By GreenerDesign Staff, GreenerDesign
Published May 2, 2008
NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The pencil cases in OfficeMax's newest retail offerings may look surprisingly familiar, even nostalgic to some shoppers. The cases are made from discarded containers of Capri Sun, the juice pouch more frequently seen on playgrounds than on end-caps.
The cases are just one of the new products for sale at OfficeMax stores nationwide created by TerraCycle, a company making innovative products from "waste-stream" materials like juice packages, plastic bottles and e-waste. Among the other products that OfficeMax announced it would carry include binders made from 100 percent reused cardboard, trash cans made from recycled e-waste plastic, and non-toxic cleaning products packaged in old soda bottles.
In addition to diverting materials from the waste stream, TerraCycle's products also aim to give back to the community as well as the environment. The Capri Sun pouches used in the pencil cases, for instance, are collected as fundraisers at schools; TerraCycle pays the schools two cents per pouch, and then turns what would otherwise be garbage into a new product.
The new line of products on sale at OfficeMax is TerraCycle's opening foray into the realm of office products. TerraCycle first made waves in 2007 when it was sued by Scott's Miracle-Gro for what that company said were misleading claims for its flagship product, its worm poop fertilizers. The two companies settled the complaint in September.
TerraCycle and OfficeMax plan to work together on introducing more products to shoppers, as well as furthering fundraising and educational efforts around reuse and recycling of waste products.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
What Can Be Done
What can an individual do to reduce harmful emissions and other pollutants.
Making the right choices in everyday life will help save our planet.
Reducing your Ecological Footprint can also have the added benefit of saving money.
Where To Start
Start from within the home, like below method :
1. Room Lighting
Change the standard incandescent tungsten light globes to the efficient (electronic ballast) compact fluorescent light (CFL).
The highest efficient domestic lighting is the electronic ballast tube (Fluorescent Tube). One 15 watt electronic ballast compact fluorescent light has the
same light output as one 60 watt incandescent (tungsten) light globe.
2. Rechargeable Batteries
Normal batteries only last a relatively short time and usually end up in land fill.
Use re-chargeable batteries and dispose of them after their useful life at a collection point that can usually be found by making an enquiry to the local city office.
3. Use Eco Friendly Cleaners
Use environmentally friendly cleaners and that will not put harmful chemicals down the drain and into the air.
Find out what cleaners to avoid and purchase "green" cleaners or make your own.
4. Insulate Your House
Install or increase your house insulation. Not just filling the roof with insulation but install double glazed windows and reduce drafts by sealing doors.
5. Efficient Air Conditioning
Do not use wood burning fires or fuel oil heaters. Change to gas if available or reverse cycle inverter air-conditioners that have a high efficiency star rating.
Maintain your air-conditioner, cleaning filters and checking for leaks. Adjust the thermostat to maintain temperatures higher in summer and lower in winter.
6. Waste and Recycling
Donate unwanted furniture, clothes and appliances to charity so it lasts longer before being sent to landfill. Purchase second hand for those items not regularly used, or hire equipment instead of purchasing items that are only occasionally used.
If household waste is put through single bin recycling then ensure you are placing waste correctly. Food scraps wrapped in paper, tins and bottles washed and loose, papers bundled. Check with your local government waste collection service on correct placement of waste.
If household waste is put in dual bins, recycle and non-recycle, then ensure you are putting waste in the correct bin.
If your household waste is not put through recycling plants then accumulate cans, bottles and paper/cardboard and locate a waste recycle location in your area for proper disposal.
7. Lower Water Use
Install a dual flush toilet. If you have one already, then adjust the cistern float to a lower level to use less water.
Check for water leaks. Turn off all water then read the water meter. Read the meter one hour later.
Install water saving shower heads and time showers to 3 minutes.
Do not flush the toilet for small items such as tissues.
Re-use the wash cycle water from automatic clothes washers, this will reduce detergent use by half.
Wash small quantities of dishes by hand, or wait until the dish-washer is full before using.
8. Pharmaceuticals
Dispose of un-used medication by returning to the pharmacy. Pouring drugs down the drain or disposing in a garbage bin will release chemicals into land fill, water ways and eventually the ocean. These may alter the biology of animals in nature much the same way livestock are fed antibiotics.
There is increasing evidence of pharmaceuticals being detected in drinking water.
9. Donate Discarded Mobile Phones
There are some charities that take working discarded mobile phones for use in third world countries. Do not keep updating to the latest and greatest gadgets, they usually end up in land fill.
10. Standby Power Usage
Turn off all lights and your refrigerator, air-conditioning, washers, electric water heater etc. Then read the electrical meter, and again 1 hour later. Then turn your refrigerator back on! The power usage is all your non-essential stand-by power appliances such as televisions, stereos and computers. Now multiply that by 24 (hours in a day) and then by 365 (days in a year).
11.00No Junk Mail Please
Reduce paper usage by refusing junk mail in your mail box. This lowers the demand for printed paper advertising material.
12. Using Solar
Install a solar water heater on the roof if that is practical for your type of climate.
Retro-fit your existing gas or electric storage water heater with a solar conversion kit. This consists of solar panels, valves, brackets, pump and pump controller. The controller monitors the difference between the panel water temperature and the gas storage water temperature. When the solar panel water is hot, the pump circulates it into the tank. Solar powered low voltage pumps and controllers can also be used instead of mains power.
Have a solar power generating system installed in your home. Any excess energy produced can be fed back into the power grid and you get credit for that power.
from Lonely Blue Planet
Making the right choices in everyday life will help save our planet.
Reducing your Ecological Footprint can also have the added benefit of saving money.
Where To Start
Start from within the home, like below method :
1. Room Lighting
Change the standard incandescent tungsten light globes to the efficient (electronic ballast) compact fluorescent light (CFL).
The highest efficient domestic lighting is the electronic ballast tube (Fluorescent Tube). One 15 watt electronic ballast compact fluorescent light has the
same light output as one 60 watt incandescent (tungsten) light globe.
2. Rechargeable Batteries
Normal batteries only last a relatively short time and usually end up in land fill.
Use re-chargeable batteries and dispose of them after their useful life at a collection point that can usually be found by making an enquiry to the local city office.
3. Use Eco Friendly Cleaners
Use environmentally friendly cleaners and that will not put harmful chemicals down the drain and into the air.
Find out what cleaners to avoid and purchase "green" cleaners or make your own.
4. Insulate Your House
Install or increase your house insulation. Not just filling the roof with insulation but install double glazed windows and reduce drafts by sealing doors.
5. Efficient Air Conditioning
Do not use wood burning fires or fuel oil heaters. Change to gas if available or reverse cycle inverter air-conditioners that have a high efficiency star rating.
Maintain your air-conditioner, cleaning filters and checking for leaks. Adjust the thermostat to maintain temperatures higher in summer and lower in winter.
6. Waste and Recycling
Donate unwanted furniture, clothes and appliances to charity so it lasts longer before being sent to landfill. Purchase second hand for those items not regularly used, or hire equipment instead of purchasing items that are only occasionally used.
If household waste is put through single bin recycling then ensure you are placing waste correctly. Food scraps wrapped in paper, tins and bottles washed and loose, papers bundled. Check with your local government waste collection service on correct placement of waste.
If household waste is put in dual bins, recycle and non-recycle, then ensure you are putting waste in the correct bin.
If your household waste is not put through recycling plants then accumulate cans, bottles and paper/cardboard and locate a waste recycle location in your area for proper disposal.
7. Lower Water Use
Install a dual flush toilet. If you have one already, then adjust the cistern float to a lower level to use less water.
Check for water leaks. Turn off all water then read the water meter. Read the meter one hour later.
Install water saving shower heads and time showers to 3 minutes.
Do not flush the toilet for small items such as tissues.
Re-use the wash cycle water from automatic clothes washers, this will reduce detergent use by half.
Wash small quantities of dishes by hand, or wait until the dish-washer is full before using.
8. Pharmaceuticals
Dispose of un-used medication by returning to the pharmacy. Pouring drugs down the drain or disposing in a garbage bin will release chemicals into land fill, water ways and eventually the ocean. These may alter the biology of animals in nature much the same way livestock are fed antibiotics.
There is increasing evidence of pharmaceuticals being detected in drinking water.
9. Donate Discarded Mobile Phones
There are some charities that take working discarded mobile phones for use in third world countries. Do not keep updating to the latest and greatest gadgets, they usually end up in land fill.
10. Standby Power Usage
Turn off all lights and your refrigerator, air-conditioning, washers, electric water heater etc. Then read the electrical meter, and again 1 hour later. Then turn your refrigerator back on! The power usage is all your non-essential stand-by power appliances such as televisions, stereos and computers. Now multiply that by 24 (hours in a day) and then by 365 (days in a year).
11.00No Junk Mail Please
Reduce paper usage by refusing junk mail in your mail box. This lowers the demand for printed paper advertising material.
12. Using Solar
Install a solar water heater on the roof if that is practical for your type of climate.
Retro-fit your existing gas or electric storage water heater with a solar conversion kit. This consists of solar panels, valves, brackets, pump and pump controller. The controller monitors the difference between the panel water temperature and the gas storage water temperature. When the solar panel water is hot, the pump circulates it into the tank. Solar powered low voltage pumps and controllers can also be used instead of mains power.
Have a solar power generating system installed in your home. Any excess energy produced can be fed back into the power grid and you get credit for that power.
from Lonely Blue Planet
Friday, April 25, 2008
Rainforest Facts
Tropical rainforests - where and what are they?
Tropical rainforests are found across the world between the Tropic of Cancer, at approximately 23 degrees north, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23 degrees south of the Equator. They are found in Asia, Africa, Northern Australia, South America and many tropical islands. The areas where rainforests occur experience a constant climate with high temperatures averaging 25°C all year round, an average annual rainfall of at least 2 metres, and up to 100% humidity. Some rainforests get as much as 10 metres of rain per year! Tropical rainforests cover 2% of the world’s land surface - an area of 2000 million hectares - and yet contain over half of the earth’s species of animals and plants. The largest rainforest, called the Amazon, is found in South America and spans eight countries, covering a total area of 2 million square miles.
The forest canopy
The rainforest canopy is divided into four main layers: the emergent layer consists of the tallest trees (emergent trees) which can grow to heights of 70m. These trees act as a buffer, sheltering the lower trees from heavy rains. Beneath this layer is the main canopy of smaller trees which are intertwined with climbing vines and hold flowering plants, called epiphytes, on their branches. Below this is the understorey containing young saplings and shrubs. The final layer, the dark forest floor contains only a few plants as only 2% of the sunlight reaches this layer of the forest, making it difficult for plants to grow.
From Rainforest Concern
Tropical rainforests are found across the world between the Tropic of Cancer, at approximately 23 degrees north, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23 degrees south of the Equator. They are found in Asia, Africa, Northern Australia, South America and many tropical islands. The areas where rainforests occur experience a constant climate with high temperatures averaging 25°C all year round, an average annual rainfall of at least 2 metres, and up to 100% humidity. Some rainforests get as much as 10 metres of rain per year! Tropical rainforests cover 2% of the world’s land surface - an area of 2000 million hectares - and yet contain over half of the earth’s species of animals and plants. The largest rainforest, called the Amazon, is found in South America and spans eight countries, covering a total area of 2 million square miles.
The forest canopy
The rainforest canopy is divided into four main layers: the emergent layer consists of the tallest trees (emergent trees) which can grow to heights of 70m. These trees act as a buffer, sheltering the lower trees from heavy rains. Beneath this layer is the main canopy of smaller trees which are intertwined with climbing vines and hold flowering plants, called epiphytes, on their branches. Below this is the understorey containing young saplings and shrubs. The final layer, the dark forest floor contains only a few plants as only 2% of the sunlight reaches this layer of the forest, making it difficult for plants to grow.
From Rainforest Concern
Green Cars on Display in Geneva
GENEVA, -- Green cars were on display at the Geneva Auto Show last week, fueled by rising oil prices and environmental concerns.
Car makers presented an array of cars that run on a variety of sources, from electricity to diesel. The Saab 9-X BioHybrid, for instance, won recognition for Best Concept for its 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM's next generation hybrid system. Daimler showed a Mercedes SUV, the BlueTEC Hybrid. Nissan said it would launch an electric car in the U.S. in 2010, and release it worldwide in 2012.
General Motors confirmed its $4 million investment in Think Global, a Norwegian electric car maker, which debuted its Think Ox at the show, a five-seat car with a range of 125 miles per charge.
Daimler said it has a hydrogen model that can reproduced affordably in large quantities, but the lack of infrastructure presents a barrier. For others, biofuels, such as ethanol, are the name of the game. For instance, Lotus displayed a version of its Exige 270E Tri-fuel that runs on gasoline, ethanol and methanol.
Toyota, maker of the wildly successful Prius, also debuted its iQ model, which it bills as the world's smallest four-seater.
By GreenBiz Staff
Published March 10, 2008
Car makers presented an array of cars that run on a variety of sources, from electricity to diesel. The Saab 9-X BioHybrid, for instance, won recognition for Best Concept for its 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM's next generation hybrid system. Daimler showed a Mercedes SUV, the BlueTEC Hybrid. Nissan said it would launch an electric car in the U.S. in 2010, and release it worldwide in 2012.
General Motors confirmed its $4 million investment in Think Global, a Norwegian electric car maker, which debuted its Think Ox at the show, a five-seat car with a range of 125 miles per charge.
Daimler said it has a hydrogen model that can reproduced affordably in large quantities, but the lack of infrastructure presents a barrier. For others, biofuels, such as ethanol, are the name of the game. For instance, Lotus displayed a version of its Exige 270E Tri-fuel that runs on gasoline, ethanol and methanol.
Toyota, maker of the wildly successful Prius, also debuted its iQ model, which it bills as the world's smallest four-seater.
By GreenBiz Staff
Published March 10, 2008
Ocean sunfish
The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, or common mola is the heaviest known bony fish in the world, with an average weight of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb). The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head without a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long when their dorsal and anal fins are extended.
Sunfish live on a diet that consists mainly of jellyfish. As this diet is nutritionally poor, they consume large amounts in order to develop and maintain their great bulk. Females of the species can produce more eggs than any other known vertebrate. Sunfish fry resemble miniature pufferfish, with large pectoral fins, a tail fin and body spines uncharacteristic of adult sunfish.
Adult sunfish are vulnerable to few natural predators, but sea lions, orcas and sharks will consume them. Among humans, sunfish are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, including Japan and Taiwan, but sale of their flesh is banned in the European Union.[1][not in citation given] Sunfish are frequently, though accidentally, caught in gillnets, and are also vulnerable to harm or death from encounters with floating trash, such as plastic bags.
A member of the order Tetraodontiformes which includes pufferfish, porcupinefish and filefish, the sunfish shares many traits common to members of this order. It was originally classified as Tetraodon mola under the pufferfish genus, but it has since been given its own genus, Mola, with two species under it. The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, is the type species of the genus.
5 Anti Global Warming Tips You Can Do
Al Gore is doing the right thing: global warming is a glaring problem these days. It’s getting hotter year after year! The weather patterns are changing, ocean levels are rising, everything is spewing out destructive gases, and it’s already a disaster! We may soon find New York and a lot of places close to water several meters under that water. The government spends millions doing what they can, but we ordinary people can contribute in a small way. How? Do the following! Unless you and your family want to shop in the Big Apple wearing scuba gear, that is.
1. Car? What car? Try to avoid using it! Use buses or trams. Bicycles will do. You can always hike if it’s close by. Sometimes it’s dangerous not to be in a car, but at least you’ll be spending less and helping the environment at the same time! I ride my bicycle to places I need to go. It’s good exercise, keeps me slim, and is free of carbon monoxide! If you really have to, use cars and light vehicles instead of fuel-guzzling SUVs. You can also promote a carpool for your co-workers, to save gas and build camaraderie.
2. Save paper! Trees help absorb greenhouse gases. Millions of acres are lost every year. What can we do? Use both sides of the paper, of course. Use the back when possible, not take out a new sheet! Use reusable cloth bags or plastic bags when shopping, not paper bags which are easily thrown away. Saving a few pieces of paper isn’t much, but if more people do it, we can save a lot!
3. Turn off the lights! Many power plants still use coal and oil, which spew out harmful gases. Observe Earth Day. Use florescent and low-energy bulbs and turn them off when you don’t need them! Use that blow-dryer only when you need to! Try to buy energy-efficient appliances, which are usually labeled. Insulate your rooms so you use your heater less. If you go out for a while, like if you won a free trip or something, power down your house completely. Not only will you lower your bill, but you’ll help the environment out, too!
4. Vote wisely. If the guy running for the Senate emphasizes on environment-friendly measures, and he means well, vote for him! If he wins, he’ll help the environment. Try to avoid voting candidates who don’t have even a shred of concern about nature. Vote for those who care about the planet. Don’t just think about the planet though. If he’s only caring about the planet and nothing else, he probably doesn’t care about the planet anyway.
5. Spread the word! Tell everyone all the things above. Tell your friends, family, relatives, coworkers, and more. Post it on forums, message boards, and blogs. If even ten out of a hundred listen to you, and one of that ten actually does something, it makes a difference!
See? Saving the environment is easy, keeps you fit, and saves you money! It’s worth it. What environment-friendly tips can you share? Speak up!
1. Car? What car? Try to avoid using it! Use buses or trams. Bicycles will do. You can always hike if it’s close by. Sometimes it’s dangerous not to be in a car, but at least you’ll be spending less and helping the environment at the same time! I ride my bicycle to places I need to go. It’s good exercise, keeps me slim, and is free of carbon monoxide! If you really have to, use cars and light vehicles instead of fuel-guzzling SUVs. You can also promote a carpool for your co-workers, to save gas and build camaraderie.
2. Save paper! Trees help absorb greenhouse gases. Millions of acres are lost every year. What can we do? Use both sides of the paper, of course. Use the back when possible, not take out a new sheet! Use reusable cloth bags or plastic bags when shopping, not paper bags which are easily thrown away. Saving a few pieces of paper isn’t much, but if more people do it, we can save a lot!
3. Turn off the lights! Many power plants still use coal and oil, which spew out harmful gases. Observe Earth Day. Use florescent and low-energy bulbs and turn them off when you don’t need them! Use that blow-dryer only when you need to! Try to buy energy-efficient appliances, which are usually labeled. Insulate your rooms so you use your heater less. If you go out for a while, like if you won a free trip or something, power down your house completely. Not only will you lower your bill, but you’ll help the environment out, too!
4. Vote wisely. If the guy running for the Senate emphasizes on environment-friendly measures, and he means well, vote for him! If he wins, he’ll help the environment. Try to avoid voting candidates who don’t have even a shred of concern about nature. Vote for those who care about the planet. Don’t just think about the planet though. If he’s only caring about the planet and nothing else, he probably doesn’t care about the planet anyway.
5. Spread the word! Tell everyone all the things above. Tell your friends, family, relatives, coworkers, and more. Post it on forums, message boards, and blogs. If even ten out of a hundred listen to you, and one of that ten actually does something, it makes a difference!
See? Saving the environment is easy, keeps you fit, and saves you money! It’s worth it. What environment-friendly tips can you share? Speak up!
Related climatic issues
Main articles: Ocean acidification, global dimming, and ozone depletion
A variety of issues are often raised in relation to global warming. One is ocean acidification. Increased atmospheric CO2 increases the amount of CO2 dissolved in the oceans. CO2 dissolved in the ocean reacts with water to form carbonic acid, resulting in acidification. Ocean surface pH is estimated to have decreased from 8.25 near the beginning of the industrial era to 8.14 by 2004, and is projected to decrease by a further 0.14 to 0.5 units by 2100 as the ocean absorbs more CO2. Since organisms and ecosystems are adapted to a narrow range of pH, this raises extinction concerns, directly driven by increased atmospheric CO2, that could disrupt food webs and impact human societies that depend on marine ecosystem services.
Global dimming, the gradual reduction in the amount of global direct irradiance at the Earth's surface, may have partially mitigated global warming in the late twentieth century. From 1960 to 1990 human-caused aerosols likely precipitated this effect. Scientists have stated with 66–90% confidence that the effects of human-caused aerosols, along with volcanic activity, have offset some of the global warming, and that greenhouse gases would have resulted in more warming than observed if not for these dimming agents.
Ozone depletion, the steady decline in the total amount of ozone in Earth's stratosphere, is frequently cited in relation to global warming. Although there are areas of linkage, the relationship between the two is not strong.
From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
A variety of issues are often raised in relation to global warming. One is ocean acidification. Increased atmospheric CO2 increases the amount of CO2 dissolved in the oceans. CO2 dissolved in the ocean reacts with water to form carbonic acid, resulting in acidification. Ocean surface pH is estimated to have decreased from 8.25 near the beginning of the industrial era to 8.14 by 2004, and is projected to decrease by a further 0.14 to 0.5 units by 2100 as the ocean absorbs more CO2. Since organisms and ecosystems are adapted to a narrow range of pH, this raises extinction concerns, directly driven by increased atmospheric CO2, that could disrupt food webs and impact human societies that depend on marine ecosystem services.
Global dimming, the gradual reduction in the amount of global direct irradiance at the Earth's surface, may have partially mitigated global warming in the late twentieth century. From 1960 to 1990 human-caused aerosols likely precipitated this effect. Scientists have stated with 66–90% confidence that the effects of human-caused aerosols, along with volcanic activity, have offset some of the global warming, and that greenhouse gases would have resulted in more warming than observed if not for these dimming agents.
Ozone depletion, the steady decline in the total amount of ozone in Earth's stratosphere, is frequently cited in relation to global warming. Although there are areas of linkage, the relationship between the two is not strong.
From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
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