Is the use of plastic than cotton bags more sustainable?

According to the President of the international society for Industrial Ecology, Roland Cliff, using plastic bags in daily consumption habits is more sustainable use of cotton, wherever plastic is managed properly as waste.

The expert has defended this idea during his speech on the theory of life cycle in ecological intelligence Congress held recently in Barcelona, which intends to explore the environmental costs of production in its "mere" reuse materials.

"It is better to use plastic bags if they are properly managed, there is no problem in using them," it has secured Cliff admitting that life cycle proposals cast conclusions "sometimes unpopular".
Cliff explained that a cotton bag should be 150 times to compensate for its ecological production cost, since it contains many biopolymers (polymers that are involved in the biological processes, such as proteins and nucleic acids).

He argues that this premise is maintained provided that plastic bags are used repeatedly and later managed properly through the recycling of the plastic. "Greener a bag if after a single use is pulled into the sea" is not clarified.

Are Lithium Ion BatteriesSustainable to the Environment? -(II)

In our previous article, we spoke about the importance of recycling the valuable batteries, but while doing so, various costs are involved and it is observed that the cost of logistics is higher than the cost of recovering the scrap. But aren?t the social and environmental factors important, while recycling the battery? Lets read on to find out how Lithium Ion batteries are vital, considering their recyclable nature and find out if any countries are sincerely paying heed to the recycling of batteries?

What is the process of recycling old batteries?
Old batteries are shredded with the help of hammer mill, breaking out the components- aluminum, cooper, steel and separating them easily. Larger batteries that might still hold a charge are cryogenically frozen with liquid nitrogen before being hammered and shredded; at -325 degrees Fahrenheit, the reactivity of the cells is reduced to zero. For extracting lithium, the battery chambers are flooded and dissolved into lithium salts, which are filtered out and used to produce lithium carbonate. The remaining sludge is processed to recover cobalt, which is used to make battery electrodes. About 95 percent of the process is completely automated.

The significance of metals used in Lithium Ion batteries: -

Cobalt is very important to human life and health, as Vitamin B-12 contains cobalt. Besides, cobalt is used in various decorative arts-ceramics, pottery and industrial applications- production of jet engines and gas turbine engines for energy generation.

Copper is used in building construction, power generation and transmission, electronic product manufacturing, and the production of industrial machinery and transportation vehicles.
Nickel is mainly used to produce stainless steel in order to result into a stable, ductile, corrosion resistant and an austenitic structure. It is largely used in domestic kitchen equipment and utensils.
Iron ore largely contributes to the production of steel. Steel is used for construction, automobiles, and other forms of transportation such as trucks, trains and train tracks.

Slowly, the importance of these batteries is coming to light and many countries have become aware of the effectiveness of the recyclable batteries. There are many companies- Umicore, Toxco, working in the recycling sectors of Lithium Ion batteries.

The European Union has already restored to protection measures concerning battery recycling, as they have passed a bbattery recycling law and the vendors are required to reclaim for recycling a minimum of 25% of the batteries they manufacture and sell. Taking into account, the protection measures concerning battery recycling by European Union, how many more countries would go ahead and take the battery recycling initiative in their stride?

Are Lithium Ion Batteries Sustainable to the Environment? (I)

Lithium Ion batteries are used on a large scale to power portable electronics and implanted medical devices mainly ? cell phones, pacemakers, watches along with numerous other devices, such as MP3 players, calculators, remote car locks, battery backup systems in computers etc. The use of Smart grid technology for efficient electricity generation has been facilitated with the arrival of Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries as Li-ion cells can now be used to power the house with clean electricity, during days when energy is not being generated. In addition, considering the rising pollution levels, electric vehicles are now being designed with the help of these cells. These electric vehicles are truly "green", both emission-free in operation and sustainable in design as they work on batteries that can be recycled.

According to the experts, Lithium Ion batteries have been categorized as non-hazardous waste and are safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream. In comparison with other types of batteries that include toxic metals such as cadmium, the metals in lithium ion batteries - cobalt, copper, nickel and iron - are considered safe for landfills or incinerators.

However, dumping Lithium Ion batteries is a waste of valuable metals, as they can be replenished and reused. The researchers estimate that around 8,000 and 9,000 tons of cobalt is used in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries each year. Similarly other important metals (copper, nickel and iron) also contribute to the production of lithium ion batteries These metals found in Lithium Ion batteries are extremely significant, and its sustainable use and re-use is essential.

However, it still seems difficult to manage the battery waste because the scrap value of batteries doesn't amount to much, but in contrast the cost of collecting, sorting and shipping used batteries to a recycler exceeds the scrap value, so batteries tend to be thrown away. Sadly, the market does not consider the social cost of disposal, nor does it recycle precious metals such as cobalt, having a much lower economic and environmental cost than mining raw materials.

Shouldn't social and environmental factors be put ahead while recycling batteries, rather than giving undue importance to the costing of logistics?

Read further to know how Lithium Ion batteries are vital, considering their recyclable nature and find out if any countries are sincerely paying heed to the recycling of batteries?

A sustainable world

We are used to see how the companies seek only their own benefit, which usually correspond to leave his mark on environmental protection, but when a company is working to achieve both issues not always is news, but yes for this blog.

It is the time to start telling the achievements, make mention of companies which work for sustainability. We speak of Acciona.

Acciona is a company that is committed to sustainable development and achieves it through three fundamental aspects: innovation, environment and its Master Plan.

Innovation

Acciona spends increasingly more budget for innovation, but innovation that respects the environment hence its important presence in programs of innovation of the Government and at the same time, its presence in the European framework.

Its innovation projects focus on renewable energy, construction and sustainable transport, water technologies focusing on this very precious asset management.

Environment

One of the most important aspects in this undertaking is the introduction of the environmental variable in its decisions and operations.

Its programme "To act against climate change" is focused on the control and reduction of emissions, build mechanisms and markets of carbon, the search for new products and services, and in turn, promote awareness and awareness through social debate on climate change.

Master plan

Acciona as time-consuming working for sustainability because they are aware that things must be done in another way in which natural resources are respected, and the important thing is that it can be achieved.

2012 International year of sustainable energy

The Agency seeks with this that the world's population takes consciousness about the importance of increasing sustainable access of the energy renewable in local, regional and global level.

To that, we mean when we talk about sustainable energy?. The "sustainable energy" is that energy is produced and used in such a way that promotes long-term human development in the social, economic and ecological field.

The lack of access to clean energy is a real obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium development goalsthere that by 2012 the United Nations should focus on this issue and the possibilities that gives us renewable energy to correct it.

Graficando this problem in figures can say that between 1400 and 1500 million people (about a world population of 7000 million) lack access to modern energy . While other 3 billion people depend on for the " traditionalbiomass " and coal as the main sources of energy. And as if this were little, another amount of millions of poor people cannot afford these energy services even if they are available.

Vale highlight that it is necessary to bring to reality the equation to comply with the real set objectives of The Millennium Development energy + sustainable development..

To this end, it is necessary to develop access to this energy modern, more economical and less polluting the world's poorest people.

To achieve this objective is essential then investment of technological resources to generate cleaner energy and at the same time improve the access of these new energy services to the community as a whole.

To ensure compliance with the "Millennium development goals" should be accompanied by national and international policies that encourage the use of new sources of renewable energy and low emission of greenhouse gases.

To the growing demand for energy worldwide is needed then the promotion of the development and dissemination of appropriate, affordable and sustainable energy technologies, as well as if necessary the transfer of technologies from advanced countries in developing countries.

That is why then that with the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, ONU-Energía, and a group of 20 United Nationsagencies coordination, they prepare the launch of a new proposal at the global level called Sustainable energy for all.

This play includes involving members of Governments, the private sector and civil associations around the world in order to achieve three specific targets for 2030. The main objectives are:

Ensure universal access to modern energy services. The more synthetic definition of 'access to energy' is the physical availability of modern energy services to meet basic human needs, at affordable costs. These energy services must be reliable, sustainable and, if possible, product of renewable energy or other energy sources with low carbon emissions. Reduce global energy intensity by 40%. Increase the use of renewable energy at the global level to 30 per cent.

Learn more about renewable energy

2012 International year of sustainable energy

Good news, no doubt, is for those who are in favour of the growth of renewable energy as a means for sustainable development. But certainly this "gesture" of the UN will not be a solution to the serious problems arising worldwide from the use of fossil fuels, it will be a good opportunity to bring more attention and point to awareness.

Why the UN choose this theme for the year 2012. One of the reasons pointing to the concept of energy as a means for the improvement of the quality of life of many (many) people around the world. In this regard, emphasize the social aspects of sustainable energyaccess.

The energy increases the productivity of farmers, helping to alleviate the scourge of hunger. Energy illuminates the learning on the way to reduce the high rates of illiteracy. Energy relieves the burden of work on millions of girls and women. Energy saves the life of sick children. Energy allows to modernize diagnosis systems, helping to prevent diseases or better care of children and pregnant women. Energy gives the operating rooms, giving doctors the power to heal and save lives. Energy enables communication and the improvement of life in thousands of previously isolated communities energy opens bridges to the future and helps equip opportunities.

While the benefits of sustainable energy that we have described just seem very encouraging, reality unfortunately far from take this to the majority of the people.

In the presentation of the project, the United Nations published very worrying statistics do not if corroborate the huge disparity in our world.

Approximately between 1400 and 1500 million (21 per cent of the world's population) has no access to modern energy . 3 billion people (40% of the population) depend of the « traditionalbiomass » or coal as a source of energy. At the same time, in countries with energy systems, millions of low-income people cannot access them by inability to pay this service.

The big leap to incorporate these masses of people to the possibility of electrical energy is a priority. But it is important to note that the energy must be sustainable. I.e., their production and their use must not harm to the environment or the communities. For this reason, the response to this need is renewable energy.

Renewable energy is inexhaustible, put in feeds on natural resources - as its name - you you renew: wind, solar, wave, geothermal sources, etc. It does not generate pollution in the process of generation.

And here do not complete the benefits... It is more economical in the long term, and does not require mega investment as it required for a nuclear power plant or a thermoelectric power station. It does not require a network to work, since it can be generated independently in each community and each House. And is more secure (only remember Fukushima).

In short, is the energy of the future… a future we must build.

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UrbanTile: Concept Design for Sustainable Energy Inspires

UrbanTile is an exciting concept piece for sustainable energy use

Look carefully and begin counting the hundreds of types of energy that pass by every day, never captured and never used. Put these observational challenges before students and amazing results can sometimes occur.

Case in point: Meidad Marzan, an industrial design student from the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel, has designed a remarkable concept device called the UrbanTile that would harness the solar energy city buildings absorb during the day for their lighting needs at night.

UrbanTile was Merzan’s graduation project for his course in the Industrial Design Dept. at Bezalel Academy of Art & Design in Jerusalem

The UrbanTile is a small solar panel that can be flipped to reveal a light-emitting screen. Banded together into rows, the panels become a window blind that forms a light or an entertainment display.

The panels could be made from aluminum and stainless steel, featuring an OLED screen on one side and photovoltaic panel on the other. Incorporating electrical motors to move them, they could be programmed to turn automatically at different times of the day. Designed to be mounted into windows, the panels could be turned to rest at various angles allowing light in during the day whilst absorbing solar energy.

In the evening, the OLED screens would be turned to face indoors to light up rooms and also provide a bank of screens for media playback. At night, the light emitting side could also be turned outwards to produce engaging patterns of light (SEE THE VIDEO) on the sides of buildings.

According to gizmag, the thinness and brightness of OLED screens, along with their low power consumption and brilliant color reproduction would make them a good fit for this kind of display technology.

The video below shows examples of how large scale uses of the UrbanTile on the sides of buildings might look. The servo motors turn the panels into different formations like a fluid canvas of light. Other uses would be for the display of messages, images and video for advertising purposes.

Concept pieces such as this that explore renewable and sustainable energy solutions should be endlessly encouraged, and funded, if possible, providing either grant money, scholarships, or meaningful internships. In the end, we all come out winners.

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The REPSOL Foundation Develops Sustainable Project

On this basis, the REPSOL Foundation has created a new initiative to enable new talent, those people with their own ideas and ambition to change things, to develop their projects.

-This new initiative is aimed at those who have already created a business or those who want to create it centered in the field of efficient energy.What the REPSOL Foundation proposes, is a contest that outlining the different projects and they as a Foundation, would help the winner to develop your project.

Such aid would not only focus on the economic, but that also will provide professionals with high experience in the sector to have excellent technical, legal and business advice .This initiative is a real opportunity to grow or start in this field.

Creating new businesses and create jobs is a great pillar that develops the entrepreneurs Fund, created entirely with private capital.As in all contests, there is a date limit for the proposal, you have until the 30 of November.

Once past the deadline, a prestige jury will be in charge of selecting the winning project, which will be announced during the first months of 2012.

Normally, humans timeless dreaming to do one or the other thing, today you have the opportunity to put your dreams in progress and submit your own project the Repsol Foundation.

With luck, you'll be working on something that you love and security that this can have a positive impact on the lives of many others and the world in general.

The REPSOL Foundation proposes you to make your dream achievable challenge, join a project unforgettable.

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SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES

"Sustainability" and "going green" are words that are popular and are used in excess, but many business owners now discover that to carry out their operations with an ecological vision can help to reduce costs, to rethink old business practices and to open doors to new opportunities.

Here are some tips to get started:

START from the top: The commitment to return more eco-friendly to a business has to come from the management consultant, said Dan Bramblett, Executive in Estes Heating and Air Conditioning, contractor with headquarters in Atlanta: "Catch employees is the key to ensure that everyone is involved".

DO an inventory: To start analysing the business operations from the point of view of reducing energy consumption and waste: "Escudriñe workplaces where more money spent". The areas to be considered are lighting, energy for the functioning of its equipment, heating, air conditioning, transport and use of water.

With Estes, the largest expenditure of the company after the staff was transport and the maintenance of the fleet. As part of its energy audit, Estes found that eight of its large size trucks were assigned to sales that did not need them to make business decisions. The company began to replace the trucks with hybrid sedans, which increased the performance of gasoline of 7 kilometers per liter 16 kilometers per liter.

MAKE it simple: As an example, could turn off electronic devices during the night, the lights of roof during the hours of sunlight and open Windows to have natural ventilation instead of turning on the air-conditioning.

Adam Prochaska, partner in the firm of lawyers Harding & Shultz, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is trying to his colleagues to reduce the use of paper.

A portion of that role is used to print emails, which are filed in the records of clients. Instead, Prochaska and a handful of other more lawyers have begun to electronically archive these emails. He believes that if all the lawyers in the firm were to adopt this practice, you could save when less 8 thousand dollars a year in costs of paper, printing, workforce and file.

Look for discounts: once took it easy, the next step is to invest in energy efficient equipment: heating systems, air conditioners and other Office equipment. However, before thinking about that, check the local and federal programmes of incentives and discounts available from many public utility companies and Governments.

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

Gradually the sustainable housing in our country begins open way, since there agreement specialists of real estate, approximately 50,000 homes this type in all Mexico, far short of new and used housing.

In the differences we can find a sustainable housing and a common and current, we find the following:

Reduction in the CO2 emissions, use of thermal blocks that retain heat or bring a cooler environment, savers pockets of energy harvesting rain water and wastewater to make them not drinking for purposes of irrigation, changing toilet for 4 litres boxes, use paintings anti reflejantes, use of solar cells to heat water, separation of organic and inorganic waste.

And cost, sustainable housing can be between 25 and 40 per cent more expensive by the type of materials and specific facilities. Savings is in maintenance costs than on average is 25% per month (for consumption of electricity, gas, water).

Yet we cannot speak there a culture of sustainable in Mexico, housing it is first necessary to have the infrastructure necessary to build this type of housing.