Archive for the ‘Environmental Awareness’ Category

Hazardous Waste – Explained

radioactive

Your duty of care in both business and home is to report and remove correctly any waste that may be deemed hazardous. A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of what passes as normal/non-hazardous waste in comparison to hazardous waste.

The most common examples of hazardous waste include:

  • Asbestos
  • Chemicals
  • Solvents
  • Batteries
  • Pesticides
  • Ozone depleting substances
  • Hazardous waste containers
  • Oils (non-edible)

Click here for more examples of hazardous waste.

Sometimes you may not class a certain type of waste hazardous but it may be, so if you are unsure it is always advisable to ring your local authorities for advice and assessment of any potentially hazardous waste you might have. See Gov.uk for more information on the issue.

The most important matter when it comes to hazardous waste is the correct removal and disposal of it. If you can recycle the waste then always use this as your first option as recycling allows for reuse and the correct trained employees will be in control and command of the waste materials. Other options are available such as Red Industries who are trained professionals in the removal of hazardous waste. Companies such as Red industries will have the necessary supplies and equipment to dispose and remove hazardous waste effectively and safely, and safety is the key issue when dealing with this type of waste. Such companies have access to laboratories where testing is available for any unknown substances or chemicals they may come across. This testing is important as reports can be made, and the necessary actions can be put in place to prevent the danger of the hazardous waste tested.

Our world has been affected massively by the incorrect removal and disposal of toxic or hazardous waste. Check out this article on Scientific American News explaining the mass effect toxic waste has on poorer countries as it is not disposed and controlled correctly. The facts are there, and they are shocking so it is time to consider and act on how you remove any toxic or hazardous waste from your home and business. By taking small steps to improve your waste disposal can help the environment and will make your home and business a safer place.  See the Oxford Journals on Hazardous Waste for further in-depth reading, and information on the topic.

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Cutting Down On Greenhouse Gases

Doing something as everyday as eating your lunch or dinner has a massive trail when it comes to environmental costs and emissions. Even before transporting goods, maintaining their freshness and cooking them, there is a large environmental effect which people are becoming more and more aware of.

Farms produce a lot of greenhouse gases – also known as GHG’s – and in 2011, it was estimated that the agricultural sector was responsible for around 14% of human global emissions (figure from the Carbon Disclosure Project). This wasn’t just from farmers using electricity and power, but also included gases such as methane which come from manure and composting.

farming

With this information being known, many farmers want to move to more environmentally friendly methods, but it can be difficult to find out exactly where the emissions are coming from. Most people would think that the emissions produced come from things such as tractors and other agricultural machinery. This may have been true in the past, but with new machinery comes improved efficiency. For example, farmers who use a new tractor compared to a 20 year old one may be cutting emissions from that source in half. When it comes to efficient machinery, it can help by getting equipment locally – such as from Cornthwaite AG (in the North West of England), Ralph Forsey (in the South West), or your nearest dealer which can be found online.

One new tool which is taking advantage of increased use of mobile technology is the Cool Farm Tool. It was launched last summer and aims to help farmers see where the emissions come from within their farm – letting them see where cuts and changes can be made. Information such as soil type, land use and what is done to the land are put into a simple program which creates a summary and lets farmers see potential cuts.

Projects like this can be undertaken by almost any farmer to see where emissions are greatest. They are also often encouraged by larger companies who many farmers work with. As well as letting them claim greenhouse gas cuts, it also helps people find out information about what they are buying every day.

So going back to the first point; the next meal you eat, just have a think about the journeys and processes which result in it being on your plate!

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Saving Energy On The Big 3

We could all do with saving a little here and a little there, whether for our pockets or for the planet . One of the ways we can do both is by reducing our energy bills, and all this takes is a few simple steps. Take a look at our guide below to give you some pointers on keeping your energy bills down.

Energy Bill 1Electricity
Now the days are getting longer it isn’t as necessary to have your lights on all the time, so a simple but effective method to keep energy bills down is just to leave them off altogether! Naturally, however, there are always going to be times when you need to have the light on, and so there are a few things you can do then too. Your number one priority should be getting some energy efficient bulbs installed, so visit www.ecotroniclighting.co.uk for your home or office for some greener lighting. All told, this could save you around £55 per year in the home. Have a look at this article if you want to know more: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Electricity/Lighting, and then start thinking about eco-friendly fridges and all manner of energy efficient electronics!

Water
Lowering your water bills isn’t about switching provider to save money, it’s more about regulating the amount of water you use. If you’re finding that the fixed rate you’re on is too high for your consumption, then it’s well worth considering a installing a water meter. If you take a look at www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cut-water-bills you can get a better idea on if a meter is a good idea for you and whether it will save you money. Like lighting, however, you can buy more energy efficient products to help keep costs down. Think about investing in an energy efficient showerhead to save up to 2000 gallons of water per year. Go to www.flowpoint.co.uk to learn more about how you can save up to 60% on your water bill.

Gas/Heating
How much energy you are expending here comes down to your boiler. An old boiler will end up costing you as much in monthly bills as it will in the necessary repairs, so first, you need to get your boiler assessed and service. Local tradesmen like www.wearheatingandgasservices.co.uk offer competitive rates so it’s worth investigating local plumbers in your area to get the best deal – take a trip to www.mybuilder.com/plumbers/in/uk to do just that. If you’re looking at other ways to keep your heating bills down, investing in cavity wall insulation can also be a fine choice. Take a trip to www.knaufinsulation.co.uk to look at options for internal and external wall insulation that will help make massive savings in the long run.

As the big three expenditures on energy, doing what you can to reduce your arrears can have a great impact on your finances and on the planet. Making small changes can yield big results, so think about becoming more eco-conscious today and see how much you could save.

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The Trees of the New Forest

British trees are some of the most beautiful and grand natural structures you will find anywhere in the world. They come in any shape or form, and throughout the year display a myriad of different colours, tones and hues, magically transforming with each season to create a spectrum of greens, reds, auburns and browns. They can be tall and imposing, small and delicate or wild and ethereal. Many are sprinkled with berries, flowers and blossoms. The sense of peace and contentment one can get from walking amongst these miraculous giants of nature is one of the most soothing feelings one can experience, and it’s for this reason I would recommend visiting the New Forest.

Like any National Park, the New Forest displays a brilliant showcase of nature each year. What makes the New Forest special is the sheer size of the land; one of the largest natural spaces of unenclosed pasture land, the Forest allows you to really immerse yourself in the wildlife around you. You can forget the woes of the daily grind and simply be, soaking up the ambience and peace offered by the quiet forest around you. The trees around you come from a range of different sources, some native to England and some introduced in recent years. Species like the English oak, ash and beech trees have been growing in the New Forest for hundreds of years, as well as exotic species such as sweet chestnut and Japanese cedar. Have a look at the range of different trees that can be found in Britain on this website.

The people behind the New Forest National Park love to share their enthusiasm for the Forest’s trees, which is why they are running the New Forest Ancient Tree Hunt, which you can find more information here. These guided tours take you through the New Forest’s most ancient trees, where you can learn more about each species’ history and habitat. The tour includes a visit to one of the New Forest’s most famous trees, the Knightwood Oak. This oak is said to be up to nearly 600 years old, with a pollarded head, a sign that this tree was sustainably chopped for firewood hundreds of years ago! Have a look at this video for a snapshot of how the tours work:

Once you’ve visited the New Forest, you’ll want to come back again and again. With such a wide variety of wildlife, not simply in terms of trees but with ample bird-watching opportunities, scenic landscapes and a soothing ambience you’ll not find anywhere else, the New Forest keeps bringing back its visitors again and again. As a result it’s a popular location for many holiday-makers, and many take up summer homes here to escape the toils of modern urban life. If you’re interested in joining them, have a look at estate agents like Spencers of the New Forest – visit their website to have a look. By acquiring a property in the New Forest, you can step out of your house and enjoy the New Forest as your back garden!

The New Forest is just one example of the fantastic work of our national parks in Britain. Due to the expansion of housing, cities and industry, our natural wildlife is becoming more and more threatened, our rural beauty spots becoming more precious by the day. That’s why it’s important to support foundations like this, so that they can continue to preserve the pride of Britain – our beautiful wildlife. There are a wide variety of ways to support them. Signing up for membership to organisations like the National Trust help, as well as making an effort to recycle and live sustainably. Find out more about it on this website! Every little helps to preserve our planet, and the New Forest is a perfect example of the world we could all be living in, if we invested a little time, money and care.

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What Wood You Build?

When you think of a soundly structured building, you want something energy efficient, stable, warm, and safe. I don’t know about you, but the first material I would source would be steel, brick or concrete, naturally. It had never occurred to me, until recently, that timber would not only fit all criteria for a building project, but would save money and energy too. Wood has the advantages of being recyclable, waste efficient, bio-degradable, and non-toxic, as well as being 15 times a better insulator than concrete; 400 times better than steel, and 1770 times better than aluminium! Impressed? Take a look at more timber stats on wpif.org, and allow me to outline why timber could be the future of construction.

timber_merchants(2)

D.I.-Why Wood?

Timber is an environmentally friendly material, and provided it comes from a credible source, can be easily replenished over time. You can read on the information page from Stovax here that thanks to the Forestry Commission, millions of trees are planted to cover an extra 4% of the UK in woodland each year, equivalent to 30,000 football pitches. Metal work is also recyclable as it can be melted down and re-used for something else, but in terms of insulation and bio-degradability, wood trumps steel.

So when you’re thinking of what to build for your next DIY project, think about making it out of timber. You can find all kinds of timber suppliers online, though it is important that you get your supplies from a reputable source. As a Liverpool resident, my local supplier for my current decking project is Formby Timber who helped explained some of the properties of the wood to me for research purposes. Making softwood is involves glued sheets of thin wood which are then cross-laminated to create thicker panels, providing unwavering stability. They told me that timber like this is flame retardant eliminating one of the myths surrounding timber buildings and fire hazards.

Cheadle-Hulme-School-deckin

So why isn’t timber being used in much bigger projects?

Getting the Oakay

When it comes to a bigger project, you have to think about more than planning permissions with a timber building. This newscast from the BBC shows the development and construction of one of the UK’s largest timber buildings. Think of the economical and environmental advantages! Entire towns made of timber buildings could reduce carbon emissions and save on energy for years to come, and they even have added aesthetic value.

Companies such as Pure Buildings are the perfect example of larger projects with environmental benefits. You can have your new office space built to function, or have a log cabin which saves you money, energy, and looks much better for your business’ environmental ethic. Take a look at the ‘Eco & Environment’ page on Pure Building’s site for more reasons to choose timber.

norwegian_wood_building_pw130507_3

With concerns for the environment pushing through the roof, any business that disregards timber buildings would be missing out on all these advantages. Take a look at this article from UCL if you remain skeptical, though you’d have to be pretty wooden not to take it seriously.

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