Go Greener Tips

Thousands of organizations and businesses are going the extra mile and spending the extra dollar to buy utility-scale energy from renewable resources. So much so that the United States E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) compiles a quarterly list of the top green power companies from their Green Power Partnership program which came out in July 2008.

Some businesses take diminutive steps towards a green campaign, but these companies are proving their allegiance to a greener environment by voluntarily spending millions of dollars on clean energy.

1. Intel purchased 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January 2008. This compensates for 47 percent of the companies overall energy use.
2. PepsiCo purchased 1.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2007, the equivalent of powering 90,000 homes for an entire year. This accounts for 100 percent of their annual energy use. PepsiCo was named Green Power Partner of the Year in 2007 by the E.P.A.
3. U.S. Air Force has already purchased 9 million kilowatt hours of electricity this year as of July 2008. They have invested in a number of biogas, biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy providers.
4. Wells Fargo has purchased 5.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity from wind energy providers thus far in 2008. They are also a Green Power Partner of the Year in 2007. More than green energy, Wells Fargo has made a number of other commitments to their green campaign including LEED certifying their buildings and offering online account statements.
5. Whole Foods Market, the past two years has purchased enough green energy to compensate for 100 percent of their energy use, totalling to over 5 million kilowatt hours annually. The company is also investing in multiple other efforts to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

Other organizations ranking high on the E.P.A.’s list are Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson and the University of Pennsylvania.

Nick Tart is a senior at Colorado State University and the founder of JuniorBiz.com, teachingyoung people how to become entrepreneurs. He anticipates graduating Magna Cum Laude this spring and chooses to use his $40,000 education to help young people with their businesses. Find 100+ teen business ideas on his site.Entrepreneurshipis a game. May the best one win.

Author: Nick Tart
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

I see there is the recycling triangle with a number inside. What do those mean?
I am talking about plastics.

Capturing warmth from wood has been a practice mankind has been carrying out for thousands of years. The easy log fire is a from of wood heat, used for heat plus for cookery. Using wood for heat in the 20th century never really evolved, as fossil fuel alternatives took control of the market. Fossil fuel heating solutions were low maintenance, highly efficient in addition to at the time affordable. Other than the obvious complications by fossil fuels as well as there carbon emissions, there are other issues by means of our faith on these resources to warmth our homes along with cook our food. The first issue is resource. Fossil fuels in the form of oil plus gas are not widely distributed. A few areas of land in addition to sea, hold the majority of the resources which we are practically able to reach. Within the free market, a product or service is worth what ever someone is willing to pay for it. Therefore it is very easy for the oil industry to initiate charge rises. The extra key issue is there simply isn’t sufficient of these resources to meet rising global demand. We have known this fact for many years, yet it is an issue many seem to be happy to ignore.

Learn more about Biomass Heat

To manufacture biomass a more practical and appealing heat choice, requires the raw biomass fuel source to be compressed into pellets. Owing to compression plus moisture reduction the wood is converted into a more proficient fuel in addition to a energy which is easier to deal by. Also, as all biomass fuel pellets are the same shape as well as size, the same pellet burner depending on the burn pot design can use a wide selection of biomass resources automatically. This is important, because we cannot simply rely on one biomass resource for our fuel needs. Woody wood is part of the solution, but many of the woody biomass resources simply grow too slowly to replace the resources at the rate of consumption. This has therefore led into a great deal of research on energy crops such a miscanthus, reed as well as hemp plus faster growing woody biomass species such as short rotation coppice willow.

Read more about Wood Pellet Machines

Biomass log incineration wood boilers in addition to stoves have been used a extra warmth source for some abode owners, yet very rarely relied on a the main warmth source. The easy reason is work load and poor efficiency. Loading the fire at an acceptable rate with logs would just take up too much time. Pellet burners can feed them selves automatically with energy pellets, by one full hopper load lasting at least a day. To make quality pellet fuels, requires the correct gear along with the correct raw materials. The three key pieces of gear are the hammer mill, dryer in addition to pellet mill. Through this equipment the key processes are size reduction, moisture reduction and particle compression into pellet form. To produce a quality pellet from any raw material requires the correct particle size, correct moisture content plus correct heat. Heat is often a very over looked are, yet is crucial. If the heat is not ample the organic binding abilities of the lignin will not work, plus temperatures which are too high will changes the raw matter in addition to create equipment issues.

More information on Renewable Energy

Below are some new green gadgets for the on-the-go lifestyle:

1) Solar Backpacks

The new Solar Backpacks not only look cool but with Solar Panels on the back you can keep all your devices juiced up without ever plugging in. These bags include standard adapters for common cell phones and other handheld devices. Some models store as much as 14 watts and can be used to charge laptops as well. The bags include common adaptors for most portable devices. Even without an adaptor, you can charge most devices with a standard car charger or USB charger.

2) I am Not A Paper Cup – Reusable Coffee Cup

Shake things up in the Starbucks line when you bust out with your own reusable coffee up. It’s definitely a conversation starter and you are sure to get some folks thinking about reusable products.

3) Brita Water Filter Kleen Kanteen Bottles

When I looked at the numbers I realized that I was spending over $125 per month on bottled water. Soon after I picked up a Brita Water filter, 4 replacement filters, and a six pack of Kleen Kanteen stainless steel bottles. The experience has been and all around win as I have made back my total investment in under two months time, always have a cold bottle of water in the fridge and my weekly recycling bags have grown much much smaller. **If you do use a Brita Water filter visit takebackthefilter.org/ and sign the petition to urge Clorox to recycle the filters.

All of the above products can be found at the eco friendly store at I Buy It Green.com

Jay Valente
Senior Contributor
I Buy It Green.com

Author: Jay Valente
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Humorous photo captions

Renewable energy is a form of energy that can be generated from a number of different natural resources. These renewable resources come from wind, water, rain, sunlight and geothermal heat. Currently around 20 per cent of the world’s energy comes from the renewable energy sources. The vast majority of this comes from burning wood. The second most common form of renewable energy that is in use in the world today comes from hydroelectricity which provides three per cent of the world’s electricity.

One form of renewable energy that is becoming popular in the world today is that of wind power. Unfortunately the problem with wind power, which makes it most controversial, is that they require a great deal of land and a very unsightly and may be damaging to the local environment. However, they can also be built at sea in certain cases, which is more effective and has less of an impact on the environment.

Hydroelectricity is derived from water. Examples of this include water wheels and water mills. One of the best things about hydroelectric power, is that it is effective and relatively cheap to run. These days and supplies 19% of the electricity and the whole world. There are a number of things that can supply hydroelectricity such as tidal power and wave power.

Another popular form of renewable energy is of course solar power, which is derived from sunlight reflected on to solar panels and converted into electricity. It is quite common these days in certain households, where people have their own solar panels installed and can sell any electricity that they generate back into the grid. So, not only is it an environmentally friendly form of energy, but it is also economically viable for the people who use it.

Another form of renewable energy is biofuel, which is derived from recently dead biological material, as opposed to fossil fuels which come from organic matter left by creatures and plant life long dead. The technology that utilizes biofuel is rapidly becoming more popular, with a number of flexible fuel cars starting to appear on the market.

Finally, geothermal energy is another form of a highly effective renewable energy. This type of energy comes directly from tapping into the heat of the planet itself. Unfortunately building geothermal energy power stations is not cheap, but they are cheap to run and they produce a lot of electricity.

The market for renewable energy is rapidly growing, especially the wind power industry, which is currently experiencing a remarkable 30 per cent annual growth rate. In addition to this, or more people are getting solar power panels installed into their homes.

It is refreshing to know that in these times of rapidly growing population around the world and an environment that is becoming increasingly endangered, that governments and people are starting to do something about the problem. As technology continues to advance, one would hope that we can expect to see even more options with regards to renewable energy and a much more frequent use of it.

Want to cheaply create your own electricity and renewable energy? Save thousands per year with the DIY solar / windmill power kit at http://TheEarth4Energy.com.

Author: Alexis Jameson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Humorous photo captions

When most people think “green” they picture solar panels and fancy energy saving gadgets. It doesn’t have to be this way.
My very first green gadget was a sava plug that I wired to an old freezer that was used to store my allotment produce. The old freezer saw its demise a few years ago and has been changed with a super-efficient model, but it was the start of my love affair with green gadgetry. Wow, haven’t things moved on, but don’t go expecting technical specs and other techno-bafflement. This is my pick of green gadgets for the masses.

Freeplay Energy compact DAB wind up radio & flashlight I’ll admit a bit of a penchant for wind-up stuff, so this one’s first on the list. The latest radio contribution from Freeplay is a lot smaller than previous wind-up radios, and as the lovely Richard from Freeplay puts it in this video, the radio gives you more reward for your wind with an better cranking mechanism.

Green Plug This little baby has been getting all over the green blogosphere. It’s a super clever plug that actually facilitates communications between power sources and electronic devices, reducing energy usage by placing an end to “phantom power”.

Voltaic’s range of solar bags that can power a laptop Most bags with solar panels will power hand-held gadgetry, but Voltaic has succeeded in ramping that up to power your laptop.
Charge your computer while you’re on the move, or charge your smaller electronics, camera, digital video camera, laptop, MP3 player, GPS or PDA. And, to make them even greener, Voltaic bags are made from recycled fizzy drinks bottles, using less energy than nylon and producing a demand for recycled materials.

United Pepper webcams & USB hubs Who ever heard of a Fairtrade and biodegradable computer accessory, and no plastic. Only united pepper makes webcams and USB hubs that are really, really cute, and are more eco-friendly and people friendly than anything else in the same category. Apple and Dell have some catching up to do.

Fashionation’s recycled speakers, these speakers are made fromrecycled materials, and can be folded flat for easy storage and portability.
They actually sound great, and cost little or nothing. They come in a wide range of colours, from functional brown to girlie purples and pinks.

The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player This is my latest, and favourite, eco-toy. In fact, I’m listening to Phill Collins in crystal clarity as I sit here writing this blog post. They are larger than the iPod and probably not the coolest looking gadget out, but as far as function and adaptability goes, it beats the others hands down. In my house it’s fondly referred to as the ecopod, and those with a mere iPod look on in envy when their batteries run down on a weekend away from their PC.

Manhattan Green Solutions, and Environmental Division of Panmanhattan Marketing Corporation, launches the Oxygenics Storm in the Philippines, an Eco Friendly Showerhead that saves up to 70% energy and water heating cost, while providing more than 30% more water pressure than other leading rainfall showerheads.

Oxygenics utilizes the Venturi principle in the design of all their shower products. Venturi is a system that infuses indoor surrounding air into water, ensuring optimal aerated water pressure without using what is more than necessary. Typical showerheads in the Philippines use between 3.5 to 4.5 Gallons per minute, an exxagerated amount not realized by its current users. Oxygenics utilizes 1.2 to 1.5 Gallons per minute, a mere fraction of the current system being used.

This means less water, and less need for hot water, which requires a lot of carbon emissions through either electricity or diesel boiler system. Savings in water and heating would give users 6 to 8 months Return on Investment, the first in history for any showerhead.

People interested in investing on Solar water heating system might want to first purchase Oxygenics Showerheads to ensure that the initial required water demand will be lower. The required water heater will thus be substantially smaller, bringing in large immediate savings.

Oxygenics also utilizes Delrin by Dupont, an atetal resin, in its interior. Delrin is a non stick interior system gives users the peace of mind with a lifetime performance warranty against clogging from hard water, scaling, and corrosion. These showerheads are indeed built to last.

Aside from the Oxygenics Storm shower head, Manhattan Green Solutions also offers the Skincare Series – The entry level and popular showerhead, Bodyspa Handheld – A telephone shower version, Trispa fixed and handheld – with 3 settings from a strong shower to massage, 5 Star Resort – A popular showerhead for leading hotels and spas in USA, Xstream – A showerhead that works even in low water pressures of 5 PSI, and the Evolution series – A handheld shower with 4 settings and an adjustable head.

Notable clients include Gold’s Gym, Quantum Hotels, Fitness First, Renaissance, and others. Gym and spa facilities enjoy getting their Return on Investment for as early as 2 weeks due to high volume. Hotels have noted seeing savings returns of up to 8 months, leaving future use as pure profit.

These clients have also enjoyed happy customers who have enjoyed their shower experience. Shower use complaints have dropped to 0 for these companies as there is no more clogging or weak shower.

The overall grant of great savings and return on investment, lifetime warranty, and happy customers, has made these companies more motivated to be loyal with Oxygenics showerheads, and rightly so. Their positive comments and praise has reached other companies who are now vying to save on water and energy. Oxygenics speaks for itself in performance.

For more information, please visit the Manhattan Green Solutions website.

Shortcut to practical recommendations about the topic of internet marketing tip – make sure to study the site. The time has come when proper info is really only one click of your mouse, use this chance.

As more and more people are participating in Going Green movement, it is more likely that you have a friend or family member who prefers eco-friendly gifts. There are a lot of eco-friendly products on the market. Here are 5 green gift ideas that would make her happy.

1. Bonsai tree garden – This holiday season give the gift that bloom. The bonsai tree makes any indoor area live and pleasant. It makes great gift for the women on your list. The kit that comes with tree contains a leak-resistant growing container.

2. Bamboo wood earrings – The wild and striking set of wood earring makes an excellent gift for any woman. They look beautiful and are made from eco-friendly materials. They would go with any dress and makes her more beautiful.

3. Eco-friendly mascara – Mascara makes eyes beautiful. It is very important for make-up. There are many brands available in the market. Using eco-friendly mascara is a beautiful option. It is best for women who has sensitive eyes or wear lenses. It is paraben, mineral oil, phthalate free. It makes a great gift for someone who has sensitive eyes.

4. Eco bag – Eco bag is a friendly option to handbags. It does more than keep her organized. The durable eco bag is made from recycled materials. The bag available in the market has many pockets that store more items. The bag keeps 26 plastic bottles from heading to the landfill. The bag is great for outdoor and office use.

5. Bamboo pashmina shawl – Another green gift that is perfect for the woman on your list who has sensitive skin. The shawl is extremely soft and silky. It is inexpensive and more durable. It will keep her warm and she will appreciate your thought.

You can always give a gift card that saves you time and money. Many companies promote green gadgets provide gift cards too.

More green gift ideas for her visit http://www.solargadgetsinfo.com/green-gift-for-her.html

L Vyas is an advocate of the application of alternative energy, Environment Care, Green Earth, Renewable Energy and Solar Gadgets. This article is copyrighted, all rights reserved, and it may be used only if kept entirely intact with the author’s name and URL.

http://www.SolarGadgetsInfo.com

Author: L Vyas
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

Introduction

As the founder of the German Green Party, Petra Kelly once said “If we don’t do the impossible, we shall be faced with the unthinkable.” It is time we answered Kelly’s call to action and set into motion the necessary steps to revitalize the earth, such as, integrating recycling programs within local communities. The simple practice of generating new uses for discarded materials conserves natural resources, reduces air pollution, saves energy and downsizes landfills. For example, if everyone in the country recycled a newspaper a week thirty-six million trees a year would be saved.

There are six steps involved with setting up a recycling program in an educational facility:

1. Consult a waste collection service
2. Determine what is needed
3. Gather equipment
4. Organize
5. Roll out the program
6. Maintain program

This guide will outline each of these steps in detail and how to use them to implement a successful recycling program.

Step 1: Consult a Waste Collection Service
Before introducing a program determine what type of recycling is possible for the area. Contact the local municipality and find out who collects waste and recyclables for educational facilities in the area. When contacting the municipality evaluate their customer satisfaction and collection costs.

Each community has a different procedure for collecting recyclables. Find out from the waste hauler what the collection requirements are in the area including:

o What types of materials are collected
o How materials are separated
o What color schemes are used
o What types of containers are accepted
o When are materials collected
o How much does it cost
o What type of areas work with the collection trucks
o What happens when the program requirements change

Step 2: Determine What Is Needed
Determine how much and what type of waste is generated in the school. Apply it to the specifications provided by the hauler and the anticipated level of traffic for the area. Together this information will provide what is needed for the recycling program to run. For example, an elementary school may require mid-sized centralized containers or small desk-side bins for each classroom. The type of recycling bin which will work best will depend on how often it will be emptied, the amount of staff contributing to it, student enrolment, possible janitorial services and the size of the area.

A great way to determine what is needed for a recycling program is by seeking the input and approval of those in the space. Applying the advice of administrative staff, teachers and parents can encourage future program use. It can also ensure that an appropriate recycling program is selected by those who will be using it.

Step 3: Gather Recycling Equipment
Now that the specific needs of the program have been determined the equipment can be purchased. Consult a recycling bin manufacturer for program ideas and container solutions. Ensure that the bins selected are easy to use, efficient and environmentally sound.

Easy to use recycling containers should be versatile and custom designed to work with any environment. There are different bin features available which make participation in a recycling program easier such as:

o Mountable bins for increased surface space
o Desk side bins for increased leg room
o Stackable containers for easy storage
o Large wheeled or lidded containers for easy transportation

Select the container which makes the most sense for the area it will be placed in. Containers should feature the correct combination of visual indicators and sorting mechanisms to maximize the ease in use. Use clearly marked labels, shaped deposit slots and different color options. These tools will allow students, staff and parents to quickly identify what the bin is designed to collect.

Implementing plastic containers which are environmentally sound can assist a recycling program. Select containers which are 100% recyclable, made with a minimum of 35% recycled content and complimented by matching waste baskets. Containers meeting these requirements will maximize the results of a recycling program in an educational facility as they have green solutions built right in.

North American made containers have a reduced impact on the environment. Local products will reduce air pollution resulting from overseas shipping and toxins from foreign containers. Also, if the recycling bins are within arm’s reach they will be easier to replace or distribute in the future should new containers be needed.

Product Recommendations
Busch Systems offers an extensive line of recycling and waste container solutions. The type of bin to select for an educational facility will depend on how it will be used. There are three categories to consider when selecting recycling containers for academic environments: individual, shared and outdoor. Listed below are product recommendations for each category:

a. Individual recycling containers best service areas occupied by one person, such as, teacher’s desks or workstations. The product best suited for this category is the ‘Deskside Recycling Bin’. The container is custom designed to fit seamlessly under desk drawers and can contain upward of three gallons of recyclables. This bin is also available with a matching waste basket which can be hung alongside of it.

b. Recycling containers designed for shared use target common areas, such as, gymnasiums or staff lounges. The ‘Upright’ Series is ideal for such an environment as it is available in large sizes and uses simplified sorting mechanisms. Children and young adults alike favour this container as its see through design allows them to watch the recycling process take place.

c. Outdoor recycling containers are for exterior facility use, such as, building entrances and schoolyards. The ‘Four in One HD’ recycling bin is best suited for this category as it has various collection slot options and fitted liners. This container consists of four compartments which are all able to collect twenty three gallons of waste or recyclables.

These are only a few of the recycling container solutions offered at Busch. To view the complete line of equally attractive alternatives please visit: http://www.buschsystems.com.

Step 4: Organize the Recycling Program

After a container is selected it must be incorporated into a well organized recycling program. The first phase of systematizing is assigning a program coordinator. This should be someone in the facility who is interested in taking charge of the program. Once the coordinator is made aware of their responsibilities they can ensure that the recycling program is always running smoothly.

The new candidate can begin their duties by selecting where the containers should go. When deciding where bins should be placed bear in mind other containers which may be in the environment, traffic, capacity and collection. The scheduling of container collection may be the deciding factor in determining where the bins should go. Placement options may be limited depending on the size of the collection vehicle and the accessibility of the area.

Suggested Green initiatives
Once the collection of recyclable material has been arranged other green initiatives can be considered. Listed below are a few suggestions for green practices which educational facilities can perform:

o Turning off lights when leaving classrooms
o Using electronic communications to submit and distribute assignments and reports
o Encouraging the packing of waste free lunches in reusable containers
o Setting up a compost
o Buying recycled materials and supplies

Step 5: Roll Out Program
Following the development of a recycling program is the execution. In order for the program to run productively the end user must be educated on how it operates and explained what the goals are. Rolling out the initiative will get those sharing the space excited about the program and motivated to use it.
Organize a meeting with all staff at the educational facility. Educate the staff on how the program runs, what the goals are, who the program coordinator is and what everyone’s responsibilities are. Have the staff roll out the program to their students in ways that get them motivated to use it. An elementary school teacher for example, could explain how the program works with the introduction of a reward system based on student participation. The winner could be awarded a miniature recycling container full of treats.

Step 6: Maintain Program
Maintaining a recycling program is a critical component to ensuring its longevity and success. A large part of the upkeep process will be the responsibility of the program coordinator. They will need to constantly monitor the effectiveness of the program and find ways to improve it. The coordinator will also be responsible for keeping those in the facility enthused and new staff or students educated on the program procedures.

There are several ways in which a program coordinator can keep up enthusiasm at a school. For example, the coordinator of a high school could offer incentives to the class and teacher which collects the most recyclables. Having separate incentives for each will encourage teachers to influence student participation. The teachers could motivate students by sending recycling progress reports home and encouraging parents to post them prominently.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the combined usage of the above six steps will enable an educational facility to incorporate an effective recycling program. The program should work toward conserving our natural resources and safeguarding our environment. Ideally, a new recycling program will allow future generations to flourish in what we have instead of flounder in what we have left behind.

Sources:
Alon Tal, Speaking of Earth: Environmental Speeches That Moved The World (USA, 2006) 140.
Waste Reduction Week Canada. 23 Sep. 2009. Environment Canada. http://www.wrwcanada.com

Author: Carla Kostiak
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News