Where Are the Bees Going?

There has been a lot of talk lately as to what is happening to the bee population of the earth. For some strange and unusual reason the bees appear to be dying off. At this time the scientific community is simply at a lose as to an explanation for this occurrence. Well being the inquisitive person that I am I have a few of my own theories to toss to my readers.

I had read something in the news which stated that some of our top scientists are offering the idea that a strange virus as well as multiple infections has been affecting the bees. Perhaps this could very well be so however I myself have a different idea. I heard where an individual had seen a handful of dead bees lying on the pavement. In the same vicinity there were several wasps that were near them. It appears that the wasps were attempting to carry off the bees to their nest. This in itself is not unusual for it is common knowledge that bees and wasps are eternal enemies. However after hearing of the event I decided to do some of my own investigations.

Research seems to indicate that wasps and hornets are more active when exposed to high doses of Ultra Violet light. The reasoning behind this is that they simply stay cooler. Therefore, it seems that as we are generating increased levels of UV light here on earth the wasps and hornet population is becoming more aggressive. Studies that were conducted in Israel seem to support this theory as well. A scientist by the name of David Bergman used infrared imaging to effectively demonstrate that wasps remain cooler than their immediate surroundings. Some wasps maintain an internal body temperature that is significantly cooler than the surrounding ambient temperatures.

Another explanation which has been proposed for the disappearance of our bee population has been placed upon the genetically modified corn or even another which blamed minor changes in the earth's magnetic field. This can hold a little credibility since bees do in fact use the earth's magnetic field to maneuver. In conjunction with that theory on the magnetic fields we could say that the bees possibly get disorientated and accidentally wander into wasp country where they are not wanted. The wasps feeling aggressive attack and kill the bees as they were building their nests in unwelcome territory. Since the bees use a polarized UV in their navigation there is a good possibility that with global warming or overuse of aerosol sprays that the solar UV or the ozone has been modified slightly. Perhaps there is a very dangerous mite that is shortening the life of our honeybees.

Let's face it there is always a chance that science could be wrong as small as that chance may be. The question of concern here is should we continue doing what we are currently doing until the human race experiences total extinction or do we modify our behavior in the near future. A wise man name Albert Einstein has stated that "If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live"

Copyright @ 2009 Joseph Parish

Autor: Joseph Parish Joseph Parish
Level: Platinum
I enjoy writing and my articles and work can be found around the internet under my byline and also as a ghostwriter....

For more information relating to survival visit us at http://www.survival-training.info

Added: February 25, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Basics of Hazardous Waste Container Management

A hazardous waste container is a portable device used to collect, store, treat, and transport hazardous waste. These containers can be any size but they should be easy to move. According to 40 CFR 260.10, some common examples are:

• A five gallon safety can
• 55 gallon drum
• 30 cubic yard roll-offs

Hazardous waste containers must be managed in accordance with a multitude of regulations:

• The EPA outlines requirements through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) which is contained in Title 40 of the Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 264.
• The 2006 Uniform Fire Code (UFC) addresses requirements in Standard 60.3.2.8.3.
• The 2006 International Fire Code (IFC) also addresses these requirements.

The EPA refers to secondary containment in two different areas:

Subpart I Use and Management of Containers (40 CFR 264.175)

This covers portable storage containers, such as 55 gallon drums for hazardous waste.

Subpart J, Tank Systems (40 CFR 264.193)

This covers large stationary containers, such as tank systems, for hazardous waste.

Facilities that store hazardous materials may also be required to meet either the UFC or IFC, depending upon what the locality has adopted.

Storage Limits

There are storage limits which depend upon the category of waste generation.

• If you are a Large Quantity Generator (LQG), you have 90 days to ship the waste offsite.
• If you are a Small Quantity Generator (SQG), you have 180 days or up to 270 days if you ship the waste more than 200 miles away.

The time limit begins when the first bit of waste is placed in the container. If the waste is collected in satellite accumulation containers, the time starts after the containers are filled (40 CFR 262.34).

Satellite Containers

A satellite container is one that is placed at or near the process that generates the waste. It is used for routine, repetitive collection of waste from a specific process, such as a production spray paint booth where thinners and waste paint are constantly generated and are subject to reduced requirements.

Requirements For Reduced Satellite Containers

These containers must be located where the waste is generated and is under the control of the process operator. Each container must be labeled "Hazardous Waste" with a description of the waste, i.e. the name of the chemical. The containers must be kept closed and their size can not exceed 55 gallons or one quart of extremely hazardous waste as listed in 40 CFR 261.33 (e). Once a container is full, it must be moved to a container storage area within 72 hours. The full containers are subject to all of the container management requirements. If the hazardous waste is to be shipped in the same accumulation container, you must comply with the Pre-Transport Requirements. These requirements include those of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are included in 40 CFR 262.30-33.

If there are questions about compliance, the local fire marshal should be consulted.

Autor: Andy Clark

Spill911 is a wealth of information about safety in the workplace. Visit us to learn more about IBC Containment. If you have any questions about industrial safety please make sure to visit our industrial safety blog.

Added: February 24, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Recycling Tips - 6 Great Uses For Those Egg Cartons

I love eggs for breakfast, as do many people. However eggs also produce waste that eventually could end up in a landfill. For starters make sure you compost those egg shells. Dig a hole and bury them (with other food scraps). Worms will love you for it by producing nutrient rich castings.

That's the easy part, but what about that darn egg carton. If your egg cartons are made of cardboard type of material then can simply put them in your recycle container for cardboard. If they are made from Styrofoam then you need to other solutions. I have listed a few below.

Seed starter

You can also use the cardboard style for this as well. Put some potting soil in each cup, then place one to two seeds in the potting soil, cover the seeds with some of the potting soil. After the seed have sprouted, push up on the bottom of the cup to remove it and transplant it either outside or to another, bigger pot. If you were using the cardboard variety you can cut out the cup from the carton and transplant the plant and cup to your new area.

Easter egg storage

Do you have those plastic Easter eggs for decoration or Easter egg hunts? Instead of storing them in a plastic bag, use your egg cartons instead.

Paint Palette for kids

Do your kids like to paint? Then put a little paint (environmentally safe paint) in each cup so you can regulate how much of each color each child gets. This way they do not go through too much of one color by constantly squeezing the tube or pouring from the bottle.

Use a Jelly Mold

Here's a neat little trick someone told me recently. For their children's 1st grade class parties she fills each cup with jello and puts it aside until it is finished congealing. Then the kids can pop them out and have small jello snacks.

Ice Cube Tray

Don't try this with cardboard variety as they will leak, but with the Styrofoam variety fill the cups up with water and put in your freezer. When frozen you have some really neat ice cubes for your next outdoor barbecue.

Packing Material

Instead of using Styrofoam packing peanuts or bubble wrap, use your Styrofoam to secure objects during shipping so they do not break. If you are shipping large packages then you will need a bunch of them, but that is ok, you have been saving them before you throw them out since there is not hurry to have them end up in your local landfill just yet.

These are just a few that I have gone into detail with as far as what you can do to use and reuse those egg cartons before you end up throwing them away. I always recommend however if at all possible buy your eggs that come in the cardboard variety egg cartons. These cartons are more readily biodegradable and have many more valuable uses then their Styrofoam counterparts, such as turning them into fire starters.

Autor: Bruce A. Tucker

About the Author

Bruce Tucker is a contributing writer to Indocquent, an online advertising and social networking medium where you can promote your business, products and services for sale and hire throughout the world without pay-per-click prices or auction fees. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Added: February 23, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Here Are 5 Tips to Go Green and Help Save Money

Conserve Energy Will Save Money

There are some things you can do right now that will help save you some money and help the environment all at the same time. For starters set your thermostat a degree lower in the winter and higher in the summer so you are using less energy to heat and cool your home. Change your light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). They last longer and use less energy. Not using an appliance? Unplug it. Just because it is not in use does not mean it does not draw power. Use cold water when you wash clothes. More than 80% of the energy in washing clothes goes to heating the water. In the warmer months forgo the dryer and hang your clothes outside and let Mother Nature do the work for you.

Reducing Water Use Cuts Costs

Take a shower instead of a bath, and change your shower head to a slow flow. You will use less water, especially hot water which we covered in the previous energy saving tip. Invest in a water recirculation pump. In a lot of homes when you turn the hot water on it does not come out hot right away therefore many gallons of water get wasted. These devices take that cold water and send it back to the water heater (or other areas) for reuse until the water hits the temperature you are looking for.

Use Less Gas - Pay Less Out of Your Pocket

Do you work close to home? In the warmer months bike or walk to work. Doing this for even one day out of the week helps tremendously on costs. Does your company allow for telecommuting? If so ask if you could telecommute from home at least one day per week, or as my one friend's office does, you can work on flex time. In other words you can work 40 hours of 4 days as opposed to 5 days which eliminates one day of driving. Car pool with others from work, combine trips out, and take public transportation are all other ways you can save money on your fuel costs without investing in a new car or something else.

Say No to Bottled Water

Invest a water filter that can either be hooked up directly to your faucet or a Brita water filter pitcher that can sit in your fridge. Then when you are on the go, use the filtered water in your reusable sports bottle to take water with you anywhere you go.

Be Smart When you Buy

If you are in the market for a product do all of your research first before you go run that errand and buy it. Is it something that has to be new? Are you handy and can you make the product out of existing materials? Can you get the product free from a yard sale, flea market or online at Craigslist. Walk your neighborhood the night before trash night, you'd be surprised what your neighbors throw away. I was able to grab a complete outdoor patio set, with a little elbow grease cleaning it, it was good in no time. Five years later I still have it. Reusing something somebody else has no need for keeps it out of the local landfill and that my friend is going green.

These are just some of the many creative ways you can implement cost saving ideas and going green all at the same time. As you can see they are cost effective, use little of your time, and do tremendous good on the impact of our environment.

Autor: Bruce A. Tucker

About the Author
Bruce Tucker is a contributing writer to Indocquent, an online advertising and social networking medium where you can promote your business, products and services for sale and hire throughout the world without pay-per-click prices or auction fees. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Added: February 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Reusable Shopping Bags Versus Paper and Plastic

If you're one of the millions of people in the world that still comes home from the store with plastic bags full of groceries, you should reconsider your methods. Have you ever wondered about all of the waste that accumulated when all of us use 10-20 plastic bags every week? If not, here's some food for thought...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that US citizen generated over 250 million tons of garbage in 2006. Most of that trash was the kind of stuff you throw out every week, but it also included things like lawn clippings, old tires, and freezers. That number does not include commercial waste.

And while we recycled over 82 million tons of municipal solid waste (saving the energy equivalent of 10 billion gallons of gasoline), we still discarded 3 pounds of waste per person per day. The EPA further estimated that 55 to 65 percent of all municipal solid waste was residential waste, while 35 to 45 percent was commercial waste from schools, hospitals and businesses.

Despite their small size and light weight, plastic bags are one of the most common pieces of trash, which is unfortunate considering they take over 1,000 years to degrade in landfills. In the spring of 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the US to ban the use of non-biodegradable bags (the bags you regularly bring home are likely NOT biodegradable). Again, this is a step in the right direction, but the best solution is the use of %LINK%.

For the record, don't think that switching to paper bags instead is much better. Paper compromises a larger part of our waste than plastic, requires more energy to produce, and causes more pollution to the atmosphere than plastic.

Reusable bags made of cotton, hemp, and other materials offer a more environmentally-conscious alternative to plastic and disposable (paper) bags. By incorporating reusable bags into our daily activities, it is possible for each individual to eliminate thousands of plastic bags that would otherwise be used and added to the waste in our landfills, streams, waterways and oceans.

It's estimated that an average person can save thousands of paper and/or plastic bags from entering the waste stream by beginning to use reusable shopping bags in their daily lives. Today, you can find reusable bags in any sort of style and color you want, adding a bit of individuality to your shopping experience.

Autor: David Kraft

David Kraft is a freelance author that writes about a variety of subjects. He supports eco-friendly living and green products such as reusable shopping bags. For more information about eco-friendly living, visit his reusable bags site.

Added: February 21, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Benefits of Landscaper Mulch and Playground Mulch

Mulches obtained from various organic materials have been in use in agriculture since time immemorial to preserve the moisture of the soil. Wood shavings, leaves and tree barks were the most available. They did their job very well, but with several disadvantages. They invite pests which in turn destroy the crops itself and can create hell for the people living nearby by emitting foul smells. Rubber mulch, which has been introduced recently, has been found to be superior to other mulches in many ways.

Rubber mulch is obtained from used rubber tyres. Recycling of rubber tyres and making them into much is a highly environment friendly act which needs to be entertained and supported. Landscaper mulch is used to landscape parks, gardens, pathways and so on. They are available in different colors too. They can transform your otherwise drab looking garden into a stunning ocean of color in a trice. They are economical, durable, odor free and cannot be eroded by wind or rain.

Playground mulch helps reduce the number of serious playground accidents. Every year thousands of our youngsters get injured during play. The increased use of playground mulch has greatly cut down fatal accidents. Available in different colors, they add to the beauty of the playground by a great extent.

Rubber mulch arena footing gives the arena good grip and acts as shock absorbers. The surface, being elastic, helps the horses run comfortably on it without slipping and falling. They are now being useful in military operations too. Spreading rubber mulch in training and exercise areas helps reduce strain on soldiers going through strenuous exercises.

Autor: Jitesh Arora Jitesh Arora
Level: Platinum
Jitesh Arora is a Medicine Doctor and a Freelance Writer. He can write on many topics but prefer Health, Fitness and Medicine topics....

If you are looking for more information about Landscaper Mulch then feel free to visit Playground Mulch.

Added: February 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Will the Automotive Industry Go Green?

Probably few people today have heard the song, "He'd Have to Get Under, Get Out and Get Under (to fix up his automobile) but it was an Al Jolson hit in the roaring 20's. And its popularity was no doubt due to the fact that just about everyone then could relate to car problems.

However, mechanical problems are not the only ones caused by the evolution of the automobile. But in spite of all the problems, America soon became a nation dependent on cars. There are a plethora of suburbanites throughout the country who have no access to schools, stores, banks, and medical facilities, etc. unless they drive. In addition to all the other caps she wears, the modern mom is a chauffeur. She must ferry the kids to school, to practice, to games, to extra curricular activities, to parties, and then must drive to a convenience store to buy aspirin.

But all of this driving contributes to the environmental problems of our time. Auto exhaust is one factor involved in global warming, acid rain and polluted air.

The exhaust fumes contain carbon dioxide. This is one of the gases in the air that traps heat thereby leading to global warming. Burning gasoline also produces nitrous oxide, which is a major component of acid rain.

And when all of the hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides are exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, ground level ozone forms resulting in dirty air.

Through various disposal systems, used fluids, such as brake fluid, transmission fluid and anti-freeze have penetrated our water systems causing water pollution. The accidental oil spills during which barrels of oil are dumped into the sea also contribute to water pollution.

In spite of these problems, America remains "a nation on wheels" and is so known throughout the world. And the environmentalists efforts to take Americans out of their vehicles might be as useless as "putting Humpty Dumpty together again."

However, sky rocketing fuel prices might make the American auto world greener as people begin to downsize in earnest. Over the years, Americans have developed a love for large powerful automobiles that are 'gas hogs.' But with the escalating price of gasoline, people seem to be more willing to embrace smaller, more energy efficient vehicles.

Another solution gaining more momentum is alternate fuel. Electric cars have been around for quite a while but they have never been taken seriously. Now the electric powered Smart Car can be seen on the streets of Manhattan. And an English manufacturer, Tesla Motors, is starting to market an all-electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster.

But perhaps the most avant-garde of all is the hybrid car/motorcycle such as the Monotracer, a recent brainchild of Peraves of Switzerland. Although the latter does burn fuel, due to the light weight, the fuel consumption is minimal.

A major concern with launching these small, lightweight vehicles on the road is safety. Traditionally, passengers in larger vehicles fared better in collisions than those in smaller vehicles. However, manufacturers are eliminating these dangers by air bags, and cell like enclosures designed to protect the occupants.

But if all the vehicles on the road were small vehicles, the safety problem of collisions between the large and the small would be eliminated. Will this ever happen?

Autor: Brenda Williams

Nashville Automobile Shipping

Auto Transport Nashville

Added: February 18, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Reusable Bags More Eco-Friendly Than Paper Bags

You've probably heard a lot of fuss about plastic bags lately and how they're bad for the environment and you shouldn't be using them anymore. Perhaps paper bags are a better alternative, right? Wrong. Although paper bags degrade more easily than plastic bags, they are not a better choice than plastic bags when it comes to environmental consequences.

In 2006, the EPA released a report that claimed that paper accounts for over 30 percent of municipal solid waste in the US. Over 10 billion paper bags are consumed in the US each year which represents about 14 million tress that are harvested for their production. In a separate report released by the Film and Bag Federation, they claimed that paper bags require 40 percent more energy to produce than plastic bags, create 80 percent more waste, emit 70 percent more atmospheric pollution, and are responsible for 94 percent more waterborne wastes. These are not good numbers.

These numbers essentially tell us that the amount of energy consumed and pollution generated by paper bags prevent paper bags from becoming a realistically viable alternative to plastic bags. So where does that leave us? Plastic bags are bad, and paper bags are even worse, so what are you supposed to do?

Use reusable shopping bags. Reusable bags are the only truly viable alternative to paper and plastic bags. Their viability lies in the fact that they are not one-use bags. The more they are used, the more they benefit the environment. True, they require energy to produce and in the end must be discarded and thrown away. However, the useful life of a reusable bag is much, much longer than a disposable paper or plastic bag, usually a couple years. Thus the overall environmental impact of the reusable bags is lessened each time the bag is used.

Autor: David Kraft

David Kraft is a freelance author that writes about a variety of subjects. He supports eco-friendly living and green products such as reusable bags. For more information about eco-friendly living, visit his reusable shopping bags site.

Added: February 16, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Eco Friendly Products and the Green Movement

Eco friendly products are goods and services that were manufactured with the idea that the process of producing and distributing them will not have a negative impact to the environment. Increasing awareness and concern for the environment has been affecting a lot of industries, with the "green" movement and ideals seeping into the collective consciousness of the buying public. There are many people who want to make a contribution, no matter how small, to protect the environment, which is actually a very good thing.

As a result of the public's efforts to be more environmentally friendly, Eco friendly products can now be found everywhere from online stores to actual stores at the mall. To be called eco friendly, a product, such as clothes and accessories, must be made up of materials that were created and manufactured from organic materials. For example, cotton is the most predominantly used material for clothing. When growing cotton, the farmers sometimes used pesticides to protect the quality of the cotton. For eco friendly purposes, this has to be done away with. Pesticides should not be used in the production of cotton. The large-scale production and use of materials such as rayon has been a leading cause of environmental problems like deforestation. In keeping with the efforts of trying to maintain the ecological balance, several alternatives are being pursued to protect the environment.

Chemicals, such as dye used for coloring the fabric, should also be scrapped. These chemicals are harmful to the environment and can also be detrimental to people's health. If the fabrics and textiles made for manufacturing clothes can be produced without dyeing, thus eliminating the use of harmful chemicals, then it will be much better for the environment and the public. Moreover, the fabric should also be made to be more long lasting. If the clothes easily become old and worn out, disposing them can be an environmentally problematic option because these materials do not decompose easily. They will keep filling up garbage dumps and contribute to pollution and waste. Therefore, Eco friendly products must be made of strong and renewable materials. Recycling is also a considerable option. Clothes can either be made from recyclable plastic bottles and reusable fabrics.

The above-mentioned processes may be small things compared to the wide-scale environmental issues but the tiniest things can have a huge impact if this is to be taken seriously. Fortunately, although the eco friendly production of cloth products and other accessories is still relatively new, it already has gained much popularity that even the most famous designers and fashion world's who's who are increasingly being swayed into promoting and supporting the go green movement.

However, protecting the environment is not the only objective of eco friendly campaigns. They also protect the rights of individuals for fair trade. Eco friendly products, besides being in most part organic, must also come from manufacturers that provide their workers with genuinely fair and decent working environment. They must be working in comfortable conditions and are being paid fair wages according to their hard work.

Autor: Danny Wright

For an assortment of eco friendly products, please visit the at home shopping mall MerchantLand.com. We provide safe and secure shopping, insightful consumer product reviews and daily discount on your favorite brands.

Added: February 15, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Alternative Fuels - Air Car, the First Car That Runs on Compressed Air and Biofuels

Our country has been in troubled economic times for the past year now and almost no one is immune to this recession. It is common knowledge that high oil prices, mortgage debt problems and the war in iraq helped to get us into these troubled times but the the problem is we as a nation depend too much on oil and the oil companies to help satisfy our addiction for quick energy. Another problem is global warming. Many studies have been done that have shown that burning fossil fuels (fuels made from the fossils of animals) contribute significantly to global warming because they increase greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Also there are many leading experts that are saying we are nearing peak oil levels which means that the production of oil has neared to a point where it will level off. Combine this with the fact that oil demands among the new powerhouse nations like China and India are increasing at astronomical rates you can begin to see the urgency for us to start researching alternative biofuels that will help us solve the global warming problem and also give us cheaper fuels sources that we can easily duplicate.

One incredible new alternative energy source for use in automobiles is the Air Engine. It is an engine that works by expanding compressed air and this releases energy. This method is not really anything new and has actually been around for a few centuries but the technology is starting to become very efficient during the last few years. A company called Zero Pollution Motors has been working on a car that runs on air and a combination of either ethanol or most kinds of biofuels. Theoretically this air car could have a range of between 750 to 950 miles based on a single tank of air and 8.2 gallons of biofuel. This is an exciting new kind of vehicle with the potential to have zero emissions which would be awesome for our atmosphere as well. ZPM says that they will have the air car into the market by sometime in 2010. Imagine having your very own car that runs on air and has a range of just under 1000 miles per fillup. Alot of people are looking at the Chevy volt all electric vehicle as our savior but with this air car it will utilize biofuels in a way that will not only help us end ourt dependency on oil but also give our atmosphere some breathing room to get out of the danger zone of global warming.

Autor: Bob Randooke

I love writing about alternative fuel sources such as Biofuel and car that run on air. You can read about the newest advances in biofuels at http://www.biofuelguide.net which is updated regulary with the newest , most exciting biofuel technologies coming out.

Added: February 13, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Green Your Catalogs

People are increasingly getting environmentally conscious these days. Whether it is because of Al Gore, or it is a genuine and fortunate trend in our society we may never know. But the important thing is that the movement is there, and we should keep fostering it so that our children can benefit from a safer tomorrow.

This applies to all industries including and most especially publishing since it uses up a vital resource, paper from trees. If you have invested in published marketing materials like catalog printing then you should be aware of the impact it has on the environment. Luckily though some "green minded" printing companies have given people an option to make their published materials eco-friendly. So now, it is possible to use eco-friendly materials for catalog printing and other published works.

Do you know your options to make your catalog printing "greener"? There are a couple of ways to do this. Most of it involves the use of various types of recycled paper and organic inks. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. So you have to determine what is best for you when it comes to green catalog printing.

Recycled paper

The First and most obvious option to go "green" in your color catalogs is to print them in recycled paper. There are actually several options to this, but your main choice is to print in 100% recycled paper all made from post-consumer material. There are a few disadvantages to this, and you should immediately see this by the color and texture of the recycled material.

If you want to improve the paper's quality a bit you have the option to use paper that has less percentages of recycled material. There are color catalogs out there that are printed in recycled paper using 30% post consumer material. It may be lighter and have better qualities, but it is not fully recycled.

Some green printing companies also offer alternative paper that is better for the environment. For example, some companies source their paper from "sustainable forests" where the trees are fast growing and are quickly replenished. With paper for these kinds of trees, you will be less guilty since they are not from wild forests, and they are quickly replaced. So you won't be cutting down on Earth's tree cover.

Organic and not-toxic Inks

Lastly, you can also have your catalogs printed in organic or non-toxic inks. The ink in some published material can seep into our environment and sometimes have adverse effects on it. Catalog printing companies can give you an option to print your catalogs in organic or non-toxic inks based on plants. Once the catalogs degrade or get thrown away, the ink won't be a bother to the environment.

So, if you are environmentally conscious about your catalog printing, these are the various options at your disposal to make "green catalogs". Sometimes this may cost more or less depending on the printing company. However, why would you put a price for our future right? Let us go green all the way. So go ahead and use these green catalog printing options.

Autor: Janice Jenkins

Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Catalog Printing

Added: February 12, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Recycling and Reducing Paper Use

Just about everyone has heard about the benefits of recycling. It's nearly impossible to read a magazine or newspaper, or watch TV without seeing or hearing some news about the various forms of recycling. Recycling paper was one of the first types of recycling to be introduced to the general public and is still one of the most often practiced kinds.

Continually cutting down trees to make paper is depleting the resources we have out there despite re-planting done by some companies. When too many trees are cleared away the natural habitat for animals and plants is destroyed. This can have a very negative effect on our society as a whole. In addition, the trees that are cut down can no longer remove the carbon dioxide from the air we breathe.

One way to reduce the number of trees being cut down for paper is to recycle paper. In this type of process the recycled paper is turned back into pulp. It gets mixed in with new pulp and turned into new types of paper. This is done so that the overall quality of the paper is still very good. When paper is recycled the fibers can weaken. Mixing them with new pulp improves the quality of the end product.

Paper recycling is simple because everyone uses paper in some capacity and you are most likely to be able to find paper recycling bins around the community. In addition to recycling the paper you use in your daily activities, reducing the amount of paper you consume is beneficial as well. Here are a few~some suggestions to help you limit the amount of paper you use everyday.

Go Paperless

One great way to reduce the amount of paper in your paper recycling bin is to go paperless as much as possible. Just about every bank, utility company, mortgage company, and credit card group offers a paperless way to take care of business. Most people already have an Internet connection in their homes, there is no reason to not make it work for you in every way. Paying bills and managing accounts online save the paper the invoices and statements are printed on as well as save you the expense of a postal stamp. While no one wants to run the postal workers out of jobs, it just makes more sense to take care of business online where ever possible. It's faster for you, saves tons of paper, and saves money in postal costs.

Efficient Use of Your Printer Paper

Conserving paper used in is a good way of limiting your paper consumption. Let's say you are printing some information to share with family or friends or for your own use. Instead of printing everything on one side of the copy paper only, why not print on both sides. Many printers these days have the ability to print on multiple sides so that you are using half of the paper for your project. Of course, there are times when you need to print on one side only but for many print jobs, double-sided printing is just fine.

You can also re-use some paper. If you have to print something out on only one side or it just takes one side of the paper, when you are finished with the paper, save it and print on the clean side. Keep a stack of used paper by your printer for use when you don't care what is on the other side.

Use Recycled Paper Products

Pay attention to the paper you buy - you will find more and more of it is recycled. Many notebooks will say on the back if they are recycled or not. Even office supply companies are offering reams of recycled paper. It is still the same great quality that you want for your business so don't worry that it has been compromised. You will feel good knowing you are doing your part to recycle and to cut down the number of wasted trees that don't really have to be destroyed in order to have paper.

You can do your part to recycle paper by collecting it and then dropping it off at collection centers. This can include papers at home you don't need and newspapers. Should you need to shred various types of papers though you can do so and then take the shreds for recycling. Have a set location at work for paper that can be recycled as well.

Recycling paper is something easy that you can do for the benefit of your local community as well as the global one. As most recycling and environmental experts would be happy to tell you, reducing the amount of paper you use is a wonderful way of conserving the world's forests. With just a little bit of thought and some new habits you can be a part of the solution.

Autor: B.L. Hill

For more great recycling tips, visit us at RecycleKnowHow.com and get our free report.

Added: February 10, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Living Green in Yonkers

In the middle of 2008 Yonkers put together its Green Policy Task Force. This task force was put together to help make Yonkers cleaner and healthier. The task force has the power to pass city policy and legislation. When the task force was put together they worked with the Code Protections team and Code Enforcement teams as well as the Board of Education and the Transportation to figure out how to make sure that they were up to speed on current laws.

Eventually the Green Policy Task Force for Yonkers will work with the schools to help put together a curriculum that helps educate students on how to live "greener" lives and be friendlier to the environment. The city of Yonkers is determined to keep up with the larger cities that are already known for their green practices (like the city of Portland, Oregon which was named the Greenest city of the year for 2007).

By now most people already know the basics: recycle soda pop cans, walk or take the bus instead of driving, but there are more creative ways to reduce reuse and recycle as well! Here are some hints to help you get started:

1. Instead of buying brand name spices, buy some small containers and use them for the spices that you can purchase in bulk. Some stores in Yonkers are starting to offer spices and other things like flour, sugar, pastas, oatmeal, etc. in bulk. Buying these foods helps to reduce the amount of packaging you throw away.

2. Use Tupperware containers instead of plastic bags to transport sandwiches and store leftovers. The Tupperware is recyclable and you can wash it out between uses. This will reduce the amount of trash that you produce by quite a lot!

3. Figure out how to reuse things like soup cans, cardboard boxes, etc-the things you would normally throw away. Cans make great pencil jars. Cardboard boxes can be broken down and used for padding or patching of things.

4. Rather than purchase expensive home cleaners use home made cleaners-vinegar is a fantastic cleaner.

5. Instead of using sponges use washcloths that you make from old clothes. The washcloths can be washed and it will keep you from throwing out your sponges and old clothes. This saves quite a lot of space in Yonkers' landfills and town dumps.

6. Invest in some canvas bags and reusable bags to go shopping with. These bags last a long time and will cut down on the number of plastic shopping bags that you take home from the grocery store and other stores around Yonkers.

One of the best things about living a "green" lifestyle is that it can save Yonkers' residents quite a lot of money. Reusing products means that you do not have to replace them with new products. Recycling things cuts down on the amount of space needed for Yonkers' landfills and dumps. Living green is beneficial for everyone.

Autor: John Parks

For more information on Yonkers, visit http://www.yonkersmicroblog.com

For more information on New Jersey, visit http://www.njmicroblog.com

Added: February 9, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

A History of Paper and Recycling

The invention of paper dates back nearly 2,000 years. It was first invented in China when cloth sheets were used to record drawings and writings. Prior to this invention, people often drew pictures and symbols on stones, bones, cave walls, and even clay tablets. The paper we are familiar with was first produced in Lei-Yang, China by Ts'ai Lun, a court official in China.

It is assumed that he mixed mulberry bark, hemp, and rags with water, mashed the mixture into a pulp, then pressed out the liquid, and hung the thin mat out to dry. During the 8th century, Muslims from the regions of Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, captured a Chinese paper-mill and soon discovered the secret of papermaking. Eventually, when the Muslims invaded Europe, they brought paper making technology with them. The first paper-mill outside of China was built in Spain, helping to spread the paper making technology across Europe. In the following 800 years, paper was used to construct important books, bibles, and many legal documents. In the late 15th century, England was making large supplies of paper to supply the colonies for many years. In 1690, the first paper mill was built in the America, in Pennsylvania.

American Paper Mills

In the beginning, American paper mills adopted the Chinese method of shredding rags and clothes to make paper. However, as the demand grew for paper, the mills started using tree fibers because wood was less expensive than clothing. Currently paper is made from trees and from recycled paper. Sometimes paper-mills will use wood chips or leftover saw dust to make new paper products. The paper making process has always involved recycling. However, currently when you recycle used paper; paper mills can turn it into newspaper, notebook paper, paper bags, corrugated boxes, envelopes, magazines, cartons, and many other paper products.

Current Paper Production

Currently, more than 36% of the fibers used to make new paper products in America is derived from recycled sources. 56% of paper used in America was recovered for recycling in 2007. The 54.3 million tons of paper that is recovered equals about 360 pounds of paper for every person in the United States. Currently the paper industry is working towards a new goal to recover 60% of used paper products for recycling by the year 2012.

Paper Recycling

Paper recycling involves recovering waste paper and making it into new paper based products. There are 3 categories of paper than can be used to make recycled paper: mill broke, pre-consumed waste, and post-consumed waste. Mill broke indicates paper trimmings and other scraps from the making of paper that are recycled directly at the mill. Pre-consumer waste indicates material that had been disposed of prior to consumer usage. Finally, Post-consumer waste points to material that has been disposed of after consumer use. This group may include old magazines, old telephone directories, and residential mixed paper. Any paper that is suitable to be recycled is considered "scrap paper."

How Paper is Recycled

Pulping: Pulping is done by adding water to paper fibers and applying a mechanical action to separate the fibers.
Screening: Screens are used, that have either slots or holes, to remove any contaminants larger than pulp fibers.
Centrifugal cleaning: The pulp is spun in a centrifuge cleaner, causing the materials that are denser than the pulp to be pushed outwards and rejected from the pulp slurry.
Flotation: This is also referred to as deinking. Air bubbles are passed through the pulp slurry using a surfactant to cause ink particles to rise and collect with foam on the surface. When the foam is removed the pulp is made brighter.
Kneading or dispersion: This mechanical action is done to fragment contaminants.
Washing: Water is passed through the pulp to remove small unwanted particles.
Bleaching: If making white paper is the goal, the pulp must be bleached using peroxides or hydrosulfites to remove the color from the pulp.
Paper making: Once the pulp has passed through all the previous stages it is now used to make new paper in a similar fashion to how new paper is produced.
Dissolved Air Flotation: Water involved in the recycling process is cleaned and made ready for reuse.
Waste Disposal: Unusable material that is left over is called sludge. Sludge is mainly comprised of; ink, plastic, filler, and short fibers. The sludge is disposed of in one of 3 ways; buried in a landfill, burned to create energy for the paper mill, or used as fertilizer by local farmers.

Autor: Patrick Sharple

WasteCare offer waste management and paper recycling services.

Added: February 6, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Metal Recycling and How to Recycle Metal

Metal recycling is the most popular form of recycling in the United States. Steel and aluminum can be infinitely recycled. Scrap metal is ferrous metals (steel and iron) or nonferrous metals (tin, brass, copper, aluminum). Home appliances such as dishwasher, washing machines, stoves, and refrigerators are generally created from metal. Discarded appliances fit within 2 categories: refrigerants and non-refrigerants.

Four Stages of Metal Recycling
There are 4 stages in metal recycling: collection, processing (where metal is compacted), shredding, and selling to mini mills that produce steel. This recycling process requires 74 percent less energy than the use of virgin materials.

Useful tips for unwanted appliances:

1. When you purchase a new appliance, ask the delivery driver to take the old one with him/her. Companies either recycle the unit or properly dispose of it.

2. Ask a professional to take apart the discarded appliance and remove the recyclable parts to take to your local recycling center.

3. If the appliance is still functional, sell it on the Internet, donate to a charity, give to a friend, or list it on freecycle.com.

Benefits to Recycling Metal

Aluminum cans made their debut as beverage containers in 1965. Because of the aluminum can's ability to be recycled over and over again, it is the most valuable recyclable container in America today. Aluminum recycling provides community, environmental, and economic benefits.

Environmental advantages include saving precious natural resources, energy and money. It only takes 2 months for an aluminum can to be recycled into a new can and put back on the shelves ready for resale. In 2007, an impressive 54 billion cans were recycled, saving the energy of 15 million barrels of crude oil.

The economic benefits of recycling aluminum cans are plentiful. Each year, the aluminum industry buys over $800 million dollars worth of empty cans to be recycled. This money can go to non-profit and charity organizations. Many such groups recycle cans to earn money for their organizations. When cans are recycled curbside, the money from the aluminum industry goes toward community services. The aluminum industry has even teamed up with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, by allowing them to leave can drop-off boxes in several locations to raise money for housing individuals and families.

Aluminum foil can usually be recycled with your aluminum cans, but before doing that, it's always good to reuse it on other food items. Just wash it and let it dry with your dishes.

Many local super markets have recycling machines. Cans are fed into a slot and depending on which state you live in, you will get a voucher with the total amount of the cans you've submitted.

Metal recycling is essential to preserve our natural resources. You can help the environment by reusing aluminum foil and washing it before recycling (some cities won't take it if it's dirty), buying cans instead of plastic or glass beverage containers, and of course, recycling the cans that you do have.

Autor: Patrick Sharple

Waste management and metal recycling from WasteCare.

Added: February 5, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Computer Recycling and How to Recycle Your Computer

Computers can be a great asset while they are working, but once they are broken, they can be difficult to dispose of. Computers are filled with toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and heavy metals to make them work. However, if they are disposed of improperly it can lead to problems.

The recycling of computers is not a new trend, but it can be a bit difficult to do responsibly. For many years developed countries have sent tons of electronic waste to China for cheap, labor-intensive recycling and disposal. Since 2000, importing electronic waste to China for improper recycling and dumping has been illegal. However, that has not stopped it from coming into the country.

How to Get Clean Recycling

The best way to obtain clean recycling of electronic goods is to ask questions. Any reputable recycler should be able to inform you as to where electronic components are sent and if the company exports these recyclables or uses prison labor. The recycler should also be able to inform you as to how they handle data destruction. If you are donating a computer, it is important to have the hard drive wiped clean for you so that any personal information that may be contained on it can not be shared.

If you have chosen to donate your old equipment to an organization that can reuse it, be sure to ask if the equipment is tested and if they only ship working equipment. You can also ask which organizations receive the old equipment. If they are unable to answer these questions, it is best to find another place to donate to.

Another great option is to check and see if your computer manufacturer has a recycling program. Although these companies often charge fees and require you to pay and do the packing and shipping, it is still a very safe option. The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is a great guide for responsible recycling of electronic goods. They currently publish a report card on the environmental effectiveness of manufacturer take-back programs.

eBay hosts The Rethink Program, which has an excellent recycling FAQ section along with many links to recyclers. Some other great sources for e-cycling information are from CompuMentor's Tech Soup Site and the EPA's eCycling website. However, it is important to keep in mind that the recyclers that are listed have not been checked out or approved by these organizations in any way. The Basel Action Network houses a list of electronics recyclers that have all signed their stewardship pledge. Under this pledge, recyclers agree to not export electronic waste, add it to landfills, use prison labor, and to document where equipment is sent.

If your electronics still work, then try to find a way to reuse them. You can give it away to someone in need of that item. There are also companies like RetroBox and FreeGeek that rebuild computers using salvaged parts. FreeGeek also has a list of similar organizations that can be a great place to start your electronic recycling or the reuse of your machine.

Autor: Patrick Sharple

Computer recycling and disposal from the waste management experts.

Added: February 4, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/