to replace mildly worn clothes. If the t-shirt is no longer “your style,” instead of throwing it away, donate it or give it to a friend. This will ensure it lives a bit longer. All these little changes can bring us toward a zero wastage life. There are many ways we can reach zero wastage. For more information, read more.

Recycling of Lead-Acid Batteries: Perspectives

  By | | , ,
9 Comments

Lead-acid batteries are used on a mass-scale in all parts of the world for energy storage. Lead-acid batteries contain sulphuric acid and large amounts of lead. The acid is extremely corrosive and is also a good carrier for soluble lead and lead particulate. Lead is a highly toxic metal that produces a range of adverse health impacts particularly among young children.

lead-acid-battery-recycling

Exposure to excessive levels of lead can cause damage to brain and kidney, impair hearing; and lead to numerous other associated problems. On average, each automobile manufactured contains approximately 12 kilograms of lead. Around 96% lead is used in the common lead-acid battery, while the remaining 4% in other applications including wheel balance weights, protective coatings and vibration dampers.

Recycling Perspectives

Recycling of lead-acid batteries is a profitable business, albeit dangerous, in developing countries. Many developing countries buy used lead-acid batteries (also known as ULABs) from industrialized countries (and Middle East) in bulk in order to extract lead. ULAB recycling occurs in almost every city in the developing world where ULAB recycling and smelting operations are often located in densely populated urban areas with hardly any pollution control and safety measures for workers.

Usually ULAB recycling operations release lead-contaminated waste into the environment and natural ecosystems.  Infact, Blacksmith Institute estimates that over 12 million people are affected by lead contamination from processing of used lead acid batteries in the developing world, with South America, South Asia and Africa being the most affected regions.

Associated Problems

The problems associated with recycling of ULABs are well-documented and recognized by the industry and the Basel Convention Secretariat. As much of the informal ULAB recycling is small-scale and difficult to regulate or control, progress is possible only through cleanup, outreach, policy, and education.

For example, Blacksmith’s Lead Poisoning and Car Batteries Project is currently active in eight countries, including Senegal, the Dominican Republic, India, and the Philippines. The Project aims to end widespread lead poisoning from the improper recycling of ULABs, and consists of several different strategies and programs, with the most important priority being the health of children in the surrounding communities.

Lead poisoning, from improper recycling of used batteries, impacts tens of millions of people worldwide.

Lead poisoning, from improper recycling of used batteries, impacts tens of millions of people worldwide.

There is no effective means of tracking shipments of used lead-acid batteries from foreign exporters to recycling plants in developing world which makes it difficult to trace ULABs going to unauthorized or inadequate facilities.

The Way Forward

An effective method to reduce the hazards posed by trans-boundary movements of ULABs is to encourage companies that generate used lead batteries to voluntarily stop exporting lead batteries to developing countries. These types of voluntary restrictions on transboundary shipments can help pressure companies involved in recycling lead batteries in developing to improve their environmental performance. It may also help encourage policy makers to close the gaps in both regulations and enforcement capacity.

Another interesting way is to encourage regeneration of lead-acid batteries which can prolong its life significantly. The advantage of battery regeneration over regular recycling is the reduced carbon footprint incurred by mitigating the collecting, packing, shipping and smelting of millions of tonnes of batteries and their cases. Most importantly, it takes about 25kWh of energy to remake a 15Kg, 12V 70Ah battery and just 2.1KWh to regenerate it electronically.

Why Recycling Can Help With Anxiety

  By | | , ,
2 Comments

The kinds of products that one can recycle today is astonishing, as are the number of recycling services available across the country. Even folks living in more rural areas can typically reach a local recycling center in a matter of minutes where they can recycle plastics, cardboards, and glass.

Many grocery stores nowadays even have soft plastic recycling bins you can use to deposit used grocery bags, food wrappers, and other soft plastic material including netting and dog food bags. Recycling offers the opportunity for any individual to keep material out of landfills and reduce waste by turning old material into new products for reuse. But, it has other benefits too. Recycling is an excellent way to get organized and reduce anxiety around the house.

spring cleaning and anxiety

Spring Cleaning/Recycling can help reduce anxiety

If you’ve been feeling increased anxiety at home, take a look around the house. Sometimes a fresh start can help bring a sense of calm and clear headedness to your life. It may not be a cure-all for all of the anxiety you may be feeling, but a good spring clean may go further than you may think.

There is something to be said about walking into a room that is free of clutter and arranged in an inviting way. It increases a sense of pride in your home and your life, and makes room for your mind to focus on other things. It can stimulate productivity in other areas of your life, also. But how do you get started when the whole task of cleaning out and recycling seems a tad too overwhelming?

How to Get Started

Begin with one room at a time, tackling the easiest one first so you don’t get overwhelmed too quickly. This may be a room such as the pantry or office, or an extra bedroom. Decide how long you want to spend on each room, one weekend for example, and try your best to stick to your schedule. This process may fill you with anxiety at first, but once you get started you may begin to notice just how therapeutic the process really is.

Next you’ll need to create piles to sort your goods into: keep, trash, give away, and recycle. You can place these piles in each room or create a master pile somewhere inside or outside the house.

1. Keep Pile

This pile should be one of the smaller piles, believe it or not. It is reserved for items you absolutely need, use often, or has the highest sentimental value when compared to other items.

2. Sell Pile

Items in the sell pile are those with enough value not to throw away or recycle, but not worth holding onto because they are no longer needed or wanted. Use an online marketplace to sell them or do it the old fashioned way via a yard sale.

3. Give Away Pile

This pile is meant for all those items you love, but you really don’t need. These items you may have a hard time donating to strangers or recycling, but you may feel better about giving away friends or family. Examples of items appropriate for this pile could be gifts given to you that you’ve used seldomly, expensive items you no longer need or use but are hard to sell, or items with sentimental value.

4. Recycle Pile

Anything you can’t donate, sell, or give away should be considered for the recycle pile before going to the trash. Items that can be recycled include electronics of all kinds, paints, oils and other toxic substances, wood, yard clippings, plastic, metal, glass, soft plastics, cardboard and paper products, eyeglasses, and clothing.

5 Easy Ways to be Greener in Your Marine Business

  By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Do you run a marine-oriented business? If so, then you may have a unique opportunity to practice environmental conservation. Water, as you know, plays a major role in sustaining life on Earth. Anything you can do to preserve and protect water goes a long way in helping to combat climate change. Marine work covers a wide range of fields, but we found a few tips and tricks that may be applicable to most relevant businesses. Here are a few easy ways to make your marine business greener.

1. Use Less Chemicals in Pools

Here’s a tip for those who work in pool maintenance: use less chemicals. You can use fewer chemicals and also maintain a clean and healthy pool. This may take some strategic planning on your part, but it’s possible.

There are two main chemicals that are used to kill bacteria in pools: chlorine and bromine. Chlorine is more commonly used because it’s cheaper. But bromine is a longer-lasting chemical. Chlorine requires weekly doses because it’s neutralized quickly. You don’t need to dose the pull with bromine every week because bromine is more resilient. When you use bromine, you’re using less chemicals, which is better for the environment.

The downside to bromine is that it’s much more expensive than chlorine. If you have clients who are passionate about the environment, you could explain this to them and ask if they’d be willing to pay a slightly higher fee for bromine chemicals. Remember that you might be able to reduce the number of visits to that pool if you use bromine on it, which could reduce your operational costs.

2. Use Pool Covers

Water naturally evaporates from pools, and pool owners spend a lot of money having to top-off the pool with water every month. It’s a bigger problem in warmer areas, like in Nevada or Southern California. Water is a resource that’s taken for granted, and some of those aforementioned regions experience severe water shortages in times of drought. You should try and limit how often your clients’ pools are re-filled.

Convince your clients to use pool covers during months when they don’t use the pool as frequently. Covers reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the pool. You may be able to charge clients for having your employees cover and uncover the pool. You can use pathos to argue your case; pool covers also prevent young children and small animals from drowning.

3. Practice Eco-Friendly Boating

Do you run a business that involves boating? Be careful about which chemicals you use when you’re cleaning and maintaining your boat. Some chemicals contribute to harmful emissions, while others can pollute the ocean or lakes and kill marine life.

You should use marine foam and marine paint when you’re doing maintenance on the hull and exterior features. Those materials are eco-friendly. You should avoid using antifouling paint, which is very dangerous for marine life. You should also limit your use of household cleaners. You don’t want these chemicals spilling into the ocean. Try and use natural cleaners instead, like vinegar, lemon, and baking soda.

It’s illegal to dump sewage in any body of navigable water because sewage is bad for the ocean. Always properly dispose of sewage at a pumpout facility. Be proactive in fixing leaks, and always have absorbent towels on hand to clean oil off the bilge.

4. SCUBA Conservation

If you run a dive shop, be vigilant in protecting the reefs where you take divers. Educate divers—especially new divers—about not touching coral reefs, and about being careful where they kick their fins. Most scuba divers are respectful of the underwater ecosystems, but there’s a bad apple in every bunch. If you have to, threaten to end dives short if any diver knowingly disobeys your environmental rules.

5. Recycle

Last, but certainly not least, recycle! Recycling is one of the easiest and most simple ways to make your marine business more eco-friendly. Regardless of whether you’re a contractor or if you work on a boat, you should always have recycling bins where you can toss used plastics and glass. Take these materials to recycling facilities so that they can be properly re-made into new items. Some recycling facilities even pay you for bringing in materials.

If you run a marine-based business, you have the potential to protect the environment in a huge number of ways. Practice eco-friendly cleaning methods and sustainability, and educate your clients on how they can contribute.

Waste Management Perspectives for Military

  By | | ,
4 Comments

Waste management has a profound impact on all sections of the society, and military is no exception. With increasing militarization, more wars and frequent armed conflicts, protection of the environment has assumed greater significance for military in armed conflicts as well as peacetime operations. Tremendous amount of waste is generated by military bases and deployed forces in the form of food waste, papers, plastics, metals, tires, batteries, chemicals, e-waste, packaging etc.

waste-management-army

War on Waste

Sustainable management of waste is a good opportunity for armed forces to promote environmental stewardship, foster sustainable development and generate goodwill among the local population and beyond. Infact, top military bases in the Western world, like Fort Hood and Fort Meade, have an effective strategy to counter the huge amount of solid waste, hazardous waste and other wastes generated at these facilities.

Waste management at military bases demands an integrated framework based on the conventional waste management hierarchy of 4Rs – reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery (of energy). Waste reduction (or waste minimization) is the top-most solution to reduce waste generation at military bases which demands close cooperation among different departments, including procurement, technical services, housing, food service, personnel. Typical waste reduction strategies for armed forces includes

  • making training manuals and personnel information available electronically
  • reducing all forms of packaging waste
  • purchasing products, such as food items, in bulk
  • purchasing repairable, long-lasting and reusable items

Due to large fraction of recyclables in the waste stream, recycling is an attractive proposition for the armed forces. However, environmental awareness, waste collection infrastructure, and modern equipment are essential for the success of any waste management strategy in a military installation.

recycling-in-offices

Food waste and yard waste (or green waste) can be subjected to anaerobic digestion or composting to increase landfill diversion rates and obtain energy-rich biogas (for cooking/heating) and nutrient-rich fertilizer (for landscaping and gardening). For deployed forces, small-scale waste-to-energy systems, based on thermal technologies, can be an effective solution for disposal of combustible wastes, and for harnessing energy potential of wastes. In case of electronic wastes, it can be sent to a Certified Electronics Recycling and Disposal firm.

Key Aspect

Management options for military installations is dependent on size of the population, location, local regulations, budgetary constraints and many other factors. It is imperative on base commanders to evaluate all possible options and develop a cost-effective and efficient waste management plan. The key factors in the success of waste management plan in military bases are development of new technologies/practices, infrastructure building, participation of all departments, basic environmental education for personnel and development of a quality recycling program.

Military installations are unique due to more than one factor including strict discipline, high degree of motivation, good financial resources and skilled personnel. Usually military installations are one of the largest employers in and around the region where they are based and have a very good influence of the surrounding community, which is bound to have a positive impact on overall waste management strategies in the concerned region.