August 2023 - Zureli

Search for any green Service

Find green products from around the world in one place

Window cleaning

Singapore Safety Glass

Recyclable Phone Batteries Are Now A Reality

Posted on August 31, 2023 by dishanth

Waste is Becoming an Increasingly Important Issue

The disposal of trash and waste is unsurprisingly a mess worldwide. Many problems exist within the structure of trash disposal, with recycling being often neglected in many areas, inconsistent and underdeveloped trash removal infrastructure, and the lack of any trash disposal facilities.

This means it’s relatively common worldwide to see actual rivers of trash.

A component of this issue that is growing daily is the increasing problem of electronic waste, otherwise known as e-waste. E-waste is the garbage created after electronic devices are thrown away after being used.

E-waste makes up anything electronic that goes into the landfill, and the reason this is so problematic because these devices often contain hazardous and toxic chemicals that eventually make their way into our land, water, and atmosphere.

Of the e-waste that is created, 10% of it is made up of cell phone batteries. This specific component of cell phones is increasingly a problem. Beyond the issues I described above, cell phones and other electronics are burned, releasing these dangerous chemicals and creating new ones.

However, many of these issues could be circumvented just by making easily recyclable phone batteries. This is how it could work.

Why Hasn’t This Been Done Already?

One of the major obstacles preventing cellphone batteries from being recycled commonly is that lithium-ion batteries are quite challenging to recycle or reuse.

However, there are many other ways to create cellphone batteries, and one of these ways could present itself as the way forward to create sustainable personal cellular devices.

The RMIT School of Engineering in Australia developed this new recyclable phone battery. The design primarily uses a material called Mxene, a material similar to graphene commonly used in electronics like traditional, not-so-recyclable phone batteries. The primary reason why Mxene isn’t already found in most cell phones is that it rusts easily, which hampers conductivity.

Compared to graphene or lithium-ion batteries, Mxene rusts much quicker, but this property ironically could be the very thing that extends the device’s life. Using sound waves to “brush” off the rust, the researchers estimate that they can extend a conventional phone battery’s life span by three times and create truly recyclable phone batteries.

Hossein Alijani, a Ph.D. student at the university and co-lead researcher of the project, said, “Current methods used to reduce oxidation rely on the chemical coating of the material, which limits the use of the MXene in its native form, in this work, we show that exposing an oxidized MXene film to high-frequency vibrations for just a minute removes the rust on the film. This simple procedure allows its electrical and electrochemical performance to be recovered.”

The Future is in Recycling

Reducing waste, period. It is one of the most critical issues facing us. However, in the meantime recycling the waste we are creating is the best solution to the massive amounts of garbage contaminating our planet.

As we continue to move into a world in which electronics play an increasingly important role in our daily lives, we must abandon the disposable electronic-use model. Creating easily removable and recyclable phone batteries is a challenge that is necessary for us to overcome.

With developments in technology like this becoming more common, we will soon see a world without contradiction between electronics and environmental sensitivity. As part of this movement, MXene recyclable phone batteries appear to be the latest and most promising solution to this problem that we have created.

Source Happy Eco News

Building with Cannabis: a Hempcrete Construction Hotel

Posted on August 31, 2023 by dishanth

Imagine a world where buildings are not only sustainable but also contribute to the fight against climate change; hempcrete construction might be the key. A world where construction materials come from renewable sources and have minimal environmental impact. In this post, we will explore the fascinating world of hempcrete construction and take a closer look at one groundbreaking project: the 12-story Hemp Hotel in South Africa, set to open its doors in 2024.

Why Hempcrete Construction?
Why choose hempcrete construction? Hempcrete is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. It is made from a mixture of the inner woody core of the hemp plant, known as the hurd, and a lime-based binder. This combination creates a lightweight material with excellent thermal insulation properties.

Hempcrete also has exceptional breathability, allowing moisture to pass through without causing damage or mold growth. This natural ventilation helps regulate indoor humidity levels and promotes healthier living environments.

Another advantage of hempcrete is its fire resistance. Due to the high content of mineralized cellulose fibers in the hemp stalks, it can withstand extreme temperatures more effectively than conventional building materials.

Best of all, hemp plants grow rapidly and require minimal water and pesticides compared to other crops used in construction materials. They absorb carbon dioxide during their growth cycle, and sequester it in the building, making hempcrete a carbon-negative choice for builders.

Choosing hempcrete construction means opting for an environmentally friendly solution that offers superior insulation properties, increased durability against fire hazards, improved indoor air quality due to breathability advantages, and supports sustainable agricultural practices.

The Hemp Hotel, South Africa 2024

We have seen many homes built with Hempcrete Construction, but not as many commercial buildings. For all the same reasons that hempcrete construction makes sense in residential applications, it may be even more beneficial in commercial applications. For example, a stunning 12-story hotel made entirely from hempcrete is becoming a reality in South Africa. Set to open its doors in 2024, the Hemp Hotel is set to revolutionize the hospitality industry with its sustainable and eco-friendly construction.

Located in Cape Town, this groundbreaking project, built by Hempcrete Construction experts Afrimat Hemp, aims to showcase the incredible versatility and durability of hempcrete as a building material. Hempcrete is made by mixing hemp fibers with lime and water, creating a lightweight yet incredibly strong substance that is both fire-resistant and highly insulating.

But what makes the Hemp Hotel truly unique is not just its construction materials – it’s also about promoting sustainability throughout every aspect of its design. From energy-efficient lighting systems to rainwater harvesting, this hotel will be an example of environmental consciousness.

Not only will guests have the opportunity to experience luxury accommodation while reducing their carbon footprint, but they’ll also gain insight into how we can build more sustainably for future generations.

Other Hempcrete Applications

Aside from residential and commercial buildings, hempcrete has a wide range of applications. Its versatility and eco-friendly nature make it a promising material for various projects.

Infrastructure: Hempcrete can be used in the construction of bridges, roads, and other infrastructure projects. Its lightweight yet strong properties make it an ideal choice for these applications.
Agricultural Structures: Greenhouses, barns, and storage facilities can also be built using hempcrete. The breathable nature of the material creates an optimal environment for plants while providing insulation against extreme temperatures.
Public Spaces: Hempcrete’s sustainability can benefit parks, pavilions, and public restrooms. Not only does it offer durability and low maintenance requirements, but it also contributes to creating healthier environments for visitors.
Artistic Installations: As a creative medium, hempcrete offers endless possibilities for artists and designers to explore their imagination. Sculptures, installations, or even furniture pieces made with this unique material add an element of sustainability to art exhibitions or public spaces.
Retrofitting Existing Buildings: Instead of demolishing old structures that do not meet modern energy efficiency standards, retrofitting them with hempcrete can significantly improve their thermal performance while maintaining their historical value.

The potential uses of hempcrete are vast and exciting! As more people become aware of its benefits as a sustainable building material, we can expect to see further innovation in its application across different industries.

The rise of sustainable construction practices has paved the way for innovative solutions like hempcrete. The Hemp Hotel in South Africa showcases not only the beauty and functionality of this remarkable material but also serves as inspiration for future projects around the world. With more emphasis on environmentally conscious building methods, we can create spaces that benefit people and the planet alike.

Source Happy Eco News

Mush-Rooms: How Mycelium Concrete Could Revolutionize Building Construction

Posted on August 29, 2023September 5, 2023 by dishanth

Mush-Rooms: Mycelium concrete (Myocrete) could revolutionize low-carbon building construction and provide another tool for building green.

A new paper published by the University of Newcastle has outlined a new method of creating a mycelium concrete construction material, with potentially far-reaching changes as a result.

The Need for Low-Carbon Building Materials

Concrete, by far, is the world’s most used building material. It is cheap, incredibly strong, and easy to manufacture. However, it carries costs elsewhere in our world.

The environmental impact of concrete manufacture, use, and transportation is incredibly high. Concrete production is responsible for 8% of all greenhouse gases worldwide, making it the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Natural materials like mycelium concrete (myocrete) might be part of the answer.

Burning fossil fuels creates most of these greenhouse gases to heat the enormous kilns used to create concrete. As well as that, there are the negative effects of mining the sand and gravel required to create concrete, which disturbs the environment and destroys natural ecosystems.

There is also the fact that concrete production requires massive amounts of water, which puts a strain on communities and areas already in need.

There have been some developments to make concrete less environmentally damaging, such as improving the efficiency of kilns so they don’t require as much heat; however, by and large, concrete production and use have been disastrous for our world.

Nevertheless, new developments have been underway to replace this widely used building material, such as mass timber. However, a unique and potentially revolutionary new material could be just around the corner, and it’s something that you’re probably more used to seeing on your plate than in your buildings.

Mushrooms in Our Walls

Mycelium-based construction material research, including mycelium concrete, has been underway for several years, as the effects of concrete production have been well-documented for decades. However, so far, the ability to scale and use mycelium in construction has been limited by the available technology and methods.

Currently, the method used in creating mycelium-derived construction materials is by filling a rigid mold with a mixture of mycelium and a food source such as grain for the mycelium. This method can produce rigid shapes, such as bricks, which can be used in construction.

However, there are limitations to the usability of these materials. For one, the strength required to compete with concrete isn’t there, and the rigid mold limits the variety of shapes and structures.

A new method created at the University of Newcastle, dubbed mycocrete (mycelium concrete), could completely change this and how construction has been done. The way mycocrete works is similar to past methods, with some distinctions.

One of them is in the mold that the paste is put into; where previous methods used rigid molds, mycocrete uses a permeable knitted mold that facilitates the growth of the mycelium by the amount of oxygen available. This flexible mold also allows the mycelium to grow in shapes that otherwise would be impossible with a rigid mold.

The process works by filling the knitted mold with a mixture of mycelium, paper powder, paper fiber clumps, water, glycerin, and xanthan gum. This is then hung up in a dark, warm, humid environment to facilitate the mycelium’s growth.

The result is a mycelium-based material significantly stronger than conventional mycelium bricks, notably much stronger than the material created with rigid molds. This is due to the amount of oxygen the mycelium has access to, given the mold’s permeability.

Myocrete is Still in the Early Stages, Though

However, despite the team’s promising results at Newcastle, myocrete mycelium concrete based buildings are still quite far off.

While continuing to develop the mycelium compound is still of major importance, the main obstacle is the fact that the factories and industries that work with the construction industry will need to be re-tooled for mycelium concrete along with new installation equipment being implemented.

Nonetheless, they have created some interesting prototypes, including the “BioKnit” project. This project was created to demonstrate the use of alternative materials in solving conventional construction design problems.

The team created BioKnit as one piece to limit weak spots inherent in joinery. Dr. Jane Scott, the author of the corresponding paper, said, “Our ambition is to transform the look, feel, and well-being of architectural spaces using mycelium concrete in combination with biobased materials such as wool, sawdust, and cellulose.”

With the priority being placed on reducing the environmental impact of construction, this new method could completely change the way we live and the spaces we live inside.

Source Happy Eco News

Honeywell & Recipharm to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Posted on August 24, 2023 by dishanth

Honeywell and Recipharm have partnered to utilize technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in respiratory care and to lessen its environmental impact
Technology giant Honeywell has announced a commercial partnership with global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Recipharm to develop pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) that use Honeywell’s near-zero global warming potential (GWP) propellant.

Globally, as many as 646 million people suffer from either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, both of which are often treated using pMDIs. However, pMDIs have a high global warming potential due to the use of hydrofluoroalkanes.

To counter this, Honeywell Solstice® Air is an alternative technology, proven to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pMDIs by up to 99.9%, in comparison to current inhaler propellants.

“As the first CDMO to partner with Honeywell for the use of Solstice Air, this collaboration significantly accelerates and simplifies our customers’ pathway to develop the next generation of low greenhouse gas pMDIs,” said Chris Hirst, president of Recipharm’s Advanced Delivery Systems business unit. “Our collaboration is supported by Recipharm’s investment in manufacturing with HFO-1234ze(E) cGMP at our Holmes Chapel, United Kingdom site, and the further development of the Bespak® valve range to ensure the required product performance.”

Honeywell: Using technology to create sustainable change

The business has invested more than US$1bn in research, development and new capacity for its Solstice technology. This technology can be used to improve the sustainability credentials of applications in refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosols and solvents, to name a few.

Consequently, the Honeywell Solstice technology has helped avoid the potential release of more than 326 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is approximately equal to the carbon emissions generated from 70 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles each year.

“Honeywell is making great strides to offer patients who rely on pMDIs a lower greenhouse gas solution to meet their medical needs,” said Laura Reinhard, Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Foam and Industrial Products. “Through our collaboration with Recipharm, the increased use of near-zero GWP propellant used in pMDIs will help reduce the environmental impact of the life-saving medical treatments patients need, without sacrificing performance.”

Source Sustainability

AI Tree Health Monitor Technology

Posted on August 22, 2023 by dishanth

ePlant Tree Tag is an AI tree health monitor technology that monitors the health and productivity of trees. It is a small, lightweight device that is attached to the trunk of a tree.

The device collects data on a tree’s environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. It also collects data on the tree’s health, such as its growth rate and leaf water potential.

It is a new application of AI to monitor and protect the health of our ever-diminishing wild places. In the case of forests, not only do they store huge amounts of carbon, but they also provide a habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals. They also regulate the temperature of the planet and change the soil structure below the canopy, increasing water availability.

Simple Technology, New Application

Beyond the commercialized product being sold by ePlant Tree Tag, other types of AI tree health monitors will soon be available. Using common technology that is already available, more advanced versions of AI tree health monitors are being developed. Some of the technologies that will be used are simple, and some more complex, but the key is to have them be durable and long-lasting to allow longevity in the field with little maintenance.

For example, temperature sensors will use a thermistor, a type of resistor that changes its resistance depending on its temperature. The thermistor is placed in the tree’s environment, and its resistance is measured. The resistance is then converted to a temperature reading.

The humidity sensor would be a capacitive sensor, which is a type of sensor that changes its capacitance depending on the humidity of its environment. The sensor is placed in the tree’s environment, and its capacitance is measured. The capacitance is then converted to a humidity reading.

The soil moisture sensor is also a capacitance sensor but is instead placed in the soil around the tree. The sensor’s capacitance changes depending on the moisture content of the soil. This change in capacitance is then converted to a soil moisture reading.

The leaf water potential sensor is a pressure sensor that is placed in the leaves of the tree. The sensor measures the pressure of the water inside the leaves. This pressure is then converted to a leaf water potential reading.

The growth sensor is a laser sensor that measures the distance between the sensor and the tree’s trunk. The sensor is placed on the tree’s trunk, and its distance from the trunk is measured over time. This change in distance is then converted to a growth rate reading.

The data collected by an AI tree health monitor is transmitted to the cloud, where it can be accessed by users such as scientists, foresters or other parties interested in the long-term health of the forest. They can use this data to track the health and productivity of the forest. They can also use the data to identify potential problems with their trees and to take corrective action.

When deployed on a large scale in forests that may be suffering from the effects of climate change, an AI tree health monitor system would be able to provide scientists with big data that could then be used in an ai model to help plan mitigation strategies to cope with drought, increased local temperatures or other conditions that may affect the health of the forest such as forest fires.

Fire Risk

An AI tree health monitor would detect changes in the environment that could indicate a fire risk. For example, the monitor can detect changes in temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. This information can be used to predict the likelihood of a fire and to take preventive measures.

Because the tag can detect changes in the temperature and humidity of the air around the tree, in case of a fire, the unit would show a sudden increase in local temperature and then cease to function, indicating the precise location of a fire and early detection. This information can be used to track the progress of the fire and to identify areas where it has spread, but most importantly, provide early detection of a fire allowing firefighters to move in and extinguish it before it grows.

It can be used to recommend fire suppression strategies because it can detect changes in the environment that could indicate the effectiveness of different fire suppression strategies. This information can be used to choose the most effective strategy for suppressing a fire in a specific location or weather conditions.

The ePlant Tree Tag could be used to reduce the risk of fire in the first place. In a forest with a history of wildfires, an AI tree health monitor could be used to monitor the health of trees in high-risk areas. If the tags detect changes in the tree’s environment that suggest that a fire is imminent, firefighters could be dispatched to the area to take preventive measures.

In a forest that is prone to lightning strikes, for example, AI tree health monitors could be used to monitor the weather in specific locations and to alert authorities if there is a risk of a lightning strike. This information could be used to evacuate people and clear the area of flammable materials.

In a forest located near a residential area, AI tree health monitors could be used to monitor the movement of people and vehicles. If the tags detect an increase in activity in a high-risk area, this could be a sign that a fire is starting. This information could alert authorities and evacuate people from the area.

The ePlant Tree Tag and other AI tree health monitors like it are valuable tools for scientists, arborists, farmers, and other individuals who are responsible for the care of trees. It can help them to ensure that their trees are healthy, productive and safe.

Source Happy Eco News

Masdar: Using technology to power a sustainable future

Posted on August 19, 2023 by dishanth

Renewable energy company Masdar has been making strides towards its sustainability goals by utilising the latest technology

As a global leader in renewable energy and green hydrogen, Masdar has pioneered commercially viable solutions in clean energy, sustainable real estate and clean technology in the UAE and around the world for over a decade.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the business is currently developing large-scale renewable energy initiatives, in a bid to drive the progression of clean technologies and further grow technology in the renewable energy sector. In doing so, Masdar is focused on creating new long-term revenue streams for the UAE.

How is Masdar utilizing technology to boost sustainable energy?

Committed to advancing clean-tech innovation, Masdar utilises technology to enhance the renewable energy sector.

Masdar hosts a range of wind farms in its offshore project portfolio, including sites in London Array and the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm in the United Kingdom. The business has also partnered with Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm.

Additionally, Masdar deploys solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in utility-scale and off-grid solar power plants and rooftop systems, including monocrystalline silicon panels, polycrystalline silicon panels, and thin-film panels.

Depending on the solar potential, geographical location, and financial requirements of a specific solar PV project, a suitable PV system is implemented to meet the project’s needs.

Likewise, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems – which use mirrors to focus a large area of sunlight onto much smaller areas – are used to convert concentrated light into heat, to drive a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator. CSP systems have become known as a promising solar power technology for large-scale power generation.

When CSP and thermal energy storage (TES) are used together, it is capable of producing constant power for up to 24 hours a day.

Masdar’s sustainability commitments

With the aim of investing and actively supporting the development of young people, Masdar strives to help support the sustainability leaders of tomorrow through its Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S).

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi invested in the initiative, ensuring it aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to bolster the nation’s sustainability efforts.

By 2030, Y4S aims to reach up to one million youth, creating awareness of the skills needed for future jobs in sustainability.

Source Sustainability

Using Bio-Based Materials to Build Cities

Posted on August 16, 2023 by dishanth

Did you know about 56% of the world’s population live in cities? The population numbers of urban dwellers are expected to double by 2050 when nearly 7 out of 10 people will live in cities. Cities are polluted due to industrial and motorized transport systems that rely on fossil fuels. The infrastructure that makes up cities is also constructed with carbon-intensive materials. As a result, cities account for over 70% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

We can’t eliminate these systems that make up our cities, but we can use bio-based materials to make them more sustainable. Carbon emissions could be significantly reduced if just a small percentage of new infrastructure in cities is constructed using sustainable bio-based materials. Moreover, these new buildings could also boost carbon storage and help us reach net zero.

Bio-based materials are catching on in the construction industry. They are materials that grow or are a natural part of the biosphere. Bio-based materials include Timber, straw, hemp, cork, clay, and earth. Besides being honest, these bio-based materials are renewable and have a lower, neutral, or negative embodied energy and carbon than traditional construction materials. Timber, for example, has around three times less embodied carbon than steel and over five times less than concrete.

The construction industry accounts for more than 39% of energy and process-related global carbon emissions. Using timber for building, it can store carbon rather than emit it. The Stockholm Wood City will be built in Sickla, Sweden, and is said to be the world’s biggest wooden city. Wooden construction means a significantly reduced climate impact during the construction phase and the whole life cycle. It also has a faster and quieter construction process.

Another bio-based material emerging in the construction industry is algae. Algae are being used in building facades as a sustainable way to generate heat and biomass for various purposes. The algae act like double glazing, but there is water and algae instead of air between the two panes. The algae will also absorb carbon dioxide and insulate the structure.

Hempcrete is a composite material made from hemp hurds, lime, and water. It is a strong, lightweight, and fire-resistant material that can be used for a variety of building applications, such as walls, floors, and roofs. Hempcrete is considered to be a carbon-negative bio-based material. It absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces during its production and use. Further, the production of hempcrete also requires less energy than the production of traditional building materials, such as concrete.

Because hempcrete is a good insulator, it can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This means that less energy is needed to heat and cool buildings, which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere.

Kenaf is a type of fiber that is made from the stems of the kenaf plant. It is a strong, durable, and lightweight fiber that can be used to make a variety of building materials, such as bricks, panels, and insulation.

Miscanthus is a type of grass that is grown for its biomass. It can be used to make a variety of building materials, such as boards, panels, and insulation.

Other benefits of using bio-based materials in the construction industry are that it helps to stimulate local economies, job creation, biodiversity and reforestation efforts. Using natural materials can help provide affordable and sustainable housing at scale.

While getting the entire construction industry on board with bio-based materials is challenging, some countries are trying to ensure this becomes the norm. The French government has ruled that any public construction financed by the state must contain at least 50% bio-based materials. Amsterdam requires that 20% of the city’s housing projects be constructed with bio-based materials starting in 2025.

As cities and population sizes grow, we will see a rise in carbon emissions. If the construction industry turns to using bio-based materials, there is a chance that we will see healthier cities and a healthier planet over time.

Source – Happy Eco News

6 Types of Cool Roof Technology

Posted on August 15, 2023 by dishanth

Cool Roof Technology: a Low-cost Way to Reduce Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions

Want a huge decrease in carbon emissions, a reduction in summertime cooling costs and a more efficient home? Cool roof technology can do all that. Cool roof technology has the potential to eliminate billions of tons of carbon dioxide at a very low cost.

If you’ve ever spent time on a black asphalt roof or up in an attic during the heat of summer, you understand how much heat energy is added to a home during summer months. This is heat that many of us pay to remove by using air conditioners and other means.

But what if, just by a better design and choice of materials, we could have a far cooler house that uses far less electricity each month? That is what people in the Mediterranean and other hot climates have been doing for centuries. White paint and chimney-style ventilation that distributes cool air from lower areas of the house are low-tech examples of cool roof technology that works.

Modern cool roof technology is similar. Most are just like regular roofs but are designed to reflect sunlight and shed heat, to keep buildings cooler in the summer. According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), cool roof technology could reduce energy consumption for cooling by up to 20%. The study also found that energy savings from cool roof technology could eliminate up to 1.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually in the United States. The equivalent of taking 300 million cars off the road!

According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, if all North American cities with populations over 1 million people adopted cool roof technology, air conditioner use would fall by one-third.

The Human Cost of Heat

The savings aren’t just in terms of money and carbon emissions. Climate change has disproportionately increased temperatures in urban areas. An urban landscape largely covered in asphalt, concrete and black roofing materials is far hotter than one covered in greenery or reflective materials, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect.

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon of cities being warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is because cities have more dark surfaces, such as black roofs, which absorb sunlight and heat up the air. The heated air then rises, creating a convection current that draws in cooler air from surrounding areas. This process can lead to increased temperatures in cities, which can have a number of negative consequences, such as increased energy consumption for cooling, decreased air quality, and increased heat-related illnesses and deaths.

Black roofs also radiate energy directly into the atmosphere. This energy is then absorbed by clouds and trapped by the greenhouse effect, further contributing to global warming.

Type Depends on Location Climate

There are a number of different types of cool roof technology available, including:

Reflective roofs: Reflective roofs are the most common type of cool roof. They are made of materials that reflect sunlight, such as white or light-colored tiles, metal roofs, or paints. Reflective roofs can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s heat, which can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer.
Evaporative roofs: Evaporative roofs are made of materials that allow water to evaporate, such as clay tiles or metal roofs with a water-absorbing coating. As the water evaporates, it cools the roof and the building below. Evaporative roofs can be effective in hot, dry climates.
Phase-change materials: Phase-change materials are materials that change their state from solid to liquid and vice versa. When these materials change phase, they absorb or release heat. Phase-change materials can be used in cool roofs to store heat during the day and release it at night. This can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Cooling paints: Cooling paints are paints that are applied to roofs to make them more reflective and to help them cool down. Cooling paints are effective in hot, sunny climates and typically contain titanium dioxide, a highly reflective pigment.
Cooling granules: Cooling granules are small, reflective beads applied to roofing materials like shingles. The granules reflect sunlight and help to keep the roof cooler. Like cooling paints, cooling granules are most effective in hot, sunny climates.

Green Roofs are Cool Roofs

Another type of cool roof technology is the green roof. Green roofs are made of a waterproof membrane with a layer of soil and vegetation on top that helps to insulate the roof and reflect sunlight. Green roofs can reflect up to 70% of the sun’s heat, which can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer. In some cases, they can provide vegetable gardens or just a nice place to sit and enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature – while in the city.

Green roofs also have the effect of providing bird and pollinator habitat as well as reducing stormwater runoff. Because of the benefits, many cities are now mandating the installation of green roofs on new construction. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and Portland all require green roofs on new construction on buildings with roof areas over a specific set size. That said, retrofitting an existing building is often cost prohibitive due to the structural requirements to support the additional weight.

Cool roof technology is a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. As the technology continues to develop, the potential for cool roofs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will likely increase.

This is an easy way to make big gains in carbon reductions, saving homeowners and businesses money. Something we can all get behind.

Source Happy Eco News

I’m a Barbie Girl in a Sustainable World

Posted on August 10, 2023 by dishanth

The Barbie Movie was the movie of the summer, grossing over $350 million in its opening weekend. It was the biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a woman. With the movie’s hype came a lot of merchandise and, yes, a lot of pink. Many fashion brands rose to the occasion to try and make a buck off of the movie.

Fast Fashion brands like Forever 21, Zara, Primark, and many more designed official Barbie clothing lines. NYX Cosmetics released a Barbie-inspired makeup set, and a Burger King in Brazil even made a pink barbecue sauce. If you didn’t own something Barbie pink and wanted to see the movie, you wouldn’t have to go far or spend a lot of money.

The problem with these huge marketing campaigns is a lot of waste. These trends and crazes come and go and eventually get donated or tossed out. Moreover, many people are only interested in buying these products to post on their social media platforms. Once that’s done, these items don’t serve much purpose.

Mattel goes sustainable

Fortunately, these merchandising trends and the negative environmental impact does not speak to the company that made Barbie. Mattel is trying to clean up its plastic use by 2030. The company aims to use 100 percent recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic in its toys and packaging. By 2030, the company hopes to make 75% of the clothing for dolls out of sustainable materials, including natural and recycled synthetic fibres.

According to their website, the plastic parts from their Barbie the Future of Pink is Green line is made from 90% plastic sources within 50 km of waterways in areas lacking formal waste collection systems. Among this line are Dr Jane Goodall and the Eco- Leadership Team Certified Carbon Neutral, Chief Sustainable Officer Barbie, a Renewable Energy Engineer Barbie and an Environmental Action Barbie to inspire kids to learn more about green careers.

Mattel even has a toy takeback program designed to recover and reuse plastic materials from old toys. The company has also successfully reduced the amount of plastic that goes into making its LEGO blocks. Their MegaBlocks and some FisherPrice toys are now made out of biobased plastics.

Barbie has come a long way since it first appeared on shelves in 1959. Changing how and what their dolls are made of could significantly impact the plant, especially as its popularity continues to rise.

How to support the Barbie Trend sustainably

Of course, this doesn’t make up for the brands playing into Barbie and the Barbie Movie’s fame. It might have even been a missed opportunity by Mattel to promote sustainability and sustainable fashion. But there are many ways you can promote sustainability on your own, especially if you want to jump on the Barbie pink trend:

Shop secondhand -pink outfits – you’ll likely find something unique and vintage.
Shop quality pieces that could be worn multiple times instead of supporting fast fashion brands
Choose sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton.
Support ethical brands
Create pink Barbie outfits with a DIY touch

Not giving in to fast fashion brands can be a small step to making a difference in how we market and support these box office movies. The Barbie Movie is not the first to have a ton of merchandising associated with it, and it won’t be the last. These brands have an opportunity to promote sustainability with the promotion of their brands. As mentioned, it might have been a missed opportunity by Mattel, who could have encouraged people to follow sustainable ways of dressing up for their movie. Think of how good an “I’m a Barbie Girl in a sustainable world” tagline would’ve been! Maybe we’ll do better with the Polly Pocket or Barney movies.

Source Happy Eco News

San Francisco’s Plans to Recycle Wastewater

Posted on August 10, 2023 by dishanth

Wastewater is used water that has been affected by domestic, industrial, and commercial use. It includes uses like flushing toilets, doing laundry, washing dishes, and basically anything else that puts used water into a drain. While high-income countries treat about 70% of the wastewater they generate on average, only 38% and 28% of wastewater are treated in upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income countries, respectively.

The untreated water is discharged directly into the environment, particularly into the ocean, where it can have significant problems. Ecosystems can be affected by oxygen depletion, biodegradation of organic materials and water-borne pathogens. More so, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals that end up in our wastewater will harm ocean environments.

To address the problem of wastewater, San Francisco is looking at ways to recycle wastewater from commercial buildings, homes and neighbourhoods and use it for toilets and landscaping. The city is planning to equip new commercial and residential buildings with on-site recycling plants that will make water for nonpotable use cheaper than buying potable water from a centralized source.

The unit called the Onsite Water Reuse program can be installed in basements where its collection of pipes will collect water from sinks, showers and laundry. The system will recycle wastewater with membrane filtration, ultraviolet light and chlorine and then be sent back upstairs to be used again for nonpotable uses. According to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which will have over 80 systems installed across the city, the Onsite Water Reuse program will save 1.3 million gallons of potable water daily. They hope that these new buildings will be completely self-sufficient by using the same water over and over, potable and nonpotable, in a closed loop.

This reuse and recycle wastewater system isn’t entirely new in San Francisco. In 2015, the city required more than 100 000 square feet of new buildings to have on-site recycling systems. To date, six blackwater (water from toilets) and 25 greywater systems (water from washing machines) are using the technology to recycle wastewater.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s headquarters have a blackwater system that treats its wastewater in engineered wetlands built into the sidewalks around the building. The water is then used to flush low-flow toilets and urinals. Their blackwater system has reduced the building’s imported potable supply by 40 percent. A water recycling company has even brewed a beer with purified graywater from a 40-storey San Francisco apartment building.

With megadrought and water crises becoming even more prominent in light of climate change, decentralized water systems and the ability to recycle wastewater are becoming more important. The safety of direct reuse of recycled wastewater is still being studied, and US regulations still do not allow it. Still, there is potential for a fully circular system to recycle wastewater to become a reality in the near future. We have already seen centralized recycled water systems being used in California as a solution to water shortages. Highly treated wastewater, normally discharged into the ocean, is treated and injected into nearby groundwater. The water is then pumped up and treated to drinking water standards by local utilities.

Moreover, ability to recycle wastewater will also save on the costs of pumping water over long distances and the costs associated with digging up streets to replace and install pipelines. We have the solutions to reduce water scarcity and recycle the resources we already have; we just have to be able to implement them. Representatives from water-stressed cities around the world are even coming to San Fransisco to study their recycling systems, so it may become a reality across the globe.

Source Happy Eco News