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The curbside recycling bin is one of the most recognizable recycling containers there is.

A huge amount of recyclable waste materials is generated in homes and proper recycling of household waste can help in saving energy and natural resources. New products can be created from household waste by the method of recycling and this can lessen the burden on the environment. Some household materials that can be recycled are newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, and recyclable plastic materials.

By using recycling bins in your home, you can make a significant contribution towards the environment. An effective recycling program can also help you in utilizing the household waste materials in a constructive way. Here are some tips you can follow to run an effective recycling program in your home:

o Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Your best tool is your familiar Blue Recycle bin to keep you mindful of the things you can do for our planet right in your own home. By following these three simple rules you can make the recycling program in your house a success. First of all, you should reduce the amount of waste produced, and try to reuse the materials that can be used for some other purpose. If a waste material can not be reused, then you should send it for recycling.

o Use Recycling Bins: You must keep a separate recycle bin in your garage, kitchen, lobby and garden, etc. and encourage family members to throw waste material in the appropriate bin. This can help you in contributing to the environment and also keep your house clean. You can buy Waste Warrior recycling bins, United Receptacle recycling bins, Rubbermaid recycling bins, Ecolad recycling containers and more.

o Find a hauler to pick-up recycling material: If you are not lucky enough to live in a city with a Curbside Recycling program you can contact your local recycling station and arrange a hauler to pick up the recyclable material from your house. You can also take the recyclable waste to the recycling station yourself. You should avoid burying it in the ground as it would not only pollute the soil but also lower the economic impact to its half which could have been gained by recycling the waste material. According to the statistics, nearly 70% of the waste that could be recycled is buried in the ground.

By running effective recycling programs in your home, you can also make your children habitual to disposing waste the right manner. This way we can lead towards a better future. You can log on to www.recyclingsupply.com to buy recycling bins for home and office.

For more tips and information about curbside recycling, check out: http://www.recyclingsupply.com/recconbyrub.html.

Author: Patrick J Hills
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As a business owner you understand that saving cash on your energy cost can help your bottom line. You have probably heard about building energy audits and wondered what is involved, how much you could save, and most important how much it will cost you?

First of all, what is an energy assessment? An energy audit is an in-depth examination of your company’s operation. It includes analyzing your buildings, machinery, work schedules, energy rates: anything that affects your energy cost.

Obviously, some businesses will profit more from an energy audit than others. The first thing you need to look at is your energy expenses. How much are you spending monthly for all your utilities (include your electricity, oil, gas, coal, etc…)? If you spend under $1000 dollars monthly on average it probably won’t be worth the cost of hiring an energy assessor. That’s not to say there aren’t things you can do to maximize your savings. We will go over some the little things you can do yourself to save cash later in the article.

If you spend $1000 – $10,000 per month a preliminary assessment or a self walk thru audit that doesn’t require an assessor to come out to your company is a good way to get an idea of your probable savings. It will highlight the major energy wasters, what you can do to improve them, and how much expenditure will be needed. You collect the data and send it to an assessor who can show you several low or no cost things you can do to save energy. They can point out equipment that needs to be maintained or replaced and show you how long it will take to recoup your expenditure. Keep in mind the analysis is only as good as the data you provide and will not be as good as having a professional assessor come to your site and collect the data himself. But it will give you a good idea of your probable energy saving opportunities for a fraction of the price.

If your company spends over $10,000 per month, has heavy machinery, or multiple facilities you will most likely be better off hiring a professional assessor to come out and do a full assessment of you company. This will cost anywhere from $5000 to $25000 or more based on the size of your business and length of time the auditor will need to be on site.

Who should pass and just do it themselves? Small companies with little or no machinery, especially if the building is less than 5 years old. Small commercial buildings who spend little on their energy.

So who benefits most from an energy assessment? Small to large manufacturing facilities that spend more than $1000 per month on their energy bills, especially in older facilities. Also, large commercial buildings that spend more than $1000 monthly on energy.

Here are some energy savings tips anyone can do themselves to save energy:
1) Get a programmable thermostat. You have possibly heard this before and may have one at home but don’t think about it for your business. A programmable thermostat cost around $100, is easy to set up, and can save you 20-30% on your heating and cooling bill.
2) Change old incandescent signs with LED signs. LED signs use less energy and last 50 times longer.
3) Install motion sensors that automatically turn lights on/off in areas that aren’t used for long intervals of time ex. Bathrooms, conference room, break room.
4) Shut down computers, monitors, printers, etc…during non working hours this not only saves electricity these items put off a lot of heat which increase your cooling cost.
5) When it’s time to upgrade computers consider laptops in its place of desk tops. According to E-source laptops save 80-90% of electricity cost.

If you have any questions or would like additional information on building energy audits please contact us.

Laurie Smith is president and CEO of Industrial Energy Audit Services, a company specializing in energy audit services.

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Improper recycling habits, meet your untimely end. Keep America Beautiful Man is here! From the creators of “The Life and Times of Tim.”

On Environment Day, NDTV focuses on renewable energies that many say, are the answers to meeting India’s growing energy needs.

There is no better time than now to jump on the recycling bandwagon. With global warming becoming a serious threat to our planet, it is important that we all contribute to the sustainability of our earth. Recycling can be a bit confusing at first but after doing some research, it is easy to make such a big difference. According to various sources, statistically the United States recycles just about 28% of its waste today, which is doubled from what it was a decade ago. If we all have this information, we all can make a huge difference. Take a minute to read this article and test your eco-friendly knowledge, maybe you will learn something you did not know!

What is recycling?

Recycling is taking old materials and processing them to make new products. Doing this reduces the waste of potentially useful products and reduces water and air pollution. Before recyclable materials are recycled, they need to be separated into the type of material they are made of and whether or not they can be recycled.

What can be recycled?

The basic materials that can be recycled include paper products, plastics, metals and glass. These products can be broken down and processed to make new products. Therefore, paper can be recycled to produce recycled paper or plastic containers can be processed to become Frisbees!

How do I know if it can be recycled?

There is an international symbol that lets people know if the materials/products they have can be recycled. Most people are familiar with the triangle of arrows symbol. This symbol denotes that the product can be recycled. This makes it easier for consumers to recycle their old products. Some products do provide additional information. Virtually everything made of plastic should be marked with a recycling code. Not all types can actually be recycled. Types 1 and 2 are widely accepted in container form, and type 4 is sometimes accepted in bag form. Glass, steel (or “tin”) and aluminum are easy to recognize and recycle. Most types of paper can be recycled from office paper to phone books, and corrugated cardboard to waxed cartons.

What materials cannot be recycled?

There are materials that cannot be recycled and it is important that every earth conscious person is aware of them. Most obvious is food. Food scraps like banana peels or apple cores are not recyclable. Other non-recyclable materials that are perhaps not as obvious are Styrofoam and ceramic kitchenware. Some items, like batteries, motor oil, computer parts and tires, are only recyclable at special locations.

Recycling Facts

o It takes 80-100 years for an aluminum can to decompose (break down) in a landfill.
o Glass takes over 1,000,000 (one million) years to decompose in a landfill.
o It can take up to 700 years for plastic to decompose (break down) in a landfill.

Recycling is a great way to contribute to the overall health of our planet. When you think about how it can take 80 to 100 years for aluminum cans to decompose, over 1,000,000 years for glass and up to 700 years for plastic – recycling just makes sense. Having information like this is important so earth conscious people can do their part in making our planet as healthy as possible. Make sure to check whether or not your city or town has recycling pick-up and if they do not be sure to find the nearest recycling center.

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Author: Janay Scott
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Solar hot water heating systems are fairly simple to install, simple to maintain and the most cost effective way to introduce your home to solar energy. They can save significant energy and cost when they replace an electric hot water heater. And they can be successfully used even if you live in a climate where freezing temperatures are common during the winter.

If you live in a climate that does not have sub-zero temperatures, and your household consists of fewer than five people, you can install a batch heater. This is the least expensive solar water heating option, and it is relatively easy to build if you have the inclination to do-it-yourself. It is simply a water storage tank that also serves as the solar collector.

The tank is enclosed in a glass-covered box that is positioned to allow maximum exposure to the sun. The water in the tank heats up and hot water is accessible for use. However, it is not the most efficient system, since it takes longer to warm up an entire tank of water than to heat a flat panel solar collector. And as the tank cools at night, there is less hot water available for use.

There are two better systems that can be used even in freezing climates. The direct pump system circulates water between a solar collector and a storage cistern. With this design, water in the solar collector can heat up quicker, and the tank can be insulated for better temperature holding capacity. The pump can be designed to run on electricity from a photovoltaic cell if you desire to keep your system completely solar powered.

A thermosiphon system also uses a separate solar collector, along with the pull of gravity. And it allows for the use of an insulated storage reservoir for more consistent hot water delivery. When using either of these systems in cold climates where freezing is an issue, both the piping and the storage tank should be placed indoors and properly insulated to provide hot water even on the coldest days.

For more information regarding solar technology and how you can utilize solar power in your home or business, please visit http://www.GreenLivingRocks.com and http://build-a-solar-panel.info.

Look for our other posts. We are dedicated to providing information about solar power. Without using solar power as an alternative energy source, we are destined to completely wipe the world clean of natural resources. When we use renewable energy, we all win.

From one of our articles that can be found on our blog:

“A solar panel design has a specific set-up needed to make it work efficiently. The design has been refined over the years. Solar panels started out as very cumbersome pieces of technology. Today, these panels can be used in something as small as a calculator. When deciding on the placement of panels for home use. It’s helpful to know exactly what you need to get an entire solar energy system hooked up and running smoothly.”

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to make a solar panel, solar powered, and solar hot water.

Are you looking for a quick and uncomplicated solar energy project for your house that you can do by yourself?  Putting in a solar attic fan may be just the ticket.  Not only is it rather easy to do, but it will keep your residence cooler through hot summer days and nights.

You may not have even realized how much a hot attic contributes to your air conditioning bills.  Attics trap and hold all of the hot air that rises in your house.  This is good in the winter, but it can prevent your house from cooling off in the summer.

Attic temperatures can easily rise above 120 degrees Fahrenheit even when outside temperatures are only in the eighties or nineties.  Most building codes require attics to be vented, but these vents are simply not designed to cool off the entire attic.  And a roof that has no shade gets sun for most of the day.

Installing a usual attic fan would require a licensed electrician because it would need to be connected to a power source in order to operate.  But solar attic fans are constructed with built-in pv modules powerful enough to run the fans.  Not only are they quieter than electric attic fans, but they require no electricity to run since they are installed on the roof and receive direct sunlight.  

If you are handy with a saw, drill and screwdriver, and self-confident enough to cut a hole in your roof, you can install a solar attic fan in a couple of hours.  You will have to to locate a place on your roof that receives sunlight the whole day, is close by the peak and also near the middle of the attic space.  You will be cutting a hole through the composition shingles and roof decking that will accommodate the size or your solar fan.

The trickiest and most vital part will be finding the optimal location and cutting the hole the proper size for the fan.  A location that faces south will receive the most sunlight.  If that is not viable, you can consider buying a model that has a solar module that can be tilted and positioned to face south.  

Once the hole has been cut, it is only a matter of securing the solar attic fan to the roof, and caulking around the fan to waterproof your installation.  You will be able to immediately feel the cooling effects in your attic.  And you will be able to have a more comfortable house and lower cooling bills throughout the summer.

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to make a homemade solar panel, solar lights, and solar heating.

From the operators of www.build-a-solar-panel.info — providing education regarding how to build a solar panel, green home tips, and green DIY projects.

Solar hot water heating systems are a basically simple design.  Solar collectors warm up water during the day, which is stored in an insulated container to keep it warm for ongoing use.  But icy temperatures can bring this kind of system to a standstill.  But new and improved methods have been developed that allow solar hot water systems to operate effectively even in cold climates.  Here is a basic depiction of how they work.

After a few decades of testing with solar hot water systems, most qualified users have decided that the closed loop design is the most successful for climates with freezing temperatures.   Because oxygen is eliminated from the system, pumps will not corrode and will have a greater lifespan, saving you time and money for upkeep and replacement parts.

The system is filled with an antifreeze blend (propylene glycol) at the time it is installed.  It then circulates between the solar collectors (where it is heated by the sun all through the day) and the storage tanks, which provide heat during the day and night.  There are several smaller components that allow the antifreeze to expand and contract, and which inhibit too much pressure from building up in the system, among other things.  But the solar collectors, the pump and the tank with heat exchanger are the central components.

Drainback systems are so named because the solar collectors drain when they are not being used.  Due to this, you can utilize either water or antifreeze in the system.  But for maximum assurance that the system will not freeze, people regularly choose to use antifreeze as an extra precaution, principally in regions that frequently experience temperatures below zero.  

A thermosiphon system also uses a detached solar collector, along with the pull of gravity. And it allows for the use of an insulated storage tank for more dependable hot water delivery. When using either of these systems in cold regions where freezing is an issue, both the piping and the storage tank should be placed indoors and suitably insulated to provide hot water even on the coldest days.

Even though the collectors drain when not in use, they drainback system is still a closed loop system. It needs a strong pump in order to return the drained liquid to the solar collector as soon as it has been drained.  But it is a first-rate choice for a homeowner who wants a solar heating system that is painless to maintain.

Solar hot water heating systems are relatively simple to install, easy to maintain and the most cost effective way to introduce your home to solar energy.  They can save considerable energy and cost when they replace an electric hot water heater.  And they can be successfully used even if you live in a climate where freezing temperatures are common during the winter.

Today we notice that our natural resources do have boundaries and sustainable alternatives must be implemented to give protection to the world’s environment. Recycled paper is employed generally in products today. Papers, mags, books catalogues, direct mail, tissue and towel products, packaging products and more use recycled paper. Still, there are several legends surrounding recycling and recycled paper. The first myth is that recycled papers do not have a professional appearance. The movement to reuse paper and produce products is basically an effort to cut back the amount of pricey, disposable waste.

When we opt to use recycled paper for our companies and houses, we do not have to sacrifice quality. Recycled paper is widely available in numerous prime quality grades meeting the same technical directions as virgin (tree) paper. The standard of recycled paper has improved seriously over time, so that it performs well in office copiers, facsimile machines, printers and printing machines. Believe it or not, the first paper mill came from the U.S. Colonies in 1690 close to Philadelphia, and operated as a recycling mill. The paper mill made paper from recycled cotton and rags.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that paper makers learned to make paper from trees. Back then paper makers thought the resources of the forest were limitless and capable of consistently replenishing itself. Today sadly, giant tracts of forest are being cleared for uses like in paper, and not reforested. This makes a contribution to global temperature rises. Also, placing paper in a dump is a threat to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that virgin paper decomposition in landfills is an example of the most important sources of methane.

In addition the use of recycled papers saves on energy, water, plus it reduces pollution and decreases pressures on our declining forests. You can simply find a selection of quality and grades available. You will find paper made just for business cards, letterhead, and leaflets, tissue and towel papers and more just as simply in recycled paper products.

Recycled-paper is commonly cost-comparative to virgin paper, but might be a touch more dearer. Some folk say that it isn’t making sense to buy recycled products because they cost more. In the examples where recycled paper does cost more than virgin paper, the median cost difference is usually around ten to 20-percent. The amazing advantages to the environment outweigh this cost difference in the final analysis, and do not forget that there’s real price to your green / environmental credentials in the eyes of your readers.

Well, next comes the idea that you may compromise quality when you use recycled paper products. I do accept that when recycled paper was first introduced, it was famous for being discolored and uneven in texture and appearance.

Today’s recycled paper products with high recycled content, and even 100-percent post customer content are similar in quality to virgin paper products. The progress of paper recycling has some way to go yet. Basically post-consumer recycled papers comprise only about 10-percent of the printing and stationery market. In fact 90-percent of our industries still use virgin paper.

Don’t either be anxious the poor quality of recycled paper creates paper jams in machines. You should not have any problem finding quality, recycled papers to use in printers, faxes copiers and other equipment. Whether or not you are using re-cycled paper or virgin paper the key is to choose the right paper for the task. Some say that burning paper for energy is far better than recycling. We do not agree. Remember that paper can be recycled again and again again, numerous times, you can only burn it once! This saves trees, water, energy and decreases pollution, inflating the value of recycling.

Ultimately , it isn’t right that recycling paper itself damages the environment. Naturally, energy is employed, but at last, recycling preserves the environment by saving trees, water and energy.

Recycling paper is achieved through the use of special waste processing equipment. There many new ideas and new opportunities to discovery in the new Waste Technologies. Find out more about what Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are, plus you will learn about many other types of waste technology. These exciting new technologies will help the growth in recycling to ensure a sustainable future for society, and the health of future generations.

Author: Steve D Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Susan McGinnis anchors this afternoon’s Clean Skies News Energy Report from Washington, DC. On the program: – Tax breaks for oil companies become a target for the administration.- The latest effort by BP to clean up the Gulf spill hits a snag.- Democratic senators tell BP to delay paying shareholder dividends.- Federal regulators approve first new Gulf of Mexico oil well since Pres. Barack Obama lifted a brief ban on drilling in shallow water.- Director James Cameron helps federal officials stop the oil leak.- Methane levels turn around investigators at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine. www.cleanskies.com