Author: gogreen

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Nicki Scott released the second edition of Composting For All in 2004; obviously it is a popular publication in the UK and it is certainly affordable. Here’s one brochure that practices what it preaches – the cover is printed with 80% recycled material and the inside pages are printed on 100% recycled paper. I thought the photo of mom, dad and young girl on the front cover happily composting near their generous garden and lush backyard was pretty cute.

Thirty-two pages and seventeen chapters (including introduction and resource sections) are filled with sketches and illustrations of Bob Gale. This short brochure makes composting simple and makes terms like vermiculture and aerobic bacteria less confusing. Learn how to safely start composting without any hassle. Discover old and new composting methods from hot and cold compost, fermentation methods and vermiculture. It even covers compost activators (the ones that increase the decomposition process) and how to reuse an old chest freezer to make a worm container. The brochure closes with a very small reference section where readers can contact eleven associations and publications to continue their journey in reducing waste.

I enjoyed his discussion of the incredible variety of life forms supported by composting and the end product that encourages healthier green spaces, gardens, balcony and roof gardens, and flower boxes in our communities. This results in a wonderful biological support system that helps other creatures that share our world, and healthy plants that purify our air.

The suggestion that I liked the most was to replace peat leaf compost in our gardens. I had no idea that a lot of commercially packaged compost contained peat. Environmentalists will tell you how important it is to avoid the use of peat-based products, and alternatives such as ground coconut husks have been around for a while.

Cities affected by landfill problems are offering compost bins or worm bins to help people deal with organic waste. Unfortunately, training available to citizens is not always readily available. This is what makes such books so valuable to our society.

Nicki Scott is the author of two brochures, one book and a video on composting and other methods that we can all use to reduce waste. He was the chairman of the Community Compost Network in Great Britain.

Author: Nicki Scott
Illustrator: Bob Gale
Publisher: Green Papers (UK)
ISBN: 1-903998-23-9

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Source by Lillian Brummet

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The use of heavy metals in paints has raised concerns due to their toxicity at high exposure levels and because they accumulate in the food chain.

Another harmful material that can be found in paint is lead. Lead is usually added to paint to speed up drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance and resist corrosive moisture. The lead-based paint is still used in industry and the military. For example, lead paint is sometimes used to paint roadways and parking lines. Lead, a poisonous metal, can damage nerve connections (especially in young children) and cause blood and brain disorders. Due to the low reactivity and solubility of lead, lead poisoning usually only occurs when it is dispersed, such as when sanding lead-based paint prior to recoating.

The hexavalent chromium primer is still widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Zinc chromate has been used as a pigment for art paints known as zinc yellow or yellow 36. It is highly toxic and, thankfully, rarely used today.

Antifouling paint (or bottom paint) is used to protect boat hulls from fouling by marine life. The anti-fouling paint protects the surface from corrosion and prevents the vessel from dragging against the accumulation of marine organisms. These paints contain organotin compounds such as tributyltin, which are considered toxic chemicals with negative effects on humans and the environment. Tributyltin compounds are moderately to very persistent organic pollutants that bioconcentrate in the food chain of marine predators. One common example is the leaching of marine paints into the aquatic environment causing irreversible damage to aquatic organisms. Tributylotine has also been linked to obesity in humans because it triggers genes that cause fat cells to grow.

The oil paint label says “oil-based” or “alkyd” or will instruct you to clean your brushes with mineral spirits or turpentine. These types of paints are toxic and can cause enormous damage to the environment (including humans and animals) if not disposed of properly.

Latex or water-based paint, on the other hand, is not considered hazardous waste and can enjoy many reincarnations after its first use. Latex paints are those that are cleaned with soap and water. They are very common in both interior and exterior painting. However, even this type of breading must be properly disposed of or recycled. In particular, it is not recommended to pour latex paint into drains, on the ground, or into streams, streams or rivers. Disposing of paint in this way introduces pollutants into the air, soil and groundwater, which may eventually enter the food chain.

When figuring out how to get rid of a lot of unused paint, always get professional advice. Any reputable hazardous waste disposal company will be able to help you.

Here are some measures you can take to reduce the environmental impact of the paint you use.

1. If possible, choose a paint with a low VOC content

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted by various solids or liquids, many of which have short and long-term adverse health effects. The solvents in traditional paints often contain large amounts of VOC. Low VOC paints can improve indoor air quality and reduce urban smog. The beneficial features of such paints are low odor, clean air and safer technology, as well as excellent durability and washable finish. Types of low VOC paints include latex (water based), recycled latex (water based), acrylic and milk based paint.

You can check the paint can labels for the following information:

To be considered low volatile, the paint should contain <50 g / l VOC.

To be considered VOC free, the paint should contain <5 g / l VOC.

Solids content typically ranges from 25-45%, higher percentages of solids indicate less VOC

2. Avoid over-buying paint

Each year, 10 percent of the paint sold in the UK is thrown away simply because too much is purchased for each project. You can avoid this mistake by using a paint calculator to help you figure out how much paint your project really needs.

3. Reuse your paint

If stored properly, the paint will last for years. To properly store it, you need to:

– Cover the opening of the paint can with foil.

– Replace the lid and make sure it is not leaking.

– Turn the can upside down so that the paint can create its own seal.

– Store the can upside down in a place that is frost-free and out of the reach of children and pets.

4. Recover unused paint

The best way to deal with leftover paint (after avoiding over-buying) is to find someone else who can reuse the leftovers. Try to be imaginative local councils, schools, universities and art academies, everyone can be happy to use some of your old paint on their projects.

Unused paint can also be recycled to obtain low-quality paint. Latex sludge can be recovered and used as a filler in other industrial products. Waste solvents can be recovered and used as fuels in other industries. A clean paint container can be reused or sent to your local landfill.

If a large amount of paint cannot be reused or recycled, it makes sense to call a professional chemical waste disposal company.

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Source by Stewart Gillham

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Good habits are formed in early childhood, and as an environmentally conscious parent you are probably always looking for ways to educate your children about the need to “reduce, reuse and recycle”. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is to schedule lunches and snacks without junk that produce no junk other than, say, an apple core that you can bring home and compost. Food containers are also brought home, washed and reused the next day, ensuring no litter is generated in your school or workplace.

While your first thought may be to use plastic containers that are passed from your mother’s kitchen to yours, think again. Plastic containers can well replace rubbish made from foil and sandwich bags, but stainless steel is a much better and more environmentally friendly alternative with several important advantages over plastic and even glass, especially when it comes to food storage and food safety.

• Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food. Stainless steel is safe, non-toxic and not even reactive to acidic foods (such as tomatoes). Your family’s safety and health may be the number one reason to move to stainless steel food storage.
• Stainless steel is, well, stainless. Your plastic containers will discolor and stain with use. Although steel can scratch, it will always look clean if well cleaned.
• The steel does not break. Perhaps a stainless steel container may dent when dropped on a hard surface, but it will not break or break like glass, or break like plastic.
• Steel is a very hygienic material. Steel is not a friendly environment for storing or promoting bacterial growth. It will also not transmit odors, which is a common complaint with plastic containers.
• Stainless steel food containers can be airtight and airtight. By using locking clips and silicone gaskets similar to those found in plastic or glass containers, some stainless steel containers are also airtight and airtight, perfect for transporting yogurt, salsa or dip.
• Steel is durable and long-lasting. Although steel containers can cost two or three times more than comparable plastic containers, considering how stain resistant, hygienic and indestructible they are, they will easily outlast your plastic containers, proving that the initial investment was worthwhile. And as an added bonus, you know they will be safe for your kids!
• Steel is largely recyclable. Steel is a very sustainable material and the products you buy will most likely contain at least 75% recycled steel scrap. And if for some reason you decide you don’t want the product anymore, you can recycle it endlessly. In contrast, most plastic food storage containers are not accepted in municipal recycling programs.

So start replacing your old plastic containers with stainless steel food storage containers. You will feel better about helping our planet stay healthy if you help keep your family healthy as well.

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Source by Cynthia L.