Archive for water consumption
Recycling in the workplace never looked so cool
Posted by: | CommentsWhile statistics show that many people have greatly ramped up their recycling efforts there is always room for improvement. While many workplaces have added recycling practices that make a huge difference there are still far too many that don’t make much if any effort. Frequently in office environments paper is still added to the general refuse when of course it could easily be recycled. Estimates range that unwanted paper and documents still account for as much as 50kg per 100 members of staff each week in offices that don’t recycle.
Paper use has declined as many companies have enacted policies that raise awareness and make recycling just as simple as disposal, however a new invention designed for the workplace might encourage many more to take part in good recycling practices.
A company called Dulsco have launched a new line of garbage receptacles that include separate compartments to isolate waste as plastic, paper or organic all in the same unit. Incredibly logical but also incredibly effective if you ask me. It makes the localized collection in the workspace easier and processing the waste to larger recycling collection containers much easier. Paper is the primary aim for offices as it should be, modern paper recycling methods show that the lifespan for paper can be extended to six or seven generations before the fibre is too long to provide suitable strength.
The trend is encouraging though as data compiled by the American Forest and Paper Association shows that just over 57% of paper consumed in the US in 2008 was recovered for recycling. While that still leaves room for improvement it towers over where things stood a decade ago.
Dulso make a full range of recycling containers from those suitable to a small office or the home all the way up to the large storage bins for commercial use. I must confess I wanted to feature these new ones because they look so unique. In addition while I’m all for inventions that make recycling easier it would be almost as easy to initiate a similar scheme in your workplace. Does your office recycle paper, plastic, glass and organic materials? Can you help to make a difference? As if we needed more evidence of why paper recycling matters I reviewed some statistics today that reminded me in full. According to The Public Recycling Officials of Pennsylvania, for every ton of paper that is recycled, the following are saved:
- 17 trees
- 275 pounds of sulfur
- 350 pounds of limestone
- 9,000 pounds of steam
- 60,000 gallons of water
- 225 kilowatt hours
- 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
Those numbers above all else should provide the motivation to ensure that you recycle paper.
Tags: American Forest and Paper Association, dulsco, forestry management, how much paper is recycled, landfill, lifespan of paper, paper lifespan, paper recycling, paper recycling statistics, paper waste, recycling ideas, recycling inventions, recycling news, recycling receptacles, reduce water consumption, sustainable business practices, sustainable product, water consumptionExpedia.com help bring ‘green hotels’ into the marketplace
Posted by: | CommentsThe days of just booking a hotel by calling the chains toll free number have been greatly changed by large online travel agencies who have cornered the bookings part of the market by combining the best in selection, information and pricing – all key factors for someone planning a trip. Expedia.com® have emerged as the largest online travel agency but in addition to value and scope of selection they have also developed 
an online tool that is ideal for the environmentally conscious traveler. Via a very specific approval process hotels can be approved as green properties and customers can now search with that specific criteria in mind .
The Expedia.com Green hotel program has not been activated for very long but new properties keep getting added to the program which now boasts over 2,000 options for the well informed traveler which also is the largest such range of choices amongst online agencies. Tim MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager, Expedia.com adds:
“Expedia.com is committed to helping travelers find the broadest range of ‘green’ properties in the industry, the recent inclusion of Hilton Worldwide’s brands, that use the LightStay system, in Expedia.com’s Green Hotel Program helps fulfill that commitment.”
Expedia expect the choices to grow rapidly in the years ahead as the immportance of a hotel’s practices will soon be akin to their overall facilities and locations as travelers place this ever higher on their list of needs. The company are partnering with a non profit called Sustainable Travel International.org to build even more inroads within the marketplace. Expedia explain part of the approach more fully beneath:
Find green hotels that balance environmental protection and social responsibility—without sacrificing your comfort. Together with Sustainable Travel International, we’ve pinpointed the green hotels that are pioneering green travel practices. Green travel—also known as responsible travel, sustainable travel, eco-tourism, and geotourism—is redefining the travel industry. Hotels and other tourism companies are being challenged to do business in an increasingly environmentally friendly, socially responsible way. This growing demand has spurred many hotels, both large and small, to implement green business practices. To recognize these green hotels, each striving toward the three main areas of sustainability—environmental protection, socio-cultural responsibility, and local economic growth—we’ve compiled a list with the help of Sustainable Travel International!
The example of newly added Hilton’s measurements are a clear indicator of how individual proprerties will be assessed as over 200 operational practices are measured, including housekeeping, paper product usage, food waste, chemical storage, air quality and transportation. Expedia’s purchasing power also means that people who book green are also getting the best available deals for the hotels in question which makes the choice that much easier.
To learn much more about Expedia’s green hotel program please visit for the specific details on their site – or better still bookmark it and use it the next time you travel!!
Tags: booking a green hotels, eco friendly travel, eco friendly vacations, eco-friendly hotels, environmentall friendly hotel choices, expedia, expedia green hotel, expedia.com, Green hotels, hilton worldwide, planet forward, Recycling, save energy, sustainable hotels, water consumption10 Easy Ways to Conserve Water
Posted by: | CommentsWater is a precious resource that we need to conserve. Unfortunately, we are a wasteful society and the waste goes way beyond trash sent to landfills. Yes, you should recycle and compost, but what about water consumption? There are many times when you run that tap excessively and unnecessarily. I’ve been guilty of it myself. But I’ve found that conserving water is one of the easy lifestyle changes to make in my effort to go green. I wanted to share some of the simple and common ways that you can help save water armed only with a water-conscious approach.
Here are 10 simple ways to help conserve water:
- Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth and you can save 25 gallons of water per month.
- Soak those pots and pans in soapy water instead of letting the water run while you scrub to clean them.
- Make sure you do all your planting in the fall when the weather conditions are cooler and rainfall is more abundant.
- Like a cold drink of water? Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap and avoid wasting water down the drain. Going out? Fill up a reusable stainless steel water bottle at home instead of buying a one-time use plastic bottle. It takes 3 times as much water to produce 1 plastic bottle of water.
- If you turn off the water when shaving and you can save up to 300 gallons a month.
- You should always water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening because temperatures are cooler and this will help diminish evaporation.
- Fresh Fruits and vegetables should be washed in a pan or bowl filled with water instead of rinsing them while running water from the tap.
- Adjust your lawn mower. A taller lawn is plush and shades your roots while absorbing and maintaining soil moisture better than if it is closely trimmed.
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