‘Til Death Do Us Green: A Quick Look at Bio-Cremation

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As I sat down to peruse the Web for bits of educational reading on Sunday evening, I came across one article announcing the death of an awarded inventor, credited for the creation of an eco-friendly crematorium.  I had never heard of an environmentally friendly way of cremating people after death, so naturally, I became quite intrigued.

Upon some research, I found that many were concerned about cremation as a means of final disposition, since it historically involves the burning of high quantities of fossil fuels harmful to the environment.  It makes sense, I thought.  But that’s the nature of the business, right? Cremation involves burning; how can that be changed?

As it turns out, I was wrong.  Fairly recently, an alternative called Bio-Cremation has been gaining in popularity.  Basically, cremation as a process does not have to involve flames, only heat.  Bio-Cremation offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods, as it involves only a stainless steel chamber, water, a natural decomposition agent called Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), and heat.

 

This chamber turns the decomposition process, affectionately referred to in the business as “B2B: body to bones,” to a simple 2-3 hour ordeal.  It is much more energy efficient and does a much better job than older cremation methods.

After reading about all cremation processes, new and old, I have to say that I may very well be leaning towards cremation as a final disposition, instead of burial.  But regardless of what I choose down the road, one thing is for certain – the environmentally conscious method of Bio-Cremation stands out as a clear winner in comparison to conventional methods.  Just something to think about. 

Mobile Devices Can Talk Green

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The mobile device industry has changed the way people all over the world communicate.  While this business sector has improved the speed and methods of delivery of information and communication, it has negatively impacted green initiatives.  New gadgets are introduced to the market at lightning speed, and the “electronic junkies” constantly upgrade to the latest and greatest devices.  These old mobile devices often end up in landfills or even discarded with household garbage.  It is important that all mobile device owners educate themselves in green initiatives relative to responsible disposal of any electronic device that is no longer being used to ensure that the environment will not be harmed.

Several wireless companies have green initiatives in place, providing customers with information on environmental protection regarding the use of mobile devices.  This aspect of device ownership should be a primary consideration in the selection of a company to make a purchase of a phone or tablet.  In addition to protecting the environment, this decision can save the customer time and money.  For example, paperless billing saves trees and allows the customer to have account information readily available 24 hours a day.  Phone and tablet trade-in programs guarantee responsible disposal of older devices and may offer the customer a credit towards the purchase of a new device.  Thirdly, recycling wireless devices with a reputable company guarantees that the discarded items will not find their way to a landfill, and as a bonus, these products sometime can be refurbished and returned to service.

There are other features of mobile devices which inherently aide green initiatives.  Navigation apps identify the most direct routes to destinations, thereby reducing fuel costs.  They also provide up-to-date traffic information, which enables drivers to spend less time stuck in traffic, wasting fuel.  Finally, the use of mobile broadband creates virtual offices, saving gas and other commuter costs.

Anyone who owns a mobile device can go green and reduce energy consumption, save time and money and help protect the environment.  Let’s all do our part to communicate green, live green, be green.

Eco-Friendly Carpets

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Well, we all know that solar panels are one way to start turning your home into an eco-friendly environment, however, there is a new trend making a splash. Stainmaster carpets has introduced their very first eco-friendly carpet, the Stainmaster Ultra Life.

Creators of the Stainmaster Ultra Life explain that they are conserving energy in two helpful ways. The first in which this revolutionary carpet helps preserves the environment is by using an astonishingly low percentage of energy, 37%, during the manufacturing process. Also, the carpet lasts 50% longer than other carpets in today’s market. The longer life expectancy results in less time spent in landfills.

An amazing fact is that unlike other carpets which require you to clean them with chemicals, the Stainmaster Ultra Life does not. In fact, its creators explain that once you install it you will never have to use any chemicals to clean it at any point.

Hey, if you’re worried about this eco-friendly carpet not fitting in with the color scheme of your home, Stainmaster offers roughly 25,000 colors to choose from. So, don’t let worrying about ruining your home decor and style stop you from becoming environmentally friendly.

Green is not always Green

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Green is definitely not always green! Summer has arrived with its bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits readily available in grocery stores, farmers markets and roadside stands.  It is important to be a savvy consumer and understand that not all vegetables and fruits are produced in an eco-friendly manner and can be harmful to you and your family.  Many growers use harmful pesticides to destroy insects that attack crops and despite washing, residual amounts of these residuals still may be significant.  The Environmental Working Group has composed a shopper’s guide for produce which lists the 2012 “dirty dozen”, as well as the “clean fifteen”.  This guide lists the products which should be purchased organically, as well as the products which largely are domestic or imported.  This year’s “dirty dozen” list includes apples, bell peppers, blueberries (domestic), celery, cucumbers, grapes, lettuce, nectarines (imported), peaches, potatoes, spinach and strawberries.  Green beans and kale made the list because the pesticide residues found on these vegetables are or great concern.

The “clean fifteen” products that have the lowest pesticide residue includes asparagus, avocado, cabbage, cantaloupe (domestic), corn, eggplant, grapefruit, kiwi, mangoes, mushrooms, onions, pineapples, sweet peas, sweet potatoes and watermelon.

Of note, particular concern should be paid to pesticide residuals in vegetables and fruits used for baby food.   For the first time since starting the pesticide testing program of food, the USDA paid particular attention to the presence of pesticides in pears, green beans and sweet potatoes used in baby food.  The results showed that green beans were positive for five pesticides including organophosphates, which have been connected with neurodevelopment problems.  The test results on pears have shown large degrees of contamination.  Sweet potatoes have fared very well in these tests, showing no signs of pesticides.  There is a major concern associated with the pesticide iprodione.  It has been labeled by the Environment Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen and its use in pears prepared as baby food is a clear violation, however, it has shown up in several samples.

It is very important that consumers educate themselves on safe and unsafe vegetables and fruits.  It may be difficult to eat organically all the time because the cost can be prohibitive, but with a little bit of research, it is possible to identify fruits and vegetables that have the lowest pesticide residues.  A good place to start is the Environmental Working Group’s 2012 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

Remember:  Not all green is green.  So study green, live green, be green.

Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas

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“Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas”

Such is the name and motto of the Malaysian group who, this Saturday, will be protesting the construction of a rare earth refinery plant being build by Australian based Lynas Corp., Ltd.  While the nation of a little over 28 million residents seems far-flung for such a movement to take root, the truth of the matter is that Malaysians have been active in the movement, and have been so for decades. Yet, as Khoo Kay Peng, a management consultant and policy analyst states, ““The kind of protests, the kind of activism that we see for the Lynas plant is something unprecedented.” Rare earth metals are often found with radioactive contaminants, which during the refining process, must be separated and disposed of properly. While Lynas states that the toxins are well within the legal limit after a parliamentary report, activists are protesting otherwise. 

With this in mind, a specific impact is likely to occur for foreign businesses who wish to enter Malaysia. Firms will begin to think twice about the environmental impact their products have if their items are to be sold in Malaysia. Nayseers will point out that business will decide to move into other competing nations whose restrictions are less prohibitive, once they find out of the Malaysian dissonance toward heavy polluting firms. Sooner or later however, other nations will follow suit, creating a hostile environment for businesses to enter into, unless they change and adapt to policies residents want: in this case, a need for environmental responsibility amongst foreign firms. And while the nearly $800 million project has been approved by government, the implications of such protests are undeniable in the movement to both live green, and be green.

Shale Gas Powered Vehicles

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Shale gas is the “new kid on the block” when it comes to clean and efficient energy. Its properties allow it to burn cleanly, and is currently cheaper in price than its gasoline counterpart. With the perfection of extraction techniques of this plentiful rock through the use of horizontal drilling or “fracking” as it is commonly known, a wealth of possibilities has been unearthed with regards to sustainable and clean energy.

Currently, most of our oil is consumed through transportation of goods. By slowly replacing the arcane model of gas powered vehicles to shale gas, we will witness the convergence of sustainability and efficiency in travel. Major U.S. corporations such as Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy Co.’s have been pioneers in unlocking shale gas technology, and is a further indicator of why we are leaders in creating sustainable energy sources. President Obama has focused on the need for technology to get us out of the recession we are currently situated in. The mass creation of shale gas powered cars for use by the public will serve to almost eliminate emissions, and will further promote the domestication of manufactured goods (which has not been seen since the late 1960’s).

Natural gas is already being used in the commercial trucking industry to reduce fueling costs. However, the initial outlay for the vehicle is obviously more because it requires its gas tanks to be stronger, heavier, and larger due to the compression in the tank. Yet, with an advancement in technology to make natural gas powered cars more available to the public, a reduction in production costs will follow allowing for more individuals to purchase the cars, and thus lowering total emissions. Having this concept become mainstream would be a big win for the green movement, and would allow citizens to both live green, and be green.

Drink Green, Eat Green

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Green living can be incorporated into so many areas of everyday living—even in the selection of alcoholic beverages.  With a little research, it is possible to find several green spirits that are produced in an eco-friendly manner and with a commitment to educate workers in organic production techniques.   Also, many of these spirit makers participate in renewable energy programs, such as the use of windmills for electricity, to produce their products.  A few to mention include Square One Vodka, VeeV Acai Spirit and Papagayo White Rum.  The first, Square One Vodka is produced in Idaho using distilled water from Treton Mountains, a Rocky Mountain range.  Because it is made from chemical-free organic products and distilled water, this vodka requires a shorter-than-normal fermentation period.  The final product has a fresh and distinct taste, along with a very smooth finish.  The second company, VeeV Acai Spirit produces its product, which is 60 proof alcohol from winter wheat grain and antioxidant-rich acai berries harvested in Brazil.  The VeeV Company is strongly committed to protecting the environment.  The majority of its employees drive hybrid vehicles and all product packaging is recyclable.  The third product, Papagayo Rum, has the distinction of being the world’s first organic rum.  It is single estate (only produced in one estate in Paraguay).  The founder’s objective is to help sugarcane farmers by paying them livable wages and educating them in organic farming techniques. 

The addition of organic vegetables and fruits to cocktail recipes gives spirits delectable flavors while promoting green living.  Popular organically grown vegetables and fruits that complement organic spirits include cucumbers, cilantro, basil, blackberries and thyme, just to name a few.  An internet search for organic cocktails and ingredients yields many entertaining and appetizing concoctions that is sure to enhance summertime barbecues and dinners, making it a pleasure to eat green, drink green, live green, be green.

Benefits of Building Green

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Lately, more people have been doing their part of going green by constructing “green buildings”. The beautiful part of these green buildings is that they do more than save energy. In addition to saving energy, green buildings are also known to increase one’s productivity in the workplace and one’s reputation. Meaning, having a green building saves you money, while being more productive AND doing your part for the environment.

Recently, buildings such as King and King Architects in downtown Syracuse or Welch Allyn Global Headquarters in Skaneatlas Falls represent the trend in new green buildings to save energy. These buildings have encountered the aforementioned benefits, and according to Rick Fedrizzi, U.S. Green Building Council, “buildings that minimize the use of resources and reduce waste by using more daylight and improving air quality translate into higher productivity.”

Which leads us to this question, is it just businesses that can build and benefit from building green? Answer is, no. You, yourself can plan to restructure and remodel your home in order to save energy and increase productivity. One simple way you can do this is by installing solar panels. Solar panels will save you money AND help save the environment.

For more on possible housing improvements, see our A Possible Future of Green article.