Notepad Corner

Tipped plastic bottles are an environmental nightmare and create a major rubbish removal blight across the landscape. Plastic debris kills more than one hundred million marine mammals every year and more than half of all oceanic plastic is plastic bottles. Keep in mind too that recyclable plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This petroleum material does not biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into tiny nano sized plastic particles that absorb toxins and then get incorporated into our soils and water. So, when these PET bottles are not returned for recycling, they can cause a variety of health problems for both people and wildlife. In many countries, deposit return schemes are being used to entice people to actually recycle their plastic bottles rather than tossing them in the rubbish removal bins. These are essentially a refundable "bottle tax" or "bottle deposit" where the consumer is charged a certain amount extra for just the plastic b...

Very few of us are aware of the rubbish that we throw away on a daily basis. The plight of the eco-warrior remains unheralded even after the glaring effects of climatic changes around the world continue to warn us. In his documentary, “Before the Flood,” Leonardo DiCaprio travels around the world documenting the effects of our careless waste disposal methods among other things that impacting global change. The documentary was a depiction of the dishonorable manner in which we are crippling the continent. Responsible rubbish disposal and minimizing the amount of waste you throw away may seem like an overwhelming task; until you get an idea of how much you contribute to the waste problem. A survey done in a suburb in North London found that residents in the neighborhood throw away at least 5 times their weight each year. If you think about it, you probably are doing the same numbers or probably go beyond this. Even though it was al...

Living in the concrete jungle should not stop you from going green and caring for the environment. There is so many ways for us to conserve and live a greener life even if we are surrounded with buildings and concrete everywhere. Composting is a method used by garderners to accelerate the decay of organic matter and it turns into rich humus which can be used to enrich garden soil. Composting can be achieved using usual waste matters we have at home. “Brown” waste are those that are considered dry such as paper scraps, twigs, dried leaves and other woody matter. “Green” waste on the other hand, are those that are somewhat watery and rich in nitrogen such as food scraps, coffee grounds, vegetable peeling and others. A well balanced green and brown waste matter will make the perfect compost, not smelly, faster decaying process and rich dark damp matter. How can you achieve this when you are in the city? These days, composting bins are available at different sizes so you can easi...

Moving house has the potential for being a significant source of environmental pollution, but for those who are environmentally aware it is an opportunity to show their commitment to the well-being of our planet. Some form of transport is almost always needed for a move, so that there is really no way of avoiding a contribution to pollution, but steps can be taken that will leave a smaller carbon footprint behind. Packing up a home Cardboard boxes manufactured from recycled material , or wooden crates that derive from sustainable forests should be the containers of choice when moving house. These materials are biodegradable and will decompose over time if they cannot be reused or recycled after a move. Any form of plastic should be avoided, including the convenient, but eco-disastrous bubble-wrap. Old newspapers are just as effective in the protection of fragile items and old sheets or blankets will take care of the larger items, such as the television. Then there are th...

Recycling can be seen as your old washer's final spin cycle. It may finally emerge as a designer lampshade, a new car or a barbeque grill. Here’s how to recycle your washing machine Breathe Life Into Your Old Washing Machine Nowadays, it's possible to recycle most old and outdated household appliances that we plan to get rid of. Recycling does not only mean dismantling at a recycling centre; you can donate working appliances or sell them to scrap yards without having to chuck it in a landfill. Did you know that washing machines have up to 65% steel, in addition to electrical components and other materials? The recyclable steel, other metals, and selected components of your old washer can be made into new products. If nothing else, your washing machine drum can be turned into a flower pot with some potting soil and your favourite plants. A modernist lampshade is another swell idea! There are many scrap metal dealers whom you can contact over the internet. A scrap metal recycl...

Paper is a commodity that many people cannot live without and tons of it is manufactured year in and year out. Sad to say, many paper wastes are also generated on a regular basis. If they are left in landfills, they will produce methane and ozone layer depletion will take place afterwards. Putting the said factors into consideration, it can be said that the seemingly harmless commodity can create chaos if not treated properly. It is a good thing that many manufacturers also practice paper recycling so as reduce the environmental damages that may develop along the way. What is Paper Recycling? Paper recycling is the process of turning waste paper into re-usable products. It basically involves the separation of specific fibres and the formation of new sheets with the help of water. A pulp material is produced in the process and it is extensively cleaned to eliminate non-fibrous elements. Some procedures use sodium hydroxide instead of water to separate paper fibres. Afterward...

Every day, we’re faced with a thousand and one decisions:  from what color of shoes to wear, to which turn to take at the intersection.  Some are big, life-altering decisions, while others are less critical.  The thing is, whatever decision we choose to make, we have to stick to it and follow through. If going green is one decision you’ve just recently made, then good for you.  Remember that it doesn’t end there.  You have to take action in order to make that decision worthwhile.  You don’t have to go all out and start a campaign to save the environment.  It always helps to start small.  There are so many things you can do around the house to start living that green lifestyle.  For starters, you can make it a habit to segregate your garbage.  Keep all recyclable materials together, and the perishables in a separate container. Photo credits: valenzuela.olx.com.ph Instead of the usual run-of-the-mill industrial clean...