Tag: reuse reduce recycle

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I’ve been looking for different ways to deal with plastic waste for a long time and this article lists some important ones. Nowadays, there are a whole host of options – big and small that you can implement at the micro and macro level anywhere. In India, there is a hierarchy in which garbage collectors from the lowest tier collect and sell secondary raw materials to dealers who sell them to wholesalers and recyclers. Formal large-scale operations involve private collectors who sell directly to recyclers.

First, we know how important it is to REDUCE the use of plastic and we come across messages like “Say no to plastic bags” or similar every day. If we look at the bags we receive from large retailers, we can see that most of them comply with Indian government orders to use bags over 20 microns thick, but the problem still lies in their responsible disposal. What will be the use of their thickness or quality if we are still in the habit of throwing them anywhere that leads to clogging of roads and sewers? The solution is the use of appropriate disposal techniques and segregation through colorful litter bins. (Government Notice on the 1999 Recycled Plastics Manufacturing and Use Policy and Amendment (2003) prohibiting the use of plastic shipping bags with a thickness of 20 microns or more to codify and label plastic products)

To move to technology options for dealing with plastic, here is a list of solutions being implemented in India and other countries-

1. Recovery of resources through environmentally friendly and economically viable mechanical recycling into secondary raw materials for the processing industry. In India, it is the main plastic waste business.

2. Energy recovery through thermal disintegration using plasma pyrolysis and combustion.

3. India’s Zadgaonkar model to turn plastic into fuel.

4. Catalytic Pyrolysis – Again to convert plastic into oil.

5. Construction of roads from plastic waste by mixing with bitumen.

6. Plastic waste used as a reducing agent in blast furnaces and cement kilns.

7. Packaging waste from composite plastics transformed into recycled boards.

8. Reuse of used plastic transport bags for handicrafts.

9. Mechanical recycling – by melting, grinding plastic granules.

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Source by Manik Thapar

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Decorative concrete has become a very popular new flooring choice in both residential and commercial construction projects. They are easy to maintain, great for regions with a lot of sand or snow, and are a good alternative to rugs if the homeowner is allergic. Decorative concrete flooring is often installed in a new home early in construction, which can result in damage from paint splatter, dirt from work boats, impacts from falling materials, and circular traffic. How do you help protect these freshly polished floors from construction traffic and accidents caused by dropped tools and building materials?

There are several different types of surface protection that protect newly-laid decorative concrete floors from damage. Many contractors use masonite, plastic sheets and smooth films to protect concrete floors. . These items provide limited protection and have severe limitations. Products like plywood can scratch a floor and are usually heavy and difficult to store after use. Masonite is bulky and cannot be easily moved around the workplace. Sometimes the 4 x 8 foot Masonite sheets separate and allow circular movement directly across the new floor. In addition, Masonite is not absorbent, so the fluids run off the sides and enter the spaces between the sheets, damaging the decorative concrete. Plastic sheets have their own set of challenges. While it is easier to navigate around the workplace and cheaper than other floor protection options, it can be very slippery on a polished concrete floor and can lead to injury to workers if someone falls or trips. Plastic foil moves easily, which means that without sticking it can slide on the floor. Finally, the plastic sheet does not provide impact protection from dropped heavy objects. Another option contractors use to protect decorative concrete floors that don’t perform well is temporary carpets. The linings have a rubber backing that prevents concrete from breathing. While it offers good impact protection, it is heavy and cumbersome to move and does not soak up any spills at all. It is also a very expensive type of protection.

Many builders have tried each of these decorative concrete protection methods, but nothing works perfectly. An ideal product would be breathable, allowing the concrete to cure, absorb spilled liquids, prevent differential drying and provide impact protection. If possible, the product would be reusable and recyclable to reduce waste. Fortunately, there are several surface protection products on the market that meet all of these requirements.

Ram Board ™ is a durable floor protection product made of a thick material similar to cardboard. One Ram Board ™ roll is the same thickness as ten Masonite sheets, and because it is supplied in rolls, it is much easier to transport, handle and store. When unrolled, it lays down quickly and flat and allows moisture to escape to harden the floors. Ram Board ™ is waterproof and prevents oil and other materials from penetrating and staining concrete floors. Breathable Ram Board Vapor Cure ™ can be used to stick Ram Board sheets together and does not create a hardening line.

SurfacePro ™ is a thick, breathable floor protection product that has an anti-slip backing. It comes in large rolls and is easily cut to size. SurfacePro ™ is reusable and provides 40 mils of protection for decorative concrete floors. The breathable product prevents the formation of hardening lines in the newly laid concrete and does not invalidate the floor manufacturer’s warranty. Unlike paper Ramboard, Surface Pro is reusable and lasts longer.

SurfaceLiner Vapor ™ is a new product that is similar to SurfacePro ™ but also has a slightly sticky back that works almost like an adhesive. Gently grips floors without leaving any traces. SurfaceLiner Vapor ™ is breathable and vapor-permeable on new concrete floors. It is also waterproof and tear-resistant. SurfaceLiner Vapor ™ has padded protection that is very effective against impact damage.

The EZcover by McTech Group is a natural cellulose fiber composite that absorbs spills immediately without degrading. It has a dense top layer and a soft cushion on the bottom, and is designed to take impacts. The EZcover is breathable, relatively easy to trim / shape around objects, and comes in large rolls for easy placement over large areas. If stored in decent condition, the EZcover is reusable. It is resistant to construction and road traffic and the edges can be taped if needed.

While contractors can use basic products such as plastic sheets, masonite and carpets to protect decorative concrete floors, specialized floor protection products are the most effective types of protection. Products such as Ram Board ™, Surface Pro ™, SurfaceLiner Vapor ™ and EZcover are specially designed to provide the best protection at a competitive price. Remember; protection is an investment and prevents the high replacement or repair costs that can happen if expensive flooring is left unprotected. Contact your local surface protection supplier for more information on how to best protect your valuable concrete floors.

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Source by Patricia Mullen

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Given that the UK housing market is at its lowest level ever, it is no surprise that the construction industry is at the forefront of reforms to adapt to the tougher economic climate. However, with the introduction of the government program a year ago and the advent of many independent programs, the industry is not just cutting back on power tools and streamlining the workforce to meet its goals – it is instead following a much greener path.

For most of us, the recession seemed to really pay off in the second half of 2008, when we saw stocks plummet 30 percent worldwide and numerous high-profile buyouts. Somewhat conveniently, the UK government put in place Waste Management Plans (SWMP) in April.

SWMPs have been introduced as mandatory for construction projects that cost more than £ 300,000 to track the amount and type of waste generated and whether it is dumped, recycled or reused. Their importance is underlined by research by the NetRegs partnership which has shown (among other things) that the average cost of what is thrown in one hop is £ 1,200, and that 13 percent of what is delivered per page will be thrown away instead of being used.

However, it is not only large-scale construction operations that benefit from on-site waste management plans. A private company, Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP), was founded in 2000 to help small, medium and large construction projects reduce waste and recycle more. Following government efforts to make SWMP mandatory in April 2008, WRAP launched a new three-year plan aimed at diverting eight million tonnes of waste from landfills, reducing CO2 emissions by five million tonnes – and benefiting individuals, businesses and local authorities via: over a billion pounds.

Likewise, Envirowise offers free support services to businesses, making them more resource efficient. Founded in 1994, the company highlights the high cost (four percent of turnover) of resource inefficiency for businesses and aims to reduce waste. Methods such as establishing partnerships with suppliers have been proven to offer economic and environmental benefits for the entire industry, including companies after and after the completion of a building change.

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Source by Sarah Maple

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Several aspects, including economic factors, rules and regulations, and general sanitation practice around the world, affect how waste disposal practice varies from country to country.

Developing countries are less likely to have sanitation and waste disposal laws than developed countries, which have more structured and stringent laws and regulations. Local councils are responsible for non-hazardous residential waste; while harmless commercial waste is the responsibility of industry.

Consumerism is not a bad concept at all, but rather an abuse of good things. Over the years, consumers have become more voracious and wasteful taking more than needed. The three principles of sustainable development in this world are reduction, reuse and recycling. This is a hands-on approach and a more dedicated way to reduce the burden on resources that are currently running out. Governments, organizations and other environmental movements require everyone to be involved in practicing and installing solutions for a greener world. Recent years have brought problems with the use of fossil fuels such as pollution, hydrocarbons and overall environmental impact. By looking at events around the world, people have made a great contribution to disasters around the world. To name a few: the 2004 killing tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand killed nearly 150,000 people, Hurricane “Katrina” in the US, typhoon “Ondoy” in the Philippines, and the massive earthquake that shook Haiti. In view of these events that wasted thousands of lives, people had to be more responsible in taking responsibility for their actions. Sometimes disasters are not caused by natural events. Some of them are man-made. Here are some proofs.

1. In addition to underwater explosions, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the detonation of nuclear devices at sea may lead to the formation of a tsunami.

2. Hurricanes can be caused by a warm ocean and low atmospheric stability. Carbon dioxide emissions create a greenhouse effect that warms the atmosphere and then warms the sea. This incident leads to the “fish being killed” (occurring in the Philippines).

3. Earthquakes are natural phenomena or phenomena. However, research shows that even mining contributes to the movement of the earth. One of the recorded devastating earthquakes is from Australia. The quake caused by changes in tectonic forces was caused by 200 years of underground coal mining.

4. Improper waste handling can cause severe flooding. Heavy rains, mismanaged waste and illegal deforestation are obvious sources of flooding.

Waste materials are thrown away when the source is considered unsuitable and has served its purpose. Waste, no matter what it may be, can often be turned into something useful or a resource that can generate energy. Solid waste is dumped or incinerated in open landfills or landfills just outside the city. Each of the waste disposal methods is harmful, causes contamination, unpleasant odors due to degradation of biodegradable substances, and loss of soil quality due to non-biodegradable substances. Most of the hazardous waste is biomedical waste because it contains pathogens. Electronic waste (such as computer parts, batteries, used or unused cell phones, and much more) car exhaust fumes and poisonous gases from industry are also major threats to humanity. Actions required to be taken in waste management programs are presented below.

1. Recycling
2. Sanitary landfill
3. Waste prevention
4. Waste segregation (bio and non-biodegradable)
5. Burning

The role of each person in waste management is very important. While it is not immediately apparent if everyone contributes, the overall effect is not only visible at the community level and waste will no longer be misplaced wealth.

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Source by Mark G Anderson

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Green technology (greentech) also known as environmental technology (envirotech) and clean technology (cleantech) is the integration of modern technology and environmental science in order to better protect the global environment and its natural resources and mitigate the negative effects of human activities on the planet. Greentech focuses on sustainable development. It is a realm of new innovations aimed at introducing changes in everyday life. It can be considered to be still in the development phase and is still breaking into a market dominated by products and services that do not consider the environment in an effort to meet the needs and needs of consumers. However, the growing awareness of the tragic state of the planet has resulted in huge resources being delegated to research and development of cleaner technologies, which gives hope for great progress in this area.

Goals of green technology

Green technology is considered the future of society as we cannot continue to use harmful technologies that negatively impact the environment and any form of life that depends on the maintenance of our planet. We humans who should be the guardians of the planet are on the way to desolation and death. Greentech aims to find and develop ways to meet human needs without causing harm to the environment or depleting the planet’s natural resources too quickly. . Therefore, it provides alternatives to conventional technologies that can provide almost the same level of satisfaction, but with a significant reduction in negative environmental effects.

Promoting recycling is also another goal of Green Technology by providing alternative products that are reusable and recyclable, which significantly reduces the amount of waste and pollution generated during the production and consumption of human needs and needs.

Types of green technology

1. Energy

This is the most pressing point that greentech needs to intervene. Conventional forms of energy production, such as fossil fuels such as coal and oil, produce huge amounts of pollutants when they are extracted and burned. Almost all air pollution in the world is related to energy. Air pollution leads to global warming and climate change. Fossil fuels are also limited, and it may only be a matter of time before they run out. Finding and developing renewable energy sources that will never run out is therefore one of greentech’s priorities.

2. Building

Designing and constructing buildings and infrastructure to help conserve natural resources is also classified as Green Technology. An example of a green building is one that is built in such a way that it can cool itself during the day and heat at night, effectively reducing or even eliminating the need for heating and cooling systems.

3. Preferred purchases

Green technology advocates the use of various techniques that allow the consumer to finance products and the manufacturer to find production methods that have the least negative impact on the environment. Generally pursuing eco-preferred purchases will encourage producers and retailers to shift to the green side of the market.

4. Chemistry

Greentech is also looking for chemical products that can reduce or eliminate already existing environmental damage, such as oil spills.

5. Nanotechnology

Greentech aims to develop innovations that can integrate ecological principles with nanotechnology.

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Source by D. A. Ocampo

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A natural resource, soil, is a thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth’s rocky surface. Soil formation involves many factors and is a time consuming process. Mechanical weathering of rocks under the influence of temperature changes, wind, moving water, lichen are just some of the factors.

Contaminants such as toxic compounds, radioactive materials, salts, chemicals, when added to the soil, deteriorate the quality, texture and mineral content of the soil. This leads to soil contamination. Soil contamination disturbs the biological balance of organisms in the soil. The negative effect of this pollution is a reduction in soil fertility, which affects the growth of plants and animals.

The main causes of soil contamination are:

• Accidental use of fertilizers
• Accidental use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
• Disposal of large amounts of solid waste
• Deforestation and soil erosion
• Addition of industrial pollution
• Storage of radioactive waste

Soil pollution control

Suggested different steps to control soil contamination are as follows:

Limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides:

As soil erosion has become a major concern, we must adopt three principles: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Biofertilizers are the best alternative to chemical fertilizers. These are microorganisms that serve to increase the fertility and growth capacity of the soil. This biofertilization process also reduces the need for pesticides and fungicides.

The practice of crop rotation – Legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen and thus improve soil fertility. These plants can be grown between crops that absorb a lot of nutrients from the soil.

Recycling of materials

Recycling and re-use of materials such as glass containers, plastic bags, paper, textiles, etc. at the household level, rather than disposal, reduces solid waste contamination. The use of plastic bags has increased dramatically. Paper or jute bags can be a good alternative. Clay toys can be a good source of entertainment for children. It is advisable to completely ban the use of plastics.

Reforestation

Wasteland, soil erosion and flooding can be controlled through reforestation. Huge forests fell victim to human greed. It takes years to reform a forest. Everyone on earth should decide to plant trees to save our planet Earth.

Waste processing

Biological treatment of waste using anaerobic microorganisms such as methanogens and acetogens is advisable as it helps to break down soil waste into a less toxic and biodegradable form. Industrial and radioactive waste should be properly neutralized before being left in the soil.

It is high time man realized the importance of the fertile topsoil and took the necessary steps to protect it from contamination. Soil is an asset and nothing can replace that. The vast expanses of human-made desserts laugh at us. Since we cannot create reservoirs and reservoirs from natural fertile soil, should we not stop destroying it?

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Source by Anna Purna Edara

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Many new and old companies are choosing to go green. Philosophies are changing, and many business owners and entrepreneurs put the environment at the forefront of their activities. It will be helpful to better understand what this type of business is, how to find ideas and the five current business opportunities that already exist.

The definition of green business

Green business is one that has no negative impact on the environment. There are some rules that help determine whether a business is green or not. These include adding the principles of sustainability to every business decision, replacing non-green services or products with environmentally friendly services or products, being greener than the competition, and committed to long-term success in line with environmental principles.

There are several essential features of a sustainable business. One of the most important elements that can be found in all green companies is triple the production value of the top line. This means that the business pursues three main goals simultaneously. These include bringing financial benefits to the company, naturally improving the world, and providing social benefits to both employees and members of the community. . .

Finding green business ideas

There are several different ways to find green business ideas. There are magazines that provide information and resources specifically about green business. It’s a great way to learn about building sustainable companies, as well as keeping up with trends. It is also possible to visit a green business blog or attend a green business conference to fully immerse yourself in the industry. It will be one of the fastest ways to learn about current trends and ideas that are becoming more and more popular. The difficult part of looking for opportunities this way is that there aren’t many conferences that are held, and there aren’t too many blogs that offer great information. Accessible websites provide entrepreneurs with a tremendous amount of excellent information to read.

5 green business opportunities for entrepreneurs

They can generally be divided into three different categories which include recycling, reduction and reuse. Following these three tips can be helpful for someone who is looking for green business opportunities.

Here are 5 green business opportunities that have great potential, especially in times of recession.

1) Open a barter business:

The barter system allows businesses and consumers to trade goods without changing currency. Products and services can be exchanged for other products or services without changing the owner of the money. Money can be earned from barter by charging a small fee for each transaction that takes place.

2) Rainwater collection and catchment systems:

The idea is to capture fresh rainwater using containment systems. With the decline in the world’s freshwater supply, the need for affordable rainwater harvesting systems has increased. Green entrepreneurs can help distribute these water retrieval systems to people in third world countries.

3) Recycled products:

Manufacturing new items from recycled products is another growing trend in green business. Entrepreneurs take other people’s rubbish and use it to create new items that can be sold on the market.

4) Luxury leasing:

Luxury leasing is a great idea to generate income from the rental of top-shelf goods. Consumers are interested in luxury items but do not have the same desire to buy these items. When you rent luxury shoes, handbags and accessories, you generate recurring income from a single purchase of a luxury item for an amazing return on investment.

5) Microfinance and social capital investment:

Microfinance can be defined as a way for low-income people to obtain microloans when they do not have access to other sources of finance. It works by allowing poor people to borrow money from peer-to-peer or similar lending institutions. Money can be earned from this business idea from the fees charged and interest accrued.

Green business ideas can be a great way to earn money while doing something great for the environment. For those who are interested, there are even green house business opportunities that allow people to start a small business from the comfort of their own home. .

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Source by Lorna Li

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Whenever we are trying to make a profit, it is inevitable that we create a waste in the process. In the old days, waste is something that is burned, buried or thrown into the nearest river or ocean.

Nowadays, we need to be a little more careful about how we dispose of our rubbish, because if we don’t, we will not only continue to pollute our own environment, waste valuable and finite raw materials, but also start destroying our profitability. How? Since we lose in doing what all natural organisms do – what nature draws from energy is usually a waste of something else, whether it’s humans, plants, microbes – what happens appears. Moreover, if we continue to refuse to recycle and reuse our waste wisely, the costs in monetary terms and the increasing number of penalties to be imposed could make financial stability a thing of the past. However, with more and more incentives to reduce our carbon footprint in the form of lucrative carbon credits, the economic incentives to manage waste efficiently have never been greater.

One of the biggest problems with waste today is the efficient handling of toxic waste, whether it comes from hospitals, veterinary offices, slaughterhouses, or even supermarkets and hotels that are struggling with food waste.

Right now, every ton of toxic waste comes with huge obligations in terms of licensing, storage and transportation, and shipping fees. It is already banned to landfill toxic waste in legal landfills (although much illegal landfilling is still ongoing).

Both hospital waste and food waste carry the risk that, if not handled quickly enough, the likelihood of the release of odors or even hazardous toxic fumes during normal storage can be quite high. For health and safety reasons, any type of waste should not be landfilled or incinerated, but it will require very careful treatment to keep it safe and recover as much energy as possible (both have very high calorific values). Unfortunately, carrying out this safe conversion will require a large investment in appropriate equipment, and then will have logistical problems in transporting the waste safely to that processing plant. In addition, service providers face a major challenge in managing all the regulated waste streams that are generated in a modern facility.

There are already many regulated solutions available for hospitals and other types of medical facilities, but all this means that the medical facility that produces the waste will have to pay a heavy export fee (around 400 or more per ton). as well as all associated costs related to licensing, waste safety and transportation. Most of these service providers will make a good profit from disposing of this waste, and many such organizations will be very eager to let go of their responsibility as easily as possible and continue with their primary task – health. care.

However, in a situation where financial sustainability becomes more and more difficult to maintain and medical financing, especially in the public sector, which is increasingly explored, alternative methods must always be explored.

One method that is becoming increasingly popular in terms of public safety and the ability to turn this waste away from responsibility and make it a profit center is to install systems at every hospital or other site where waste is generated that will actually reduce waste and turn it into sterile raw material that can be safely transported to a large waste management plant, where it can be successfully transformed into renewable energy. It also takes place in a closed environment so there is no chance of toxic fumes or odors escaping during this process.

By installing revolutionary new “waste treatment plants” at the point where the waste is generated, rather than increasing the liability of at least 400 per tonne, with all the dangers of having toxic waste near many people, these processors actually create a sterilized product with a real resale value and in the environment. no toxic fumes or odors are emitted

So, with the right technology, waste will become a sterile resource to be turned into green energy, worth around 100 per ton. The value will increase in the following order: –

1. Liability of 400 per ton removed

2. No further special problems or costs related to storage or transportation

3. All contents would be crushed into small pieces including organic and inorganic material.

4. The actual weight will be reduced by at least 60% due to the removal of moisture.

5. Any non-ecological recyclables will be cleaned and sterilized, ready for sale

6. The heat generated to sterilize the waste and significant amounts of evaporated moisture can be fed back into the heat exchange system at a cost.

7. The remainder will now be able to be sold to a waste management facility, either for a certain value or in exchange for carbon credits or electricity income. The residues can be easily transported in vehicles that do not require special cleaning afterwards.

8. The entire organization could boast a true GREEN accreditation.

Depending on the actual amount of waste generated at each location and whether several separate entities could cooperate on this, it may be economically viable for them to come together to invest in a dedicated waste management system to take sterilized waste and turn it into green energy electric. The income from the generated electricity and the value of carbon credits should pay for such a system in less than three years.

Now, those who still insist on sitting back and doing nothing to change their ways of managing waste wisely will find that for a very short time they will regret their inaction. Coming soon, the fines that will be imposed on companies still not “doing their part” to manage their waste problems with some environmental concern that we all have to share will be disproportionately high.

Why not invest wisely in your green future now and remove the threat of punitive and costly actions, if not …

The choice is yours. Waste Not – Want Not, it never sounded more real …

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Source by Geoff Morris

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When we think about recycling, most of the pressure is on the consumer. Not manufacturers or industry leaders who force us to make certain packaging choices, and most often have no choice. .

This is especially true for the food industry, but recycling goods in any industry can reduce waste and conserve resources.

Wouldn’t it be great if the greater responsibility for sustainability started at the beginning rather than the end of the chain?

Here are some ways that companies can make it much easier to be “green”.

1. Filtered water with fruit skins

Mexican scientists have developed a way to filter heavy metals and other contaminants from the water using an absorbent material made almost entirely of discarded citrus peels such as oranges and grapefruits.

That’s great, because there are plenty of them. It is estimated that the food industry produces around 38.2 million tonnes of fruit peel waste annually worldwide, so this is a great opportunity to use what is usually considered garbage.

The material is produced using a new treatment called instant controlled pressure drop and then packed into fixed bed columns.

“The results show the great potential of using these materials as adsorbents capable of competing with commercial activated carbon for the adsorption and recovery of metals present in wastewater, so that sustainable processes can be carried out where products of great commercial value can be obtained from food industry residues . “

– Researcher Luis Alberto Romero Cano

2. Biodegradable packaging that keeps food fresh for longer

Food packaging made of composites of cellulose or plant material, then coated with “active ingredients” that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties,

it can be an alternative to traditional plastic polymers (i.e. disposable containers that contain everything).

Research has shown that clove essential oil is best at binding free radicals and fighting oxidation, but it is not antimicrobial.

This is where silver comes in. The addition of the iconic silver particles not only gives the material long-lasting antimicrobial properties, but also makes it stronger and flexible.

It takes about two years for these non-toxic materials to decompose.

The biggest challenge: preparing ready-to-use packaging made of natural heat-resistant materials.

There are still difficulties creating something that will even withstand an oven or microwave, but will naturally decompose over time. Cellulose cannot be used in this way.

Similar products are already on the market. Compostable or edible water bottles seem to be gaining ground. From somewhat attractive to not at all.

One company has developed a bottle of Ooho, a gelatin-like substance made from seaweed and other plants. It can be flavored, is cheaper than plastic, and degrades within 4-6 weeks. Another company, Biota, offers corn-based products. Designer Ari Jónsson created a bottle with red algae powder. Crystal Mountain and Redleaf Water offer slightly more traditional options.

Other fully edible self-packaged foods such as Wikipedia Pearls are becoming popular in Europe and are sold in some parts of the United States. They have plant-based and nut-based skins, with yoghurt, ice cream or liquid agents.

It would be nice for our containers to dissolve naturally, rather than clogging landfills and waterways forever. But how many of us really want to take the next step and eat our water bottle remains to be seen. Sometimes you’re just not hungry.

3. Recycling of rare metals

New ways to recycle special and rare metals in batteries are on the horizon. The extraction of these metals is costly and can impact the environment.

The CoLaBats initiative is working to make the recycling of metals such as cobalt, lanthanides, nickel and lithium easier and more profitable.

Specialty Ion Liquids (TSILs) or “design solvents” as they are sometimes called are used to break down lithium-ion (lithium-ion batteries) and NiMH (nickel-metal hydride batteries) batteries.

These batteries are used in many of our rechargeable products such as phones, laptops, and increasingly in electric and hybrid cars. These fluids are non-toxic, inexpensive, and require little processing to be reused.

A task-specific ionic fluid is essentially a liquid salt that has been given special properties to perform a specific task. In some cases, they can be used with traditional ionic liquids to reduce costs.

Another group of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania is also working on new ways to separate rare metals from batteries.

The main method that is currently used to separate these metals is resource-intensive. Hundreds of fluid chambers are connected and two fluids begin to flow side by side. One is acidic and water-based, the other is organic. The metals then dissolve and are extracted. This chemical process has to be repeated thousands of times.

Due to costs, only about 1% of these metals are recycled.

“Everyone has heard of blood diamonds, but maybe people haven’t heard of blood cobalt, tantalum or lithium. We shouldn’t just throw away so much material. As part of a sustainable approach to production and the development of a circular economy, we should think about the impact and value of materials at every stage of their life cycle. And about how we can efficiently and effectively restore them back to usable raw materials as soon as they are left. ‘ again at the end of the product’s life. ‘

– Eric Schelter, Faculty of Chemistry, Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences

But that’s the old way.

The newer method reduces the amount of time and energy required while reducing the amount of waste generated during the process.

They did this by trapping ions in the mixtures. This mixture contains two types of elements. One is soluble in organic substances, the other is not. The solution acts as a filter, removing one metal from the rest.

Benzene, the solvent used in most of these experiments, is a natural part of crude oil, but it is also carcinogenic. For this reason, scientists are still researching other more environmentally friendly solvents.

Investing in such projects can help reduce landfilling and metal consumption.

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Source by Kate Alsbury

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Paper towels seem like a brilliant invention. What’s more convenient than disposable towels that don’t need to be cleaned or reused? Just buy the new one and throw the old one away. What we may not think about when using paper towels is the extreme waste they create and what their environmental impact really is.

Paper towels were first invented as a way for medical facilities to prevent the spread of germs. At first, these disposable products were not as popular as they are today, but that has changed quickly. Paper towels were soon used in households across America, and waste began to accumulate.

Paper towel effects

Paper towels, like any paper product, are made of trees. This means that every time you use a disposable towel, you are using the inside of the tree to wipe the countertops and surfaces. In your life, you will probably use thousands of buns, which is the equivalent of a whole forest. Imagine the local forest you walked through completely cut down only for paper towels!

Not only trees are used for the production of paper towels

Paper towels use many more resources than just trees. First you need to grow trees to produce a product. They can be grown on a farm or, more likely, they are just cut. This requires heavy equipment that uses fuel and manpower to get the job done. These trees must then be transported to the plant for cleaning and processing. The process will use more resources such as oil and especially water.

Then the product will be transported to the packing room. From there, they will go to the warehouse for distribution, then to the grocery store, and then to your home. Imagine the amount of fuel used to transport these trees! This means that the fewer disposable towels and paper products you use, the less trees will be cut.

Paper towels in landfills

The landfills are filled with disposable paper products such as diapers, napkins, printer paper, notebooks, handkerchiefs and paper towels. It is not possible to recycle or reuse disposable paper products such as sanitary napkins and diapers (not to mention they are not hygienic!). What is happening with these paper products? After all, paper products are biodegradable. The biodegradation time of paper towels varies but is usually around one year. The thicker the towel, the longer it will take to break down into the environment. Perhaps the biggest problem is that paper is not the only ingredient in paper products, and that we use paper towels faster than they can biodegrade in the environment. We use up our resources faster than we can replace them, and waste accumulates even faster.

Chemicals in paper towels

Paper towels are not only trees. To increase the absorbency, they have been treated with dioxins and other ingredients (the process is not disclosed on the roll of paper towels). They are also bleached to give them a white color. The dangers of chlorine bleaching have been well documented. Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to chlorine bleach. To reduce their exposure to these chemicals, limit the use of paper plates and towels. Instead, use regular plates, fabric napkins, and products that are washable and reusable.

Why do we need trees

Trees give us oxygen and filter our air. Since the industrial age, the world has produced emissions that pollute our atmosphere. Trees are our only hope to help clean the air, and we cut them down much faster than we can keep up with their replacement. . Trees also help filter soil and water, and provide much-needed shade for our homes. Wildlife also depends on trees. The misuse of trees will result in the extinction of some species, one way or another will affect the human species. As we face the undesirable prospect of climate change, it is important that we grow as many trees as possible to help reduce emissions and filter the air we breathe. The US is the largest user of disposable paper products, consuming 50% more than Europe and 500% more than Latin America. Despite awareness of the consumption of disposable paper products, consumption continues to rise, making it even more important to spread the word that they will be reusable.

Packaging waste

Like most products created today, disposable products are wrapped with an outer plastic shell, which increases their overall waste. The outer packaging is for storing the product only. Once opened, the product is discarded. It cannot be recycled. These thin plastics are photodegradable in the environment for thousands of years. Unlike biodegradable products, this means it will never really go away, it will just keep getting smaller and eventually making its way into our waterways and drinking water.

How to reduce consumption

To reduce the use of paper towels, try using a reusable towel instead. Twist the towel and rinse if necessary, machine wash if necessary. You will be surprised how fewer times you take out the rubbish simply by going to reuse. It feels great to have a lighter load of rubbish! If you live in a city that charges for a garbage bag, this is another potential savings for you. In the case of apartment complexes and apartments, this may mean stable fees and rents due to the stability of the rental costs of dumpsters and tippers. In other words, the savings can pass to you.

Reusable cost saving

Reusability is not only good for the environment, but also good for your wallet. Savings add up quickly. The average cost of a pack of paper towels is well over $ 1 per roll. A typical family probably uses a few rolls a week, maybe 3-5. It can really add up! That’s around $ 3-5 a week, plus lots of trees a week. It’s hard to justify cutting down a few trees a week just to clean the meters, right? By switching to reusable use, you will immediately realize the cost savings. Unlike the disposable variety, reusable can be used multiple times. Another advantage of being reusable is that you don’t have to carry towels around at the grocery store. They take up a lot of space in the grocery cart and store! Reusable, they take up a fraction of the space and can be stored directly under the kitchen sink.

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Source by Danielle Nihill