How to Drive Green
May 15th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »Until recently the average fuel consumption of new cars had not really changed, relative to that in the mid 1980′s. This was because although engines have become more efficient over this period, average vehicle weight has increased due to additional features built into new models to meet crash safety requirements, and the widespread addition of features such as power assisted steering and air conditioning.
However, there are signs that in the last few years, average fuel consumption has begun to drop, in response to voluntary agreements by vehicle manufacturers to reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Carbon Dioxide is the most important of the greenhouse gases, which contribute to Climate Change. Unless action is taken to reduce emissions greenhouse gases, such as Carbon Dioxide, the whole pattern of the World’s weather could change, increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, floods, droughts and storms.
Compared to improvements in the emissions of toxic pollutants such as lead from leaded petrol, there has been much less progress on reducing CO2 from cars. For a given type of fuel the CO2 emissions of a car are directly proportional to the quantity of fuel consumed.
There is no easy technical solution to deal with CO2. Government advise that the best way to reduce CO2 and the other emissions is to use the car only when it is necessary, and to walk or use public transport where possible.
The main way to reduce CO2 and other emissions from your car, is to drive a more fuel efficient car and drive it in a more efficient manner.
Fuel consumption of similar size cars can vary as much as 45%. When you are choosing a vehicle and you have selected the most appropriate type to meet your needs, you have the option to select the most fuel-efficient vehicle in that group.
You can compare the fuel efficiency of your current car to the best available on the market today. According to Government statistics, the most fuel-efficient production petrol powered car is the Toyota Prius (1497cc) which returns 65.7 mpg. The most fuel-efficient production diesel powered car is the Citroen C1 (1398cc) returning 68.9 mpg.
Here are some top tips for making driving more environmentally friendly.
- Try to avoid using your car for short journeys – if possible use public transport, ride a bicycle or walk
- Plan ahead – choose un-congested routes, combine trips, car share.
- Cold starts – drive off as soon as possible after starting.
- Drive smoothly and efficiently – harsh acceleration and heavy braking have a very significant effect on fuel consumption, driving more smoothly saves fuel.
- Slow down – driving at high speeds significantly increases fuel consumption.
- Use higher gears, as soon as traffic conditions allow.
- Switch off – sitting stationary is zero miles per gallon, switch off the engine whenever it is safe to do so.
- Lose weight – don’t carry unnecessary weight, remove roof racks when not in use.
- Regular servicing helps keep the engine at best efficiency.
- Keep the pressure up – make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for the vehicle.
- Do not compromise safety but be aware that the use of onboard electrical devices increases fuel consumption.
- Check your fuel consumption – it will help you get the most from the car, changes in overall fuel consumption may indicate a fault.
- Use air-conditioning sparingly – running air-conditioning continuously will increase fuel consumption significantly.
- Choosing a more fuel-efficient car when you next buy is better for the environment and can save you money.
Reusable Bags
May 15th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »According to a lot of environmentalists, the high-quality reusable bags are made of such resources that do not harm the environment during creation and doesn’t require to be discarded after each use. Experts guess that 500 billion to 1 trillion reusable bags are consumed and discarded yearly.
Here are some facts about reusable bags which speak about its value to both consumers and the environment:-
• Reusable bags aren’t biodegradable. They in fact go through a process called photo degradation-flouting down into smaller and smaller toxic particles that foul both soil and water, and end up entering the food chain when animals unintentionally consume them.
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion reusable bags are used in the United States each year.
• According to various estimates, Taiwan consumes 20 billion reusable bags annually (900 per person), Japan consumes 300 billion bags each year (300 per person), and Australia consumes 6.9 billion plastic bags per annum (326 per person).
• Hundreds of thousands of whales, dolphins, sea turtles and further marine mammals die every year after eating discarded plastic bags they mistake for food.
• Discarded plastic bags have become so common in Africa they have spawned a cottage industry. People there gather the bags and use them to weave hats, bags and additional goods
• Plastic bags as litter have even turned out to be commonplace in Antarctica and other remote areas. According to a marine scientist, plastic bags have gone from being uncommon in the late 1980s and early 1990s to being almost all over the place in Antarctica.
Environmentally reusable bags are a incredible way to promote your business and build your brand, and with smart bag, designing a promotional bag for your business couldn’t be easier.Sold or given away, they make an immense customer add-on and are a great way to support your brand or company. Fix your brand or logo to a handy carry bag and it becomes an instant advertisement!
How-To Recycle Older, OutDated PC’s and Laptops
May 14th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »Computer technology advances at a very fast rate. Chances are you’ve upgraded or replaced your computer equipment in the last few years. Why am I so confident? The average desktop has a functional lifespan of between two to five years depending on your computing requirements. Similarly, a laptop or notebook have a functional lifespan of between two to five years as well. Most manufacturers usually offer a three year warranty which indicates what they perceive is a reasonable lifespan. Understanding the rate the computer technology improves – while you may have a functional lifespan of up to five years – you will most likely be owning outdated hardware in as little as six months.
Why Should I Recycle my Hardware?
It’s important to try to re-use and recycle everything we can but computers, laptops and their peripherals require special attention. Why? Consider the following facts:
- In 2001 “e-waste” was responsible for 70% of the heavy metals and 40% of the lead in all US landfills
- It requires 530 lbs of fossil fuel, 58 lbs of chemicals and 1.5 tons of water to make a single desktop PC and monitor
- Contained in the 300 million already discarded computers is enough mercury to poison the Great Lakes over eight times
- About 400 million pieces of consumer electronics are thrown away each in year in the US
Instead of throwing away your outdated hardware and creating more waste or storing it indefinitely – why not recycle it? If your computer is still functional you can always consider donating it locally to a family member or charity. If you have some technical skills and a DIY attitude you may want to revive an older Windows machine by installing a free Linux based operating system.
If you feel more comfortable donating your machine, then your first step will be finding a suitable new home for your older hardware.
Finding a Charity
Donating to a charity instead of individual will provide you with a receipt that you can use for tax purposes. The following services can assist you with finding a charity in your local area.
- Share the Technology (USA)
- DonateAPC (UK)
- World Computer Exchange (Canada)
Finding a Non-Profit Organization
If you’d like to donate to a non-profit organization then the following service can help you:
- Recycles (USA)
Make sure you check each organizations requirements for accepting donations. Some organizations have specific requirements such as restricting computer donations by age.
More Recycling Options
If you can’t find a local charity which is a good match for your hardware you can always consider:
- Freecycle
- Craigslist
Another option to consider is contacting your local city hall about its recycling policies. Many have designated days for collection computers and other electronics.
Before Donation
Before you donate your hardware you should back up your files just in case you might need them at a later date. To simplify this process you may want to consider an external hard drive or some useful free utilities such as FolderShare.
After backing up all of your data it’s always a good idea to wipe your hard drive clean. While some charities guarantee they will wipe your data, not all do. This includes removing your operating system. You can do this using free utilities such as Active KillDisk or Eraser.
At this point your machine should now be ready for donation.
Revive an older PC/Laptop using Linux
For those with more some technical skill and a DIY mentality then you may be pleased to learn that installing a linux distribution on an aging windows machine will breath new life into it.
Will switching your OS turn your old machine into a state of the art powerhouse? No, but it will provide basic functionality such as web surfing, word processing and email.
If you are interested in installing a Linux based operating system, then I recommend reviewing your options at DistroWatch. If that seems overwhelming due to the volume of choices then consider gOS and Freespire as free options or Linspire as an inexpensive one.
Remember, older PCs and laptops can be useful for charities, schools, family members in need and with a little TLC maybe even yourself.
Billion Plastic Bottles In Landfills – Tips To Conserve Water
May 14th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »Each day, American’s consume approximately 200 billion gallons of water. On top of that, each year more than 10 billion plastic water bottles end up as garbage in landfills. As the US population increases, the demands on our water resources continue to increase. This puts a strain on our environment but there is a way to make a difference and impact this growing trend.
Purchasing water filters can lead to reduced plastic water bottle waste. Instead, filter your own water and place it in a reusable bottle. Your average water filter can replace approximately 3000 16oz plastic water bottles saving you and the environment. You are saving big money by filtering your own water and you are saving the environment by eliminating plastic water bottles from the landfill.
Other ways to conserve water include keeping a pitcher of filtered drinking water in the refrigerator so you don’t have to run the water faucet to get the water cool. Also, make sure all of our water faucets are turned off and are not leaking. A leaking faucet really adds up and can account for 4000 gallons of water waste per year. When you are doing laundry, run only full loads. This also holds true for dishwashers. This can save up to 800 gallons of water per month. Finally, consider water efficiency when you purchase a new laundry machine. Today’s energy star appliances use 40 percent less water and can save you up to 6000 gallons per year.
You can also conserve water in the bathroom. Replace the parts in your toilet to secure the tank from leaks. Avoid running the water while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face. Install water-saving shower heads and shorten your shower time.
Conserving water outside is one of the biggest things you can do to impact the environment. Avoid excessive watering. Most yards require much less than you think to enjoy a thick, lush, green appearance. Most lawns require only 1 inch of water per week. You can measure the time it takes your sprinkler to collect 1 inch of water and then factor that into future waterings. Also, don’t forget about the contribution to outdoor watering that Mother Nature brings. Install a water gauge to measure rain water and factor that into your watering schedule. Lay a layer of mulch around trees and flowerbeds to help hold moisture in the soil. Pull large weeds to decrease competition for water. Watering in the evenings or early mornings will ensure your water isn’t evaporated before it can be used by your lawn, plants, flowers and trees.
These simple tips will help you save money and protect the environment. Inside, purchase a water filter and filter your own tap water. Outside, be aware of your water use and optimize when you use it.
How Many Times Do You Flush Your Toilet?
May 13th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »I recently challenged myself on the subject of how many times a day I flush the toilet. Is this something most people, including myself think about on a daily basis? No. Is this something most people really care about? Maybe not. Is there reason to care at all? Well, do you live in the drought-stricken, water regulated, South Western United States? If so, you may want to be aware of how much water you’re consuming on a daily basis.
Well as it turns out, about 30% of the water used in most homes on a daily basis comes from toilet flushing. This being the case, how many times a day must we flush the toilet for that to be possible? I mean, my household has individuals who like long showers and I don’t think we’re uncommon. Can we flush away as much water as we shower away?
There are some obvious factors that could skew your personal results in a study like this. For instance, do you drink a lot of coffee? Are you male or female? Urinals tend to flush much less water than toilets, but that statistic would be invalid if you worked at home, considering most houses don’t have urinals installed. This is beside the point. Let’s look at my personal usage. I drink a lot of coffee, I’m male, I work at home and no I don’t have a urinal installed in my house.
Ok so how many times a day do I flush the toilet? At the time of this writing, a whopping 8 flushes a day! My toilet is a low-flow 1.6 gallon toilet so some quick usage of the window’s calculator and I’ve deduced my toilet water usage to be about 12.8 gallons a day. Hmmm, that would be over $30 a day if I was paying for that much milk.
How do I reduce that number? I already have a low-flow toilet… One way is to use a dual flush toilet. Dual flush toilets actually reduce water more than a standard low-flow toilet. In fact, according to a recent study by the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) dual flush toilets actually reduce water usage by as much as 26% over low-flow toilets. It’s really easy to see why. You can convert a low-flow toilet into a dual flush system, or buy a 1.6 gpf dual flush toilet. The difference is that the half flush will only be 1 gallon, saving .6 gallons for most of your daily flushes.
With the rising cost of milk in my town, I think I know where I’ll be making a change.
Go Green – 23 Ways to Help Our Environment
May 13th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | 1 Comment »1) Heating: Using less heat is easier than you think. Invest in a nice warm sweater & cozy blanket and lower you’re a heat a little. Right before you go to sleep turn the heat off half way, you will sleep better and your pocket book will thank you. Keep the heat off in your basement, attic & any room that you are not in. Anytime you leave the house lower your heat, you may feel a chill when you return, but your house will warm up fast. Installing double pain window & properly sealing all door frames & windows will help too.
2) Lighting: Keep your curtains & blinds open all day and try to have as little lights on as possible. Change all your bulbs to lower watts were possible and use fluorescent bulbs, they use way less energy then traditional incandescent bulbs and they also last considerably longer. Install dimmer switches in as many rooms possible. Use lamps with settings from low to high. In the evening when you are relaxing trying using candles when you are watching your favorite show, you will enjoy the atmosphere.
3) Water: The most obvious way to save water is to shorten the lengths of a shower and decrease the amount of hot baths. A lovely hot bath is something that may be hard to cut down on, but you can save simply by filling the tub 15% less. Or shorten your shower by 3-5 minutes. Add this up over a year and it makes a world of difference. Another easy step is to install a water officiate low flow shower head. Installing a hot water timer will help too. Conserve the water by insulating the water heater and pipes; it will make a major impact.
4) Waste: Use cloth grocery bags whenever you shop for food, clothing etc. Buying in bulk can save in packaging waste. Start a composting program in your yard. Add all organic waste and your garden will love you for it, plus it will look brilliant too! Eat more food that is not stored in containers like fruits & vegetables, your body & mind will run smoother too. Put as little as possible down the toilet, avoid putting tissues and additional waste, an amazing amount of water is used for every flush.
5) Insulation: Losing heat because of poor insulation is a major way to waste energy. Make sure all your rooms floors, walls and roof are insulated properly. If you find areas in your home that need more insulation call in a professional to help, or install fiberglass bats yourself.
6) Appliances: When purchasing new appliances look for Energy Star models. These are of the best quality and available everywhere. And these types of appliances will pay themselves off in the long run. Try not to over stuff your freezer and work hard at keeping your fridge closed when you are browsing for food.
7) Computers: Turn down the brightness on your monitor, and remember to turn off your computer when you are not using it. Shut down other equipment, such as scanners, shredders and printers. Set all household computers to ‘sleep mode’ after a few minutes of non use.
Dishwashers: Don’t worry about over cleaning your dishes before putting them in the machine, save water and let the dishwasher do the work. Wait till the dishwasher is full before you turn it on and use the shortest wash cycle whenever possible. Air dry dishes rather than using your dishwashers drying cycle.
9) Laundry: Wash and rinse clothes in cold water whenever possible and investing in a detergent designed for cold water washes. Presoak heavily soiled garments rather than putting them through the heavy load setting. Go easy on detergent. To much detergent only makes the machine work harder and it is hard on your clothes. Don’t overload the dryer. Use your outdoor clothing line whenever you can to air dry clothes, comforters & bedding and towels.
10) Solar Energy: Solar Homes are an excellent way save energy. This technology not only reduces our utility bills but also is environmentally friendly. Using a combination of solar energy together with weatherization and insulation are the best ways to make home energy savings.
11) Cooking: Inefficient cooking habits are an energy stealer. Keep a lid on pots while boiling and simmering. Use a hand-held blender over a food processor and a toaster instead of the electric oven as much as possible. Plan ahead; take food out of the freezer to allow defrosting time. Use the light in your oven to check to see if your food is cooked, try to avoid opening the oven.
12) Air Conditioning: Use a fan placed in a proper spot to work with the window rather than an air conditioning machine. Open both your front and back door to create the perfect breeze. Keep blinds and drapes closed on warm days. Make sure your outdoor air conditioning unit has a clean filter.
13) Cleaning Products: Use vinegar and water instead of harsh disinfectants that give off noxious fumes. Select natural cleaning products with ingredients like baking soda. Avoid using of aerosol sprays and don’t use air fresheners. These products almost always contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and other toxic ingredients.
14) Home Energy Audit: This is a great way to find out what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. There are now some very accurate and intelligent equipment to help evaluate your home.
15) Garage: Make sure that your garage door is properly sealed, many people seal with polystyrene but if you choose to use polyurethane foam it provides twice the insulation, this will reduce heating costs by keeping your garage and adjacent rooms warmer in the winter. Also ensure that the garage door has been properly installed to maximize your energy savings. When choosing the type of garage door your going to install in your home, try to stay away from the traditional wood door, as homeowners tend to need these replaced every 4-5 years. Aluminum and Steel are far better choices, as they would only need replacement 2-3 times a lifetime. Keep in mind also that aluminum is recyclable and some steel door manufactures actually build their doors using 25% recycled steel. There is always the choice of installing solar panels as well.
16) Environmentally Friendly Home Upgrades: There are so many ways to spruce up the home, at the same time you can do your part in keeping our environment healthy. One thing that many people aren’t aware of are the counter tops you can get now, they are made of completely recycled paper and water based resin, another choice is one made of paper and cement, thus the production wouldn’t require any quarrying that damages the land. One of the most common updates in a home is the flooring, a very good choice if you are taking the environment into consideration would be cork flooring, this looks great, reduces noise, helps to keep your home free from allergens, is water resistant, and is surprisingly tough.
17) Recycling For Anybody: Do you think that recycling takes too much effort? Would you like to recycle but aren’t quite sure how? Do you feel that you’re just one person, how much difference can you make? Well we can help you. It may surprise to know that by recycling some items such as cardboard, newspapers, office paper, yard trimmings, beverage containers, tin cans, etc… can save the average city can divert 150,000 tonnes from our landfills every year.
18) Commuting: Obviously we can’t all bike or walk to work; however, there are other small ways we can all do our part. Start by walking or bike riding to the grocery store to pick up those few things that we’re always running out to purchase. Carpooling has become very popular in the last 5-10 years but there are still many people who maybe don’t know who to ask, ask around at work or in your community, you’ll be rewarded by getting home sooner as well if you live in a city with an HOV lane. If you do live quite far from the office, maybe telecommuting is an option for you, more and more companies are becoming very open about this idea as it saves them significant amounts of money.
19) Smart Purchases: If there is an item you’re in the market for, try buying used when possible, there are many online communities that offer buying/selling, and this saves a great amount of items ending up in our landfills. When purchasing a gift for somebody try using your imagination when it comes to wrapping the gift. If it’s a baking set for example, wrap it up in new dish towels.
20) Weekly Shopping: The best thing you can do for yourself and the environment is to buy locally, any eggs, fruits, vegetables, even your flowers, and plants can be purchased from your local farms. This is great in 2 ways, you are getting the freshest foods for you and your family, normally you save money while doing this, and the second is by shopping locally you are saving energy by reducing fossil fuels, which are used to transport goods across the country, not to mention globally.
21) Healthy For The Body And Environment: Some of you may find this shocking but by choosing to prepare one vegetarian meal per week, you will greatly help the environment. Industrial Meat Production requires a lot of energy and creates noxious waste problems. The proliferation of factory farms is very damaging to the environment; also the global nature of the industry creates conditions that promote the spread of diseases such as avian flu, which could potentially cost our society billions. With so many websites and cookbooks available even the most carnivores are bound to find a taste bud pleasing recipe.
22) Plastic Bags: For those who still use plastic bags, let’s keep this in mind. Cloth bags cost maybe $1 per bag, so why buy a bag if I get them for free? Well for one reason we must remember that some stores are charging us for our plastic bags anyways, not to mention there are some stores out there now that offer a discount if you bring your own bag. One cloth bag can replace thousands of plastic bags over its lifetime, just try and figure out how many plastic bags come into your home a week, a month, a year! The number is probably astonishing. We don’t even know for sure how long it takes for a plastic bag to biodegrade because the “respirometry tests” done on newspapers and banana peels, etc…to determine how long it takes for these materials to biodegrade don’t work on plastic, most guesses are between 500 and 1000 years.
23) Composting: Composting is an easy and convenient way to help the environment, while at the same reducing the amount of waste within each household. What composting does is, revives dead soil by providing nutrient content and moisture to soil that normally you would not use for plants. This in turn makes a very healthy plant food for your garden. Another benefit is the fact that it almost eliminates the need for artificial fertilizer, helping the environment and your monthly budget.
Tap Water Is Better For You And The Environment
May 13th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »We all know the importance of drinking water; although I’m pretty sure that a vast majority of us fall short of the recommended 8 glasses a day. It’s good for everything from digestion and weight loss to maintaining your skin’s elasticity, allowing you to hold on to your youthful good looks. Many people believe that bottled or mineral water is better for you than tap water, and if you’re in India or Mexico, that may be true. But the tap water in most industrialized countries is actually safer and better for your health than anything that comes out of a bottle.
In developed countries, water boards are subject to stringent regulations and frequent testing to ensure that their water meets uncompromising and exacting safety standards. In South Africa, Rand Water (which supplies five of the country’s nine provinces) produces water that meets guidelines established by the World Health Organization, and compares favorably with Canada, who are recognized leaders in water quality management.
Most of the water that Rand Water uses comes from an unpolluted source high in the Vaal River catchment area. Because it’s naturally clean and pure, it doesn’t need to be treated. The only thing that they have to do is regulate the mineral content to ensure that it stays in line with international standards.
Bottled water, on the other hand, often contains too many added minerals to be considered safe. But this doesn’t really matter because according to foodandwaterwatch.org, up to 40% of bottled water is tap water anyway, despite what some unscrupulous advertisers state on the label.
Moral ambiguity and mineral content aside, there are other reasons to dodge the bottle and turn on the tap. It takes massive amounts of energy, not to mention toxic chemicals, to produce the plastic bottles used. Despite calls to recycle, only a dedicated few actually do, and the rest clog up landfills and rubbish dumps, which causes major damage to the environment. In many cases bottled water companies use the same underground water sources that small municipalities rely on, disrupting the water supply and in some cases unintentionally contaminating it.
Then there is the expense. Buying bottled water is far more expensive than the water you can get out of your tap. Some people maintain that no matter how clean their tap water is, it tastes funny. They maintain that bottled water tastes better, but in many tests carried out across the world, most people can’t tell the difference between bottled and tap water. If you’re really unhappy about the way your water tastes, you can always filter it. Point-of-use filters can be attached to faucets to reliably remove the bad taste from your mouth.
No matter which way you look at it, drinking tap water makes more sense than buying your water in bottles. What are you waiting for, open a tap today, just make sure that you close it afterwards.
International Council on Nanotechnology reports research needs assessment
May 12th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment, Organic | No Comments »After the digg success of Bioplastics and after reading comments I’ve looked a bit of information about nanotechnology and here’s what I’ve found. Hope that this will make BigManOnCampus happy 
May 1, 2008 — As nanoscale particles have been incorporated into commercially available materials such as paints and coatings, fears have arisen about unintended consequences. Today, the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) unveiled the results of an effort launched last year to share information and combine efforts toward efficient, timely international research.
In 2007 ICON brought together more than 70 experts from 13 countries for two workshops aimed at defining a set of research needs for assessing potential nanotechnology impacts. Participants came from academia, industry, government, and non-governmental agencies. The group worked together to produce a global research strategy for predicting the interactions between engineered nanoparticles and biological systems at the molecular level so that biocompatible nanomaterials can be developed and applied safely.
The effort was funded by ICON and the National Science Foundation, and its results will be discussed today, May 1, when ICON — in partnership with the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies — releases a report called International Assessment of Nanotechnology Environment, Health and Safety Research Needs. The report details findings of the two workshops.
A recorded webcast of the event is available. Speakers included Dr. Kristen M. Kulinowski of ICON; Dr. Sally Tinkle, Science Advisor to the Acting Director, NIEHS/NIH; Dr. Michael Thompson, Business Development Manager-Nanotechnology, FEI Company; Dr. Richard Denison, Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund; and Dr. Andrew Maynard, Chief Science Advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.
The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) is an international, multi-stakeholder organization based at Rice University. Its mission is to develop and communicate information regarding potential environmental and health risks of nanotechnology thereby fostering risk reduction while maximizing societal benefit. The council has evolved into a network of scholars, industrialists, government officials and public interest advocates who share information and perspectives on a broad range of issues at the intersection of nanotechnology and environment, health and safety. ICON maintains a public portal for information on nanomaterial environment, health and safety (EHS).
How Important Is EPA?
May 12th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »Do you know how the EPA, otherwise known as the Environmental Protection Agency, works for you? It affects you on a daily basis but you are probably not aware of the small differences one agency can make.
Your vehicle gives off fewer emissions than twenty years ago. There are more recycling programs available and industries are now accountable for their waste byproducts. Even aerosol cans and household pesticides are governed by this agency.
You can thank the EPA for a variety of environmental laws and the movement to stop global warming in its tracks. Without this very valuable agency, many of today’s world laws regarding pollution would not be respected.
Take for example the Kyoto Protocol, which dictates how much green house gas emissions a country can emit, according to its population and industries. The Environmental Protection Agency is the governing body in the United States that enforces these laws.
Perhaps the greatest contact the American citizen has with the Environmental Protection Agency is the recycling program found in local cities and towns. There are laws governing the illegal dumping of hazardous waste into the environment.
They push for corporations and businesses to join a recycling program to benefit the environment and serve as an example, with regard to the serious nature of pollution and overflowing landfills.
The Environmental Protection Agency covers endangered species, as well as air, water, land and hazardous waste pollution. They help to protect the environment in more ways that you could possibly think one agency is capable of doing but they manage to get it done. Without this agency regulating the industry and helping people get into a recycling program, this country would be in an appalling condition.
There is no denying the importance of the environmental protection laws in all industrialized nations. It is through their diligent efforts that the water, air and soil are protected.
If you need more information on starting a movement to reduce the amount of recyclables in landfills, then you can visit the US website at “Epa” for more information. You will be doing your part to ensure that more people join the revolution in waste management because every little bit counts when it comes to saving our environment.
5 Great Things To Do With Your Old Clothes
May 12th, 2008 -- Posted in Environment | No Comments »We all have clothes that have come to the end of their lifespan, either because they’re worn out or are too small or are simply out of fashion. As new season’s ranges come into the high street shops we often find ourselves making room in our wardrobes for the new arrivals, and throwing away old jumpers and shirts that don’t make the grade anymore. Instead of putting things in the bin, try recycling them in another way. This makes for less waste, can help you with a hobby, and even give you some great gift ideas!
Give them away to a charity shop
Charity shops are a great way to get rid of unwanted clothing and do some good at the same time. If there’s still some wear left in something, for example if it’s one of those items you bought but never wore (or it didn’t fit!) then it’s the perfect candidate for donation. All you have to do is take a bag of your old clothes in and they do the rest. If you don’t give money to charity this is a brilliant alternative as your clothes raise funds too.
Use them as cleaning rags
If your old clothes are beyond use and you’ve worn them to death, the only option might be to use them as rags. Don’t knock it however – you’ll always need cleaning cloths and strips of old clothing do the job just fine. Tear them up and put them in a bag under the sink; you now have a good supply for all those dirty jobs.
Make them into new clothes
Sometimes you like a piece of clothing so much that you just can’t bear to part with it. Maybe it’s a design classic or has a pattern that you’ve never found anywhere else. In this case, try making your old clothes into new. Skirts for example are such a simple shape that making them is easy, and a top can be made into a skirt really easily with some scissors and a sewing machine. Old jeans are perfect for making into shorts, and if you only have a small item you can always make hats, gloves or even a simple scarf!
Make a patchwork quilt
Patchwork quilts are beautiful things and can be used for years to come, so if you have a lot of clothes to get rid of, try cutting them up into shapes and making a quilt. It’s a big project but if you like crafts and hobbies then this is definitely for you! Make sure that the quality of the fabrics you use is durable enough to last – some clothes are made very cheaply and may not be suitable. If you collect fabrics over a period of time however you’ll have a bigger stock to work with and a quilt provides the ultimate in handmade, great-looking, cheap bed linen for years to come.
Make cushion covers
If a quilt seems too much like hard work, you could always try making some smaller and simpler like a cushion cover. Decorative cushions look great on your bed and sofa, and you can make them in as many colours as you have old clothes! They don’t have to be big so you’ll have enough material (an old t-shirt would be big enough) and they only need sewing along the seams. They also make quirky gifts for friends and family, as well as being free!
With these five ideas you’ll never have to throw out old clothes again. Help charity, help the environment, and help yourself to get more out of your purchases!