Archive for May, 2008
May 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
1. Recycle. Minnesota has been a leader in recycling, so this is something we’ve been doing for years. We recycle newspapers, cardboard, cans, bottles, plastics, and glass. Quick tip – rinse or wash your recyclables and you won’t attract bugs.
2. Wash and reuse plastic storage and sandwich bags. It’s not difficult and there’s the added benefit of saving money. It’s been years since I’ve purchased a new box of plastic storage bags.
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May 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
Most people will look at their future and decide where they wish to live, how to spend their time and how best to afford it. They may even consult financial planners and know what they will do with their time once retired. They usually do not look at their future from the perspective of climate change and global warming and the outcome of an ever-increasing burden on the ecology.
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May 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
These days we are all being encouraged to recycle more and to find alternative uses for as much of our household waste as we possibly can. What better way to get rid of your rubbish than to find a more ecologically friendly use for it and make some money at the same time.
The truth of the matter is that there is very little that is thrown away on a daily basis by most of us that cannot be put to good use by someone else; it’s just a question of knowing how to go about disposing of it. So let’s examine just a few of the ways you can make and save money by recycling and adopting a greener approach to life.
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May 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
More increases of natural gas have been announced and here we are, already wondering how we are going to cope with the rising costs of EVERYTHING.
We thought of some things we can all do to help the situation. These suggestions are not limited to home owners; it is just as important for everyone to be involved in environmental issues. Remember, we are all in this together and whatever we can do now will help everyone.
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May 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
In case you haven’t noticed, retailers, even giants, are “going green”. It was bound to
happen and it is a welcome change. Of course the Wal-marts, Targets and Sams Clubs of
the world, most likely, will never go fully earth-friendly, and merely offer sections in
their stores rather than become another Whole Foods, it is still a very good sign.
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May 28th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
In the world today there is a big problem. Pollution and the overcrowding dilemma of landfills are quickly making its way into every household. Recycling has become a very valuable way to help combat the landfill issue.
It is remarkably simple to do and should be done by every household in the United States and across the world. The United States has seen an increase in the amount of people recycling. It is estimated that thirty five percent of all garbage will be recycled.
Hopefully in the coming years we can raise that percentage and start using our garbage in more productive manners. If you are not familiar with recycling, this article is for you.
What is waste management?
Waste management is the process of the city picking up your garbage each week and distributing it to the proper center that it is supposed to be sent too. They are responsible for making sure your recycling bins arrive at the appropriate center to be recycled. Waste management services play an important part in our daily lives. Without their valuable services we would definitely find ourselves in a world of hurt and smell.
What are the three “R’s?”
The three “R’s” would be: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce is using less non-biodegradable substances that cannot be recycled. The second is to reuse items such as plastic containers or appliances that can be repaired. The third is to recycle products so that they can be given life again as something new.
The way to tie all three together is to buy recycled materials. This creates an incentive for more people to recycle products because they know that they will be used in a new way later down the road.
What about food and yard trimmings?
Yard trimmings are a great way to help recycle and create fertilizer. Food waste products are disposable too but they will smell so bad when decomposing that you will definitely have a problem with animals and neighbors. When it comes to creating your own compost pile you want to stick with organic materials such as leaves, plants, grass and other yard wastes and leave food or animal wastes alone to be disposed of in another manner.
What is the EPA?
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is a branch of the United States government that is designed to help protect our nature’s resources and our environment. They are the leaders in keeping our air, water and soil safe from contaminates and ensuring that people are following the law when it comes to preserving the environment. It is through their efforts that more businesses and industries are using recycling programs to help eliminate waste products.
What do I do if my town does not have a recycling program?
If your town does not have a recycling program do not despair. It may mean a little more work on your part but it is still possible to recycle. You just may have to drive into the next town to find a recycling center.
The best tip is to not make a weekly trip that way you save gas and still help the environment. Just make sure and wash out your recyclable materials, store them properly in the appropriate containers and call ahead to find out what types of materials they accept.
May 27th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
These days we are all being encouraged to recycle more and to find alternative uses for as much of our household waste as we possibly can. What better way to get rid of your rubbish than to find a more ecologically friendly use for it and make some money at the same time.
The truth of the matter is that there is very little that is thrown away on a daily basis by most of us that cannot be put to good use by someone else; it’s just a question of knowing how to go about disposing of it. So let’s examine just a few of the ways you can make and save money by recycling and adopting a greener approach to life.
Old computers and computer parts
Computers are an integral part of life in the 21st Century and these days it is not uncommon for households to have more than one, however, there are still many people who find it too expensive to buy new. If you have an old computer that is no longer any use to you, you could sell it on as a complete unit to someone else or strip it down and sell on each of the individual parts. Try placing an ad in your local supermarket or newspaper or advertising it online on sites like eBay. Just make sure that if you are selling it on as a whole, that you remove all your personal data and clean up your hard drive first.
Mobile phones
There are still thousands upon thousands of mobile phones thrown away each day when they could be sold on to someone else. Some people upgrade their phones each year and all too often their old one just gets dumped in the bin. There are many organisations that will pay for your old mobile, as long as it is in working order and has a battery and charger to go with it. This means that there is no excuse for any working mobile to end up in landfill whatsoever. A quick internet search will bring up a number of organisations that will purchase your mobile for cash. Many will even pay the postage for you to send it on to them.
Metal
Anything made from metal can be collected and sold on to a scrap dealer for cash.
Aluminium cans are also highly sought after because they are so easy to recycle and can be back on the shelves in as little as six weeks. There are a number of organisations that will pay you straight cash for cans and there are charities that will welcome cans so that they can claim the cash. Never be tempted to throw your old cans in the bin, it’s like throwing money away.
Car boot sales
Anything that you no longer require could be worth something to someone else so holding a car boot sale is a highly effective way of getting rid of your unwanted items. Yes it takes a little bit of effort to organise it but the rewards are worth it. Not only do you benefit by getting some cash, you help reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill and you provide someone else with something that they want.
Other ways to save money and help protect the planet
- Invest in energy saving light bulbs, they last ten times as long, use up less electricity and although they cost a bit more to begin with, you still come out with more in your pocket after a matter of months.
- You could also try switching your energy provider to one that is more ‘green’ and you can get a list of these greener providers from the Green Electricity website.
- When the time comes for you to buy new household appliances, make sure they are energy efficient as these appliances cost less to run and will therefore save you money in the long term.
- Buy recycled Ink cartridges and make sure you recycle your old ones too. Ink cartridges can be refilled several times and cost less than the original cartridge to buy.
- When buying goods that require batteries, try to use rechargeable ones and not the ones that are discarded after a single use. Rechargeable batteries are more cost effective and are less damaging to the environment.
Once you get into the true spirit of recycling, which means reducing the amount of waste you produce in the first place, finding other uses for as much as you possibly can and then disposing of the rest in an environmentally friendly way, recycling can be a lot of fun. There is a huge amount of satisfaction to be gained from finding new and creative ways to give an old item a new lease of life or by selling on your waste for a little bit of cash. Always remember that one person’s trash really is another person’s treasure.
May 27th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said it best when he stated: “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
That’s why music today is something we can all appreciate, just like the preservation of the environment.
And even though more and more people are downloading music from places like iTunes and Napster, there is still a large amount of us who stick to purchasing CDs.
The bad thing about buying CDs is all the excess paper and plastic packaging that comes with them, not to mention that millions are thrown away every year.
The good thing is that we can recycle and reuse almost every part of our old CDs.
Here are a few creative ways you can recycle your old CDs:
Artwork
Take your old CDs and create a piece of original art on a canvas, or use your favorite CD covers and create a unique collage.
Flower Pot
Stack your old plastic CD drums, drill a few holes and add your own decoration to make a flower pot.
Headphone Holder
Use the bottom of your CD drum (the part with the middle spindle) and tape it up to use as a headphone holder.
Coasters
Decorate them with stickers or glitter, put some cork on the bottom of them, and use them as coasters.
Paint Palette
If you’re an artist, use the small circular discs as paint palettes. They’re easy to wash off and you can even use a few at a time.
Bike Reflectors
Tape them to your bicycle wheels and use them as reflectors.
Picture Holders
Stick your favorite picture into the clear CD case, fold over the base and use it as a picture frame.
Candle Holder
Place an old CD on the bottom of a candle to catch any dripping wax.
Make a CD Lamp
Make a lamp out of a stack of CDs and a fluorescent bulb.
Bagel/Donut Holder
Pop in a bagel or donut in a CD spindle, cover the top and use it as a carry container!
Wall/Window/Mirror Border
If you have enough to go around your bedroom, use them like a wallpaper border, or decorate the edges of your windows or mirrors.
Of course, if you’re not very creative and you just want to recycle your CDs, you can send them to a website like Second Life Disc for free.
The company located in Ventura, California takes all of your old CDs, plastic cases and even DVD cases and recycles them into plastic parts for the automotive and building industry.
Every person around the world shares the love of music, so if you happen to have a few old CDs that you’re thinking of throwing away, then recycle them or make them into something fun and unique.
May 25th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
Earth Day is April 22. For many people, this is a time to start baby stepping your way to a more eco friendly lifestyle. All the magazines on the newsstand are full of articles with helpful tips, products, websites and other resources to help you along. But don’t get the impression that “going green” means buying a bunch of stuff or spending a lot of money, regardless of what some of the marketers who are engaging in a bit of “greenwashing” try to sell you.
Many people get discouraged when they start thinking of making changes in their day. We moms are already busy and many of us stressed out and tired. The thought of adding something new to the routine is overwhelming. That, coupled with discouraging reports from the media that claim it all doesn’t matter, can cause many a mom to just give up. Yet I think most of us have a nagging sense that we’re going to be forced to change at some point in the future. We’re all concerned about what kind of air, soil and water our kids are going to inherit.
My feelings on the matter are this: Baby Step it. There are plenty of changes you can implement, one at a time that add up to a big difference over time. And the changes build on themselves. Isn’t it true that once we start a new routine, it seems like a big deal at first, but then we hardly notice it? Here are some ideas of things you can do right now to Baby Step your way to a greener life. I’ll borrow the Three R’s to illustrate.
1) Replace
As I mentioned, going green doesn’t mean going out and buying all new stuff. While hemp t shirts are all well and good, throwing out your kid’s wardrobe isn’t exactly eco friendly. Neither is selling your perfectly good car to buy a hybrid. Think in terms of replacing stuff as it wears out with a better alternative. As an example, I had family in town last week an with the hustle and bustle and extra bodies, I managed to lose the charger to my cellphone. Instead of replacing it with another plug in charger, I’m buying a solar charger. As your light bulbs die out, replace them with CFLs or LEDs. The next time you have to repaint your home, choose No VOC paints. When your favorite cleaning product wears out, keep the bottles and buy an earth friendly, non toxic all purpose dilutable cleaner.
2) Remind
Put reminders on your calender so you don’t forget to take steps to reduce your consumption. For example, put “check tire pressure” on your calendar once a month. You’ll burn less gas and save money too. What about reminding yourself to make a once a week trip to the recycling center instead of letting your recyclables pile up, tempting you to toss them instead? You can also do a yearly check up of your home: see if any of your toilets or faucets are leaking water, and check the seals on your refrigerator.
3) Rethink
Part of going green is giving a little more mindfulness about your day to day decisions, especially about what you bring into your home. For instance, if you’re planning a party, do you have to buy disposable plates and napkins? Why not use cloth napkins and real plates instead? They’re far more elegant. When your computer wears out, instead of just tossing it, take it to a recycling center. Or have a tech savvy teenager sell the parts on eBay. I did this once and made almost as much money on the parts as the computer cost new.
Think in terms of baby steps and you’ll make changes that will stick.
May 22nd, 2008 -- Posted in Environment |
Environmental issues are considered to be the most crucial issue of the world. World is going through the face of global warming and other environmental hazards. More and more people, NGOs, corporates and government are taking most possible preventive measures. And hospitality industry is at the front foot too. As a large number of hotels are mushrooming in Beijing, China and New Delhi India, ahead of the mega sports events like Olympics and Commonwealth Games respectively, organizing bodies and government are keeping a check on the environment conservation in these places.
Recently, Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee issued a memorandum of environment compliance to the hotels in Beijing. All the hotels in Beijing will have to go through the verification process and pass the test in order to provide accommodation to Olympics visitors. But no such guidelines have yet been issued by Commonwealth organizing committee to the Hotels in New Delhi.
Objectives of Environmental Friendly Hotels:
1.Reducing Atmospheric Pollution
2.Reducing vehicle use and fuel consumption.
3.Work Environment to be filled with clean air.
4.Adopting Non Polluted mode of transportation
5.Reduce Water pollution and wastage and increase water harvesting.
6.Increasing number of plants, habitats.
7.Protect Wild Life
8.Protect Land from contamination
9.Increasing consumption of renewable energy.
10.Maintaining Cleanliness inside and outside the hotels.
11.Providing pleasing environment in hotels using plants and greeneries.
12.Encourage people to maintain the clean and green environment everywhere.
13.Avoiding noise pollution.
14.Reduce and Recycle Waste
15.Safeguard the health of guests and employees.
Best Practices Adopted:
1.Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
2.Use Power monitoring system.
3.Use energy efficient appliances.
4.Using thermo pane windows.
5.Water saving toilets.
6.Using washing machine waste water to flush toilets.
7.Use waste water for irrigation of landscapes and lawns.
The hospitality industry is eventually or gradually moving towards saving environment by taking many corrective measures to make the life easier on Planet Earth.
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