Exterior Blinds Eco-Friendly Sun Blockers

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Exterior Blinds Eco-Friendly Sun Blockers

Many homeowners are continuously searching for ways to make their home more environmentally friendly and lower their rising energy costs as well. While there are several steps homeowners can take to accomplish these desired goals, one way they may not have considered is installing exterior blinds. Outdoor blinds act as sun blockers and have been shown to block up to 90 percent of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. Blinds such as these are the ideal way to reduce the temperature in a home as they can be used to control solar heat gain as well as glare and light levels within the home. Depending on the type of material from which the blinds are made, they may also provide ventilation. Exterior blinds are perfect for patios, decks, porches, pergolas, bay windows, glass roofs, verandas, skylights, and conservatories.

Types of Exterior Blinds:

There are several types of these blinds from which homeowners may choose. These may be made of materials such as wood, fabric, or other types of fabricated materials. Homeowners may choose a blind that mimic the interior blinds in a home. These exterior blinds will be slatted and are great for insulation and privacy. Sheer, mesh blinds are also available. These types give the home a feeling of open space and provide excellent ventilation. Outdoor blinds can be made to fit any size and shape of window, and they come in a variety of designs and colours. These types of blinds are durable and resistant to all kinds of weather conditions.

How Exterior Blinds Work:

While interior shades can help decrease the amount of heat that builds up in a home, exterior blinds work more effectively. This is because they help to reduce the temperature in a home by blocking the sunlight before it enters the windows. Exterior blinds often have either vertical or horizontal slats. The blinds are adjustable; therefore, the homeowner can control the level of light entering the home. Depending on the design of the blinds, they may be adjusted from the inside or the outside of the home. Exterior blinds may be crank operated or they may be operated by a motor. Typically, blinds wider than 3 meters will need to be operated by a motor.

The addition of exterior blinds to a home are just one way in which homeowners can reduce their energy costs. Shutters may also be an excellent option for homeowners. Both exterior blinds and shutters can complement the architecture of any home, increase curb appeal, and add value to a home. Homeowners may want to speak to a professional when considering installing exterior blinds.

Ethical Trading In Promotional Merchandise Do you Buy Products Made By Slave Labour

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Ethical Trading In Promotional Merchandise Do you Buy Products Made By Slave Labour

Do you or your suppliers employ child slave labour to make your branded products such as Promotional Clothing or Promotional Merchandise? Are your goods manufactured in factories where workers are forced to sleep on their workbenches and live in unsanitary conditions ?

You may think you know the answer but do you really know what goes on all the way up and down your supply chain? This article sets out to explain what Ethical Trading in Promotional Products is all about and why you should seriously consider introducing Ethical practices into your supply chain.

Failure to check out your ethical credentials could cost you your business because you and your brand could be next to appear on the front pages of newspapers and on the TV screens in millions of living rooms around the globe.

Since the dawn of time man has acted unethically by enslaving his fellow man usually for reasons of profit and whilst it is fair to say that a great deal of slavery has been reduced it certainly has not by any measure been eradicated. A recent report by the Trades Union Congress estimated that there are more than 250 million children around the globe who were employed in work which jeopardised their education, health or freedom. There are two major differences now compared to 1807 when slavery was abolished in the UK. Firstly society in general has grown a social conscience and is abhorred by the thought of child or prison slave labour being used in the manufacturing of goods they purchase. Secondly communications have become so instant that when stories of unethical trading are reported they are flashed around the world in minutes.

Yet there are still many corporations that do not recognise how much damage can be inflicted upon them by not trading ethically. A simple search on Google for child slave labour in the UK brings up a plethora of related stories. It should also be recognised that these stories do not just create issues for major high street stores but very small companies who are part of any supply chain can be affected in exactly the same way. If these companies are found to be trading unethically and are unwilling to change then they will undoubtedly be dropped as preferred suppliers.

Does your Promotional Products company trade ethically now? Only a tiny fraction of companies ever set out to trade unethically. The rest, if it ever crosses their minds, probably assume that they do trade ethically and until such times as it comes to light that there may be issues in their supply chain they have no reason to think otherwise. Until a few years ago ignorance could have been used as an excuse but it is no longer acceptable. The advent of the internet and other improvements in communications means that information on any farm or factory can easily be obtained mostly within a matter of days.

When was the last time that your company really looked closely at your supply chain to see where all the components of your products are originating? Are you sure that everyone you deal with and those suppliers that they deal with are not using child or prison labour. Are all the components, Promotional Clothing or foodstuffs that you are selling produced in clean and sanitary conditions? These questions do not just apply to the major high street stores, they are relevant to every link in the supply chain both large and small.

Erbium 10 Things You Should Know About This Chemical Element

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Erbium 10 Things You Should Know About This Chemical Element

Erbiumthough it sounds like a name created by one of the less than stellar characters from Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, erbium is actually one of Earths rare elements. In fact, it is often found combined with a variety of other elements in its natural state on Earth. If you are interested in learning a great deal more about this rare elemental metal, then keep reading. Weve listed 10 super facts about this rarely discussed metal below.

1. Carl Gustaf Mosander is the man who discovered erbium in 1843 and he named it after the nearby Swedish village of Ytterby. Erbia was discovered by Mosander after he searated yttria into three separate fractions from gadolinite.

2. Surprisingly, what was once thought to be erbia was actually later found to be another element called terbia. This occurred in 1860 and, by 1877, the element that was being called erbia was renamed terbia.

3. The erbium concentration in the crust of the Earth is estimated to be 2.8 mg/kg; however, in the oceans and seas, it is estimated to be about 0.9 ng/L, making erbium the 45th most abundant element within Earths crust.

4. Erbium has never been found in its pure form in nature, but it can be found within the sand ores of monazite.

5. Erbium, like many of the rare earths, is not only expensive, but difficult to remove from the ores that it is found bound to. However, ion-exchange techniques that were created in the latter part of the 20th century have been able to help reduce erbium production costs and make separating this element from other ores much easier.

6. The main two traditional commercial sources for erbium were xenotime and euxenite. More recently, China has overtaken the position of global principal supplier by locating and producing erbium found in ion adsorption clays.

7. Erbium is produced by crushing minerals and allowing them to be attacked either sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. This transforms any insoluble oxides into chlorides that are soluble or sulfates. Caustic soda then neutralizes any acidic filtrates and thorium will precipitate from the solution for removal. It will then be treated to convert the rare earths to insoluble oxalates via ammonium oxalate. These oxalates will then be annealed to create oxides, which are then dissolved using nitric acid. Magnesium nitrate is then used to produce the double salts.

8. Once the double salts are produced, the ion exchange process is set into motion, thus washing out selective ions. The erbium will then be obtained from either salts or oxides by heating the salts or oxides with calcium in temperatures of 1450 degrees Celsius.

9. Erbium is widely used due to its remarkable resilience. It is frequently used to form photographic filters, in the creation of nuclear technology and to create metallurgical additives.

10. Erbium is also frequently used in its oxide form to color glass, porcelain and cubic zirconia. In addition, erbium-doped silica-glass fibers frequently are used to create optical communications materials. Erbium is also widely used in dermatology and dentistry applications.

Environmental Charities

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Environmental Charities

You feel sincerely about nature and you are wondering what you could do to reduce global warming and climatic changes in your own small way? You have the environmental charities that look after the cause of global warming and climatic changes and these charities do accept donations from people like you. People who want to make a change in current climatic and global warming situation can donate some money to these environmental charities.

Environmental charities do not expect you to give them thousands or even hundreds of dollars. They would be happy with just a $10 from a family. This would boost their confidence and spirit. Small donations from large numbers of people can make a lot of difference. It helps these charities to buy piece of land, this money helps them to hire labor for reforestation and also taking care of these forests till these can sustain themselves.

Environmental charities do not simply carry out reforestation, rather these also have to take care in future that forests recreated are not again destroyed by cutting for commercial activities. Reforested lands need to be protected against any possible intervention by the local wood selling agents.

There are thousands of environmental charities all over the world. Earlier these charities drew donations from large corporations which were also responsible for spreading pollution more than anyone else. Now with new awareness spreading among people, common people too, want to contribute to something towards environment and its protection. Therefore, now it is not just the large corporations, but also people who donate to these charities so that they can function and bring out substantial changes in environment through reforestation.

Environmental charities are of two different types of scope. Some operate in their own country and try to start reforestation whereas there are some types of charities which function internationally. These charities collect a lot more sum of money and operate on a larger scale than those which work only inside the country. These are therefore, better organized and also their work is being scrutinized by thousands around the world.

These charities do try to promote themselves by organizing events which will attract public attention. These events also create awareness in minds of people making it possible to create a clear picture about how the environmental matters stand at present. This way people can be educated better - about what can cause pollution and the small things that could be done to avoid and to follow, if they want to do their planet something good.

If you want to donate for the well being of our planet Earth you can do so by simply contacting the environmental charities and knowing about their present projects and future plans. If anything catches your fancy you can actually donate some money, so we will leave our children a better place to live.

Environment Conservation Programmes in Danielson College, M.P., India

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Environment Conservation Programmes in Danielson College, M.P., India

Established in 1970, Danielson College has been involved in various Environmental Conservation activities for a long time back. Dr M K Rai was the first man who laid foundation to environmental activities in the college. He started a programme called Environment Conservation Programme (ECP). This programme was aimed to spread knowledge on environment conservation among the tribal people of the area.

AIMS OF THE ECP

to develop awareness attitude and skills among the school children and tribal folk;

to encourage and involve the tribal community to participate in environmental activities;

to teach the community about the proper utilization of medicinal plants and conservation of endangered species in the tribal pockets;

to make the people aware of various methods of environmental improvement;

to understand the damage that man has done to his environment

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Several environmental activities were carried out by giving formal (in educational institutions) and non-formal (outside the institution) education for the last 15 years. The programmes were generally conducted in collaboration with Women Cell of the college, and local NGOs working for the similar cause of environment. Pragya Environment Society, which is devoted to non-formal education has been a great asset.

AWARENESS GENERATING ACTIVITIES

Drawing and painting competition, exhibition (Tribal areas, like Guraiya, Jhilmili, Linga and other places), Stickers, posters, pamphlets, news-letters, books, short stories, like Ped Aur Balidaan, know your herbal medicine competition, eco-camps, rallies, field trips, plantation, congress grass (Parthenium hysterophorus) eradication, preparation of short video films like Koshishen (meaning Efforts), which is based on local environment.

SURVEY AND POPULARIZATION OF MEDICINAL HERBS

Surveys of traditional medicinal plants were conducted in the tribal pockets of Chhindwara, viz., Patalkot, Tamia, Sidhouli, Harrai and Bichhua. There are more than 275- medicinal plants in the tribal pockets. Awareness for holy herbs like Basil (Ocimum sanctum), and mint (Mentha piperita) was generated among the tribal people. A book on Herbal Medicines was published in local language and distributed among the common men (Rai, 1994).

CONVENTIONS ON BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION

A Two-day national level seminar on Herbal Medicines, Bio-diversity and Conservation Strategies, was organized by the college in 1994. The local Vaidhyas and Traditional herbal healers had organized exhibition concerning herbal medicines. This seminar had an encouraging impact among the local rural and tribal people towards the conservation of medicinal herbs. In 1998, another national seminar was organized on Integrated Management of Plant Resources, which also generated awareness towards conservation of nature. In the year 2002, a two-day workshop on Conservation and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants was organized by the Department of Botany of the college.

NON- CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY

Improved Sigdis and Chulhas (modified traditional Indian stoves made of iron and mud respectively) were distributed and training on improved and smokeless Chulha preparation was also organized in the tribal pockets, i.e., Sidhouli and Gadarwara.

TEACHERS TRAINING PROGRAMMES

The teachers training programmes on EE were organized at Linga, Sidhouli, Bhanadehi and Kundalikala. In all, teachers of 62 schools participated in this programme.

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

A survey of well water of Chhindwara was carried out to assess the water quality. A two day workshop was organized on Water Pollution: Causes and solution at Bhanadehi, a tribal village.

ECO-CAMPS AND EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC LECTURES

Eco-camps and exhibitions were organized at Sidhouli, Tamiya (1992,1993) Kundalikala (1993), Patalkot (1994,1995, 1999), Jhilmili (1993, 1997), Bhanadehi (1998, 1999), Goreghat (1998), Ajaniya (1999) and Gadarwara (1994, 1996, 1999). In 1997-99, under Children Awareness Programme, exhibitions were organized at local primary schools in association with Friends Nature Club (WWF). The lectures of eminent environmentalists, such as, R. Mishra, V K Saxena and others were also arranged.

GREEN SCHOOL PROGRAMME

Tribal schools of Chikhli-kala, Sarora, Goreghat, Pathra and Gadarwara were selected for generation of awareness activities throughout the year under this programme.

ECO(Environment Conservation Operation) in CAMPUS

Two societies viz., ECO Campus and Friends Nature Club in college are responsible for a growing awareness of the importance of conservation among the students.

Eco-Campus: This society was formed by Dr Deepak Acharya in the year 1997. The group was open for all students of the college. The society core area of functioning was to organize workshops, meetings, excursion, eco-drive etc. On Sundays, students are encouraged to clean-drive work in college

Green- Drive included:
1- Eradication of alien plants from areas where they have invaded the indigenous bush. These include plants like Narangi (Lantana camera), titi (cassia tora), and other grasses. Some very good progress has been made but it is an ongoing task.
2- Surveying of plants found in campus, preparation of notes, and update of information.

3- White washing of the college walls, sweeping, water tank cleaning

4- Preparation of Aushadhi Vatika (medicinal plant garden).

5- Informative notes on Notice board etc.

6- Quiz competition, debate, group discussion, play performance, drawing and poetry writing competitions are organized.
7- Environment friendly games etc

Friends Nature Club: Dr M K Rai started this club in the year 1997.

Constraints

FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS : Although, there are Government agencies, like, Department of Environment, EPCO and DST which supports to individuals, NGOs and to Government departments, yet the assistance is provided to limited number of NGOs.

LACK OF TEACHERS ATTITUDE : The heads of school must take initiative to provide the facilities/ infrastructure for organization of science or nature clubs. The encouraging attitude of authorities will boost up the morale of the teachers. The teachers should also realize the importance of environmental education to make the better contribution for a healthy society.

COMMUNICATION GAP: While implementing the Environment Education among the people of the tribal areas, language is main constraint. The tribal people have their own dialect. Sometimes, they do not understand our language and show non-cooperation.

NEED-BASED EDUCATION: Usually the syllabi for the school children are prepared by the educationists unawared of the local environmental problems, for instance, if the tribal village is surrounded by medicinal plants the later should be given much emphasis for conservation.

Conclusions

The Environment Education has been a topic of discussion after Stockholm conference. But less implementation has been made outside the academic institutions. There is a pressing need of non-formal education because it is the powerful way to create awareness, percolate knowledge and develop skills among the tribal people to conserve environment. Government institutions and NGOs working in the field of Environment Education may play vital role in achieving the target. We must emphasize on eco-friendly and economically viable way of Environment Education. Even the awared people, due to lack of knowledge and skills, sometimes found themselves unable to protect the environment. Awareness could be generated not only by teaching but also by involving them and involving ourselves also in their day-to-day life. Thus, Environment Education based on scientific approaches may open up new doors for the conservation of environment.

Eco-shipping And Why It Will Help Save Earth

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Eco-shipping And Why It Will Help Save Earth

If you're thoughtful about the wellbeing of the environment you live in, and if you're worried that the planet you will leave for our children may not be liveable and if you're motivated toward doing your own bit to assist with preserving it - one of the ways is to use "environmentally friendly shipping" for all of your shipping needs.

It is one of the war cry's of the green movement, that one of the most huge polluters and users of non-renewable materials on the planet are the shipping companies and their customers who must all work towards destroying transportation waste. They urge us to change to replenishable shipping doctrines. Seeking "green" options in transportation is therefore now a major concern for all corporations interested in reducing their carbon footprint on the face of our home.

Environmentally friendly shipping can circumscribe two unique elements of a shipping operation. One is the packaging of the package, the other is transportation of that freight. While the packaging industry has been constantly under pressure largely from environmental groups to build non-polluting packaging elements and processes, the transportation companies have had their own ideas. They have also been put under the microscope for optimizing their use of space, time and fuel per transportation trip.

The most important component of green hauling practices is the environmentally friendly packaging of the shipped materials. The essential part of utilizinggreen technology in both wrapping and packing is that it helps us to consume less of the non replenishable resources, and perhaps more critical, actually assists us to reuse the material already created, keeping disposal aspects clear.

A rapid check on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) homepage demonstrates that, during 2007, containers for food products and other plastic packaging made up almost 40% of municipal waste of which not more than 1/3 was used again. The highest offenders among non-biodegradable packaging materials can be listed as:

1. Bubble wraps - these are a favourite materials for packing delicate items. However, alternatives to bubble wrap have already been made for example bubble wrap generated from recycled polyethylene. The eco-friendly alternative to these is crimped paper.

2. Packaging tape - is made from polyethylene and is critical for packing any package for transportation. Currently, however, tapes made from natural rubber are available as a green alternative.

3. Package filters like Styrofoam based stuffing peanuts - cornstarch peanuts can also be used as a green alternative

Corporations across all stratum of business are currently compelled at minimizing their carbon footprints. The transportation industry is absolutely no exception to this rule. They too are figuring out ways of doing their bit for the survival of Earth by slashing hauling inefficiencies. Not only are they optimizing their way of doing things but are in fact funding research to develop new methods and technologies to generate superior possibilities for tomorrow.

Denmark, one of the leading maritime countries in the world, is already seeing its top shipping companies going green with eco-friendly shipping methods. Sustainable freight seems to be the only way forward. Newer, more renewable energy sources need to be discovered and utilized while improved streamlinging of load distribution and logistical operation will confirm that more economic, eco-friendly, and sustainable hauling options are available to the consumer.

Peer to Peer shipping is another approach that provides solution for logistical issues by creating a win-win situation for customers, drivers and dispatch companies. The drivers get to earn some easy bucks for delivering goods while going their own way and the companies can refrain from hiring expensive dispatch space with the discounts being passed on to the customers. Peer to peer shipping is an excellent way of supporting environmentally friendly shipping by minimizing the requirement for pricey carbon footprint fuels. It also usually provides good delivery times. However it is necessary to make sure that the Peer to Peer shipping company has necessary information of the drivers and can show their photos and phone numbers on demand, as a safety provision.

Eco-friendly dispatch corporations are thus rising the stakes to do what they can to provide a sustainable life on the planet.

Ecosafe Car Parts Washer And Cleaner To Keep The Environment Healthy

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Ecosafe Car Parts Washer And Cleaner To Keep The Environment Healthy

The ever increasing pollution on our planet has made ecosafe car parts washer and cleaner a necessity today. Every conscientious citizen wants to live in an eco friendly way. But car parts and engines must be cleaned and its toxic waste is an inevitable by-product.

Car Engine Cleaning

Consider how harmful cleaning your engine in your driveway can be. You start the car and let the engine warm so that the grease comes loose. This causes harmful emissions. The powerful engine degreaser or solvent that you put on the engine parts is basically strong and harmful chemicals. When you hose off the degreaser you waste loads of water and the gunk and grease that come off are extremely toxic. Then you start the engine to finish off the drying, emitting toxic fumes again.

For the smaller parts, you first remove it carefully and sun dry before you proceed with the cleaning. Next comes applying a strong, chemical solvent which does no good to your hands or your system. Even if you protect your hands from its abrasion, the fumes from it are still bad for health. You need to scrub the part to get the more stubborn grease and rust off after leaving the solvent on for a few minutes to cut into the grime. Then you hose off the dirt and the solvent.

The gunk that comes off your engine or smaller parts goes right down storm drain. From here it is emptied into rivers and streams where it poisons water life.

Bet, you're already wishing for an ecosafe car parts washer and cleaner!

Of course, another way open to you could be to have a car washing service do the job. Law decrees that car washers dispose such waste into sewers from where water is first treated and then released into larger water bodies. But don't let that get you thinking that having your engine cleaned professionally is perhaps the best green way. An ecosafe car parts washer and cleaner is a rare thing to find. The chemicals professional cleaning services used are industrial grade and extremely harmful.

Is There A Way Out?

Sure there is. You could get yourself an ecosafe auto parts cleaner and washer. This is the kind of washer that uses aqueous or water based cleaning solutions instead of chemical solvents. Working on bioremediation process this kind of cleaner can ensure that there is no toxic waste. It is an economical and environmentally safe way to clean your car parts and engine.

We already cause the environment enough harm with our car emissions. Short of giving up the use of cars, there is little we can do about that till eco friendly fuel is available at affordable prices. But if you care about living green there are always options. Cleaning engines and parts in a manner hazardous to nature is something one can avoid with the use of an ecosafe car parts washer and cleaner.

Ecosafewasher.com.au is the website for Alsco Ecosafe Washers. Ecosafe Car Parts Washer and Cleaner now available in Australia as part of Alsco Managed Services. Ecosafe Auto Parts Cleaner and Washer outperform other parts cleaners and are environmentally responsible.