Whether you are an old pro at recycling, or you are just trying to learn about ways that you can implement it in your own life, there is an abundance of information available out there for people like you, who care enough about the environment to do things that will make a difference for the better. Although the recycling rate in the United States is getting better, there are still some areas that need improvement.
Recycling Do’s And Don’ts:
• Recycling glass can be done if it is clear and unbroken. Broken glass or ceramic pieces cannot be recycled because they are too hard to sort and process.
• Newspaper is a one of the primary recyclable materials. It can be recycled if it is clean, dry, and not moldy. To recycle newspaper, tie it together with natural twine or pack it tightly in a brown paper grocery bag. Do not send in rubber bands, product samples that come with the paper, or the plastic bags that it came in, because it makes it harder to sort.
• Metal cans, lids, bottle tops, etc. are all candidates for recycling. Just make sure you clean them first. You cannot recycle magnetic metals, full cans, or cans that have paint or other hazardous materials on them.
• Plastic is another great recycling product. Find plastics that are marked number 1 or 2 and the recycling symbol. Lids are not always made of the same plastic, so check them for a number. If it is not marked, then it is not appropriate for recycling. Plastics marked with any number from 3 to 8 are also not appropriate for recycling. In fact, these plastics can actually ruin a whole batch being processed by contaminating it!
• Grocery bags are easy to recycle. If the bags are plastic with a number 2 or 4 recycle logo, you can take them to a recycle drop off spot or to a grocery store that accepts used bags. If the bags are paper, they can be put in mixed recycling drop off locations. You can also personally use these bags over and over until they wear out. Do not recycle bags that have food, mold, dampness, or dirt on them.
• Junk mail, magazines, computer paper, phone books, cereal and shoe boxes, are all recycling material. So, instead of tossing them in the trash can when you are done with them, or storing them in your garage or attic, give them a second life. Stickers, food wrappers, laminated paper, neon paper, milk cartons, napkins, and thermal fax paper cannot be recycled.
• Aluminum from pots, window screens and outdoor folding chairs can be recycled as long as they don’t have any non-metal parts attached to it.
• Batteries can be recycled if they are the right type such as a car battery or a cell phone battery. Call 1-800-8BATTERY for more information about how and where to recycle batteries.
You can recycle clothing, computers, cell phones, eyeglasses, appliances, furniture, etc. It all is in your attitude and your effort. If you have the desire to recycle you can find a way to do it.[margarrette]
Saturday, December 22, 2007
2006 Trends in Recycling
In 2005 we saw a more innovation in the recycling field and more ways to recycle some of what we throw away. We noticed the entrepreneurial innovation to do so in an efficient manner in order to compete against the inherent economies of scale to produce new instead of recycling. In many cases there was no contest and recycling experts could not produce as cheap as making new, but that was not the situation in all cases. Researchers have now found ways to recycle the foam under the dashboards of cars and collect the material melt it down cheaper than making new. Some innovate entrepreneurs have discovered ways to make old tires treads into shingles. Still others are turning animal waste into energy generating plants thru innovative biomass techniques.
In 2006 we see robotic scavenger devices being tested which can tell the difference of different types of plastics to separate them out, others to collect paper and newspapers, while others designed with magnets to collect steel and iron and separate it from non magnetic alloys such as tin, aluminum, etc. We have also seen an increase in prices of some materials making it more cost effective to recycle than to mine, ship, transport and melt into the correct blend. As these technological advances and efficiencies of recycling continue, we will see in 2006 our civilization wasting less and re-utilizing more and that my friends is a very good thing indeed. So be thinking on this.[Lance]
In 2006 we see robotic scavenger devices being tested which can tell the difference of different types of plastics to separate them out, others to collect paper and newspapers, while others designed with magnets to collect steel and iron and separate it from non magnetic alloys such as tin, aluminum, etc. We have also seen an increase in prices of some materials making it more cost effective to recycle than to mine, ship, transport and melt into the correct blend. As these technological advances and efficiencies of recycling continue, we will see in 2006 our civilization wasting less and re-utilizing more and that my friends is a very good thing indeed. So be thinking on this.[Lance]
Water Conservation; Most Carwashes Do Not Recycle Their Water It is a Myth
Most carwash customers believe that car washes recycle their water but industry surveys actually show that 67.5% of the car washes do not recycle their water and all. The same survey showed that 20% recycled or water only in the washing stage. But if they are using recycled water in the washing stage then they are taking dirty water mixing it with bright colored soaps so you cannot tell and then washing your car with dirty recycled water. That doesn't sound very good to me, how about you?
The carwash industry has done a very good job with public relations and many people think that they recycle their water and are water conserving, but if 67.5% do not recycle the water then perhaps they have done a really good public relations job but they are not protecting us during the drought.
It is interesting that the public relations for car washes has done a good job on water conservation, but rather a dismal job with the fact that many hire illegal aliens. We should not let industries get away with trickery when it comes to something so important as our natural resources for water.
There had been “60 Minute” shows on the reality of the “hot wax soaps” and about employees stealing out of customers cars. Lou Dobbs did a special on the hiring practices of illegal aliens. But so far nobody is talking about the reality of the water recycling programs at car washes.
So, I thought it would bring it up now. Everyone must save water it is a vital resource in that includes the carwash industry and they should not be let off the hook that easily. Please consider this in 2006.[Lance]
The carwash industry has done a very good job with public relations and many people think that they recycle their water and are water conserving, but if 67.5% do not recycle the water then perhaps they have done a really good public relations job but they are not protecting us during the drought.
It is interesting that the public relations for car washes has done a good job on water conservation, but rather a dismal job with the fact that many hire illegal aliens. We should not let industries get away with trickery when it comes to something so important as our natural resources for water.
There had been “60 Minute” shows on the reality of the “hot wax soaps” and about employees stealing out of customers cars. Lou Dobbs did a special on the hiring practices of illegal aliens. But so far nobody is talking about the reality of the water recycling programs at car washes.
So, I thought it would bring it up now. Everyone must save water it is a vital resource in that includes the carwash industry and they should not be let off the hook that easily. Please consider this in 2006.[Lance]
Freecycle All Those Things You Don't Want
Do you have stuff laying around the house that you don't want to throw away because there is still life in it, but you don't any use for it. I am that way. I always have stuff I don't have use for but won't throw away. Well, now you don't have to throw it away or hang on to it, you can recycle it.
Recycling has become the big thing now a days. You see the recycle for newspapers, soda cans, milk jugs etc. Well now you can recycle everything you don't want and right from your home. All you need is your computer.
My daughter hooked me up with it. There is a recycle site online that you sign up for in your area. You can even sign up for surrounding areas. I like to stick close to home. Once you sign up, you can start advertising your stuff. You don't have to give you phone number or address when you advertise something you give away. When you advertise something and someone is interested, you send an e-mail to that person. I send e-mails with only my phone number. If the person is really interested I will give my address but only if my husband is going to be home when they come to pick-up. Otherwise, I meet them at a parking lot somewhere out in the open. Better to be safe than sorry.
I have seen everything from books, to furniture, clothes, computers, entertainment centers, vehicles, you name it, it is there. Something else, there is no selling on the site. You can put an ad that you are looking for something. If there is someone out there with what you want, you will be sure to know it within hours.[lanores]
Recycling has become the big thing now a days. You see the recycle for newspapers, soda cans, milk jugs etc. Well now you can recycle everything you don't want and right from your home. All you need is your computer.
My daughter hooked me up with it. There is a recycle site online that you sign up for in your area. You can even sign up for surrounding areas. I like to stick close to home. Once you sign up, you can start advertising your stuff. You don't have to give you phone number or address when you advertise something you give away. When you advertise something and someone is interested, you send an e-mail to that person. I send e-mails with only my phone number. If the person is really interested I will give my address but only if my husband is going to be home when they come to pick-up. Otherwise, I meet them at a parking lot somewhere out in the open. Better to be safe than sorry.
I have seen everything from books, to furniture, clothes, computers, entertainment centers, vehicles, you name it, it is there. Something else, there is no selling on the site. You can put an ad that you are looking for something. If there is someone out there with what you want, you will be sure to know it within hours.[lanores]
Stop Environmental Pollution
There are a lot of things that you can do to stop environmental pollution. If you don’t know how to get involved, you can start by following these tips.
Make An Online Donation: There are a lot of organizations that can use your financial support. If you do not have a lot time, you can help out by making online donation.
Donate A Used Automobile: If you have an old car, you can also make donation to a program like Car Program LLC. They will use your car to save the earth.
Recycle: Believe it or not, there are tons of things that you can recycle. For instance, you probably know that you can recycle aluminum, metal, paper, and plastic. Do you know that you can recycle mobile phones and car batteries? If you have old clothes, you can donate them to charity. That is one type of recycling. Recycling is not only limited to aluminum, metal, paper, and plastic. Be creative. You will realize that your potentials for recycling are limitless.
Save Energy: Save energy can be simple thing like turning off the light. If your home use incandescent light bulb, you should change it to fluorescent light bulb. Although fluorescent light bulb is a little more expensive, it usually lasts longer. Saving energy can also save your money. Saving environment and saving your money are like killing two birds with one stone.
Encourage Your Friends And Neighbors To Help: Stop environmental pollution is everybody’s duty. It is important to encourage your friends and neighbors to help.[JAred]
Make An Online Donation: There are a lot of organizations that can use your financial support. If you do not have a lot time, you can help out by making online donation.
Donate A Used Automobile: If you have an old car, you can also make donation to a program like Car Program LLC. They will use your car to save the earth.
Recycle: Believe it or not, there are tons of things that you can recycle. For instance, you probably know that you can recycle aluminum, metal, paper, and plastic. Do you know that you can recycle mobile phones and car batteries? If you have old clothes, you can donate them to charity. That is one type of recycling. Recycling is not only limited to aluminum, metal, paper, and plastic. Be creative. You will realize that your potentials for recycling are limitless.
Save Energy: Save energy can be simple thing like turning off the light. If your home use incandescent light bulb, you should change it to fluorescent light bulb. Although fluorescent light bulb is a little more expensive, it usually lasts longer. Saving energy can also save your money. Saving environment and saving your money are like killing two birds with one stone.
Encourage Your Friends And Neighbors To Help: Stop environmental pollution is everybody’s duty. It is important to encourage your friends and neighbors to help.[JAred]
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Garbage - Going Green
The most important rule is to reduce the amount of garbage you create.
Buy in bulk as much as you can. Avoid overly packaged convenience food since much of the material ends up in landfills.
Buy products in refillable, recycled, reusable containers - each is better than the other. If possible, buy concentrated products (soaps, detergents and beverages)
Reuse material in your home - jars, shopping bags, plastic bags.
Buy containers that can be reused - better to buy plastic than to use aluminum foil.
Pay attention to packaging. Some red and yellow dyes contain cadmium, which can contaminate groundwater.
Use your own bags when grocery shopping (if possible) and try not to bag items that do not need to be bagged.
Compost garbage (if your community allows it) along with leaves, and grass clippings.
Don't buy what you don't need. Sell or donate used items to charities rather than throwing them away.
When you buy appliances, look for the Energy Star seal from the Environmental Protection Agency. Buy good quality appliances and other items. Maintain them. Cheap appliances fail sooner, creating more junk.
Stop junk mail (catalogue, brochures, and other advertising appeals) you do not want. To do so check out sites like 'Consumer Assistance (DMA)'.
Don't use throwaway items when you can use permanent ones. For example, drink from ceramic cups/mugs instead of paper/single-use cups.
Make cleaning rags out of your old clothes and save on paper towels/napkins.
RECYCLE:
If your community recycles metal, be sure to wash out and recycle cans. This lessens strip mining air pollution, and use of energy to manufacturing new cans.
Recycle glass and plastic. Buy cooking oil in glass (the plastic used in bottles for cooking oil can produce pollutants when manufactured). Your recycling company will specify what plastic containers can be recycled - often only beverage containers.
Do not throw away glass that cannot be recycled in the glass recycling bin. Window glass contains a contaminating chemical while the drinking glass has a different melting point than a bottle.
Recycle paper. However, be sure to remove the glossy advertisements from the newspaper.
Encourage your office to recycle white office paper.
Recycle old magazines, if possible, or pass them on to a friend, nursing home, school or library.
Recycle foam 'peanuts' at your mailing facility or when you next send a package.
Do not forget recyclable items like motor oil, tires and cars. Every year people dump enough used motor oil down sewers to equal 10 Exxon Alaskan spills.
Recycle your unwanted books by giving them to a library, school, church, thrift store. You can also donate them to organizations that send books to developing countries. Do a research on any such organization and contact them for more information.
Buy in bulk as much as you can. Avoid overly packaged convenience food since much of the material ends up in landfills.
Buy products in refillable, recycled, reusable containers - each is better than the other. If possible, buy concentrated products (soaps, detergents and beverages)
Reuse material in your home - jars, shopping bags, plastic bags.
Buy containers that can be reused - better to buy plastic than to use aluminum foil.
Pay attention to packaging. Some red and yellow dyes contain cadmium, which can contaminate groundwater.
Use your own bags when grocery shopping (if possible) and try not to bag items that do not need to be bagged.
Compost garbage (if your community allows it) along with leaves, and grass clippings.
Don't buy what you don't need. Sell or donate used items to charities rather than throwing them away.
When you buy appliances, look for the Energy Star seal from the Environmental Protection Agency. Buy good quality appliances and other items. Maintain them. Cheap appliances fail sooner, creating more junk.
Stop junk mail (catalogue, brochures, and other advertising appeals) you do not want. To do so check out sites like 'Consumer Assistance (DMA)'.
Don't use throwaway items when you can use permanent ones. For example, drink from ceramic cups/mugs instead of paper/single-use cups.
Make cleaning rags out of your old clothes and save on paper towels/napkins.
If your community recycles metal, be sure to wash out and recycle cans. This lessens strip mining air pollution, and use of energy to manufacturing new cans.
Recycle glass and plastic. Buy cooking oil in glass (the plastic used in bottles for cooking oil can produce pollutants when manufactured). Your recycling company will specify what plastic containers can be recycled - often only beverage containers.
Do not throw away glass that cannot be recycled in the glass recycling bin. Window glass contains a contaminating chemical while the drinking glass has a different melting point than a bottle.
Recycle paper. However, be sure to remove the glossy advertisements from the newspaper.
Encourage your office to recycle white office paper.
Recycle old magazines, if possible, or pass them on to a friend, nursing home, school or library.
Recycle foam 'peanuts' at your mailing facility or when you next send a package.
Do not forget recyclable items like motor oil, tires and cars. Every year people dump enough used motor oil down sewers to equal 10 Exxon Alaskan spills.
Recycle your unwanted books by giving them to a library, school, church, thrift store. You can also donate them to organizations that send books to developing countries. Do a research on any such organization and contact them for more information.
Tips To Save the Earth
What can you do to save the earth? Saving the earth is everyone’s duty. All of us can contribute some effort to make a better tomorrow. If you do not know how to begin, follow these tips.
Turn off your light: When you don’t need it, it only makes sense to turn off your light bulb. If you have a regular incandescent bulb at your house, you should change it to a compact fluorescent bulb. Believe it or not, it is good to the environment, and it can also save you a lot of money. Although a fluorescent bulb may seem expensive, energy experts confirm that you will save more money with a fluorescent bulb long term. Even though incandescent bulb may be cheaper, it will burn out often. Furthermore, fluorescent bulb will only use a quarter of energy to generate the same amount of light.
Running faucet: Turn off the running faucet when you brush your teeth. Believe it or not, if you leave the water running for two minutes, you waste up to ten gallons of water.
Turn down the heat: If you must turn on the heater in the winter, you should set it at 135 degrees. Try to put on thicker blanket or jacket when you go to bed. You may not even need your heater.
Carry cloth shopping bags: Cloth shopping bags are better than plastic shopping bags for the environment.
Recycle: Recycle newspapers, plastic, cans, or glass. Learn about your local recycling facilities. Recycle whenever you can.
Alert your family about the environment: If you have children, you should teach them about recycling. Teach them to love the environment.[Pauline]
Turn off your light: When you don’t need it, it only makes sense to turn off your light bulb. If you have a regular incandescent bulb at your house, you should change it to a compact fluorescent bulb. Believe it or not, it is good to the environment, and it can also save you a lot of money. Although a fluorescent bulb may seem expensive, energy experts confirm that you will save more money with a fluorescent bulb long term. Even though incandescent bulb may be cheaper, it will burn out often. Furthermore, fluorescent bulb will only use a quarter of energy to generate the same amount of light.
Running faucet: Turn off the running faucet when you brush your teeth. Believe it or not, if you leave the water running for two minutes, you waste up to ten gallons of water.
Turn down the heat: If you must turn on the heater in the winter, you should set it at 135 degrees. Try to put on thicker blanket or jacket when you go to bed. You may not even need your heater.
Carry cloth shopping bags: Cloth shopping bags are better than plastic shopping bags for the environment.
Recycle: Recycle newspapers, plastic, cans, or glass. Learn about your local recycling facilities. Recycle whenever you can.
Alert your family about the environment: If you have children, you should teach them about recycling. Teach them to love the environment.[Pauline]
Recycling - Enough to Protect the Environment?
Are our efforts to recycle enough to save the planet? We have all heard how important it is to recycle. Though our individual efforts may seem so small, it will make a difference if we can convince more people to do so. After all, haven’t we heard before the saying…little drops of water, little grains of sands, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land? So if we make a concerted effort we can and will protect the environment and change the world.
There are two basic forms of recycling, primary recycling and secondary recycling. Primary recycling happens when original waste material is recycled into the same material that it once was. Newspaper, when recycled to newsprint is a form of primary recycling. Secondary recycling is the process whereby waste materials are recycled into a different kind of products. In general, it is estimated that more than 75 percent of solid waste can be recycled.
There are so many kinds of things that we can recycle. Basic categories of recyclable products include paper, glass, metals, some kinds of plastic, textiles, old tires, food wastes and yard wastes. The most common type of recyclable product is paper. It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of all paper goods are being recycled. Nearly 30 percent of glass is currently recycled. About 40 percent of aluminum is being recycled.
It is estimated that by recycling aluminum on a regular basis, we can save up to 90 percent of the energy required to produce aluminum by mining for it. This is a good example of how aluminum or more specially, recycling aluminum, can help save energy and the environment.
There are many ways you can recycle on your own even if you find your local municipality does not offer recycling options. One of the best and easiest forms of recycling is composting. Composting is great because it is easy to do, make a great impact on the environment and it can happen in your own backyard. Composting creates fertile soil just by treating food and yard waste to the natural biological decomposition or rotting of the organic matter found in the waste. The microbes and detritus feeders, which are worms and grubs helps in the decomposition of the waste. Once the composting is complete, a very rich humus soil will be left which can be used as an effective soil builder and natural fertilizer.
Global warming is a threat that will affect generations to come. The atmosphere surrounding us that supports life is a God-given gift. It must be protected. We should be leaders in efforts to curb global warming, not resistant followers.
Erin Hunt is an avid writer and activist. She discovered that many are still unaware of the dangers of global warming and thus created a website to educate others on how they can play a role in the fight against global warming.[Erin]
There are two basic forms of recycling, primary recycling and secondary recycling. Primary recycling happens when original waste material is recycled into the same material that it once was. Newspaper, when recycled to newsprint is a form of primary recycling. Secondary recycling is the process whereby waste materials are recycled into a different kind of products. In general, it is estimated that more than 75 percent of solid waste can be recycled.
There are so many kinds of things that we can recycle. Basic categories of recyclable products include paper, glass, metals, some kinds of plastic, textiles, old tires, food wastes and yard wastes. The most common type of recyclable product is paper. It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of all paper goods are being recycled. Nearly 30 percent of glass is currently recycled. About 40 percent of aluminum is being recycled.
It is estimated that by recycling aluminum on a regular basis, we can save up to 90 percent of the energy required to produce aluminum by mining for it. This is a good example of how aluminum or more specially, recycling aluminum, can help save energy and the environment.
There are many ways you can recycle on your own even if you find your local municipality does not offer recycling options. One of the best and easiest forms of recycling is composting. Composting is great because it is easy to do, make a great impact on the environment and it can happen in your own backyard. Composting creates fertile soil just by treating food and yard waste to the natural biological decomposition or rotting of the organic matter found in the waste. The microbes and detritus feeders, which are worms and grubs helps in the decomposition of the waste. Once the composting is complete, a very rich humus soil will be left which can be used as an effective soil builder and natural fertilizer.
Global warming is a threat that will affect generations to come. The atmosphere surrounding us that supports life is a God-given gift. It must be protected. We should be leaders in efforts to curb global warming, not resistant followers.
Erin Hunt is an avid writer and activist. She discovered that many are still unaware of the dangers of global warming and thus created a website to educate others on how they can play a role in the fight against global warming.[Erin]
Reduce global warming
Recycle: Recycle as much as you can. Buy products with minimum packaging. Recycle is not only good for the environment. You can also earn money from recycling. In fact, there are billion of dollars in recycling business.
YOU ALSO CAN
Plant A Tree: Even if you do not have the resource to grow a forest, you can still help the environment by planting a small tree in your garden. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. The studies show that one single tree can absorb at least one ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. Start planting tree as much as you possibly can.
Change a Light Bulb: If your home use incandescent light bulbs, you should replace it with compact fluorescent light (CFL). Believe it or not, compact fluorescent light bulbs are last ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Even though compact fluorescent light bulbs are a little more expensive, it is cheaper in the long run.
Encourage others to conserve: Saving the environment is everyone’s responsibility. It is impossible to do it alone. One of the most important things that you can do is encouraging others to know their duties. Talk to your friends and neighbors. If you have children, you should teach them how to recycle.[Pauline]
Plant A Tree: Even if you do not have the resource to grow a forest, you can still help the environment by planting a small tree in your garden. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. The studies show that one single tree can absorb at least one ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. Start planting tree as much as you possibly can.
Change a Light Bulb: If your home use incandescent light bulbs, you should replace it with compact fluorescent light (CFL). Believe it or not, compact fluorescent light bulbs are last ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Even though compact fluorescent light bulbs are a little more expensive, it is cheaper in the long run.
Encourage others to conserve: Saving the environment is everyone’s responsibility. It is impossible to do it alone. One of the most important things that you can do is encouraging others to know their duties. Talk to your friends and neighbors. If you have children, you should teach them how to recycle.[Pauline]
The Do's and Don'ts
Recycle is everyone’s duty. All of us can do something to protect the earth. Our children need us to ensure their future. Even though the recycling rate in America is improving, there are still areas that we can do better. Follow these tips.
Recycling glass: Do not recycle broken glass. Only recycle glass that is unbroken and clear. Broken glasses and ceramic pieces are not suitable for recycling, because they are very difficult to process and sort.
Newspaper: If your newspaper is moldy, you should not recycle it. Only recycle clean and dry newspaper. Tie your newspaper tightly in a paper bag without rubber bands. It is the easiest way to sort.
Aluminum and metal object: Aluminum cans, old lids, and bottle tops are great candidates for recycling. Before you recycle them, you should still clean them first. Avoid recycle magnetic metals. They can not be recycled. Furthermore, if your metal objects are covered with hazardous materials, please don’t recycle them. You can endanger other people.
Plastic: All plastics are not always the same. There are many grades of plastics. For instance, plastics with number one and two recycling symbol are high quality plastic, and they are great candidates for recycling. Plastics that are marked with number from three to eight are not suitable for recycling. Low quality plastics may contaminate high quality plastics. Therefore, you should sort them out before recycling..
Car batteries: Car and phone batteries can be recycled. If you want more information on how to recycle batteries, call 1- 800- 8BATTERY.[Jared]
Recycling glass: Do not recycle broken glass. Only recycle glass that is unbroken and clear. Broken glasses and ceramic pieces are not suitable for recycling, because they are very difficult to process and sort.
Newspaper: If your newspaper is moldy, you should not recycle it. Only recycle clean and dry newspaper. Tie your newspaper tightly in a paper bag without rubber bands. It is the easiest way to sort.
Aluminum and metal object: Aluminum cans, old lids, and bottle tops are great candidates for recycling. Before you recycle them, you should still clean them first. Avoid recycle magnetic metals. They can not be recycled. Furthermore, if your metal objects are covered with hazardous materials, please don’t recycle them. You can endanger other people.
Plastic: All plastics are not always the same. There are many grades of plastics. For instance, plastics with number one and two recycling symbol are high quality plastic, and they are great candidates for recycling. Plastics that are marked with number from three to eight are not suitable for recycling. Low quality plastics may contaminate high quality plastics. Therefore, you should sort them out before recycling..
Car batteries: Car and phone batteries can be recycled. If you want more information on how to recycle batteries, call 1- 800- 8BATTERY.[Jared]
Climate: A Design Imperative
Climatic variations across regions alter architectural demands for shelter, warmth, cooling and the relationship of indoor and outdoor living spaces. In designing any structure it is imperative that its context be embraced and that both current climatic conditions and those which may be experienced during the life span of the structure are factored into the design. A structure which ignores its climatic context risks undermining functionality and sustainability. Michael Sandberg of Sandberg Schoffel Architects comments that environmental considerations and sustainability issues are “tremendously important” for both local and international architects and landscape designers. Mr Sandberg adds that, in architectural design, “climate has always been a major factor” however it is only now, given the recent drought and associated climate extremes experienced in Australia, that it is becoming a much more public discussion. Architect James Russell agrees that it has always been important to consider climate to ensure a design is “interactive with its surroundings” however client awareness is only now growing with people becoming more receptive to producing buildings that have a low impact on the environment. Countries with extreme climates are further advanced in producing and designing environmentally friendly architecture. Mr Sandberg describes Scandinavian countries as having fewer natural resources and therefore are further ahead in terms of environmental and climate responsive architecture. Due to a warm climate and ample natural resources, in the past “Australia has lagged behind” other nations in terms of climate responsive architecture Mr Sandberg comments. Little need for insulation, warmth conservation and water proofing meant Australian architects made fewer climatic considerations in design. Now that the Australian climate has become more extreme there is a greater sense within both the design and broader communities that climate responsive architecture and design is an imperative. Long term rainfall deficiencies across southern and eastern Australia have now led to greater scrutiny and emphasis being placed on water saving design features in residential and commercial properties. Government restrictions on water use and the promotion of energy efficiency are increasing public awareness of environmental sustainability. Homeowners and commercial organisations alike are being forced to consider the environment in the everyday running of their home or business. According to Mr Sandberg the impact on building design has been an increased focus on water retention, energy efficiency and the use of recyclable and natural materials. Specifically, the use of grey water and installation of water tanks and catchment areas are increasingly being incorporated into Australian architectural design. The award winning Szencorp Building in Albert Rd, South Melbourne was designed with climate change and weather cycles in mind and represents the latest local environmental solutions in building development. The outdated 1980’s era Szencorp Building was redesigned in 2005 to become the greenest office building in Australia with a six star green rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). The building was designed to feature a grey water and rain harvesting system, solar hot water system, lighting control sensors and many other environmentally sustainable design features as part of the buildings architecture. Peter Szental, principal of The Szencorp Group, believes one of the key directions for climate and environment responsive designs both in Australia and on a global scale is through energy efficiency. “The simplest and most cost effective way of cutting our greenhouse gas emissions is energy efficiency. Often overlooked, energy efficiency can dramatically reduce emissions and significantly reduce energy costs.” While the design trend for new buildings is to become greener, Peter Szental believes architects and landscape designers also need to target existing buildings as an overwhelming majority of commercial buildings in Australia are inefficient and continue to use far more resources than they need. “Australia’s delay in adjusting for the future is creating barriers to cleaner energy and consigning our growing greenhouse liabilities to future generations - a liability to deal with when times may not be so buoyant.” Local designers can play a vital role in making our living and working spaces more environmentally sensitive by accommodating for “a mix of energies – including cleaner coal, but also biomass, solar, wind, hydro,’ within their work, as well as the government providing further ‘incentives to improve energy efficiency”. The global design community is responding to climate change. On 18 June 2007 during the International Presidents’ Forum at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2007 National Convention in San Antonio, 16 presidents of national and international architectural associations united to address the role of design in response to global climate change. Importantly, the forum attendees, leading architects from all over the world, all agreed to adopt international goals and benchmarks for sustainability in architectural building design.[Karen]
Recycling
Recycling is any process that involves the recovery and reuse of materials that were once considered trash. Recycling can be as simple as reusing something—such as a coat or computer—by passing it on for someone else to use. Or, it can be as involved as reprocessing materials in metals, plastics, paper, or glass to make new products.
An Old Idea Is Rediscovered
There is nothing new about recycling. People have found ways to reuse pottery, gold, silver, and bronze for thousands of years. Old swords were melted and reshaped to use as plows. Gold and silver jewelry were melted down and reshaped into other forms. As recently as one hundred years ago, traveling peddlers in the United States and Europe collected rags, bones, and scrap metal waste from household garbage and sold them to manufacturers to make into new products.
An Old Idea Is Rediscovered
There is nothing new about recycling. People have found ways to reuse pottery, gold, silver, and bronze for thousands of years. Old swords were melted and reshaped to use as plows. Gold and silver jewelry were melted down and reshaped into other forms. As recently as one hundred years ago, traveling peddlers in the United States and Europe collected rags, bones, and scrap metal waste from household garbage and sold them to manufacturers to make into new products.
WHY recycle?
* Reduces the demand on our natural resources.
* Saves valuable landfill space.
* Creates opportunities for new industries.
* Saves valuable landfill space.
* Creates opportunities for new industries.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
definition of R-E-C-Y-C-L-E
The reprocessing of materials into new products.
Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, compared to virgin production.
Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management and is the third component of the waste hierarchy.
Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions, compared to virgin production.
Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management and is the third component of the waste hierarchy.
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