Posts Tagged ‘recycled plastic’

When you first think of “eco-friendly building,” you think of recycled / recyclable building materials: recycled plastic pallets; recycled stageboard; recycled skate ramp materials etc. etc. etc. — everything you’d want to build a sustainable city infrastructure with, right?

But, beyond the eco-friendly building methodologies and sustainable design blueprints are the companies who pay to use these “Green buildings.”

Most likely, these eco-friendly buildings turn into offices; housing computers; thus, foreshadowing the rise of a future tech junk problem.

Tech junk. Where does it go? How much energy does it waste? How much energy could we save if we all shut down our computers rather than conveniently choosing, “sleep mode”?

According to iamgreen, today 1-billion computers are active. The accumulative energy wasted by these computers, which on average are left on between 9:00am – 5pm is equivalent to the amount of power it takes to light the entire New York Yankee stadium for every home game from today to the 2596-2597 season.

But, don’t get too excited. There’s more info below!

Scroll down, dive into the rest of the amazing Computing Vs. Environment infographic head first, and let us know what you think in the comments box or on our Facebook fan page.

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Source: iamgreen

Deforestation is climbing at an alarming rate.

Here’s a reminder: By the year 2030, only 10 per cent of what the Amazon Rain Forest is today will remain in tact.

Shocked? Yet, within this frightening forecast shines glimmers of hope. The “Green Movement” stands tall with forward-thinking tradesmen, architects, engineers, politicians and new green entrepreneurs, all playing a vital role in the green movement; trailblazing a healthier and sustainable lifestyle for a dying “blue society,” so to speak.

The once kooky green building ideology now has a mass production business model.

The growing popularity and production of recycled plastic lumber has already and will continue to play an important role in the future of sustainable building.

Recycled plastic lumber is equivalent to; or, better than real lumber; serving planet earth with many environmental benefits:

Recycled Plastic Lumber is…

Made From 100% Recycled Plastic and 100% Recyclable: With the world losing 7.3 million hectares of forest per year; adopting recycled plastic lumber instantly reduces the amount waste exhausted in any given construction site. Made from 100% industrial plastic waste and 100% recyclable, all breaks or mis-cuts can be recycled and used again; lasting a lifetime.

Aesthetically Pleasing and Heat Resistant: Equally pleasant to the human eye and just as sensual as real wood, recycled plastic lumber is heat-resistant; preventing dry wood and unattractive shrinkage. Its strong planks serve a cool surface allowing you to freely roam your deck on any given hot day. Your soles of your feet and exposed skin are safe when you lay there and soak in the warm sun.

Versatile: Infestation, warp, and splinter free recycled plastic lumber has proven to be applicable in many different building projects. Hailed in the green building community as the essential alternative to wood; its versatile properties can be used to build exterior moldings, window frames, door frames, decking to fences, vertical gardens and more.

Health Risk Free: Away and beyond the hazardous lather real wood needs to fight off insects and weather, recycled plastic lumber is chemical free: no additives or preservatives. It serves high performance without being high maintenance.

Summary: With the climbing rates of deforestation and illegal loggers continuing to pillage planet earth, recycled plastic lumber attempts to even the score.

Recycled plastic lumber is..

• Made From 100% Recycled Plastic and Recyclable
• Aesthetically Pleasing and Heat Resistant
• Versatile and equivalent if not better than real lumber
• Promotes a healthy and green environment

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Today, it is safe to say vertical gardens are the new “Black” to any modern day green garden ensemble.  The genesis of the “Green Wall” garden dates back to 1988 when French botanist, Patrick Blanc fathered and debuted his concept for the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris, France.

Now, thanks to the green movement vertical garden designs are exploring new innovative coordinates for people to discover and use for individual self-sufficiency and artistic expression. But before you “Plant for success,” you need to consider the following 5 key vertical gardening factors–here we go!

SUNLIGHT

Plants are autotrophs, meaning that they make their own food. Specifically, they use sunlight, break it down through photosynthesis, inhale CO2 and release fresh oxygen for animals, you and I to breathe.

Ultimately, your vertical garden needs at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.  The best way to ensure this is to face your vertical garden south.

WATER

To start the germination process, your seed needs water. The term “Germination” is defined as the process where the new plant in the seed emerges from its shell.  Water activates enzymes in seeds and encourages swelling and softening, which give it enough punch to push through and grow.  A great reminder is to keep your vertical garden near a hose or local water faucet.

REUSE CONTAINERS

If you want to avoid wasting new resources, reuse/recycle old two litre bottles, milk jugs or cans for plant containers.

You can also research vertical gardening companies such as Urbio.  This is one of many companies who offer highly affordable vertical gardening pucks and inserts made out of recycled plastic for vertical gardens.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EAT?

If you are a beginner, start by planting something easy such as mint, chili or lettuce. If you’re looking for a challenge try purchasing broccoli, tomato or brussel sprout seeds.

You also want to consider the root depth. Carrots and beats require at least a foot and a half of soil to plant their roots while vegetables such as lettuce require a lower root depth.

PATIENCE IS MAINTENANCE

With all the excitement vertical gardening gives us it’s important to show discipline with garden maintenance. Make sure your vertical garden is bug free by planting natural plant flower pesticides, which will give you an enhanced visual beatification.

Summary

Vertical gardens are an excellent way to maximize your space at home while making a social statement.  Self-sufficiency is an art most Westerners have forgotten. To know how to garden is to know how to take care of you and your family–whether it’s vertical or horizontal.  Good luck!

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Comments? Want to plant seeds of insight?  Leave a comment!

Want to hear something interesting?
Once upon a time, 14% of planet Earth’s surface was once covered with lush rain-forests; today it’s down 6%, which is only expected to last over the next 40 years.
Still interested?
Of course you are!
You wouldn’t be interested in this article if you weren’t interested in the environment, patios, and…of course–veggie burgers.But first! Before you eat you need a patio, right?
And during times of hell, fire and brimstone where facts scream out “help your environment; help your backyard” we can’t help but listen.  So without further delay Renew Resources has saved you time and has listed 4 Green Ways to Improve Your Patio!

Use Water-Borne Stains

Kiss the old days of oil-based solvents goodbye and say hello to water-borne staining.
It’s recommended to stay away from oil-based solvents.
They’re highly saturated with paraffin, which leaves your wood vulnerable to heat and sunlight.
If you want to help the environment while you give your deck a face-lift–use water-borne stains for varnish.
This will instantly lower the dangerous organic compounds emitted in the air which rip the Earth’s ozone.
Water-borne solutions also offer all the benefits of H20′s genetic compounds.
This will allow your wood to breathe and stain just the way “Green” wants and needs it to be.

Make DIY Cleaner Using Natural Chemicals

Use white vinegar or apple vinegar to clean out pesky pockets of mildew or rust stains.
I recommend using the following recipe: ½ cup of white vinegar; 1 cup of ammonia ¼ cup baking soda; 1 gallon of warm water.
Try putting it in a spray bottle.
Or just pour your new DIY eco-friendly deck cleaner onto the deck’s surface.
Let it sit, and rinse.
Your tattered deck should look as new as it was last summer.

Use FSC-Certified Wood

If you need to replace dead wood, use FSC-Certified wood to build addition al patio furniture or extensions.
FSC-Certified wood is the most sustainable wood harvested on planet Earth, and one of the most natural sources for furniture.
Better yet, instead of purchasing new wood, save a few trees and shop around at second-hand stores or at garage sales.
If you can’t find anything at garage sales, another alternative is to opt out for eco-friendly wood made out of recycled plastic.  It lasts longer, frees you from splinters, warps, and overall maintenance giving you the same wood aesthetic merged with more environmentally conscious “muscle.”

Save a Tree, Use A Deck Cover

Trust me, I’ve been there. You step out onto your patio and voila. You see hideous planks of wood unfit for the grimiest pirate.
To instantly turn your old deck into new, use deck covers.
You’ll save you a lot of time, money, and most importantly trees!
Deck covers resurface your entire deck using a tongue and groove plank system.
It’s low-maintenance, superior to your deck structure, and provides you with the wood color & textured word grain surface we all want for our patios.

Summary

STOP! Before you leave this article thinking about delicious veggie burgers, it’s important to note that only 20% of Earth’s original forests remain in tact.
Over 70% of these forests are found in Russia, Brazil and Canada.
Given the calling of “Green leadership” is trumpeted by all nations; however, these three major countries need to be the “ones” to hammer in the “save-a-tree” nails that build the foundations of a global green effort.
And…that’s the moral of our generation’s story—the end.

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Comments?  Got a green talent?  Want to share a few insights?  Drop a comment!

Warning: Every 20 minutes that passes you by, planet earth loses one animal or plant species.
I repeat.
Every 20 minutes that passes you by, planet earth loses one animal or plant species!
If you don’t believe me, Google it!
And in a world infested with mountainous piles of un-recycled plastic, paper, glass coupled with waves of unpredictable tsunamis and prosaic reality television shows (all dangerous in some form or another), shines a creative phenomenon known as the “Green movement.”
Have you seen the creativity?
If you haven’t, Renew Resources has saved you valuable time and has assembled April’s Top 3 Creative Eco-friendly Junk-Art Projects!

Reuse and Renew Luggage!

Ever thought of reusing old luggage and transforming it into luxury couches, shelves or coffee tables?
No?
Well, you have now!
Take a quick peek at Katie Thompson, a creative eco-friendly interior designer and founder of Recreate.
Here’s a shining example of how one creative individual can reuse everyday materials, churn them into furniture masterpieces and help save the environment.
Easy as recycle, reduce and reuse!

Reuse Junk Mail Into Tables!

Every year the world wastes 100 million trees and 28 million gallons of water on junk mail.
Of course, the most popular way to help this situation is to simply contact your local distributer and remove your mailing address from solicitation.
However, if you live with someone who “loves coupons” try flexing your creative muscle.
Here’s an interesting example of how a group of teenagers transformed their junk mail into an eco-friendly furniture business called, ReVision.
If they can do it, so can you!

Reinvent “Waste” into Art

Last but not least, Renew Resources has come across a ton of eco-friendly art blogs that utilizes everyday objects into eco-friendly art galleries.
Take notice of Swiss artist Jinks Kunst who collected cigarette butts off the streets for three years and created a portrait of his favourite artist, Serge Gainsbourg.

Summary

By adding “reinvent,” to the age-old mantra: recycle, reduce and reuse you’ll have the opportunity to become more self-sufficient and environmentally conscious.
The eco-friendly creative ideas above is a source of inspiration that may help you add more spice to your green life, living space and if you’re good enough–your wallet.

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www.renewresources.com

Comments? Got the “blues” from all the junk mail? Do you have a way to add “green spice” into your life? Renew Resources wants to hear from you!

Did you know planet Earth formed its beautiful curvaceous body 4.3 – 4.4 million years ago?
At least, this is what NASA scientists are telling me– whether you choose to believe it is up to you.
Nonetheless, on April 22nd, 1970, Earth Day was born!

Yes, Earth Day. A day designated to trumpet the age-old mantra, “Recycle; Reduce; Reuse; and Compost.”
All good, right?

Yes. And No.

Yes. Because recycle, reduce, reuse and compost are the fundamentals of every environmentalist.

No. Because yesteryears’ so-called, “Earth Day Celebrations” have already oozed into your everyday lifestyle (thanks society!) and you want Earth Day to be “special.”

So what does an everyday environmentalist do on Earth Day?
Well, Renew Resources has assembled a quick list titled, Refreshing Ways to Celebrate You Earth Day!

Build a Flower Box
Think long-term and consider a present Mother Nature will appreciate for over 50 years.
Get creative and try building an eco-friendly flower box for both Mother Nature and your home.

Flowers do more for the environment than offer pretty silhouettes.
They swallow air pollution and exhale clean oxygen for you, I, and all the other beautiful creatures on this beautiful planet to breathe.

And when flowers finally do succumb to old-age (courtesy of father time), the flower “left overs” reincarnate life back into the Earth’s soil as mulch or fertilizer.

Build a Recycling Box for Your Neighbourhood
Let’s step up your environmentalism up a notch and dedicate a few beads of sweat to build recycling bins for your local neighbourhood.
You can either reuse scrap wood that you have saved over the years or better yet; utilize eco-friendly wood from your local hardware store.

If you can’t find eco-friendly lumber, try our 100% recycled plastic lumber here made out of plastic waste and start building!

Take an Eco-Friendly Bike Tour
Hey, it’s Earth Day. You belong outside! Instead of surfing the World Wide Web and tweeting, “The World’s Greenest Houses”, make a day out of it! Find eco-friendly houses in your local area, gain first-hand experience, create pleasant Earth Day memories and meet new people!

And if you want to be ambitious, bring an organic lunch and have a picnic somewhere comfortable in-between destinations.
You can even knock on the door and try to meet the lovely owners. Just be sure to avoid ruining someone else’s Earth Day. Casual questions and Green talk only! Not, “Can we come in and eat your expensive all organic dinner?”

Plant a Tree
Ok. This one isn’t so ‘refreshing’; however, Earth Day is a perfect day to plant a ritual tree. After building your flower box and recycling bin and trekking from one eco-friendly home to another– end your day by planting a tree.

To save you some time, Renew Resources has researched and listed five species of trees that grow well with property constraints: Red Maple; Conifers; Flowering Dog Wood; River Birch; Redbud.

Summary
And Voila! With the green movement blossoming into a new religion, yesteryears’ “Earth Day Celebration” is today’s everyday norm. When in doubt, recycle, reduce, reuse, reinvent and compost.
Happy Earth Day!

Author
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www.renewresources.com

Interesting fact: If you recycle 1 ton of plastic, you save the equivalent energy consumed by 2 people in one year.

Today, it’s ‘Green’ to say that plastic lumber is an eco-friendly carpenter’s dream come true; however, many beginners, hobbyists, and DIY’ers out there looking to incorporate ‘Green building’ best practices tend to limit themselves; being oblivious to the many options recycled plastic lumber can offer.

So if you are looking to introduce more ‘Green building’ methods into your building regimen, save trees and free yourself from high-maintenance hardwood — look no further!

Renew Resources has compiled a quick top 3 list of things you can build using recycled plastic lumber.

Plastic Wood Roofing Shingles

Want to help prevent plastic from overloading your land-fill? Or how about save a ton of lovely animal kingdom creatures from plastic waste strangulation? Or even better, want to prevent plastic waste chemicals from leaking into your soil and water?  Yes? Yes?  And yes?

Well, the beauty of plastic lumber shingles is that it helps the environment and does a better job than your average shingle.  How?

Plastic lumber doesn’t heat up under the sun, so your utility bill will definitely be lower.  Its shock absorption also prevents house hold damage from thunderous hail storms, and is very easy to install saving you a lot of time.

Picnic Bench

Be the one to build an eco-friendly bench for your family this summer. Plastic lumber maintains the desirable natural wood aesthetic and ensures a 50 year life span.  You’ll never have to worry about splinters, warps or even the hassles of painting or varnishing–ever!

Decking

Decks made out of plastic lumber help fight off Mother Nature’s natural enemies (animals, rot, weather, insects etc.). It’s stain resistant, available in almost any color code, water proof  and extremely low-maintenance.

Summary

It takes 10 years for regular plastic bag to decompose in a landfill and 1000 years for harder plastics to biodegrade. Replacing real lumber with plastic lumber just makes sense—you recycle, reduce, and reuse.  Elementary my dear reader, elementary!

Author

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www.renewresources.com

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)