Posts Tagged ‘Recyclable materials’

There’s no doubt wooden pallets have played an important role in shaping the world’s infrastructure: real estate; bridges; skyscrapers; transportation, to just name a few — all have used wooden pallets.

However in the recent rise of the green market, wooden pallets are becoming less favourable: they’re unsanitary; they’re high-maintenance; they have a short life span.

Many engineers, architects and tradesmen today are beginning to use more reliable and long-lasting alternatives such as, eco-friendly plastic pallets.

According to the Pallet & Container Research Lab, the plastic pallet market has doubled in the last ten years.

Eco-friendly plastic pallets are here to stay and Renew Resources has quickly highlighted its three major benefits.

Enjoy!

Environment Friendly

Renowned for its longevity and re-usability, eco-friendly plastic pallets simply last longer than wooden pallets, which reduces your wood consumption. When you choose wood; you choose a shorter-life span. Eco-friendly plastic pallets are also made from 100% recyclable materials and are 100% recyclable. When your eco-friendly plastic pallet break through wear-and-tear, it’s convenient to toss in your recycling pile; saving landfill space.

Long-lasting

Plastic Pallets are weather-resistant and save you from the high-maintenance troubles wooden pallets bring you. Plastic pallets won’t absorb moisture, won’t split, rot, mildew or become infested with insects. The longer your pallets last the more money you save.

Sanitary

Plastic pallets were first introduced to the market in the 1960s and were used in sanitary applications for raw foods. When you use plastic pallets you’ll free yourself from all the unsanitary qualities wood bring you; giving you a more versatile functionality: the cleaner; the better.

Summary

Three billion to six billion trees are cut down every year. When you move from wooden pallets to eco-friendly plastic pallets you’ll save trees, reduce resource consumption and own a longer-lasting product. Getting started is simple. All you have to do is research in your local area for companies like Renew Resources and look for affordable rates and experts who can advise you on how to get started.

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This is for you. The busy eco-body who just doesn’t have enough time to keep up with Renew Resources’ daily Twitter feed.  So to save you the hassle of sifting through all of our glorious Eco-friendly tweets, we have narrowed and highlighted this week’s best “Sustainable Building” posts. They’re current, relevant and definitely worth knowing about!  Here we go in no particular order!

Beton Hala Waterfront Proposal by Architecktur Studios

Introducing the Beton Hala Waterfront proposal by Egyptian architects Andreas Eckmann and Stefanie Hesse of Architecktur studios.  Here we have an eco-friendly structure that goes beyond most of our eco-friendly building tweets we’ve made thus far.  What’s so special about it?  Underneath the asphalt lies Piezoelectric Sensors which are placed underneath the 350 meter long pathway expected to produce 420 KW of electricity per day. Specifically, when a 125 lbs individual walks up and down the roadway for a few seconds, it’ll produce 0.1 W of electricity.  Amazing, huh?

Source:  Eco-friend

Groundbreaking Recyclable Basketball Stadium by Architizer

Designed by Sinclair Knight Merz, Wilkinson Eyre and KSS London unveil a Recyclable Basketball stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games.  How is a 1,000 steel tonne structure “Green?”  Good question.   It’s a recyclable basketball stadium, meaning that the country can reuse its temporary structure for other events.  Nonetheless, London avoids using over the top wasteful materials for the Olympics and shows to put forth more effort in recyclable standing structures which a step closer to an eco-friendly direction.

Source:  Architizer

Yiftach Ben Meir Sea02′s Computer System For Sustainable Design

Architect Yiftach Ben Meir invents Sea02, a computer system dedicated to propose energy alternatives for sustainable design.  Here we have a quick example of how Sea02 helped produce an eco-friendly structure using for a green building project in Tel Aviv.  Ultimately, the plan is to utilize the sun, wind, and land energy sources optimizing solar, wind and land energy for green living.

Source:  Tuvie

Summary
And there you have it, Renew Resources‘ top three sustainable building tweets of the week.  All three tweets help us forget about the clusters of crises we experience today and also reminds us that the human species always finds a way to reach over the clouds of calamity and father rainbows of solutions that save the day.  Until next post—stay green.

Author
SC
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Comments?  Know how to speak tweet?  Don’t be shy, share your green tweets with us today!

If you are new to our social media feed, this Green article shows you–in four posts–the eco-friendly building revolution.

And due to popular demand, Renew Resources has compiled a quick list of the trendsetting structures that were built using green design techniques and most importantly recyclable building materials!  Enjoy!

Consarc Architects

It’s no surprise the award-winning designers at Consarc Architects were given the “Green light” to concoct the iCon Innovation Center. The eco-friendly building is famous for being the first ever commercial building in the UK to use “Phase-change” eco-friendly materials. What makes it uber special?  It only uses 15 Kg of Co2/m2/yr giving the iCon Innovation Center and everyone associated with it “Zero carbon status.”

Source: Consarc Architects

The Helix Hotel

Masterminded by Leeser Architects, the eco-friendly Helix Hotel in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Bay maximizes natural light, sun, wind and hydro energy. Its spiral aesthetic gives each room its own unique view providing all guests with a certain “sustainable design hospitality.”  What makes it special? It uses GROW panels made out of 100% recyclable plastic on the outside making it easier for green energy to transfer indoors for optimized energy efficiency. Oh and did I mention that it has an ocean fed waterfall coming straight from the Persian Gulf! Amazing.

Source:  Leeser Architects

Bay and Adelaide Center

And now trumpeting  Brookfield Properties, the architects who developed the Bay and Adelaide Center in Toronto, Ontario.  Here we have Toronto’s first sustainable standing structure to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard. The 51-story eco-structure was made with local and recyclable building materials all positioned to perfection in efforts to harness natural light and hydro energy.

Source:  Brookfield Properties

Fushionopolis

Last but not least we have Ken Yeang’s Fushionopolis Research Center, an eco-friendly building made for the Singapore Sky. Its eco-friendly design embodies Yeang’s trademark philosophy: “All standing structures should be designed like living organisms.” Here you can also witness the world’s largest 15-story vertical garden armed with vegetation which also acts as a natural passive cooling and insulation system. It’s also positioned to maximize natural light using indoor prisms for optimized energy efficiency. What makes Fushionopolis special? It’s organic and inorganic materials are built as one living ecosystem!

Source:  Ken Yeang

SUMMARY

And there you have it!  The four eco-friendly building trendsetters that have set the tone for future sustainable design projects. Of course, this is only the beginning; however, all four examples above will likely provide green building inspiration in your neck of the woods. Until next post!

Author

SC

www.renewresources.com

Comments? Got a Green building project to share? Leave a comment below!

Recycled Plastic can be used as a perfect substitute in many areas of construction. When compared to traditional materials recycled plastics are easy to use, low maintenance, will not rot, delaminate or become infested, and eventually are themselves recyclable, the perfect eco-friendly material.

Deck Tile manufactured from recycled plastics, are therefore the ideal eco-friendly finished surface for patio’s, balconies, roof top garden walkways and roof mounted mechanical equipment access pathways. They are supplied in a standard 22.75” x 22.75” (57.8 cm x 57.8 cm) format completely pre–assembled and easy to lay.

With their unique riser strips on the underside, Deck Tile’s allow water to readily drain in all directions and may be installed in any pattern of your choice. Primarily designed to cover concrete surfaces or flat-roofing materials, the tiles may also be installed if required, directly onto the ground for temporary or permanent paths or patio’s.

Deck Tile is available in three standard colours; Grey, Taupe and Cedar and two styles (wood-grain and European).

Renew Resources provide of fully recycled industrial plastic products. They are extremely safe, have very long lives, are environmentally friendly and require zero or low maintenance. This means they have excellent whole life costs when compared to hardwood and composite alternatives.

More information about Deck Tile – click here

or Contact Renew Resources – click here

If you still think hardwood timber is a perfectly sustainable resource, then stop what you are doing and consider the following facts:

• The deforestation of hardwood timber forests is taking place faster than any regeneration efforts underway.
• The knock on effect on natural cycles that help forest growth, such as the dispersal of hardwood tree nuts by native animals which then grow into new trees, is negative.

Now, if you are a marine professional, this is why the facts above are relevant to you.

• You can’t afford to rely on increasingly unsustainable hardwood timber. New legislation, rising timber costs and excellent alternatives all provide you with a great opportunity to look at other products on the market.
• Hardwood timber can need replacing after 10 years in extreme marine environments. This does not have to happen… and should not!
• The whole life costs of hardwood timber marine facilities are higher because of the additional maintenance costs incurred with its use, or the need to replace it from increasingly depleted sources.
• Hardwood timber will rot due to constant immersion and drying out, and will need constant maintenance to remain fit for purpose.  Why? You should not have to select a product that needs regular treatment in the first place?
• Environmentally sustainable marine facilities, using alternative materials to hardwood timber, can be developed at comparable costs. You probably just don’t know enough about the alternatives.

Invest In Zero Or Very Low Maintenance, Sustainable Products That Save You Money

You can now get fully industrial recycled plastic decking that requires very little or zero maintenance.

Composite decking is another alternative to hardwood, but it requires some maintenance. It also has environmental issues to address such as the use of oil-based polyesters to bind its components together, and which need setting agents that give off greenhouse gases

When it comes to sustainability, recycled plastic decking has a life cycle that other products simply don’t match.

This is because:

• Its feedstock is 100% recycled.
• The recycled plastic decking is manufactured with the production of limited greenhouse gases.
• It has a long life in use.
• At the end of its life, recycled plastic decking can be taken back by the manufacturer and re-manufactured into new products.

What is the impact on your bottom line though?

• You will reduce the whole life costs of your marine facilities if you use recycled plastic instead of hardwood or composites.

• You will save money because fully recycled industrial plastic requires very low or zero maintenance.
• You will save money during installation because the tongue and groove configuration enables lower installation costs than square-edged boarding with patent fixing systems.
• Fully recycled industrial plastic has a potential value at the end of its life.
• Fully recycled industrial plastic does not need to be replaced for up to 70 years.

Sustainability seems a whole lot better when it doesn’t cost you more. And that is the point, you can invest in a sustainable product that is fit for purpose, looks good and reduces your bills.

Renew Resources provide of fully recycled industrial plastic products.  They are extremely safe, have very long lives, are environmentally friendly and require zero or low maintenance. This means they have excellent whole life costs when compared to hardwood and composite alternatives.

More information about Recycled Plastic Products – click here

or Contact Renew Resources – click here

There are many benefits to Recycled Plastic Lumber. Apart from it being environmentally friendly, it is safer than normal redwood. Heat is conducted in such a way that your feet will be comfortable enough to walk on it barefoot in the warmest climates. Unlike wood, artificial lumber does not warm, it is non-slip and you will not get splinters in your feet.

Recycled Plastic Lumber can be used to construct exterior moldings, window frames, door frames and decking. Standard lumber, which is considered dangerous by many, as the elements, may cause damage, which could be hazardous. This includes damage from salt air, insects, sun, water and wind, which are all natural enemies of wood. Artificial wood can be used as an alternative to wood in both commercial and residential applications.

The fact that Recycled Plastic Lumber has no effects on health is a great bonus. It is free from the chemical additives or preservatives that are present in treated lumber. It is also maintenance free, therefore no treatments need be applied, thus the homeowner avoids the inhalation of harmful fumes.

Since Recycled Plastic Lumber is made from recycled materials, it has minimal impact on the environment. It is kept out of landfills and can be used for a lifetime. If you no longer have a use for it, you can simply recycle it again. It also minimizes the amount of wood that is used. Wood is in much demand due to the boom in the construction industry. This most used resource should be renewable, but due to current logging techniques and the increasing demand, it is not sustainable. Therefore, artificial wood is a more sustainable option.

More information about Recycled Plastic Lumber – click here
or Contact Renew Resources (Canada and USA) – click here

In the UK contact -  Kedel ( British Recycled Plastic Products) (original article source)

Zoo’s in particular have to be environmentally friendly, not only to their guest (the animal residents) but also by the public, in their choice of materials used to house and shelter the animals.

In an environmentally – conscious society, all hazardous or non-recyclable materials must give way to eco-products. Polyboard is exactly what you need – it is different as well as unique. Polyboard is a true eco-product, that is why The Canadian Government and U.S. Pentagon have selected products made of Polyboard, which are now widely used by all Government departments. Polyboard has also been awarded the most coveted “Eco-Mark’ by the Japanese Government’s EPA.

Polyboard is a hygienic recycled product that eliminates polluting plastic waste to save our trees and rainforest, it is full recyclable, reusable and virtually everlasting while creating no gas emissions in production, delivering a total zero-waste solution and environmental protection to your community.

Polyboard offers the best of all worlds – it is not wood plastic composite (WPC) that is perishable as are moisture absorbing wood products, nor is it made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is closely linked to dioxin, but it does outlast them all!

Polyboard is waterproof, decay proof, weatherproof, and sound deadening, abrasion-resistant, chemical resistant, UV-resistant, freeze-thaw resistant, and termite-repellent. Polyboard is virtually everlasting, almost indestructible, (even the Camel will not eat it) yet it is flexible enough for a Lemur to enjoy it as a perch, it is also power-washable and maintenance free.

Polyboard is tougher than wood, in fact tough enough even for a Rhino (see attachment below) withstanding heavy impacts even in our Canadian winter sub-zero temperatures. It is as easy to use as wood, having excellent nail or screw holding ability but no lumber defects whatsoever It never rots, cracks, splits, or delaminates, nor will it rust oxidize or corrode like metal under adverse weather condition. Its solid body completely cuts off moisture that will erode wood and WPC, in marine applications it will-remain intact even completely submerged in seawater.

Polyboard is available in two standard, (Grey and Natural) colors, in standard sheet sizes of 4′x 8‘ in a range of thickness from 1/4″ (6 mm) to 1-1/8″ (28 mm) to suit any specific need. That is why Polyboard has established itself as animal husbandry industry standard for a virtually indestructible eco friendly flooring and sub flooring material.

As you are aware, the disposal of plywood and wood based boards is environmentally hazardous. If burned the toxic glued plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB) will pollute the air further if land filled, they will poison groundwater. In fact we are all (including the animals we seek to protect) being threatened by potential future global warming disasters – storms, floods, droughts and the rising temperatures that cause polar meltdown, forest fires and heat waves. It is therefore our civic duty to save trees and rain forest to reduce greenhouse gases. Anyone promoting the use of Polyboard will help to save our earth for future generations.