Month: June 2011

If you have ever travelled to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney on the east coast of Australia, the image of the azure haze of the eucalypt gums will remain etched in your mind’s eye forever. The eucalyptus oil that is responsible for the magnificent haze is a versatile and complex substance, comprising more than 100 different compounds. Hailing from the Myrtaceae family, the tree has received a great deal of interest from environmentalists and researchers because of its novel and complex compound composition. While many of the compounds found in the eucalypt are highly effective on their own, when they combine and connect, they produce superior therapeutic and antiseptic results and outcomes. In recent years, their potential as a bio-fuel has also been thoroughly researches and lauded.[1]

These compounds that form the basis of eucalyptus oil are cultivated worldwide from small village cash-crop concerns such in Peru, Africa, and Kodaikanal and other hill stations in Southern India, through to large scale harvesting and steam distillation concerns in China, South Africa, Portugal and Australia. The power and prominence of the gum leave has undoubtedly gone global!

Envirosafe Solutions is well aware of the commercial viability and the strong antibacterial qualities of many of the eucalyptus tree’s compounds and has sourced industrial eucalyptus oil for its Extreme Green Disinfectant.  The cineole-based oil has strong antibacterial effects, which translates to a cleaner and more serene living environment, free from germs and nasty microbial activity. This product is of commercial grade and standard, so it is suitable for larger scale cleaning jobs in office areas, schools, factories, large toilet and shower areas in sporting clubs, as well as gritty refuse areas and virtually anywhere where odours cause a problem.

Extreme Green Disinfectant has a fresh eucalyptus perfume, leaving the cleaned area fragrant and sparkling. It is even safe to use in septic tanks because of its full biodegradability and it also retains its efficiency in both hard and soft water. It’s therefore suitable for cleaning in remote areas and regions in industries such as mining and agriculture. Most importantly it is completely safe and easy to use and won’t hurt your family, your pets or your workforce. For general disinfecting, simply dilute Eucalyptus Disinfectant at a ratio of 1:30 with water. And for more rigorous requirements of heavy duty cleaning, simply alter the ratio and increase the ratio to a 1:20 with water. This ratio will work best for harder tasks such as refuse areas, rubbish bins and ingrained and soiled areas.

Like other Envirosafe Solutions quality products, Extreme Green Eucalyptus Disinfectant has an indefinite shelf life when stored appropriately,* which means your dollar goes further and lasts longer and there is no need to watch that “use by date” label!

Envirosafe Solutions is able to supply quality eucalyptus based disinfectant of superior quality which is suitable for home, commercial and industrial use.

Telephone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70.

*store in a cool, dry and well ventilated location away from direct sunlight.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus

We need them. We rely on them. Just about everyone in Australia has one. And there is nothing worse than entering into one and finding it dirty, smelly and unclean.

Yes…we are talking about the humble loo… the WC, the lav, the khazy, the good old Aussie backyard dunny.[1] And whether it is an outhouse OR an in-house, whether it is a pristine part of your home or office space or a light-weight transportable port-a-loo, the good old toilet in all its guises and designs, all its shapes and sizes…needs regular cleaning.

E-Coli

Toilets are a rich breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria. One such nasty is E-coli, a fecal coliform commonly found in human and animal intestines and also in fecal waste matter. While some forms of fecal coliform and E.coli are harmless, others are known to cause severe gastric and dehydration problems which are painful, costly and debilitating. [2]

The Shiga Toxigenic E.coli infection (E.coli 0111 and E.coli 0157) are known to cause diarrheal illness, nausea and vomiting and abdominal cramps, and at worst, can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which is characterized by kidney failure, bleeding and anemia. These strains of E.coli are easily spread – particularly when individuals come into indirect contact with the particles in contaminated water.

A clean loo is a healthy loo

Envirosafe Solutions understands the need to keep the toilet area of your house or office free from such nasties. Its Extreme Green Toilet Bowl Cleaner is formed from a high foaming sanitizing and cleaning gel with increased viscosity, which means more product punch for your money. It’s phosphate free, non-toxic and has a three point green Envirosafe Hazard rating, making it safe to use in any environment.

Envirosafe Solutions also produces a port-loo companion product that is designed for use in long drop, septic and portable toilets. Great for caravans, boats or remote regions where cassette style or the long drop systems may be in use, The Extreme Green Porta-loo Treatment is fully bio-degradable and can be emptied into a caravan’s waste-system or and enviro-cycle type system with the minimum of fuss. It keeps the area fresh, germ-free and appropriately perfumed and has an indefinite shelf life, making it great for remote areas and travelling. Extreme Green Porta-Loo Treatment is also free of formaldehyde which means it can be used without harming this beautiful land of ours. Simply pour 25 ml into the holding tank with 250mls of water once every seven days for optimum results. Rest assured your toilet area will be clean, germ-free with low waste-impact on the environment.

Call Envirosafe for all your toilet cleaning products, on 1300 88 9070

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet

[2] Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) Infection Fact Sheet. NSW Department of Health. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/shigatoxigenic.html

Any kind of hazardous waste spill can be toxic, dangerous and potentially threatening to a population. On a large scale, one only needs to consider recent events such as the Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident to understand the full ramifications of a massive spill or leakage of toxic material. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, in the case of Fukushima there is some risk of radiation contamination through exposure to foodstuff s such as milk and vegetables with radioactive casein and radioactive iodine detected in these products. There is also a continued twenty km exclusion zone around the site, which has meant the complete cessation of entire communities and populations which will now need to be rehoused. [1]

Like Exxon Valdez and the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Fukushima Daiichi situation is a worst case scenario, gaining major news coverage globally and impacting communities, flora and fauna in extreme ways. But all over the globe, each day, there are literally millions of spills and accidents involving toxic materials that go unchecked, unnoticed and untreated. When there is a clean-up of these mini-spills, they are often performed haphazardly and without due attention, resulting in residual toxic material being left to seep into drain systems, waterways, the groundwater table, the soil and the immediate environment. Oils and petroleum are particularly onerous spill materials, because of this ready ability to leach into the soil and to nearby waterways.

Envirosafe Solutions has formulated an excellent product response to this type of accident, with its Extreme Green SpillZorbe/Zeolite. SpillZorbe/Zeolite is tested to USEPA standards and does not leach into landfill once removed and deposited there in accordance with safe disposal methods.

The natural bonding action of the zeolite makes it a great deal more successful in adsorption and absorption and its particle size gradation successfully maximizes its surface area and therefore its efficacy. It can also be used for bitumen spills, mild acids and alkalis, paint and ink and dyes as well as various other organic toxins.[2] SpillZorbe/Zeolite also has a maximum Envirosafe Hazard rating for health, environment and transport and storage, making it safer to use in the home and the workshop.

It is fully biodegradable, and easy to use; “simply spread the Zeolite around the perimeter of the spill then work in from the edges towards the centre until no free liquid is visible.”[3] It’s as simple as that. However, always dispose of it appropriately in accordance with any local, state and federal regulations.

A spill does not have to be a major global event to require careful attention. Be aware of the smaller spills that occur every day around the house, the workshop, the garage and the office. And be sure to use a quality product that can clean up the residue quickly and effectively.

Call Envirosafe Solutions for product advice and purchase 1300 88 90 70

[1] http://www.iaea.org/About/japan-infosheet.html

[2] www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat=28&product=41

[3] ibid

Envirosafe Solutions brings you an update on the United Nations’ latest information on renewable energy approaches. Staying abreast of current and up to date information on sustainable global practices is a feature of the Envirosafe approach to green issues and concerns.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change maintains it is feasible to project that renewable energy can account for 80% of the world’s energy within forty years. The panel, which is overseen and convened by The United Nations comprises the world’s leading climatologists, and is currently investigating realistic options to the world’s current energy plight. Central to their findings, is the issue of disparate and obstructionist government policies worldwide, which are preventing the effective transition to renewables on a global scale. According to Ramon Pichs, co-chair of one of the panel’s working groups, “the report shows that it is not the availability of renewable resources but the public policies that will either expand or constrain renewable in the coming decades.” Developing countries have an important stake in the future – this is where most of the 1.4 billion people without access to electricity live yet also where some of the best conditions exist for renewable energy deployment.”[1]

These findings, launched at the IPCC’s Abu Dhabi Working Group Sessions on 9^th May 2011 augur well for the planet’s future, providing there is policy support from national governments across the world. Youba Sokona, The Co-Chair of the panel’s Working Group III has added that “the potential role of renewable energy technologies is meeting the needs of the poor and in powering sustainable growth of developing and developed economies can trigger sharply polarized views. This IPCC report has brought some much needed clarity to this debate in order to inform government on the options and decisions that will be needed if the world is to collectively realize a low carbon, far more resource efficient and equitable development path.”[2]

The report also reviewed the six main renewable energy technologies:

• Bioenergy
• Direct solar energy
• Geothermal energy
• Hydropower
• Ocean energy
• Wind energy

Perhaps the most relevant aspect of the report is not so much an isolated consideration of these main renewables but a more in-depth consideration of how these more sustainable forms of energy production can be integrated into existing and future energy approaches and systems and policies.

The report also maintains public policies that recognize and “reflect the wider social, economic and environmental benefits of renewable energies, including their potential to cut air pollution and improve public health, will be key for meeting the highest renewable deployment scenarios.”[3]

In view of the Government’s latest 2011 budget in Australia, which left the issue of the environment clearly off the fiscal agenda, it will be interesting to see how Australia responds to the panel’s latest findings. One hopes a full understanding of the need for policy that supports the use of renewables can be developed and implemented worldwide in the coming years.

Envirosafe Solutions is a proudly Australian owned company that supports the use of renewables in industry, homes and business. Call Envirosafe Solutions for more information on their environmentally sustainable products.

Envirosafe Solutions 1300 88 90 70

[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/environemnt/2011/may/09/ipcc-renewable-energy-power-world

[2] Press Release, IPCC, 2011. http://ipcc.ch/index.htm

[3] Ibid.

Anyone who has lived near or worked around the sea or the ocean knows that salt build up and encrustations are a real problem. The repeated splashing of waves coupled with the process of evaporation often leaves surfaces caked and opaque, and in more extreme cases crusted or filmed with salt crystals that are unsightly and difficult to remove. But more than that, this nasty salt residue can also be classified as a real safety issue, because the film that builds can continue to develop until normal vision through the glass surface is dulled, distorted and in extreme cases, completely obscured.

Envirosafe Solutions has developed a highly effective product that cuts through these salt build ups and can restore glass surfaces to full transparency and full safety levels.  Originally developed and designed for the Navy, Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green Marine Glass Cleaner removes the salt residues from all types of “ships glass including portholes or any glass surface exposed to salt water spray. Marine craft of all types, Aircraft, Port cranes Vehicles and Buildings and Construction equipment”[1] used near the sea can all be treated with The Extreme Green Marine Glass Cleaner.

Australia is largely a coastal dwelling continent, and many of its inhabitants live on or near coast areas where salt spray, rust and salt and sand encrustations are a part of everyday life. Extreme Green Marine Glass Cleaner is particularly suitable in areas such as these, where vehicles and household glass surfaces such as windows and screens are under constant exposure from the sea-charged elements. Properties and businesses repeatedly exposed to salt spray benefit enormously from this effective and easy-to-use product.

There are a number of benefits to Extreme Green Marine Glass Cleaner. It works quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and cost usually devoted to cleaning marine glass surfaces. And, it can be applied easily and smoothly, directly onto the surface using an atomiser or a similar washer system. There is no fuss and no major preparation required. To complete the job, just follow up with a simple brush and wipe off with a clean and dry cloth. For larger areas squeegees and windscreen wipers can be used with no damage to your equipment or your surfaces.

If you are based around salt water or the sea, or require an outstanding marine glass cleaner for your marine vessels, speak with Envirosafe Solutions’ friendly staff, who can assist you with all your product requirements. Extreme Green Marine Glass Cleaner is available in package sizes ranging from 4 litres through to 1000 litres, making it equally suitable for home, small business and major industry use.

Telephone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat=9&product=6

What’s that smell? It’s early morning and you arrive at your workplace. It could be a factory or an industrial site. It could be a commercial kitchen or even an aircraft hangar or a veterinary clinic.  It’s a working site where large scale undertakings occur regularly and where benches and sinks are regularly wiped down to minimize soil, dirt, the accumulation of waste product.

Boy oh Boy! And this morning, that smell is bad….in fact it’s downright “on the nose!”

The sludge in the drains has built up again and it’s your job to maintain a high standard of health and cleanliness. So…what can you do?

Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment is the solution to the problem. It’s a waste and odour treatment that is kind to the environment because it is a “non-toxic and stable fermentation based product that contains special bio-degradable and environmentally responsible surfactants that utilize naturally occurring compounds.  These compounds actually stimulate microbiological activity that clears odour and sludge in septic systems, long drop toilets grease traps, sinks and drains and even holding ponds, freshening your environment and ridding it of unpleasant smells and odours.”[1]

It’s not only highly effective but also environmentally sound. It won’t hurt our waterways and it won’t damage our landscape. And, when used as directed it has the potential to revitalize the system as it destroys and eliminates the unpleasant smells.

Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment can be used in animal areas and veterinary facilities, in food preparation areas and even in abattoirs and chicken and fish processing plants where massive amounts of animal fats and by-product accumulate and need treatment in accompanying holding ponds.

It can also be used in garbage and refuse areas and can be sprayed into garbage disposal units and vehicles to cut down on odour, and has an almost indefinite shelf life when it is stored correctly.*

Whether your industry or concern is large scale or small, Envirosafe Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment is available in a packaging size to suit your needs. Whether it is 4 litres or 10 litres, 205 litres or 1,000 litres, Envirosafe Solutions supplies you with quantities that are tailored to your requirements and to your storage areas.

What’s more, Envirosafe’s Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment can even be diluted down to a ratio of 1:100 with water for general purpose cleaning and at a 1:25 ratio for heavy duty cleaning. There’s no need to double up or triple up on a whole storage facility of single use products.  Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment does it all.  Non-toxic, kind to our delicate environment, safe and bio-degradable and containing only naturally occurring ingredients, Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment is the perfect solution to distinct and difficult odours in your workplace.

Call Envirosafe Solutions now to order, on 1300 88 90 70.

*Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated location away from direct sunlight.

[1] http://www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat-21&product=21

Did you know that “conventional electricity from the supply grid currently produces the largest amount of C02 of any energy source per unit of energy used, except in Tasmania where most of the electric power is sourced from hydroelectricity?”[1] Given our reliance on electricity, it certainly gives us a bit to think about in terms of our own usage and our wish to make a personal difference to the plight of the planet.

So, what does it actually mean to “go green?” How can an individual implement new approaches and more sustainable practices in the home and office? There are so many ways we can convert words into action, if we are informed and educated about new green technologies and new green approaches. Developing an energy efficient life approach is just one way of contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as well as reducing your energy bills considerably. Envirosafe Solutions offers some easy tips and ideas to help the average householder and business on their way….It’s all about action….

Envirosafe Tips to Increase Your Energy Efficiency

• Install solar power panels on your roof.
• Replace old light bulbs with new energy efficient “smart” bulbs. Think about CFLs (compact fluorescents) which use 80% less energy and last up to ten times longer than normal bulbs.
• Turn off light switches and power points before bed. Your electricity bills will reduce dramatically and you will also be slashing your household’s CO2 emissions.
• Don’t hesitate to have a home or office assessment done. Sustainability assessments involve a specialized consideration of your approach to power use, water use, refrigeration, cooking and can be done in a couple of hours.
• When replacing appliances, source energy efficient versions and brands. Appliances actually account for around 30% of a household’s energy usage. Make sure to source brands that have an Australian energy rating label with lots of stars! (The more stars…the greater the efficiency.)
• When replacing your refrigerator, be sure to purchase a size suited to your lifestyle and your real needs. A big, bold empty fridge that has lots of empty shelves for a couple or a small family, might look great but it will cost a lot more to run.
• Front loader washing machines are known to be more water and energy efficient. Consider replacing your old top-loader with an eco-friendly front loader.
• Consider insulation. Insulation prevents heat loss in winter and obstructs heat gain in summer.
• TURN OFF THAT DRYER and hang the clothes outside! Did you know that a run of the mill clothes dryer actually contributes up to 3kilograms of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere with every load that is dried?
• Buy a clothes horse and have an undercover drying area for rainy days.
• Cut down on draughts in your office and/or your home. Did you know that blocking draughts around windows and doors can cut your energy bills by a massive 25%?
• When cooking, think twice about using the oven. Ovens chew up energy at an alarming rate. Consider a fan-forced oven which uses less electricity, or if possible, switch to electric fry pans and even pressure cookers.
• Check seals on your oven and your fridge
• Don’t continually boil water unnecessarily
• Remember to use a toaster as opposed to a stove or oven griller. Toasters use far less energy and are also more convenient![2]

We hope you enjoy these practical tips and can put them into action…soon.

And lastly of course, source environmentally safe household and industry products that are less harmful to the planet, such as those produced by Australia’s very own Envirosafe Solutions.

Call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70

[2] http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/energy/

It’s a dry and barren land…and it’s going to get drier. Climatologists predict water will become a more and more precious resource in the coming decades. And with this realization comes a reevaluation of the types of water we use and re-use and the various efficiency measures we can employ to cut our water bills and respect the environment at the very same time. According to the Western Australian Code of Practice for the Reuse of Greywater 2010, we need to “promote acceptable long-term greywater reuse and promote conservation of our quality ground and surface water supplies without compromising public health.”[1]

The longstanding impact of extensive drought in Australia as well as the strain placed on current water supplies by increasing population growth has meant that a concerted approach to the reuse of greywater has become viable and preferable as a mainstream undertaking.  The WA Code notes there are distinct advantages arising from greywater reuse, which include:

• A reduction in potable water demand
• A reduction in the amount of wastewater discharged directly into oceans and rivers
• Healthier gardens, especially through drought periods
• A clear reduction in household water bills.[2]

So…that’s the theory. Great. But Envirosafe Solutions wants to help you with practical suggestions for greywater use in your home or workplace. Here’s a list of active things you can do…

• When considering the installation of a greywater system, match reality and need with type of system. There are literally hundreds of systems on the market so be informed and buy one that suits your purposes. DO you need one for indoor use and outdoor use, or will you be restricting your greywater use to the garden?
• Check with local and state governments to see if you are eligible for assistance or rebates.
• Match a system to your existing plumbing and drainage. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing a system that is incompatible with the current plumbing in your home or office.
• When purchasing a greywater system, be sure to enquire about hidden costs. Does the timer, pump or any extra fittings come with the system, or do they cost extra?
• BE fully informed on how to maintain your new system.
• Try to keep the wastewater as clean as you can and favour cleaning products that are compatible with greywater use. You’ll be surprised at how many cleaning products are incompatible with greywater systems.[3]

Envirosafe Solutions range of eco-friendly liquids are 100% Australian made and absolutely safe to use with your greywater system. Envirosafe Solutions can advise you on their full range of products so that you can implement a greywater system and plan in your home that is environmentally safe, friendly to the family and cost-effective.

Phone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] Code of Practice for the Reuse of Greywater in Western Australia 2010

[2] Ibid. Pp7.

[3] http://livinggreener.gov.au/water/greywater/install-greywater-system

Envirosafe Solutions keeps a close watch on environmental related events and decisions in Australia and beyond. A recent court decision in New Zealand may eventually influence our own country’s relationship with environmental organisations, their tactics and their status in terms of not-for profit entities.

A 2011 New Zealand High Court decision has stripped New Zealand’s Greenpeace of its “charity status.”  A May 6 appeal was rejected by Justice Paul Heath, who stated that Greenpeace’s “political activities can no longer be regarded as ‘merely ancillary’ to its charitable purposes and that the NZ Charities Commission had been correct in disqualifying it for registration for potentially illegal activities.”[1]

The decision centred around the notion of illegality in relation to Non-Violent Direct Action – a potent form of resistance and activism that hold the opponent morally accountable through a tactic of non-violent resistance. At issue in the New Zealand High Court decision was the specific tactic of “trespass” which has been used by Greenpeace at times.

Justice Heath went on to say that the NZ Charity Commission was “correct in holding that non-violent, but potentially illegal activities (such as trespass,) were designed to put (in the eyes of Greenpeace) objectionable activities into the public spotlight,” and that these “were an independent object disqualifying it from registration as a charitable entry.”[2]

Non-violent Direct Action has a strong history exemplified in the US Civil Rights Movement and the mass civil disobedience resistance lead by Mahatma Gandhi in India in the early 20^th Century. It focuses on concentrated passive resistance and is closely aligned to Quaker philosophy and values. Violence is deemed unacceptable morally as a protest tactic. In 2007 John Hepburn, Greenpeace Energy Campaigner, spoke of this Greenpeace, approach as it applied in an Australian context. “There will be accusations of violence and of being ‘un-Australian.’ And the thing is we’ll need to remember what is actually important. Life. And our children’s future. The consequences of doing nothing on climate change are just far too devastating, violent and irresponsible to contemplate. So…Greenpeace will continue taking peaceful direct action as we have done for thirty years.”[3]

Only time will tell whether the New Zealand High Court ruling will have a seepage effect into the Australian context and on Greenpeace’s use of Non Violent Direct Action tactics here.  If this is the case in the future, the modus operandi of many charitable organisations linked with environmental change will be affected considerably.

One thing does remain clear and that is the need for consistent effort in relation to environmental concerns and issues worldwide. Each of us can play a small part, from more vocal and robust activism through to considered choices regarding the products we use in the home, in the office, in our schools and in our industry.  Each of us can join the Green Revolution.

Call Envirosafe Solutions and find out more about their range of quality Australian made enviro-friendly products  1300 88 90 70 .

[1] McBeth, P. “Greenpeace too political to register as a charity, NZ court rules.” Sourced: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1105/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Hepburn,J. Thirty years of Peaceful Direct Action. http://www.greenpeace.org.au/Australia/news-and-events/opinions/30-years-of-peaceful-direct-ac

Envirosafe Solutions encourages all householders to consider their sustainability practices within the home, and also to consider the way in which they travel to and from work and to and from recreational activities or social events of a weekend. According to the Australian Government’s Living Greener website, “the average passenger car travels 13,700 kilometres per year and emits 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. And, for every litre of petrol used in a motor vehicle, 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide are emitted from the exhaust.”[1]

In today’s world, we have an acute dependence on our cars and while they are convenient, mostly reliable and facilitate ease of travel, they are a grave threat to the atmosphere because of their CO2 emissions.  But there are a number of simple actions we can take that can reduce our own contributions to greenhouse gases and help shift the world towards a brighter and greener future.

• When purchasing a new or a used car, be sure to research the efficiency of make and model on the Australian governments Green Vehicle Guide website. The site helps with a simple and effective rating system that is “calculated using data provided by manufacturers from testing the vehicle against Australian standards.” [2]
• Use public transport. Every time you use public transport it makes a difference! It’s never too little…or too late. Have you ever noticed how many peak hour cars hold only one individual? Take a brisk walk to the train station or the bus or the ferry and read the paper on the way to work. You’ll get some exercise in as an added bonus.
• Have you thought about car-pooling? Car-pooling is an extremely effective method of reducing emissions and costs to consumers. Are there a few employees in your place of business who live near each other? Perhaps you could settle on a collection point and take one car from there to your collective destination.
• Ride a bicycle the whole or part of the way to work or to school. You’ll save a fortune in petrol and it will do wonders for your heart, lungs and general health.

Committing to a reduction in the use of a motor vehicle is not a “huge ask.” It simply requires forward planning and thinking, and a willingness to change some ingrained habits that are interlinked with our strong dependence on that motor vehicle out in the garage. Try a few small and simple changes to begin with and work up from there.  It’s never too late to join the Green Revolution.

For information on a green approach to work and household practices, call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70

[1] http://livinggreener.gov.au/travel

[2] http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au

Graffiti continues to pose a substantial cost to local and state governments, nationally. Time and again, community members wake to find an expanse of pristine wall across the road from their homes or businesses, “tagged” with the latest spray painted graphics of street artists who use public and private wall spaces, roads and street surfaces as their canvases. It is an ongoing problem and an ongoing concern and costs the taxpayer millions of dollars each year.

In an effort to curb the problem, South Australian Police have proposed a new approach, stating that offenders should be made to pay compensation.

At the moment, the laws governing graffiti in South Australia are under review and up for consideration are ideas in relation to effective punitive measures that actually deter graffiti artists from tagging. South Australian Police Commissioner Mal Hyde believe “a HECS style scheme where offenders are made to pay compensation for the damage their graffiti causes, once their income is high enough,”[1] may be the way to approach it.

Director of the South Australian Youth affairs Council, Anne Bainbridge disagrees and says restorative justice s a more effective method of dealing with youth graffiti. “This entails young people who have committed graffiti vandalism being involved in cleaning the vandalism or restoring the vandalism, and also engaging with the broader community about the effect that behavior has on the community.”[2]

The problem is so significant Australia wide, that the New South Wales government has even issued a detailed publication on graffiti for use by local government, planners and designers. Titled the “NSW Graffiti Solutions Handbook,” it outlines the cost to the community, its sub-cultural value to youth as a component of contemporary pop culture, as well as various means and ways of addressing the management of graffiti and its removal, across the state.  Part of the approach entails educating youth on the development of legal pieces in designated local government areas or areas where youths might congregate such as youth centres, skate parks and recreational parks.[3]

Envirosafe Solutions has developed a highly effective and specialized graffiti cleaner that can remove tags and obtrusive and unwanted graffiti art from most surfaces. Extreme Green Graffiti Remover is an environmentally friendly alternative to older style graffiti removers that contained harsh, toxic acids that were unsafe and difficult to use.

It can remove liquid paper, crayon, whiteboard marker, permanent texta markings, ink and spray paint. And it can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as glass, brick wood, concrete, metals, masonry surfaces and plastic. It is suitable for use on just about any surface that has been vandalized by tagging and graffiti art.

If you require an eco-friendly graffiti remover for your surfaces, call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70

[2] Ibid.

[3] NSW Graffiti Solutions Handbook for Local Government, Planner, Designers and Developers. NSW Premiers Department. 2000.