Car manufacturers are looking for a monopoly on repair parts

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According to the international trade association, The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), car makers Honda and Hyundai recently gave their dealers advice to tell customers not to use recycled auto parts. According to ARA, these car makers claim that recycled or used parts will void the vehicle’s warranty.

Recycled auto parts have been in common use for decades without any challenge to the quality or reliability of these parts, which should impact warranty performance. The irony of this recent policy shift is that Honda or Hyundai’s recycled parts were manufactured by Honda or Hyundai in their own factories.

Parts manufactured by the same company that produced the original vehicle are referred to in the automotive industry as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) repair parts. Recycling companies collect OEM parts from damaged vehicles and offer them for sale to repair shops and consumers with an average of 60% savings compared to new OEM parts and an average of 30% savings compared to other newly manufactured parts in the aftermarket. Moreover, these recycled parts do not belong to the aftermarket variety; they are simply OEM parts that are reused after the donor vehicle has been removed from service.

So if recycled parts come from OEMs, reduce landfill by reusing garbage-dumped car parts and are cheaper for the customer, why are Honda and Hyundai warning against using them?

The most likely reason, of course, is that car sales are falling as the economic downturn continues. Automobile manufacturers are looking to expand their OEM repair parts business by making strong arm movements against their customers. This leaves many consumers unable to use recycled parts if at risk of voiding the warranty.

For its part, the ARA filed an official letter of complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, claiming that the car makers’ actions were contrary to the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, which was enacted to simplify warranties.

Most consumers do not drive vehicles still covered by the factory warranty and this traffic will not be affected.

Still, it presents interesting data that large and profitable car manufacturers are putting financial pressure on their customers at a time when many consumers fear big business after the 2008 and 2009 bailouts.

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Source by Zachary Staples

Tips for using recyclable materials in construction plans

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The use of recycled materials in green houses and buildings is proving to be one of the most common ways to demonstrate sustainability. Aside from the economic benefits, seeing recycled or reclaimed materials will never get you soaked in well-being. Here are some tips on how some recycled materials can be used in your green home.

Recycled wood is just as effective as finished wood, but is generally cheaper in terms of cost. Recycled wood, in addition to its structural applications in walls and windows, can easily be used in drawers, cabinets and shelves.

Old newspapers it should not only find its way to the paper mache. In fact, they can be used as insulation. Cardboard egg trays also serve the same purpose. You can save hundreds of dollars out of pocket with this simple action.

Raid your kitchen empty wine bottles and mason jars. If you thought they could only serve as pen holders and organizers for toddlers, you’ll be surprised that they can actually be used to build a home. Look for various inspirations online and see that there is a wine farm in Australia that used around 13,500 bottles of wine to design a water-heating facility. Likewise, the Canadian used 25,000 bottles of wine to design his home.

Dating back to the 20th century, empty wine bottles have found a variety of uses in home construction. In the United States, you can find several homes that have walls with embedded bottles. The idea is like hitting two birds with one stone as it serves aesthetic and design purposes.

Redesign your bathroom anew using materials sourced from the sea. If you live near the coast, it is a very smart idea to use natural materials that you can find and choose from. Shells and pebbles of different colors, shapes and sizes can be the perfect elements in the walls and floors of your bathroom. Isn’t this idea very refreshing? This one can also save you the usually high cost of bathroom tiles in home warehouses.

A balanced life is an idea that can be very difficult to adopt and implement. But with the right thinking and inspiration, it is really an endeavor that can become an easy reality. Start training environmentally friendly minds. And always remember that your own homemade baskets can become a source of first-hand materials that you can use to create a green home.

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Source by Desare A Kohn-Laski

Paper recycling tips

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Paper is now an integral part of everyday life, and tons of waste paper are produced each year. Today, many specialized recycling bins are installed in offices, homes and public places to encourage people to dispose of all types of waste properly. Many recyclable paper container manufacturers also strongly encourage paper recycling to help conserve natural resources and protect the environment. Paper can be broadly divided into two categories – high-quality paper, which includes printouts, white paper, and color book, and low-quality paper, which includes cardboard, newspapers, magazines, and mixed office paper. One of the most popular articles is our press baskets. They need to be properly separated during the recycling process in order to produce good quality paper after recycling. Check out some of the tips below:

o Inform everyone about the benefits of paper recycling and how recycling can contribute to making this world a better place to live.
o Encourage people to use recycling bins and throw paper into the recycling bins that are specially designed to collect paper waste as this will facilitate waste segregation.
o Place the baskets in the right places, this will reduce the temptation to throw paper products into the trash can and use baskets.
o Mark trash cans to make it easier for people to understand their use. Labeling is also very important if you are implementing multi-purpose containers.
o Consulting users on the location of recycling bins can also increase recycling efficiency and provide much-needed collaboration.
o Be especially careful with the type of paper products thrown into the recycling bins, as mentioned earlier, make sure that only what is recyclable goes to the bin.

Throughout the process, the importance of education and garbage cans cannot be emphasized enough. A good recycling bin in the right place reminds people of regular intervals. The best recycling bins companies have special bins for specific places: schools, homes, offices, etc.

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Source by Patrick J Hills

Recycling in Greece, Italy and Senegal

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Almost a fifth of all waste generated in this country is plastic, yet only 1% of it is recycled. Greece is at least 15 years behind the rest of the EU in almost all recycling areas and is unlikely to meet the EU’s targets for next year.

In Athens, rubbish bins, so common in most European cities, are rare. Although the authorities have recently launched new programs, the impact so far appears to be minimal.

Recycling just isn’t high on the average Athenian’s list of priorities.

Most household waste bags contain large amounts of glass, metal, paper and plastic that end up in the city’s only landfill, which – no wonder – is now almost full.

As a result, the capital is currently facing an acute waste management crisis as no alternative locations have been established.

Ironically, the city has what it claims to be Europe’s largest recycling facility, built next to the landfill four years ago. But the power plant – estimated to be at least € 75 million (£ 50 million) – was idle.

Reason? He was badly damaged by a mountain of garbage that collapsed on him.

In Italy, waste disposal laws vary from county to county. In Rome, the rules are among the strictest in Italy. People who do not separate their garbage can be fined up to 619 euros if they have a garbage can within 500 meters of the front door.

Romans often say that a basket is hard to find, and even harder to find one that is not full. The city council has ordered 2,500 new containers. They are colored green for household waste, white for paper, and blue for plastic.

There are hardly any rubbish bins in the streets of Rome’s historic center yet. The streets are cleaned very effectively by vehicles that drive over the rubbish and suck it up like huge self-propelled vacuum cleaners.

In southern Italy, local politicians say the waste management industry is controlled by organized crime. In 2014, the European Commission announced that it was taking action against Italy for 28 breaches of EU environmental law. Italy has been found to deny its citizens the same quality of life as residents of other EU countries.

In Senegal, by contrast, recycling is not done on an industrial scale, but is part of the daily life of many resourceful Senegalese people.

Everything is recycled, from plastic bags to school notebooks, food cans, mineral water bottles and even fruit peels. The peel is said to be harvested for use in cheap perfumes.

Tomato cans become drinking cups in the countryside or are used by beggars on the streets, old newspapers and administrative documents are used to pack bread, fruit or peanuts bought on the street.

Some craftsmen also use scrap metal to make everything from chairs to kitchen utensils and children’s toys.

Plastic bags are used to make shoes. In the old days, sandals were made from used tires, but now they are much less popular.

Recently, some smart people have started collecting all the metal scrap they can find to ship it back to their factories in Europe.

Swiss waste disposal company Alcyon has signed a contract worth more than $ 9 million with the government to collect and dispose of rubbish in the capital city of Dakar. The project is managed by AMA-Senegal, which will remove a huge heap called Mbeubeuss and recycle most of the city’s waste.

Recycling is really important, our planet is already “sick” and if we don’t recycle, the problems of human civilization will only get worse.

Recycling is important both for the environment and for us people.

There is really no time for us as a global community, as individuals and corporations we are responsible for recycling any waste they produce.

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Source by Gaz Hutchings

Information on responsible disposal of the car battery

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As we all know, all kinds of batteries don’t last forever, which means we have to replace them at some point. This is especially true for car batteries. But when it comes time to replace your car battery, it’s important to know how to safely dispose of your old one. Proper disposal of car batteries is crucial as old units can cause extensive, irreversible damage to our surrounding ecosystem and the environment as a whole. You see, a typical 12-volt automotive battery contains highly toxic and hazardous chemicals like lead that can penetrate the ground.

This is a terrifying problem as these chemicals can destroy plant life, contaminate groundwater sources, kill or harm wildlife, and much more. These effects can have lasting consequences for people nearby for many years. The list of possible consequences of poor battery disposal is practically endless, so it is important to know the safest methods of disposing of used car batteries. Do it, and you can do your part to protect the planet’s prosperity and even make some quick cash in the process!

Take them to a reputable scrap company

When your car battery needs to be replaced, there are several options for handling an old battery. The recommended way is to recycle it at a scrap recycling company, which is actually profitable, and you’ll soon find out why. They have the proper training, permits, and resources to safely handle and recycle automotive batteries and more. Almost all parts and components of a used car battery are reusable. For example, lead can not only be recycled, but plastic components can also be recycled for new purposes.

Recycling is a great option to dispose of car batteries. It protects the environment and protects our natural resources. But as mentioned, it can also bring you a nice profit. Most scrap recycling companies pay cash for scrap metal such as used auto parts, appliances, engine equipment, and more. As long as you choose a reputable and professional scrap company to do business, you can get a fair payoff for your old auto parts.

Consequences of improper disposal

Improper disposal would involve throwing it into a bin to be picked up by local garbage collectors, leaving it on a pile of rubbish on your property, throwing it into a lake or river, and similar behavior. If that happened, it could have many disastrous consequences. As mentioned, old car batteries contain lead, acid, and other toxic chemicals. Over time, these chemicals and various ingredients can contaminate the water, plants, and even the air we breathe!

Not only can these chemicals be harmful to the environment, they can also harm us. When handling car batteries, it is important to take certain precautions to avoid accidents. It is recommended that you wear long rubber gloves and goggles to protect your skin from chemical burns and other types of injury.

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Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski

Benefits of Aggregate Recycling

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More and more homeowners are paying more and more attention to what they use as building materials for their homes. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, choosing recycled aggregate has many great benefits.

Before we go any further, you may be wondering just how effective recycled or broken concrete can be. Everyone knows that concrete is incredibly strong, durable and durable. It will certainly be at risk when broken, so your home will not enjoy the strength benefits that concrete provides. The fact is that by purchasing from a reputable company or having your aggregates recycled from a reputable company, you will enjoy the same benefits you would normally have when pouring concrete to complete your project.

Recycled aggregate can be used in many applications, from driveways and playgrounds to roads, sidewalks and in the construction of homes and offices. It is environmentally friendly and sustainable. So if reducing your carbon footprint is important to you, choosing recycled aggregate for your next construction project might just be the answer you’re looking for.

The benefits of using recycled aggregate include cost effectiveness. When you are building a house or driveway and use concrete, it can be costly. A truck will come and pour concrete. This is a careful process that requires a long drying time. Depending on where you live, this drying time can take several weeks as concrete needs a pleasant warm temperature to dry and harden, allowing you to continue construction with confidence.

In addition to saving money on your construction site by using recycled products, you are also building using environmentally friendly products. You will get the opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint, which can become an interesting and very effective selling point if you decide to sell in the future. These days, more and more people are focusing on their impact on the environment and able to provide buyers with the information they need about building a house and the materials used, and show that you are making sustainable choices, which can help you sell quickly and efficiently as you move forward.

You will find that recycled aggregate is very versatile and you can use it in many applications and projects. Whether you’re building a new home from scratch, adding an extension to an existing property, or laying out a driveway for your garage, recycled materials can provide an affordable, high-quality solution you can trust.

Of course, the ultimate benefit of using recycled aggregates is that they are durable. You will receive a strong product that has been carefully selected to provide you with a durable and strong solution for many years to come.

Make sure you pay close attention to the company you choose to recycle the aggregate, whether it supplies you with a product, or you have cement at home that was used in the past that you want to recycle, and the company provides a mobile unit. You need a company with a proven track record, so you can use their services with complete confidence, knowing that the product they provide you will provide you with all of the benefits listed above and more.

Finally, make sure the company you choose is available on your date so that you can start your project immediately.

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Source by Stuart Gready

Deleted data recovery software – what to look for

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If you’ve ever deleted a file and then had a sudden panic attack because you made a mistake, you’re not alone. What can you do to get this data back or is it recoverable? You have several options, one is for recycle bin, the other is to use deleted data recovery software.

If you’ve saved the file before and named it before, it will make searching much easier. Try to keep your balance and use a few simple techniques that can allow you to locate the file without too much time and effort.

Every recently deleted file is kept in the Recycle Bin unless you choose to empty it. After emptying the trash, the file will be permanently deleted. If you can’t find the trash can just open “my computer” and type “trash” in the address bar.

Once you open the recycle bin, you will be able to see every deleted file listed in that folder. Now search for the deleted file, and when you locate it, you just need to highlight it, right-click and select “restore”. This will move that particular file back to its previous location.

Your file exists somewhere on your hard drive, even if you can’t locate it in the recycle bin. The file is likely to be unrecognizable as the operating system will remove its identification in order to add it to the storage area of ??the hard drive. Therefore, suddenly it becomes urgent to find this file and restore it.

This is the time when deleted data recovery software can be a lifesaver. This type of software is designed to search and restore files and data anywhere on a hard drive, even if they cannot be found using the usual search methods. Deleted data recovery software is the best way to save time and money to locate and restore your data.

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Source by Lewis Waller

Recycling plastic makes economic and environmental sense

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Plastic products are ubiquitous all over the world. As dependence on these lightweight and durable products increases, so does the need for global innovation in recycling technologies. Over the decades, recycling companies have developed a variety of processes to turn discarded plastics into hundreds of products, from brushes to carpets and pillows, boat hulls and railway sleepers.

By calling the consumer

The biggest challenge for recycling producers is education and public involvement. About 75 percent of Americans recycle newspapers and cardboard, while just over 25 percent recycle plastic. Industry analysts believe this low response rate may be due to a lack of understanding of the code on recyclable plastics – a small triangle with a number in the center – that identifies the type of plastic.

The most frequently recycled plastics from the seven groups of polymers are PET 01, used in beverage bottles and smaller jars; PE-HD 02, a harder and more durable plastic used in milk bottles and large garbage bags; PE-LD 04, which is tough yet flexible and used in frozen food bags, flexible container lids and squeeze bottles.

While the recycling rate for these and other products is not yet impressive, the numbers have been rising steadily since 1990. In 2006, approximately 2.2 billion pounds of PET plastic bottles and 928 million pounds of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) containers were recycled. for recyclers.

Innovative PET production

As awareness of the environmental damage caused by polymers has increased, so has the urgent need to encourage recycling. Processing and application experiments were increasing at the same time. For example, according to a CNN report, a PhD student. in India, Dr. S. Madhu used crushed and melted plastic in a road surface mixture. Working for the Kerala Highway Research Institute, Madhu mixed plastic with aggregate and bitumen to create a surface that can withstand the blows of the annual monsoons.

Working in a tightly regulated environment, conventional recycling manufacturers focus on creating a long list of popular products. Although the processes are different, they generally follow a common methodology. First, the plastics are sorted by PET identification number. This is often done before the recycled products go to the manufacturer. Labels, glue and other residues are also cleaned of “dirty” PET containers. The dirty PET regrind is then sent to re-claimers who process the material into a form that can be used by manufacturers. Recycling companies additionally clean materials from contaminants and materials that are lighter than plastic. The final PET flakes are washed with a special detergent that removes adhesives, food and dirt.

The PET materials are then further processed in processes that separate the heavier PET particles from the lighter ones – this is called the float-sink stage. The plastics are then dried and ready to become new products in the hands of manufacturers around the world.

However, new methods of recycling PET products are constantly being developed, including a depolymerization process that “reverses” the chemical process used to make the polymer. There are pilot projects using this method, as well as other innovative processes aimed at making plastic recycling more environmentally friendly and economical.

Demand for recycled products

The importance of recycling PET and HDPE cannot be ignored. The latter, heavier PET is used to produce building materials that become home terraces, which are more durable than wood; they become garden furniture, litter bins, office products, buckets, safety cones and much more. HDPE can also be used to make tanks for storing ground and underground water that can withstand decades of use.

Of the five main classes of PET plastics, the most advanced application is the production of new PET bottles and containers. Other occupations include plastic films or plastics used to form small items such as laundry detergent scoops; strapping materials for packaging and transport; resins used in molds for automotive parts; and the fiber material for carpets, fabrics and fiber fillings.

Recycled PET can appear in unexpected places such as business cards, sleeping bags, baseball caps, and a welcome mat at the front door.

In the hands of the consumer

Ultimately, it all depends on the consumer. Awareness of the environmental benefits of recycling plastics and the profitability of producing recycled PET can mitigate environmental damage and support a global industry that returns economic and useful products to the market.

In the US, many municipalities have made it easier for consumers to recycle plastic. Cities accept all plastic products with the recycling symbol and sort them by themselves before sending for further processing. The consumer does not have to deal with separating PET numbers or peeling labels. Many states have enacted laws commonly known as “bottle bills” that charge a small fee for plastic containers. Recycling has more value for the consumer when there is an incentive to buyback value. Some communities have “dump” recycling centers, while others have “take back” centers that pay consumers for recyclable materials.

Regardless of the recycling method or process that restores value from discarded PET products, it is clear that society, governments and industry all share financial and environmental contributions to the practice of recycling plastics.

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Source by Kadence Buchanan

10 interesting recycling facts you should know

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We are all talking about making positive changes that will benefit the environment. Although the government is constantly trying to help the environment, it is our individual responsibility to reduce environmental pollution. on. While the burning of fuels is the main cause of pollution, the burning of waste and unused tires is also a major hazard that has emerged from the lack of recycling.

Recycling is an essential step to take in a country where the amount of waste produced exceeds tons. According to the Waste Atlas Platform, around 30 million tonnes of waste is generated in the UK each year. This waste simply does not fall to the ground. We are responsible for generating this waste and it is high time to admit our mistakes and start taking appropriate steps to improve the environment. .

Product recycling is the beginning.

Comparing the current situation of Great Britain with other European countries, we can see that Switzerland is recycling 52% of its waste, which helps it to maintain a clean and green environment.

Want to know more? Here are 10 interesting recycling facts that you never knew about.

1. Energy saved by recycling 1 aluminum can

Wondering how much energy can be saved by recycling an aluminum can? Well, the fact is, one aluminum can save enough energy to play an entire music album on your iPod. It just means that if you recycle 100 used cans, you shouldn’t have to worry about lighting your room for about 2 weeks.

2. How much waste can we recycle and how much we process

Almost anything can be recycled. From aluminum cans to paper, recycling is the best way to manage any type of waste. If done regularly, recycling can generate 70% more energy in what is produced in the process.

3. Untreated plastic bags kill over 2 million sea creatures

Dumping it all into the ocean is the worst waste management idea. While you think it won’t hurt anyone, plastic bags alone kill over 2 million sea creatures each year. The dumping of other non-biodegradable waste has a similar negative impact on marine life. Not that interesting, is it?

4. What happens if we start recycling the waste in the bin?

According to estimates, about 60% of waste in the garbage can not be recycled. What happens if recycling becomes our habit? To begin with, we will help the nation and reduce the risk of an electrical crisis in homes and offices. This will directly affect the cost of electricity and soon UK residents will enjoy lower electricity costs.

5. 24 trees are cut to produce 1 tonne of paper

We all know that paper is made by cutting down a bunch of trees. But did you know that when you fell 24 trees, only one ton of paper is made? Estimating how much paper is needed in our daily life (whether it’s in notebooks, newspapers or brochures), between 3 and 6 billion trees are cut down each year. The calculation is made after attempts to return the waste paper to use.

6. If a glass bottle is not recycled it takes 4,000 years to break down

Did you know that glass is 100% recyclable? But if it is not recycled, it could remain in landfill for 4,000 years and maybe even longer. Even so, a huge amount of glass waste is simply thrown in a landfill, not admitting that glass can be recycled without compromising its purity and quality.

7. The maximum amount of waste in the UK is produced from recyclable products

You know that the maximum amount of waste found in the garbage can are pens, glasses, blades, razors, aluminum, diapers and tires. Basically anything that can be easily recycled. These things can be easily processed into new products, but it all ends up in a garbage can without anyone’s knowledge. If ordinary people like us make a habit of sending this waste for recycling, it will bring huge environmental benefits and reduce energy consumption.

8. The use of organic waste for fertilizers

Organic waste can be composted to make good quality fertilizers. So, instead of using chemicals and pesticides, recycled organic waste can work wonders and provide the soil with the required nutrients, making it fertile and improving the quality of the crop.

9. Recycled paper helps reduce air pollution

Paper is made by cutting down trees. While paper is definitely a must, cutting down trees can be avoided by increasing the use of recycled paper. Moreover, we also encourage paper recycling as it drastically reduces the percentage of air fumes by 70%, reducing air pollution in our surroundings.

10. Recycling in the future will help future generations

The effects of recycling are not too drastic. However, if we start recycling each item from today, the results will show up in the near future. All in all, there will come a time when this era will be portrayed as the recycling era, and our future generation will be grateful to us for taking the necessary steps and protecting the environment from all pollution.

All these facts are enough to convince anyone that recycling is the best way to deduce the amount of waste in the UK. So what is the wisest step? How can you help the environment? How can you make sure the waste you throw away ends up in a recycling center?

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Source by Richard Burdett

Recycled plastics – hazardous to the environment and health

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People’s minds are troubled by questions about the environment today. Reports of new disasters are flooding radio waves. That year, the United States was devastated by a record 905 tornadoes by May 11, 2008. Statistics show that in the past ten years, the United States has experienced an average of 1,270 tornadoes per year.

The American honeybee is disappearing and is predicted to go extinct.

It is not only our external environment that bothers us. Recent published discoveries about treated wastewater revealed contamination with antibiotics, contraception and chemicals used to make plastics.

Meanwhile, health problems we can’t explain, including ADHD, autism, and fibromyalgia, are on the rise. It is natural to ask yourself if environmental factors are involved.

One of the main producers of non-alcoholic beverages recently jumped into the “green fashion” by announcing its line of recycled plastic garments under the rPET® brand. Its merchandise includes T-shirts, shopping bags, caps, handbags and notebooks made from used plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills.

“It’s a great use of recycled materials,” praised one of the company’s spokesmen.

The industry giant is not alone in its offer of ecological products. In 2007, 328 new green products were introduced, compared to just five in 2002.

How environmentally friendly are recycled plastics?

Timothy J. Krupnik, writing for the Berkeley Ecology Center’s Recycling Department, explained that plastics are made from ethylene, which is a natural gas. Ethylene is released during the petroleum refining process. In this sense, plastics come directly from crude oil, which is a non-renewable raw material. The gas is mixed with many other additives, many of which are toxic, to make the product.

For example, PET bottles with soda use lead barriers in the structure of the bottle. Due to the numerous chemicals added to these products, the production of plastic is an extremely toxic process. Compared to glass, the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) releases 100 times more toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

Recycling plastic requires significant amounts of energy compared to glass. Glass can be recycled “as is” many times from its original form. The same does not apply to PET due to the numerous compounds that enter it.

If the soft drink giant really wants to switch to green, a better option would be to switch back to glass containers.

By now, we’ve all heard about the dangers of heating plastics. Dioxin sucking has been a frequent topic of talk shows for several years.

But consider plasticizers, a group of chemicals that are used to soften plastic, mold it into a mold, and reduce its stiffness. . Plasticizers contain phthalates, a toxic chemical and a known endocrine disruptor. Your endocrine system helps regulate your nervous, reproductive, and immune systems.

Phthalates (including monoethyl phthalate, monobutyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate) can be ingested by the body when using plastic products as drinking or food storage vessels.

Carbonated drinks, fatty foods, and products heated in plastic flush these chemicals from the packaging into the food or drink itself. When these chemicals migrate into the endocrine system, they mimic the body’s natural hormones. This confuses the endocrine system and leads to serious health disorders.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville studied the consumption of phthalates in modeling clay in 2004. The study found that phthalates enter the body through both heating (vapors) and sediment on the skin, which should make you wonder if recycled plastic garments are safe. In the same year, the European Union banned the use of plastic softeners in all toys and products intended for children under three years of age.

Research to date on the absorption of these chemicals by the human body has focused on inhalation and consumption. For example, we do not know if body temperature is sufficient to release harmful chemicals or if phthalates can be absorbed through the skin. We know that the temperature of the shower water is sufficient to release toxins from vinyl shower curtains.

Think about what you don’t know before deciding to wear a product.

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, advises consumers:

o Use personal care products, detergents, cleaners, and other products that do not have “fragrance” in the ingredient list – “fragrance” typically includes DEP phthalate.

o Avoid cooking or microwave in plastic.

o Use a vinyl-free shower curtain.

o Use paints and other hobby products in well-ventilated areas.

o Give children wooden and other phthalate-free toys and do not let them chew on soft plastic toys.

o Healthcare professionals and patients may urge their healthcare facility to reduce or eliminate the use of products containing phthalates.

o Avoid products made of flexible PVC or vinyl plastic. Some examples of these products are PVC garden furniture, vinyl raincoats, flexible PVC building materials, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s or animal toys made of PVC.

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Source by Priscilla Garrett