LEDs are the best choice for economical and environmentally friendly lighting

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LED lighting, which stands for Light Emitting Diode, has become the best choice for homes, businesses, organizations, and governments looking to be eco-friendly as well as saving some serious cash.

These lamps have gained recognition for their excellent performance, extraordinary visual qualities, durability and longer-lasting light. LEDs have long been used in things like flashlights, circuit boards and other electronics, but it’s only in recent years that they have become much more widespread and used in almost every aspect of life and business, replacing other types of lights in so many areas.

Many airports now choose LED lights to illuminate their runways and terminals. Due to the brighter light in a smaller housing, there are huge advantages to using these handy lights at airports around the world.

For example, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has replaced old metal halide lighting systems with LED lighting. This swap led to a significant reduction in energy consumption which in turn saves a lot of money on their budget, especially in the long run. Some estimates put energy savings of around 75% for these replacements. Not only do they save money, they also last much longer, requiring less maintenance and replacement. Another advantage is that the lights are brighter and more programmable.

Hotels in Las Vegas, known for their extravagant light displays, have also shifted to LED lighting. In fact, one famous hotel and casino recently replaced the old metal halide displays with LED displays and their energy costs have been drastically reduced by more than 80%. This results in unbelievable cost savings for the hotel in the long run, aiding in profitability and allowing a return to investment in other aspects of the hotel.

Another example is a chain of shoe stores in the Northeast United States. This store replaced the old fluorescent lighting systems in all of its stores and replaced them with LED lighting systems. This helped save a lot of money for the stores as it drastically reduced the need for replacement. It also allowed the store staff to more easily adjust the lighting from warmer to cooler ones as per the needs of display and ceiling lighting.

Since LEDs can last up to 15 years, replacing old lamps with LEDs has a huge advantage. In some cases, LED start-up costs may be a bit more expensive than other types of lights, but with their lifetime, these small start-up costs can be easily made up and greatly exceeded.

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Source by Lydia Quinn

3 reasons why you should invest in green real estate

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Are you rewarding yourself with a new home? Why not go green and ecological? It has many advantages, 3 of which are discussed below.

Ecological houses use natural materials during construction

There are many choices for sustainable building materials. These include recycled, half raw and half recycled wood, as well as those made from earth, straw and clay. According to experts, materials made of them contribute to the greenhouse effect to a lesser extent. They trap fewer harmful gases while allowing natural light and air to enter and exit your home.

In general, it is known that eco-friendly houses have a better indoor environment quality. Better lighting conditions, better air quality and natural thermal conditions are some of the natural benefits that can be obtained by buying eco-houses.

Ecological houses are also health-friendly

Natural materials used in eco-houses are also health-friendly. This is very beneficial for people with medical conditions such as asthma and other breathing problems. Several studies have been conducted linking the use of ecological materials in the construction of houses. Significant changes in health have been shown by people who are known patients with asthma.

Further research has shown that their more natural materials facilitate the flow of cleaner air inside homes. It is also less likely to contain plastic by-products that release toxic substances. These substances are generally related to carcinogens or substances that contribute to the development of cancer cells.

Today, developers are more aware of the health implications of the materials they use to build real estate. Home buyers just need relevant information to educate them or at least warn them that green homes are by far one of the best choices when considering health conditions.

Environmentally friendly houses are energy-efficient

The current trend in real estate construction emphasizes energy efficiency. It is known that the earth’s natural resources, on which man depends on water and energy, are quickly depleted. To contribute to conservation measures, eco-friendly houses are designed not to be largely dependent on non-renewable energy sources.

Nowadays, you can often find houses for sale designed with the use of solar panels. Thanks to them, energy consumption is likely to be reduced to around one-third compared to dependence on coal or other non-renewable sources of electricity.

Don’t just think about yourself, think about Mother Earth too! Living in an environmentally friendly home can be one of your unconscious contributions to the protection and conservation of nature.

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Source by Desare A Kohn-Laski

Ecological roofing materials

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If you are someone who enjoys contributing to environmental wellbeing and sustainability, making green roofing decisions is a great way to continue this positively charged pastime. Fortunately, there are several options for eco-friendly roofing systems. Your choice will depend on personal preferences, budget, and several other factors.

By talking to a professional roofing contractor, you can learn about all the green roofing options that best suit your home’s unique needs. You can also browse through many options in advance to prepare for your final decision.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most popular and famous green roofing materials, plus some tips for improving your energy efficiency and more.

Environmentally friendly roofs:

The most popular ecological roofing systems are some of the most popular on the commercial and residential market. Below is a list of these systems along with the features that make them safe for the environment and surrounding ecosystems. This list includes bitumen, metal, clay, concrete, slate, wood shavings, fiber cement and recycled roofing shingles.

Asphalt shingles – This is one of the most cost effective and common residential roof options. They are considered the least attractive and do not last as long as other roofing materials, but are made of natural materials, which makes them perfectly ecological.

Metal – The metal is 100% recyclable and can be recycled many times. Metal recycling reduces the need for further extraction, reducing the natural depletion of the ore deposits. The old metal roof is still useful and valuable, and can be changed endlessly. Steel and lightweight aluminum are the most commonly used metals for metal roofs.

Slate – Slate is a natural and very durable element of the earth. It takes a long time but comes at a high price. This is one of the more attractive roofing options. The slate is also 100% decomposable and recyclable.

Clay – Ceramic tile roofs are called “terracotta” in the industry. They are made of natural raw materials, mainly clay and water, which are 100% natural. However, you have to be careful when choosing a coating as some are somewhat toxic if they run off into natural water sources.

Concrete – Concrete tiles are similar to clay tiles in terms of environmental friendliness and natural composition. Concrete is made of natural aggregates such as cement, stone, gravel and sand.

Wood cocktails – Wood is a natural element derived from trees, which makes it 100% ecological and safe for the environment. Cedar is the most used material for wooden roof systems, but other types of lumber are also often used. Just make sure you choose FSC-certified wood.

Fiber cement – Fiber cement board is an excellent green roofing option as it is mainly composed of cement and cellulose fibers which are biodegradable.

Recycled roofing – Using recycled products is a wonderful environmentally friendly practice, and roofing systems are no different. Plastic and rubber roofing materials are recyclable and can be produced to resemble higher-end materials such as wood vibration and tiles.

Additional Tips:

  • Choose materials with a high content of recycled materials.
  • Avoid copper and zinc coatings.
  • Avoid materials that require the use of chemicals for maintenance.
  • Choose a light colored roofing in hot climates to increase the reflectivity of the sun.

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Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski

Ipath shoes – the best eco skateboarding shoe

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Ipath shoes are eco-friendly skateboard shoes. The brand has a high level of environmental awareness. This is proven not only in their news program, which is geared towards the ecosystem, but also in the shoes themselves. The use of products such as hemp and natural cotton in Ipath shoes proves that the brand is committed to caring for the ecosystem. The brand name really stands out from other skateboard shoe brands thanks to this environmental awareness that is directly applied to shoes and sneakers.

The Ipath brand was created by Brian Kraus and professional skateboarder Matt Field. It is a skateboarding footwear and apparel company based in Torrance, California. Ipath shoes and sneakers come from the streets of San Francisco, but also from the back alleys of New York, where skateboarding dominates. The idea behind this shoe is to understand what awareness really is all about. For the company, this awareness means being yourself and following your own path. This can be summed up by the brand’s slogan: Follow your path.

It is actually going on a very clear route. Searching for themselves and going their own way, they have developed a down-to-earth collection of skateboard shoes and sneakers as opposed to the emerging skate shoe innovation that is currently hitting the market. Ipath shoes and sneakers are considered by many to be eco-friendly skateboard shoes. Never before have there been skateboarding shoes like Ipath shoes and sneakers on the market. As the skateboarding sector races to use the most innovative materials, Ipath shoes and sneakers use hemp, organic cotton and leather as an alternative.

However, the quality level of Ipath footwear cannot be undermined just because they are eco-friendly skateboard shoes and sneakers. These skate shoes use the highest quality hemp available on the market. They use the highest quality rubber for better grip. They also use EVA insoles for greater comfort and of course protection. The shoes are manufactured using a strobe construction that creates a sock-like effect for greater comfort and allows for better performance. Their shoes and sneakers really make excellent eco-friendly skateboarding shoes.

The Ipath men’s shoe range consists of the brands Alfaro, Brentford, Burnquest, Cats, Classics, Darius, Grasshopper, Gall, Derelict, Mantis, Lyndhurst, Langston, Sheerling, Reed, Passmore and Stash. Their designs make this earthly sense as the shoes are mostly made of the highest quality hemp and natural cotton. While some are made of leather, the manufacturer ensures that they only use leather from a silver-certified tannery. Ipath shoes and sneakers, like other brands of skateboard footwear, have a skateboarding crew that includes Fred Gall and Bob Burnquist.

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Source by Brock O’Connor

Eco-friendly kitchen appliances – make your kitchen more earth-friendly

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DOE and EPA use the Energy Star program to promote the sale of eco-friendly kitchen appliances. Most of us have seen yellow stickers with the energy star logo, but do you know what these stickers mean? To qualify as Energy Star, a device must use 10% to 66% less energy and / or water than other models. However, this cannot degrade the quality of the device or discard the added features. This is one of the best ways to find out about the greenest appliances that consume the least energy. Here are a few more tips for what to look for in your devices:

Ovens and ovens

Induction – A cast iron or stainless steel pot is placed above the induction coil of the stove. This stimulates the molecules in the dish and generates heat. Note: The process does not work with glass pots and aluminum reduces efficiency. Induction cooking is not only more energy efficient, but also faster. The induction cooker heats the pot only directly above it. It does not heat the air or the surfaces around it. Induction cooking has an efficiency rate of 84%. Typical gas stoves are around 40%. This is one of my favorite ecological kitchen appliances.

Hybrid Solar Ovens- Solar ovens reach a temperature of around 400 degrees. Complete solar furnaces do not require any electricity. They rely solely on solar solar energy. The hybrid version works on the same principle, but has a back-up electricity supply when there is no possibility of using solar energy.

Fridge and freezer

Side by side refrigerators consume around 10% more energy than the top and bottom options. Avoid ice makers as they use electricity to make ice. Also, avoid automatic defrosters and heaters. The refrigerator accounts for approximately 15% of the total electricity bill. So, if you can’t buy all of your eco-friendly kitchen appliances at once, buy the former. Read the yellow and black “energy guide label”. It will tell you how much energy each brand and model consumes.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers use about a sixth of the water and soap and about half the energy of washing by hand. Look for a dishwasher with a booster heater and electric dryer on / off function. You may think that a smaller motor will reduce energy consumption, but using a larger motor will prevent your dishwasher from running a second cycle. Smaller motors do not have the power to spray for cleaning heavily soiled dishes. Also look for water-saving models. Some of them use half the water of a regular dishwasher and have automatic sensors that determine the degree of soiling of the dishes.

Remember – the price of eco-friendly kitchen appliances may be higher, but it will not take long to pay for the extra cost of the appliance. In 2006, Energy Star appliances saved consumers fourteen billion dollars in utility bills. Energy guide labels are required on all devices. So use the information and compare several brands and models. Also inquire about federal tax credits for retrofitting Energy Star appliances.

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Source by Wendy Pan

Eco-friendly swimwear

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Does it make my butt look big? Do vertical or horizontal stripes make you slimmer? Am I falling off this peak? Common questions when you come face to face with a scary three-sided mirror in a two-piece suit, but do you ever stop to ask if your jumpsuit is biodegradable. Maybe not, but if designer Linda Loudermilk gets her way, you’ll definitely get started.

At Miami Beach Swim Week, Loudermilk unveiled the world’s first fully compostable swimsuit developed from plant starch that has been converted into fabric. While it might be a bit annoying for some girls before diving into the water in a costume that is about to dissolve, Loudermilk assured viewers that the suit would not start to decompose until it was buried in the mud, at which point it would break within 180 days.

Loudermilk joins the movement of eco-couture designers who consciously choose to use sustainable materials such as wood pulp, hemp, bamboo and recycled plastic bottles, or recycled materials such as military parachutes, instead of conventional synthetic fabrics. Producing swimwear makes sense – if you spend your time appreciating Mother Earth in all her oceanic splendor, you might as well take a moment to see if you are also destroying her with the clothes you wear.

Think nice bamboo wrap with an organic women’s tunic, or if you’re trying to exercise energy conservation while perfecting your tan, wear a solar powered bikini. That’s right I said a solar powered bikini! The suit is covered with photovoltaic tapes that capture solar energy, so after a little time outdoors, you can safely charge your phone or iPod. (Make sure you disconnect them before submerging!)

The eco-couture movement, however, faces challenges for swimwear, with some designers struggling to produce swimwear from environmentally friendly materials. You see, most girls like their suits to be able to hold shape or form a shape, and that’s not the easiest thing to do with chemical-free materials. Aqua Green, the company that manufactures the Eco Swim line, provides a reinforcing “eco-cell” foam bra cup made of biodegradable vegetable oil that won’t leave thousands of polyester bra cups in landfills to puzzles future generations during archaeological excavations. The suits themselves are made of nylon and recycled cotton.

And while a biodegradable suit can only make a small contribution to the garment waste cycle, it is a big step towards sparking new suggestions in designers that, in their innovation activities, perhaps their material selection can be as bold as their styles. Perhaps the new fashion frontier is about being bold enough to move away from classic synthetics and opt for alternative materials like bamboo.

And perhaps one day women around the world will boast that their outfit not only reduces the waistline but also reduces the carbon footprint!

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Source by Douglas Michaels Jr.

5 benefits of buying green products

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Are you ready for a change? If you’ve been considering trying environmentally friendly products, you should understand that more than the help you can provide to the environment, you actually reap many benefits for yourself as well. This is one of the many misconceptions people have about eco-friendly products. Many believe that these products are only intended for people who care about the environment. What they do not realize is that they are helping, not the earth, but themselves.

Here are 5 benefits of choosing environmentally friendly products:

  1. It saves money

It’s true that choosing eco-friendly products can mean a costly initial purchase. It is also true that environmentally friendly products are more expensive than their regular counterparts. But in the long run, the benefits will really justify the costs. Environmentally friendly products are cheaper in the long run because they are durable, so you can save money buying back the product.

  1. Live a healthier life

Undoubtedly, eco-friendly products provide benefits for your well-being. All these products are natural, therefore they do not contain toxic chemicals and ingredients that could be harmful to humans. For example, plastic contains chemicals such as lead and BPA that can harm the body, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stunted growth. Both adults and children are at risk. Now, choosing natural products means you are reducing your risk because you are choosing something that does not contain any harmful additives.

  1. You help the environment

Of course, one of the many obvious reasons for choosing an environmentally friendly product is to help the environment. The earth today suffers from all kinds of problems such as air, water and soil pollution. There is a threat to the ozone layer, deforestation etc. If you want to contribute to the preservation of the earth for future generations, you can start with environmentally friendly products. In this way, you can help to recycle raw materials and prevent further waste in landfills.

  1. Feel good with your effort

It is true that after purchasing these natural products, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you have fulfilled your social responsibility. It is no longer anything new when the news says how the earth’s resources are currently exhausted or that there are certain products that are causing further environmental damage. Think of this image of a bird with a plastic bottle in its beak or a whale with lots of plastic in its stomach. You’ve probably seen these images on the Internet and are wondering how you can stop the same problem from happening again. Of course you want to be part of the solution and using eco-friendly products is a good start.

  1. Influence!

Most importantly, you influence the demand for these natural products when you use them yourself. Once people start buying eco-friendly products, big companies and market leaders will start to see the demand and will soon be able to adapt to change. For example, if people opt for cloth diapers instead of regular diapers, the demand for the latter will drop dramatically and their production may stop, which in fact is already causing too much garbage in landfills.

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Source by Cali C. Rosewell

Astrobotany: the link between space exploration and ecological life

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Whether or not you are in aquaponics; Agriculture; Gardening or anything else Green, believe me there is a relationship to space exploration, and not just one but several. This will only be a brief overview, otherwise this article would be too long. ok let’s get started.

If we are going to do long-term space travel and colonization, we must feed the crew. Dot. So simple. As you can imagine, endless supply lines with cargo ships won’t get the job done. Just impractical. We need something in place, like here on earth, something recyclable, and something that doesn’t need a lot of replenishment. This is where aquaculture, more specifically aquaponics, comes into play. The Aquaponics closed-loop system can produce the vegetables and seafood you need, does not require much “refilling” and, when powered by solar panels, it will be almost self-sufficient. As I said before, we’ll cover the details with other articles along the way.

Now let’s look at agriculture and gardening in space. Aquaponics is fine, but we also need sustainable food production at each colony site. Of course, in the beginning it will probably be more of a horticultural scale than a large farm. There is, of course, a question of soil availability and quality. However, thanks to the new technology and a certain twisting of the available soil, it will not be too difficult to produce healthy, solid beds. A few flowers would also be nice to brighten up the decoration. NASA, several universities, and private space companies have already started experimenting in this direction.

Last but not least, the energy problem. It is clear and simple that we need a steady supply of renewable energy for this to happen. Solar panels are a matter of course, but let’s not forget that we can use wind energy on other planets as well. Because there are storms on Mars, some types of wind turbines are definitely possible. There are also many other ways to create energy, but as we mentioned, we’ll cover the details later.

So every time you visit your garden or farm, or check your Aquaponics system, think about the possibilities of making it all work on other planets or moons. Who knows, one of you might just come up with a breakthrough.

Okay, so that’s all for a review. Hope you liked the article and come back for more.

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Source by Werner Leo

Is ecological bathroom design possible?

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Being aware of the environment and the harmful effects we humans have on it overnight, you may wonder if it is possible to come up with an eco-friendly bathroom design. Well, you’re in luck because there are many ways to incorporate green elements into your new bathroom, whether you want to save water, electricity, or even both. Use the following tips to make sure your design keeps the environment in the foreground.

Shower and bathtub

In many ways, a shower over the bathtub can actually help you save water. This is only possible with the use of a water-saving nozzle, which will give you plenty of spray to keep your body warm, but will limit the amount of water passing through at any given time. If you really want to save water in your bathroom, you may want to consider setting your faucets on a timer (a few minutes is generally acceptable).

Toilet

Nowadays, you can find toilets for your bathroom design that will help you save water. When flushed, these toilets only use a small amount of water that traditional models use. You can even arrange plumbing so that your toilet uses water from the shower, bathtub or even a sink. Recycling water is a great way to reduce consumption.

Materials

In the end, green bathroom design is all about reusing and recycling whatever you can. Why not consider reusing your original bathroom items or getting them second-hand (online is a great way to do this)? You should also consider using materials that are fully ecological, such as bamboo, so that you will not harm the environment in your bathroom composition. .

When it comes to creating an eco-friendly bathroom design, the main advice we can offer you is to be aware of the environmental impact of your actions. With this in mind, you should be able to choose features and fittings that are completely environmentally friendly. . This will not only make the bathroom positively stunning and be able to meet all your needs, but you will significantly reduce your impact on our planet. .

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Source by Anne Mehla

Ecological trends that actually save the world

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On the contrary, studies conducted over the past few years have provided compelling evidence that ecological trends have contributed significantly to reducing the depletion of scarce resources, pollution levels and indeed the recovery of the ozone layer. No matter where you live in the world, following these trends is not just fashion – it’s a responsible gesture, moving towards a better life and ultimately a better planet. Are you ready to become a real superhero?

Ecological journey

Although they have tried to make environmentally friendly changes to their infrastructure, hotels remain a major source of pollution as they generate a lot of waste. From the high demands of commercial cleaning to the impressive wastage of water and energy, hotels can provide a luxurious experience, but do little when it comes to preserving the environment. Therefore, in the last decade, we have seen a steady increase in alternative accommodation and eco-travel. Tourists around the world try and love rural tourism and are starting to prefer peer-to-peer accommodation to hotels. Not only does this provide a more personal, rugged experience, it also reduces waste. Guests strictly use the resources they need and dispose of them in a more responsible manner.

Sustainable home improvement

For many years, it was widely believed that corporations were the only ones that could make a noticeable difference in protecting the planet, but that myth was quickly dispelled. Every change matters, even on a local scale, and renovation trends, if followed by many people around the world, can have a huge collective impact. Here are some of the best examples:

Replacement of conventional lamps with energy-saving LED lamps

Investing in energy-efficient A-class windows

ยท Installation of insulation to reduce energy loss

Planting trees around the house to create natural insulation and improve air quality

Building houses from ecological materials

Switch to non-toxic cleaners

The use of environmentally friendly gadgets and devices

Fair Trade Production

It was quite rare to read the word “fair trade” on a label a few decades ago, but now this mark is a hallmark of a modern, responsible, pro-ecological company. Fair trade means that corporations are taking steps to help the planet and people in developing countries. According to the World Fair Trade Organization, companies that commit to this idea make every effort to develop transparency and accountability throughout their activities. They must create equal opportunities and pay their employees fairly, provide good working conditions and respect the environment. They should only source certified legal sources and avoid waste as much as possible. Local suppliers are preferred over international ones, and wherever possible, use eco-friendly materials, from production to packaging.

Renewable energy sources

More and more families adopt renewable energy in their homes, especially in the form of solar panels, which have benefited from so many government incentives that they are becoming mainstream in some areas. In the US, the use of solar panels has risen to 40% and even China has taken steps to popularize solar panels. Besides solar panels, other devices promise to revolutionize energy storage. For example, Tesla announced in 2015 Powerwall, a type of battery that can store energy for later use.

Recycling initiatives

Recycling is one of the oldest environmental trends on the list, if not the oldest, and younger generations are starting to learn about its significance in primary school. Of course, having heard that the simple act of tossing an empty can into the appropriate trash can save enough energy to run the TV for three hours, it’s hard not to fall back on the recycling trend. This is now actively pursued by both individuals and companies, although some countries are better at it than others. For example, only 17% of Canada’s waste was recycled, prompting authorities to initiate public scrap recycling projects in Toronto and other major cities. On the other hand, Germany is winning the recycling race and as much as 65% of its waste is reused. South Korea is second on the list, followed by Slovenia and Australia.

Electric vehicles

Electric cars have gone from ugly, impractical vehicles to striking, state-of-the-art toys for tech-savvy people. Thanks to manufacturers like Tesla, Toyota and BMW, electric hybrids now look amazing and are much easier to fuel. In addition, many countries have rebate programs for people buying electric cars, which offsets the relatively high purchase costs. For the younger population or people who don’t want to invest in electric cars yet, electric scooters are an equally friendly idea.

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Source by Groshan Fabiola