One of the most motivating sites on going green has to be Tree Hugger. This site contains some of the most interesting current events, environmental solutions, and many other stories. The site also has forums for people to interact and give ideas accordingly.
The site shares information with other blogs, and is an organic interaction that stimulates and constantly educates readers on ideas on going green.
For those who want more knowledge on going green, you may visit http://www.treehugger.com/
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Top 5 recyclable items at Home
While it is true that sending old things off for recycling is very good, recycling items that can be reused as another product at home is even better. Imagine the required carbon emissions for recycling an item through a recycling center rather than being reused at home.
This does not mean that sending products off to recycling centers is bad. Recycling is good as it means lesser landfills and the carbon emission of recycling is a lot lower than creating new products from raw materials.
Here are the 5 recyclable items at home with multiple use.
1. Ice cream buckets - For decades now, plastic ice cream buckets have been a central recycling item in Philippine households. These can be used for storage of food because of its strong lid, or as flower pots. For those who are more creative, these buckets can be designed and used for more purposes.
2. Old egg cartons - Egg cartons are also a very popular item reusable for recycling. With a little creativity, egg cartons can be use for a myriad of things from soundproofing rooms to becoming works and crafts for children.
3. Old softdrink bottles - Old softdrink bottles are still bottles where liquids can be stored in. Once well cleaned, these bottles can be used to be filled up with liquid condiments of water for storage.
4. Biscuit boxes - Biscuit boxes, especially tin boxes, are still a classic and yet novel box for storage. With a little creativity, these boxes can be made as great show pieces as well.
5. Plastic bags - Rather than discarding plastic bags, these bags can still be used a few more times for transporting items around (for delivery and such ) and for keeping small items sorted in storage areas.
Just as important as the above, here are some items to NEVER RECYCLE at home.
1. Fluorescent and CFL tubes - Albeit arts and crafts of whatever the intention, these defective tube lights contain mercury and would cause more harm than good.
2. Wires - unless you are a certified and properly trained electrician, do not run the risk of assumption and use old appliance wires as extension cords and such. While recycling is good, raising the chances of fire is not.
3. Old paint cans - Old paint cans can be used for many things, BUT NOT FOR STORING DRINKING WATER OR FOR BATHING. Paint still remains inside the container, and local brand paints still contain quite a lot of VOC.
4. Batteries - Keeping batteries outside or reusing them for any other purpose would mean a high risk level in terms of lead or mercury poisoning. Batteries have much more different toxic chemicals that many do not realize.
5. Old appliances - Playing around with internal parts of old appliances or electronics without proper knowledge could lead to worse situations. Old appliances still do not follow ROHS and can contain many hazardous chemicals.
This does not mean that sending products off to recycling centers is bad. Recycling is good as it means lesser landfills and the carbon emission of recycling is a lot lower than creating new products from raw materials.
Here are the 5 recyclable items at home with multiple use.
1. Ice cream buckets - For decades now, plastic ice cream buckets have been a central recycling item in Philippine households. These can be used for storage of food because of its strong lid, or as flower pots. For those who are more creative, these buckets can be designed and used for more purposes.
2. Old egg cartons - Egg cartons are also a very popular item reusable for recycling. With a little creativity, egg cartons can be use for a myriad of things from soundproofing rooms to becoming works and crafts for children.
3. Old softdrink bottles - Old softdrink bottles are still bottles where liquids can be stored in. Once well cleaned, these bottles can be used to be filled up with liquid condiments of water for storage.
4. Biscuit boxes - Biscuit boxes, especially tin boxes, are still a classic and yet novel box for storage. With a little creativity, these boxes can be made as great show pieces as well.
5. Plastic bags - Rather than discarding plastic bags, these bags can still be used a few more times for transporting items around (for delivery and such ) and for keeping small items sorted in storage areas.
Just as important as the above, here are some items to NEVER RECYCLE at home.
1. Fluorescent and CFL tubes - Albeit arts and crafts of whatever the intention, these defective tube lights contain mercury and would cause more harm than good.
2. Wires - unless you are a certified and properly trained electrician, do not run the risk of assumption and use old appliance wires as extension cords and such. While recycling is good, raising the chances of fire is not.
3. Old paint cans - Old paint cans can be used for many things, BUT NOT FOR STORING DRINKING WATER OR FOR BATHING. Paint still remains inside the container, and local brand paints still contain quite a lot of VOC.
4. Batteries - Keeping batteries outside or reusing them for any other purpose would mean a high risk level in terms of lead or mercury poisoning. Batteries have much more different toxic chemicals that many do not realize.
5. Old appliances - Playing around with internal parts of old appliances or electronics without proper knowledge could lead to worse situations. Old appliances still do not follow ROHS and can contain many hazardous chemicals.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Want to help the environment? Bring Your Own Bottle
One of the most incorrigible habits we are found to be sinful of is the acquisition of bottled water, and lots of it. The biggest issue is if our regular habit has found that spending less than 20 pesos for a bottle is not an issue, then why bring a reusable bottle?
The biggest reality is the issue that plastics are not bio degradable. Just as important is the fact that plastic bottles being used for bottling water is not necessarily healthy as well, if the bottle has been kept in an area of high heat.
Several solutions are readily available, and should be taken advantage of.
1. Bring your own bottle - Offices have water fountains that have water purifiers, houses can install water purifier, the reality is, it is both economical and environmental to bring a portable yet environmental reusable bottle rather than purchasing disposable bottles.
2. Buy a water purifier - Encourage your office and home to switch to water purifiers rather than purchasing water from outside. This will make things more environmental and economical.
If an office can encourage this habit, then imagine the impact on reduction of non biodegradable materials in the landfill. This also means a lot less carbon emissions as well. We all have to do our part in encouraging and motivating others to go green.
The biggest reality is the issue that plastics are not bio degradable. Just as important is the fact that plastic bottles being used for bottling water is not necessarily healthy as well, if the bottle has been kept in an area of high heat.
Several solutions are readily available, and should be taken advantage of.
1. Bring your own bottle - Offices have water fountains that have water purifiers, houses can install water purifier, the reality is, it is both economical and environmental to bring a portable yet environmental reusable bottle rather than purchasing disposable bottles.
2. Buy a water purifier - Encourage your office and home to switch to water purifiers rather than purchasing water from outside. This will make things more environmental and economical.
If an office can encourage this habit, then imagine the impact on reduction of non biodegradable materials in the landfill. This also means a lot less carbon emissions as well. We all have to do our part in encouraging and motivating others to go green.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Are Waterfree/Waterless Urinals in the Philippines Really Environmental?
One of the most serious topics being discussed is the importance of saving water to help the environment, but the larger and more important concern, of course, is the hygiene and environmental impact of waterless urinals.
Waterless urinals have been in the market for quite some time in USA and other countries, we have seen recent growth and development of this concept in the Philippines, with urinals being replaced to waterless. More importantly, there are several types of waterless urinals in the Philippines and options have to be considered.
Option 1: Oil trap cartridge
- Oil trap cartridge have become very popular in the Philippines as they have entered the market early. The concept is simple, a cartridge has an oil trap that keeps sewage gases from entering the premises, yet letting urine pass through.
Option 2: Bio Enzyme cartridge
- Bio enzyme cartridge utilizes organic enzymes that consumes urine contents from urine, leaving urine to become water. This system does not need urinals to be replaced anymore.
Points to Consider
In our previous articles, we have discussed carbon footprint as one of the most important tools in measuring environmentalism. Option 1 will require that old urinals will be replaced with a new one. A completely new urinal will entail a large amount of carbon to be emitted to the atmosphere. This and the disposal of old urinals will mean a major step backward for any company going green. Retrofitting an existing urinal is a more viable and environmental alternative, not to forget economical as well.
Another important factor is the post disposal of consumable products. The only two viable option is if the product is bio degradable or if the supplier has a recycling program for old cartridges. If there is none, then disposal of old cartridges are a big sin.
Lastly, urinals without water will mean urine will stick on the urine walls. Urinals will need an enzyme coating on the urinal walls to keep the toilet hygienic. Otherwise, urine on urinal walls will harbor bacteria when urea from urine breaks down.
Overall, what is most important is that all environmental concerns on going waterless has to be answered. Before buying a new waterless urinal, consider the above facts first.
Waterless urinals have been in the market for quite some time in USA and other countries, we have seen recent growth and development of this concept in the Philippines, with urinals being replaced to waterless. More importantly, there are several types of waterless urinals in the Philippines and options have to be considered.
Option 1: Oil trap cartridge
- Oil trap cartridge have become very popular in the Philippines as they have entered the market early. The concept is simple, a cartridge has an oil trap that keeps sewage gases from entering the premises, yet letting urine pass through.
Option 2: Bio Enzyme cartridge
- Bio enzyme cartridge utilizes organic enzymes that consumes urine contents from urine, leaving urine to become water. This system does not need urinals to be replaced anymore.
Points to Consider
In our previous articles, we have discussed carbon footprint as one of the most important tools in measuring environmentalism. Option 1 will require that old urinals will be replaced with a new one. A completely new urinal will entail a large amount of carbon to be emitted to the atmosphere. This and the disposal of old urinals will mean a major step backward for any company going green. Retrofitting an existing urinal is a more viable and environmental alternative, not to forget economical as well.
Another important factor is the post disposal of consumable products. The only two viable option is if the product is bio degradable or if the supplier has a recycling program for old cartridges. If there is none, then disposal of old cartridges are a big sin.
Lastly, urinals without water will mean urine will stick on the urine walls. Urinals will need an enzyme coating on the urinal walls to keep the toilet hygienic. Otherwise, urine on urinal walls will harbor bacteria when urea from urine breaks down.
Overall, what is most important is that all environmental concerns on going waterless has to be answered. Before buying a new waterless urinal, consider the above facts first.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Top 10 Points to consider in building a Greener Home
Through bank financing, it is possible to build a greener home where the additional cost, amortized, is a lot less than the monthly savings one can enjoy from a well built green home.
Green homes are not only eco friendly, but are also friendly to its inhabitants and the surroundings. Here are the first 10 points one should consider before constructing a home.
1. Location - It is always a popular belief, and still is, that location matters, and it does. But more importantly, you want to ensure that you have good wind circulation in the area you plan to reside. By assuring oneself of good wind, the need for air conditioners is greatly reduced. This will also play a vital role in how your home designer designs a house that uses more passive cooling over the need for air conditioners.
2. Accessibility - You can have a home with a garage that has 3 cars, but it would be better if wherever you want to go is practically a walk away. This makes things more environmental, it encourages walking, and you save a lot on gas as well.
3. Community - Is the community greatly encouraged by greenery? Is the garbage pick up frequent? Has there been any history of flood? Do not scrooge up and get slightly cheaper property and close one eye. Remember that one builds an eco friendly house on terrain best suited for residential living, and this also means choosing a place not prone to flood.
4. Choice of materials - It is not just the use of alternative energy that is important, but eco friendly materials as well. Choose wood from timber that is certified by FSC. Prioritize recycled materials and do your research. Most importantly, stay away from products that have high VOC content.
5. Get the Right Fixtures the First Time - Choose pipes that might be more expensive now, but will last a lifetime. Ensure good water pressure and install Eco showerheads to match. Use good quality solar water heaters or air source heat pumps. These are some of the many fixtures and appliances that might cost more at the start, but will pay itself off in no time.
6. Design well lit houses - Better lit houses need less lighting during the day, install light redirection systems and special window treatment to keep the heat out, but lets light in. Use CFL or LED for lighting accordingly.
7. Design a lifestyle first before designing a house - A person has to look at ones lifestyle first and verbalize what that lifestyle is. The house should be designed around the lifestyle, ensuring that the house is efficient based on what is needed from it.
8. Well designed houses are low maintenance - Well designed houses should require less frequent maintenance in terms of energy, water, and especially home repairs. Invest in more durable materials and keep that money for repairs in your pocket than others.
9. Light colored houses are always a plus - In a tropical country like the Philippines, houses should be painted with light colors. White is the best in deflecting radiant heat. Even if concrete is a low conductor of heat, it will still conduct heat, helping concrete absorb heat will mean more burden for air conditioning.
10. Get your house certified - To ensure that you are building an Eco friendly home, get it certified by either BERDE, LEED, or BREEAM. BERDE is designed to meet local standards and requirements for green buildings. Do your research and choose what is most suitable.
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