Tag: Go Green

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In the city of Austin, the new energy ordinance will require homeowners to conduct an energy efficiency audit before selling their home. The audit report must be disclosed to the buyer of their home. An energy audit and disclosure of information will become part of the home buying process in mid-2009.

In the hot Austin climate, energy efficiency has a lot to do with the efficiency of a central air conditioning system. We are more interested in cooling than heating, but both systems are used all year round. The new law aims to improve the energy performance of older homes in these critical areas:

Finding leaks and closing gaps in AC lines. (Channels can leak between 10% and 30%!)

Improvement of insulation in the attic to maintain conditioned air.

Keeping the sun hot with solar screens on the windows.

Reducing loss of conditioned air through cracks in doors and windows.

After some resistance from homeowners and groups, the law stopped imposing mandatory energy retrofits in order to sell the home. In today’s marketplace, it doesn’t make sense to add hardship or cost to the selling process. So the law has been shortened to require sellers to audit an energy and disclose the results to potential buyers.

Will buyers demand that the house they buy meet the requirements in terms of energy efficiency? The market will have to solve this. I think they will probably do it over time. Retailers will anticipate this when taking steps to correct wasteful energy losses in their home. . Most sellers would like to have a positive report to show potential buyers. They will want a clean health record. And we have to admit that the elements required for testing are really fundamental.

They are so fundamental that they generally go unnoticed. These are not green qualities that satisfy the ego or are visually appealing. We don’t see them in Dwell Magazine. They are not as exciting as wind turbines, solar panels, rainwater tanks or icestone meters. These are things most people would prefer not to think about. Like caulking and mastic. And ineffective dark screens and dusty old attic insulation. These are not improvements that make buyers say “I love it.”

So they were never the most important thing. Austin’s new Energy Audit Act will change all that. This will make these behind-the-scenes basics clear. Old houses will meet new technology. Homeowners will be able to improve the basic energy efficiency of their homes. This will mean lower utility bills. And fewer coal ejection plants. And the greener Austin.

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Source by Roselind Hejl

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Amidst the stories of environmental extermination and despondency, it’s uplifting to learn that some of the world’s largest companies are implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint. In the past, some of these companies were the biggest polluters and producers of waste, so it’s encouraging that a shift in consumer awareness has led to rethinking the corporate structure from an environmental perspective.

Where ecology was once on the fringes (perhaps even a joke), it has now become a priority on the agenda of many corporate notebooks. Each of us makes daily choices about how we interact with products and how they impact the environment. The power of choice is that individuals vote for the future they hope to see (and large companies are beginning to see the light).

Some of the most popular companies are determined to lead by example and show people that being eco-friendly is not only a necessity but also a reward. We have compiled some of these stories for you.

Panasonic creates an energy-efficient headquarters

For Panasonic, the idea of ??sustainability has been an important part of their business for some time. This Japanese giant has been supplying the world with electronic products for decades and saw a sign on the wall when it comes to their environmental policy.

When Panasonic decided to create a new location in Newark in 2013, the company tried a different approach to how to design and build new premises. The new Panasonic tower in Newark is LEED certified, which means it meets international standards in buildings designed to save energy, water efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and improve the quality of the indoor environment. In addition, the tower is very close to one of the most used transit hubs in the area, allowing workers a convenient way to get to work instead of driving. It is estimated that this decision by Panasonic drives 500 cars off the public road every day.

Apple is recycled

While Apple is known for bringing innovative technologies to market, it is less known as a green energy company. Their priorities are starting to change and the company has stepped up efforts to make the company more environmentally friendly.

For example, the company will launch a cell phone model that is made entirely of recycled parts. A notable twist from their website is “Getting less from the ground. And more from old devices. Their goal is to manufacture products that use only renewable resources or recycled material. The challenge they face is dismantling old products and recovering many of the small parts that are contained in them. Solution? Daisy, the recycling robot, is a new disassembly robot tested by Apple that can take 200 iPhones an hour apart and recycle the material from each of them for use in a new product.

Walmart goes green

Ten years ago, the then CEO of Walmart announced that the company was on a path to sustainability. He talked about a company that uses only renewable energy, eliminates waste and sells more green products. Ten years later, the company sat down to review its progress. Fortunately, in some cases, they were further away than they thought.

For example, the company’s goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million tonnes by 2010. They crossed this limit and reached a total of 28.2 million tonnes, which corresponds to the removal of 5.9 million cars from the roads per year. The use of fertilizers on farms producing Walmart products was one of the sectors where fertilizer had the greatest impact on emissions and was largely due to cooperation with their suppliers. .

Over the past decade, the company has also contributed to the preservation of over a million acres of wildlife habitat.

Ikea knows the value of clean energy

In 2015, Ikea announced a plan to improve the company’s sustainability by not only investing in renewable energy, but also using it in the company’s offices and stores. There are now 342,000 solar panels in IKEA stores that contribute to their energy consumption.

The furniture conglomerate is also committed to selling exclusively LED bulbs as part of an initiative promoting green energy to its customers, who they believe will ultimately benefit from energy savings. . This is part of the strategy to “offer products and solutions that help customers save money by using less energy and water and reducing waste.”

Among other things, IKEA currently sources half of its timber supplies from FSC-certified forests by promoting clean water projects and sourcing chemical-free, sustainable cotton purchased from certified farmers.

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Source by Zoe G

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Globally, a third of the food we grow is thrown away, culminating in 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted each year. When confronted with these frighteningly high numbers, most people sigh in disbelief, but then just gasp and say, “Well, I personally don’t throw that much away. I cannot be part of the problem! “

But that’s where most people get it wrong. There are many ways – both large and small – in which each of us can help minimize food waste in our daily lives. If you’re serious about making a difference, one of the best ways to reduce food waste is to try to reduce waste in your kitchen. We know this is easier said than done, but hear us out: there are four surprisingly simple additions to any high-quality kitchen that will reduce waste like never before. Let’s check them out!

1. Give priority to recycling and compost

One of the most important steps towards reducing food waste is prioritizing recycling and composting in your daily routine – no exceptions. By religiously recycling all plastic, metal, and glass, as well as letting all organic debris break down, your carbon footprint is sure to deliver a much needed hit. Moreover, your garden can only benefit from the nutrient-rich soil that compost produces. It is a win-win for everyone!

2. Reusable is all the rage

Modern high-quality kitchens are always equipped with reusable storage containers. After all, why use paper plates and plastic bags that only cause more waste? Instead, take an eco-friendly approach to storing leftovers by investing in sturdy, washable containers that you can use again and again. Even better if they are dishwasher safe!

3. Increasing weight

In addition to packing reusable shopping bags every time you hit the stores, it’s smart to buy oversized staples whenever possible. This will not only save you shopping (it will reduce your carbon footprint once again!), But you can also pat your back for easier navigation around planet Earth: the package-to-product ratio is lower when you bulk purchase a package of flour, baking soda, salt or anything else you may need.

4. Make use of your high-quality kitchen cabinets

Last but not least, it’s not just how you behave in the kitchen, but also how you design it. If you’re thinking about remodeling your space, we have one piece of advice for you: never underestimate the value of comfortably constructed cabinets, which can make a huge difference when it comes to minimizing waste. When you invest in cabinets that have consumer needs in mind, you’ll likely be able to inventory what you have with one quick scan as opposed to moving items or overlooking them entirely. As a result, food is less prone to waste and you won’t buy too much. Who would have thought that high-quality kitchen cabinets could go such a long way?

Whether you plan on installing new cabinets or not, it’s easy to make a few small changes to your shopping, cooking, and storage habits. By taking steps to minimize food waste, you are doing your part for our planet and its continued (and hopefully bright!) Future. And isn’t that worth a little sacrifice or two?

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Source by Annie Taylor

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Are you planning a ski holiday this year? Why not consider green skiing this time? As the Earth is getting hotter than usual due to global warming, this shift has the greatest impact on ski resorts. They are currently wondering how they can help alleviate the problem.

The good news is that you can do something too to alleviate this problem. There are many ways to make this happen. You may think that your individual efforts aren’t enough to make a difference, but it is! Here are some green tips you can do to help protect our environment.

Drive smart on a greener journey

Instead of flying to other ski destinations, head to the ski resorts closer to your home. The good thing is you can pack other things like a fridge and enjoy your own food, drinks and snacks.

Plus, if your friends and colleagues share the same interests as you, feel free to use them. But if you insist on flying to other destinations, you can also ask if the resort offers transfers to and from the airport. Thanks to this, you will save on fuel instead of renting a car.

Choose greener ski resorts

Centers are now more aware of the effects of climate change and are moving towards a greener environment. To make greener choices, you can ask questions before booking. You can ask them questions like:

What are they processing?

Do they have a water protection program?

Are their cleaners environmentally friendly?

Do their machines, which help clear the trails, use biofuel?

Do they use wind energy for energy purposes?

Do they offer transportation to and from the airport?

This will help them realize that their efforts to be an eco-friendly resort really matter. Praise them for their efforts as well and encourage them to continue to maintain an environmentally friendly facility.

Cross-country skiing? Why not!

Cross-country skiing can also be considered this year. This can be done in many “local” places depending on the snowfall in your area. The good thing about cross country skiing is that it burns more calories than resources compared to downhill skiing.

Please respect the environment!

Every time tourists flock to the ski resorts, this environment suffers from people’s irresponsibility. So be responsible for the rubbish every time you visit any ski resort. Don’t throw your rubbish everywhere. Use biodegradable products and limit the use of plastic bags. Observe proper segregation and recycle as much as possible.

With these simple tips, you will not only enjoy your skiing holiday, but also save the planet from further destruction. So think green, go green and support a greener skiing holiday. Let’s continue to care for this planet we call home.

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Source by Donald Soolar

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Over the past few years, many companies have made every effort to ensure that their company is ecologically sustainable. One of the main areas of motivation in this regard is the growing preferences of customers in relation to companies that are aware of environmental protection. ,. For example, according to a study by Harvard Business School of 180 US companies (published in 2011), it found that companies classified as “high sustainable” outperform those classified “low sustainable”. Moreover, there are companies that have managed to reduce their carbon footprint despite difficulties. This essay will focus on how businesses can become green.

First, businesses can go green by making sure their products are minimally packaged. This tip is especially useful for retail items. This is to reduce the waste of non-biodegradable materials (such as many forms of plastic). Moreover, in addition to ensuring that its products are not over-wrapped, the company can also ensure that the packaging material is minimally harmful to the environment. An example of a successful company is LUSH cosmetics. It was the company that introduced packaging-free cosmetics. For products that do not require packaging, LUSH uses materials that are recyclable and biodegradable. In addition, all LUSH products are made with ingredients that have a minimal negative impact on the environment. Therefore, one practical way that companies can play their part in protecting the environment is by using minimal and sustainable packaging.

Second, businesses can go green by adopting manufacturing practices that reduce their carbon footprint. . This can be achieved by focusing on making its manufacturing operations as environmentally friendly as possible. . Companies can learn from IKEA, a Swedish furniture manufacturer. The company has made every effort to ensure that its operations are environmentally sustainable. For example, 50% of IKEA’s wood comes from sustainable foresters. In addition, all cotton comes from farms that meet Better Cotton standards. Thanks to these activities, the company reduced the consumption of water, energy, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In addition, its stores are powered by over 700,000 solar panels.

Third, businesses can go green by making savings on their eco-friendly products. . This can be done by lowering the price of a product to make it more attractive to consumers. For example, Blissmo is an online platform that enables subscribers to purchase green, non-toxic and environmentally friendly products. It provides users with great deals and discounts which encourages subscribers to opt for the green option. The company operates a bit like a “green Groupon” and provides price cuts to business and services such as the EcoThin Wallet. This has benefited sustainable companies who now have a larger market in which they can grow to achieve increased sales. Consequently, this means that price reductions on environmentally friendly products are the key to attracting customers. Price reductions can be introduced if the company is able to reduce its costs. One way this can be achieved is through government assistance in the form of grants and subsidies that will reduce the overall cost of the business. Another possibility is to further develop and improve the company’s manufacturing operations, which will help it increase efficiency and achieve economies of scale in the long run.

Fourth, food companies can become eco-friendly by providing eco-catering. These companies can supply business events and lunches with food that is made from organic ingredients. They can also offer a range of food options such as free range meat along with vegan, gluten free and paleo meal options. It will appeal to nature lovers as well as health and wellness enthusiasts. For example, Eco Caters, a catering company based in Los Angeles, Washington and San Diego, aims to provide premium quality food catering that is handcrafted and completely from scratch, while minimizing environmental impact. They mainly do this by using local organic food purchased from ranches and farms that raise produce and animals in a sustainable and humane manner. Therefore, food companies looking to capitalize on the larger market can opt for eco-catering, helping them increase sales as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

Fifth, companies that have already achieved environmental sustainability in the workplace can do more for the environment by creating a ‘green application’. These apps should provide the necessary information to help users become green. They should also guide them towards a sustainable lifestyle. The application can be generic and cover a green lifestyle as a whole, or it can focus on specific areas such as environmentally friendly products and energy saving at home and at work. . Companies can also create educational apps to educate children about ecology. This will help them grow up and be aware of the environment.

All in all, there are many ways businesses can go green. In addition to focusing only on long-term profitability, companies should be environmentally conscious and be aware of the widespread problem of climate change. . According to Al Gore, former vice president under Bill Clinton, “The history of mankind and our relationship with the earth can be seen as an ongoing adventure or a tragedy shrouded in mystery. The choice is ours. ” Therefore, if companies are able to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and increase environmental sustainability, they should do so at all costs.

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Source by Amanda Ong