Would you live in a LEED (Leaders in Energy & Environmental Design) certified residence if it could reduce your energy costs by 40-50% per year, provide cleaner interior air and reduce commuting needs by being located closer to major employment centers? However, this property would cost you 10% more than a traditional tract home or condo in the area.
Here is a possible scenario:
A typical condo in this area of town averages $300,000 USD and can be mortgaged at 7.25% for $2,050/ month. The Green condo cost $330,000 USD and can be mortgage at 7.25% for $2,250/ mo., an increased cost of $200/ mo. or $2,400/ yr.
Both projects are located in a central urban area that’s a 10 min walk to light rail, and a 5-10 min walk to downtown, grocery stores, sport centers, restaurants, etc. The Green condo promises energy savings of up to 60%, lowering a $2500 annual energy cost to $1,500, a savings of $1,000 or $83 per month. You are still spending $117 more per month to live in the Green condo. Now, you also have things like recycled content materials, an air-purification system, upgraded insulation, open space, non-gassing paints, or formaldehyde products; reducing the societal costs associated with the carbon pollution, waste, and other byproducts associated with housing development.
Now, lets say that you and your spouse lived 15 miles away from your major employment center, where you both work and where you are considering moving. You have two cars that get 20-25 mi/gallon and you drive an average of 12,000 mi/yr., spending approximately $10,000/yr to drive each car. Would you give up one (1) of your two (2) cars and carpool, walk to work, etc. in order to save the additional $10,000/yr? In fact if you took that $10,000 and contributed it to your mortgage every year you would save over $276,000 in interest payments over 30 years, a $9200 interest savings every year and you would pay the loan of in 173 months or 14.4 years.
The environment is very important; many individuals will not deny that. One of the best things businesses can do to help the environment is recycle, this includes their plastic. Many businesses throw away tons of plastic every year. Through the dedication and compassion of Garry Robinson, he started Go Polymers Inc. To assist businesses in buying and selling plastic.
Plastics are always being used by businesses in different capacities. Go Polymers is dedicated to helping clients of different businesses develop efficient recycling programs that provide monetary returns for selling off their plastic. This will not only reduce the amount of plastic that is being thrown out, or increase revenue for selling plastic to be recycled, but it will reduce their environmental impact than if they were to throw it away.
Through them, individuals sell and buy plastic. Those selling discuss the plastic they are looking to unload. If it can be recycled, theywill offer a price. If agreed upon, they send over a truck.
The plastic is then made available to sell. Businesses inquire if a specific type of plastic is available. If it is, a sample is sent. If approved, they will negotiate a price and send them the plastic.
This has become highly relevant because plastic is not easily decomposable. It will sit in landfills and while decomposing, plastic releases certain gases. Depending on where the plastic is, it can cause land, air, and sea pollution.
The United States is becoming more involved in clean technology, or cleantech for short. Garry Robinson has embraced the concept of cleantech and provides a positive way to recycle and reuse plastics. In part of the assistance of Go Polymers, over two billion pounds of plastic is recycled. Over one thousand businesses are now engaged in recycling their plastic. This includes contacting companies like Go Polymer in an effort to recycle plastic and not throw it away.
For additional information and queries in regards to Garry Robinson please visit www.go-polymers.com
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Palm oil is extracted from palm trees. It is becoming a very popular cooking ingredient all over the world. However, it is mostly used in the tropics. Because of the increase in popularity, there is an urgency to find a way to achieve sustainable production of this oil.
The way palm oil is being extracted presently is causing a number negative things to happen with the planet. It is a contributor to deforestation, and green house effect. These are just a few things that have resulted from extracting various oils.
These environmentalists cite that soils and cash crops are being destroyed because of plants that are being built to produce palm oil in greater amounts more efficiently. Farmers who depend on these cash crops are losing money.
Biodiversity is something else that is in jeopardy from production. Biodiversity deals with the different lifeforms in one area. Because of the departure of the trees in forests, animals are becoming scarce. This is leading to many endangered animals to be completely wiped out.
It is not surprising, then, to learn that habitats of these endangered animals are becoming harder to locate. Animal rights activists are becoming greatly concerned. The Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, and the Asian rhinoceros are just a few of the animals that are being wiped out. Many more have already become extinct.
Progress, while slow, has been made to try and resolve many of these issues. One of the easiest, and less expensive ways to deal with the deforestation is to re-plant what is used. Replacing what is taken is easy. It’s a matter of re-planting the seeds that can be saved from production. Doing this also ensures that there will be more trees to harvest from later down the road.
Cutting down on pollution can be achieved by making sure that the factories are run with energy efficiency. Use pure resources to power it. Great care should taken before picking out how to power the factor. Wind power is one way to go. There are many other options available that could be researched.
Having a specific place where this product is produced is another way to accomplish sustainable production. Choose a farm or two per region. Raise these palms specifically for that purpose. Doing it this way will eliminate what is taken from nature. It will also restore populations of animals that have been forced to flee their habitat. Doing it this way will also make distribution much easier.
Looking for comprehensive information on the sustainable production of palm oil? Get the low down instantly in our complete green palm overview on http://www.greenpalm.org/en/what-is-greenpalm/why-choose-greenpalm
This oil has been in the news a lot recently. It is the worlds number one fruit crop, and has overtaken the banana. Vast tracts of rain forest have been cleared to make way for palm oil plantation. The reason of course is economic.
Just a small amount of land can produce a large amount of oil. The returns are huge and the demand for this crop is growing all the time. The big companies that own the plantations make a lot of money.
The countries that produce it are mainly in Asia, more specifically Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The plant is not native to these countries as it is originally from Africa. It is used for fuel, but is also found in food products, cosmetics and is used to make engine lubricants.
Malaysia is the worlds largest producer of the oil, with Indonesia a close second. It would seem that any crop that can produce a cleaner fuel than traditional oil should be popular. The world is always looking for better alternatives. The problem lies in the way that the oil is being produced.
Great swathes of forest have been cleared for this crop with little or no regard for the ecosystem or the plants and animals which it supports. A typical example would be the loss of habitat for the critically endangered Orangutan in Borneo. The actual production of the oil can be very environmentally friendly but it has often not been the case.
In the worst cases the oil production can produce more than twice its weight in harmful waste and by products. A lot of companies have been guilty of using powerful insecticides which damage the environment. The farming methods used render the soil useless after just a few short years.
Production does not have to harm the environment. It could be produced in such a way as to bring renewed prosperity to a region that badly needs it without damaging the Earth. With the correct management it is a much sought after commodity.
Strong insecticides do not have to be used as they can be replaced with natural alternatives such as insects and birds that will eat the pests. After the trees have finished producing they do not have to be burnt but van be shredded and used for compost to return nutrients to the soil. Water irrigation can be well managed leaving the water table intact. We all need the palm oil plantation, but we need to ensure that its properly managed even if it means paying a little more for the end product.
Looking for more information on whether a palm oil plantation is a good or bad thing? Get the low down in our comprehensive get involved overview on http://www.greenpalm.org/en/how-can-i-get-involved/growers
A lot of people enjoy creating their crafts these days because it’s a fun way to create something that’s decorative and sometimes useful. Most home made craft projects are made with art materials bought from a craft store, but many crafters are looking towards utilizing more recycled items to make new crafts. Jewelry makers have been putting together jewelry out of junk materials for decades and that sensibility has now moved into other arts and crafts areas.
Many people are trying to be more “environmentally friendly” these days, so craft items created from junk materials is going to be eye-catching if you sell your items at a art show. Re-used materials used in clever ways is appearing in a lot of different places these days, including in clothing, fashion accessories, handbags and even in decorative home art. Making an art project out of recycled materials is often a great way to lessen the overall cost to make any craft project. A lot of people are trying to be more “green” these days, so art projects made from junk supplies is going to be eye-catching if you sell your items at a craft bazaar. Re-purposed materials utilized in clever ways is showing up in a lot of different markets these days, including in fashion, jewelry, handbags and even in decorative wall art.
Lots of people now make jewelry from compact discs or even bicycle gears. If you need ideas on what sort of recycled materials you can utilize you really do not have to look any further than a local junk store. Consider recyclable craft supplies like the leather found in discarded handbags, shoes and wallets that can be cut into long strips and braided into something fashionable. Just about any item can be imaginatively used to make beaded jewelry.
When you are making crafts out of older materials you will probably need to make sure the materials are free of dirt and not hazardous. Be sure to scrub any possible grime off any item you take out of the trash. Some materials may need to be modified to make sure they don’t have any sharp corners or could harm anyone.
By utilizing recycled materials to make craft projects you will saving the environment and maybe beginning a new artistic trend of your own! Making art made out of recycled materials could be your gateway to a more financially lucrative lifestyle. The next time you throw something away you may want to pause and imagine what kind of art project you can make out of it.
Want to learn more about saving money on arts & crafts supplies? Visit our site to get all the latest arts and craft supply buying tips and tricks!
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Every year at Christmas, land fills are filled even higher with Christmas wrapping paper. Around the rest of the year, these expensive papers flow into the dump from birthdays, showers and weddings. It seems like a lot of waste for paper that is used for such a short time. Fabric gift wrap offers an alternative that can be used repeatedly with no waste.
Perhaps you have already discovered the ease of reuse for gift bags. Even paper bags can be used several times before they begin to look bad. Fabric gift bags can be used scores of times and keep their new look for each use. They do not age nearly as quickly as paper products.
Perhaps you have tried using fabric as a gift wrap using tape. You may not have been pleased with your results. A fabric gift bag makes a better alternative. The drawstring closure secures the gift and completes the wrapping. Some cloth gift bags include a fabric ribbon that is tied at the top to give the present a decorative look.
Some fabric gift-wraps have flaps that are folded in on the top of the present and knotted to form a bow. These wraps do away with the look of a bag but still use reusable fabric to cover the present.
Some package wraps are designed with square corners. These corners are perfect for a shirt box. Then give your gift a look of traditional wrapping while they are still reusable so that you have less garbage wrappings.
Fabric wraps are by nature designed for reuse. The package wraps are gathered at the end of the holiday or party and stored for the next use. If they become soiled, many are machine washable. If a gift is shipped, the wrap simply becomes a part of the gift or can be used by the recipient for gift giving.
Cloth wraps are much more durable than paper. As wrapping paper seems to thin each year, you will have the durability of fabric. No more rips and tears that are caused just by wrapping the present. The durability of cloth makes it excellent for shipping presents as it will not be ruined in the process. Fabric bows also tend to retain their shape during shipping.
Fabric gift wrap offers many advantages when compared to paper. The packaging offers a green alternative that may be reused several times. The cover is much sturdier than anything made of paper.
Looking to find the most comprehensive information on fabric gift wrap?
Green energy is gradually gaining popularity in these present times due to the fact that the economic crisis has placed much emphasis on the extensive use of expensive fossil fuel products. It seems that many people are starting to see that actively harnessing natural sources of energy can create useful renewable energy that may be able to sustain the needs of civilization for a very long time.
Solar energy is perhaps the more popular type of energy source that is being actively used today. Many small villages and remote areas are already experiencing the benefits of using solar energy generated with the help of solar panels, donated by many non-profit organizations, to help them become self sufficient with what available energy they can harness for their daily needs.
Wind energy can be harnessed when airflow passes through wind turbines that act as mechanical motors for power generation. If there is an increase in wind speed, there is a larger amount of power output. This is practical for many places where the wind velocities are strong, mainly in offshore or coastal areas that are in high altitude locations. Wind turbines occupy large areas, and these are referred to as wind farms.
The heat that comes up naturally from the earth’s core is also used to produce geothermal heat that can be utilized in many ways. This is usually tapped from areas whose surfaces have high heat generation such as hot springs or volcanic rock, usually found in countries that are deemed geologically unstable.
Water can also produce a significant amount of energy either when it is still or when flowing – and this is seen in forms of hydropower, hydroelectric power, kinetic energy, and ocean energy. The methods for harnessing the energy vary depending upon the water source, but the supply is significant enough to produce mass amounts of power.
Pollution that is caused by the consistent utilization of fossil fuels has been a major issue all over the world today, and many countries are beginning to come out with bills that are in the interest of cleaning up air and water sources that have otherwise already been polluted by petroleum by-products. Toxic materials accumulated over the years have created many problems to human health as well as the overall protective layer of the ozone.
Renewable energy, if promoted and used by many more individuals and corporations, can have extensive benefits for the long term. Putting an end or limitation to the dependence on fossil fuels can be the first step towards rehabilitation of the earth’s natural pure air and water, with the help of additional programs to gradually clean up the pollution.
There are many alarming health issues that arise from the air pollution that exists in many cities and countries today. Mostly, children are affected as this aggravates asthma symptoms in their delicate lungs and can lead to gradual death. The small particles that are polluting the air also have been known to cause deaths by heart and lung diseases. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources have little, if at all any, by-products that can pollute air or water, and these are considerably safer to use.
Economically, green energy has proven its point in saving billions in the industry of energy production, resulting in larger sources of alternative energy that will sustain many people for a long, long time. The restructuring of policies to make renewable energy a requirement in many countries would clearly be welcomed by many individuals who wish for the next generation to be healthier and to have less worry about pollution and other costly issues about waste management.
It’s possible to run your business through more innovative ways by utilizing green energy inventions like wind power and other alternative energy solutions that make your process more environmental and efficient!
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Today the hook phrase is going green. Everybody is fascinated in ways they can be kinder to the planet and still get their energy needs met. Wind power is a renewable energy source and a basic wind turbine will provide power for many years.
Wind power using a wind turbine is a good supplement or alternative to solar power. Dark, overcast days are frequently windy. If you build the wind turbine on your own, you can even save money.
Building a wind turbine can be a fun project for the whole family. To go one step further in your conservation efforts you might consider using recycled materials wherever possible. The materials needed to build a wind turbine are all available at your local hardware store and can be purchased for less than two hundred dollars.
Blades can be made of wood, cardboard or PVC piping. The blades need to be the correct weight for the size of turbine you’re making. The base can be made of a wooden or metal pole.
Before you begin, find a good manual that will explain how to build a solid structure. The manual should give you detailed building instructions in a format that is easy to follow. Step by step instructions are the easiest to follow. The manual should include a list of all the materials you’ll need to build your wind turbine. Some manuals will offer you alternatives that you can use for building materials. The book should give suggestions on where you may find the needed materials, but you should be able to find most at your local hardware or home improvement store.
With a little basic knowledge and a bit of experience with simple power tools, you can build your own wind turbine. It is a good way to make the most of a bit of open space near your house. You can construct your turbine anywhere the wind blows. It is a great, inexpensive way to take part in your own green revolution.
If you have an acre of land or two, you can even build more than one and send energy back to the grid. Your power company will pay for the energy you send to them.
This is an easy way to save money on your energy costs. It is easy to do with a little knowledge and a set of instructions. You’ll feel great knowing you’re cutting down on your dependence on the grid, and you’ll save some money while you help create a greener household.
Want to see how to build your own wind generator? We are alternative energy experts. Go to our site at RenewableEnergyAtHome.Com for easy ways to get your renewable energy project started. Check out how to how to build a wind generator at our home site now.
A windmill is a device that converts wind energy into other types of energy. They produce this energy by using mechanical energy that produces electrical energy. Windmills have been discussed as a great way to produce power instead of traditional ways due to clean method and unlimited resource. Producing wind energy from windmills is not a new idea as it has been around for a while, pumping water and used for towing boats. People have used their knowledge of how to build a windmill to create wind energy for decades.
In the current situation of extreme energy crisis across the globe, it only makes sense that we look for alternate power solutions. As a financial move, a windmill is a great investment. Especially in the farm areas and countrysides across the world. A windmill may not be the optimum solution in a highly-populated area.
What are the prerequisites for setting up a windmill?
The first pre-requisite is that you have at least an acre of space dedicated to the spot of where you are going to place your windmill.
It is not recommended to work with less than an acre of space due to the fact that the windmill blades may not be able to produce as efficiently and create enough wind power to generate wind energy.
Another thing to keep in mind when installing your windmill is to be sure your area has the average wind speed of 11 miles per hour blowing through your neighborhood. If you live in areas where there are skyscrapers or high-rise buildings that may interfere with wind, you may want to be sure you have an area where it wont be blocked by such. You can easily find research on the wind speed in your area to find out if you meet these pre-requisites.
What are the components of a windmill?
Blades: These are typically made of wood or plastic, and obviously can withstand high wind speeds.
Tower: The tower is what holds the system high enough to be able to use the wind to convert it into wind power. Typically it is made out of poly-vinyl cholride.
Shaft: The shaft is used to join the blades to the tower, at the same time allowing them to rotate smoothly.
Base: The base of the windmill is what holds the tower and the blades intact.
How can you setup a windmill? You can find do it yourself windmill kits on the market now with easy to understand instructions to install yourself.
Find a review of great guides such as Earth 4 Energy review to see if it fits your needs in helping you build your own wind energy system today. These guides also help you learn how to make solar panels.
Want your energy saving guide? Check out our Green DIY Energy review guide at Go-SolarEnergy.com. You’ll learn ways on DIY solar panels.
The government incentive benefits of utilizing solar power are only part of the exciting news about the growth of this industry around the world.This technology, which started in outer space, has come into its own by way of Japan, Germany, and the United States. These countries have sponsored incentive programs, developed markets, and supported the use of solar energy for public projects, commercial enterprises, and private homes.
The current incentives in the United States consist of tax credits, tax relief or exemption, and grant money being available to encourage the installation of solar devices. The program is a federal one, but is often administered on the state and local level. Any taxpayer is eligible for tax credits. Grants are often limited to large projects, such as hospitals or schools, or to small business, but some localities have programs, administered through the social service agencies, for low income families who wish to use solar energy arrays for their homes.
The ‘cap’ or limit to the percentage of cost that can be offset by tax credits changes often, but the savings can amount to 30% or more of installation price. Sometimes the savings can be even greater when the federal, state, and local incentives are added together. Not all states or localities offer incentives, so you will need to investigate what is available in your area.
Tax exemptions are when the tax is waived completely; for example, some localities allow components to be sold with no sales tax, or solar installations to be exempt from property taxes assessments. The specifics of tax credits and exemptions vary from state to state, and sometimes county to county, so in the last analysis, you will want to consult government officials and tax experts.
Grant money comes by way of government subsidies of the project, in which government money pays all or some of the cost of changing to solar power. Low cost loans are also available, sponsored by the government and repaid to the local utility company as additions to regular bills. These loans are mostly available to small and large businesses. Some utility companies offer rebates as well, for energy efficient installations of many kinds.
As the world’s governments get behind the solar industry, and more people use the technology, the market grows, production increases, and the price goes down. This process was rudely interrupted by the recent recession, but the industry is showing signs of recovery. The emphasis on greenhouse gas emission reduction by many nations means that solar power, totally emission free, will come more and more into its own.
As the market grows, and the technology advances to new heights of efficiency, investment opportunities grow as well. In addition, the alternative use of energy from the sun, together with occasional contributions from individual power plants to the community power supply, lowers the cost of electricity for all of us. These are little understood but important additional incentives that affect all of us, as we all share in the economy and in the quality of the environment. So whether you install solar power and have a lower tax bill (as well as an increase in the value of your house), or simply see a small reduction in your electric bill, remember to thank the powers that be in your government for proactive thinking.
Understanding the government incentive benefits of utilizing solar power may make you a fan of solar power even if you never use it anywhere but in your cell phone. This space age technology may help us save the planet and save money as well.
For more information or queries in regards to SunFusion Solar or Government Solar Incentives please visit the SunFusion Solar team at www.sunfusionsolar.com
