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Greenpeace and Non-Violent Direct Action

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 20th 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

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Green Travel

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

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Graffiti – If you Spray You Pay

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

[1] Haxton, N.Payback  Proposed to punish graffiti vandals. http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/113213566.htm

[2] Ibid.

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

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Getting Rid of Gunk the Enviro-friendly Way

A commercial kitchen is a bustling and bombastic environment, fuelled by hard work, creativity and the delivery of food products that are tasty, well prepared, and clean and visually appealing. And the kitchen site where food is cooked needs to be fresh, clean and free from grease and caked on gunk that can compromise health and safety for clients, management and for staff.

We’ve probably all seen a large scale industrial kitchen at some point. Perhaps we’ve worked in one or perhaps we’ve seen its machinations on television. It’s a large-scale orchestrated production with big pots and big pans and big stoves and big ovens. Everything is downright BIG. Imagine an army barracks, or a naval ship. Imagine a functioning mid-shift hotel kitchen or a nursing home or a hospital concern where meals are prepared by the hundreds and even the thousands. You get the idea. Everything – including mess – is go go go.

Raw ingredients and raw produce are in bulk, and the ingredients are prepped and heated on massive griddles and stovetops. And by the end of the shift – with all that slip and slop and slap – the kitchen gunk is well and truly grimed in.

Ordinary cleaning products will not do the job. You need an outstanding kitchen degreaser that can work wonders in minutes and do it in a way that is economically viable and also environmentally safe and sound. In today’s hospitality and services industry, this is what is expected. In today’s workplace climate, this is what is required.

Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green Kitchen Degreaser contains no petro solvents or harsh acids.  It easily dissolves kitchen grease, caked and burnt foodstuffs and encrusted carbon deposits on griddles, stovetops and spiders. Your work areas will sparkle and shine like new, and will be ready and rearing to go for the next shift. It can also be used on exhaust fans and extraction filters and because it does not contain caustics, you know you can switch on fans and filters without the usual first switch odour that is both unfavourable and potentially hazardous to your workforce.

With an Envirosafe Green rating for health, environment and transporting, you know you are using a product that achieves results and also respects the delicate balance of the planet and the immediate environment.

Just place griddles and spiders into soak tanks and dilute Extreme Green Kitchen degreaser in accordance with directions and soak tank size. Forget hours and hours of elbow grease and endless scouring. Envirosafe Extreme Green Kitchen Degreaser can do the job for you while respecting and sustaining our delicate and much loved environment.

Telephone Envirosafe Solutions now  1300 88 90 70

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Eye of the Tiger

Envirosafe Solutions takes a brief look at the plight of the endangered Sumatran Tiger.

For the past thirty years, Australia has had an ongoing love affair with the small island of Bali. It is now a major tourist destination for vacationers wishing to experience a brief glimpse of Asia and all it has to offer, whilst maintaining a steady connection with western style resort level accommodation and services.

But how many Australians actually move beyond this Hindu-based Island and venture further a field into the island regions of Sumatra, Java and the smattering of smaller islands than comprise this highly populated country? How many are aware that just a plane flight away, the great Sumatran Tiger is under threat of extinction?

Many indeed would be unaware of the plight of the Sumatran Tiger in the region of Bukit Tigapuluh. Bukit Tigapuluh is one of the last remaining remnants of lush rainforest that earned Indonesia the nickname “Jewel of the Equator” over seventy years ago. Most recently, World Wildlife Fund camera traps “recorded an astounding 12 tigers in just two months in this area, including two mothers with cubs and three young tiger siblings playfully chasing a leaf.”[1]

The sense of innocence this image conveys is palpable. Cubs and mothers in the wild, snatching and clawing at jungle leaves and fraying vines conjure an idyllic existence befitting the pride of the forest. And yet, there are only some 400 Sumatran Tigers remaining in the wild, along with another five surviving subspecies (Bengal, Amur, Malayan, Indochinese and Chinese.) Today, the total number of all these tigers is estimated to be as few as 3,200 which is a far cry from the 100,000 in existence around a century ago. WWF is working to build the political, financial and public support to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022.

Around 10% – or approximately 30 – of the world’s remaining Sumatran Tigers inhabit the forest of Bukit Tigapuluh (or Thirty Hills, as it translates to in English.) Half of Bukit Tigapuluh is national park, but the flatland forest areas favoured by The Sumatran Tiger, the Orangutan and endangered elephants – those low lying areas outside of National Park control – “are under immediate threat from large scale commercial logging from the pulp and paper industry.”[2]

Envirosafe Solutions has a “think before you print” workplace approach, and prides itself on the development and maintenance of workplace practices that translate to recycling, sustainability and low paper usage. Envirosafe Solutions understands that we all have a choice, and when we purchase the typing paper that sits on our office desks and home work stations, we can check to see that it is sourced from recycled paper or from plantation timber rather than old growth forest areas.

The Sumatran Tiger faces extinction. Our work and home habits and practices can have a direct and indirect impact on the sustainability of threatened species in Australia and Indonesia and beyond.

An ethical approach to the environment is possible with Envirosafe Solutions.

Phone them for eco-friendly products on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2011/WWFPresitem21209.html?intcmp=HPPolaroid-CaughtonCamera

[2] Last Chance to Save Bukit Tigapuluh. Sumatran Tigers, elephants orang-utans and indigenous tribes face extinction along with forest. KKI WARSI,  Frankfurt Zoological Society, Eyes on the Forest, WWF-Indonesia, 2010.

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Spotlight on the Arctic

Envirosafe Solutions is concerned with the current state of our Australian and Pacific environment and is keen to minimize the impact industry and business has on our fragile world. While a focus on environmental issues often has a regional and localised flavor, it is still important to cast an eye around the globe and to assess the current state of affairs in regions other than our own.

The Arctic region is a massive area encompassing 30 million km2 or approximately one sixth of the planet’s entire landmass. It stretches over more than twenty time zones and is home to more than 30 indigenous groups. It is also one of the cleanest natural environments in the world. According to CAFF – The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Fund – the pristine Arctic habitats for fauna and flora are in decline, and some species in the tundra, sea ice and lakes and peatlands areas are reducing in number.[1]

On May 12 2011, challenges Facing Biodiversity in a changing Arctic” will be presented by CAFF as a unique side event to the upcoming 7th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting to be held in Nuuk, Greenland.  Key Findings of the 2010 paper, The Arctic Biodiversity Trend -2010: Selected Indicators of Change” will be delivered in the hope of pressing home the harsh realities of global warming currently faced by the Arctic region and its inhabitants. The paper also notes these apparent biodiversity alterations in a region largely forgotten about by much of the world will have pronounced global repercussions and effects that will resonate in years to come.

The short summer breeding season of the Arctic exemplifies the richness of the region. During this brief window, nearly 280 bird species arrive in the Arctic from regions as far away as South Africa, New Zealand and South America. Here, they take advantage of the endless sun-stretched days and the accompanying fauna and flora productivity that explodes seasonally. The impact of a shrinking ice mass (over the past thirty years seasonal minimal sea ice in the Arctic has decreased by 45,000 km2 a year, and increased temperatures has affected those flora and fauna species that have limited distribution or specialized feeding habits that are reliant on ice foraging. Species such as the ivory gull are in stark decline. The majestic wild reindeer and caribou have also seen a 33% reduction in populations and it is unclear at this stage whether population numbers will rebound.[2]In addition, the region’s biodiversity is impacted by other stressors such as long range transport of contaminants, unsustainable harvesting of wild species and a continuing and relentless grab for resources.

Tundra eco-systems comprising “various species of sedges, grasses, lichens and moss are being replaced by species typical of more southern locations, such as evergreen shrubs. Trees are even beginning to encroach on the tundra and some models project that by 2100 the tree line will have advanced as much as 500 kilometres” with a consequent 50% reduction in the tundra habitat.[3]

Certainly the emerging issues and challenges facing the Arctic region are complex, and greater awareness and publicizing of the issues faced in the Northern Hemisphere is required.

Envirosafe Solutions continues to support the initiatives of the Arctic Council and understands the unique interplay between northern and southern hemisphere regions due to the migratory patterns and routes of so many of Australia’s diverse coastal and marine bird species.

Join the Green Revolution. Phone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] Challenges facing Biodiversity in a Changing Arctic. http://caffportal.arcticportal.org.presscentre

[2] The Arctic Biodiversity Trend -2010: Selected Indicators for Change. Sourced at http://caffportal.arcticportal.org/images/nuuk_deliverables/Booklet_ABA_English.pdf

[3] Ibid. Pp. 7-8.

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Breaking the Ice

Any industry where large scale refrigeration is used, is aware of the problems associated with ice build-up.  As fluids are spilled in cool rooms and refrigeration areas, these convert to ice sheets and solids that are annoying, obstructive and unsafe. Ice build ups also contribute to increased energy consumption and electricity bills because as the ice builds up, motors need to work harder to maintain cool temperatures in storage units and cool room areas.

Envirosafe Solutions produces a quality ice breaker product that is non-biocidic and far safer to use than other ice breaks on the market.  The Extreme Green Ice Break contains only user-friendly non-hazardous solvents which are less harmful than harsher chemically based ice-breaks. It contains absolutely NO ethers or chlorides associated with other brands, and this means minimal risk to the operator and to the equipment. User friendly not only means increased safety in the workplace, but reduced cost and outgoings.  With Extreme Green Ice Break there is no need for layers and layers of expensive protective equipment and clothing, and this translates to increased efficiencies in terms of time taken for task done, a reduction in cost in relation to hazard protection clothing expenditure, and disruptions to work schedules in the affected cool room or refrigeration area.

One of the central benefits of this product is its rapid-action reaction with the ice surface. Once Extreme Green Ice Break is applied, the process of dismantling the iced area can begin within minutes. Because of its low toxicity it is also safe to use around foodstuffs, which means its use and application in rural and agricultural sectors is safe and effective.

It is specifically designed to remove “stain encrusted ice in cool rooms and chiller unit, as well as ice formed from water spills and staining,” which means your environments will not only be slip-free, but will present as fresh and clean as new.[1] Additionally, this product is simple and easy to use. Just follow the directions and apply with an atomizer, a brush or a broom. There’s no need for hours of waiting…just give it two or three minutes of contact time and then begin the process of brushing or wiping off.  It’s also extremely versatile and can be applied to a myriad of surfaces including glass, concrete, metals including steel and aluminium, painted surfaces and even plastic and Perspex.

And because it is safer to use than other ice breaks, it is easier to clean up and dispose of.

If you require a product that can reduce ice-build ups and stain encrusted frozen areas in your cool rooms and refrigeration units, then Extreme Green Ice Break is ideal for you and your business.

Simple purchase of this product is just a phonecall away.

Call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] http://www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat=29&product=38

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Big Business is Green Business

Every year, Cleanup Australia releases its annual rubbish report, and for the sixteenth consecutive year, plastic came in at number one as the most ubiquitous form of rubbish littering our beautiful country. And not much is different overseas. The Pacific plastic soup grows larger day by day, and the problem with plastic bags continues for marine life such as turtles, fish, sea birds and dolphins and whales. While some Australian store chains such as Target have replaced their free supply of plastic bags with pay per bag programs using biodegradable substitutes[1], the issue remains widespread and endemic.

In Bangalore in India, the problem is even worse. Each day, 9000 tonnes of plastic contributes to the waste of this city, clogging streets and roads and parks at an alarming rate. However, there is one businessman who has turned this massive problem into a win-win for the Bangalore community and population and for his own family run business.[2]

For many years, K. Ahmed Khan ran a Bangalore factory producing the very plastic bags that are creating pollution havoc around the world. With his brother, he sought to redress this imbalance and turned his efforts into reusing plastic waste products and plastic bags in novel and new ways that were useful, financially viable and ethical. At a local Bangalore dump yard, he began experimenting with a mix of bitumen and shredded plastic from discarded bags and plastic refuse, employing the “untouchable” rag pickers to fossick through the dumps and collect as much of the plastic rubbish as they were able. [3]

Bangalore lies in the southern region of India and is subject to high monsoonal rainfall that impacts city infrastructure annually. Roads, bridges, road surfaces and other structures are frequently washed away, pot-holed and pitted by the relentless rains, costing the regional government billions and billions of rupiah in road upkeep and replacement.

K .Ahmed Khan and his brother began an application of the new bitumen mix as road surface and tested its ongoing durability. Fortified with the recycled shredded plastic acting as a powerful binding agent, the new mix not only satisfied the local Bangalore community but also led to the eventual development of a more durable road surface that lasts years longer than the previous road surface mix. As Khan himself explains, “Typically, bitumen is mixed with new plastic, but what we’re doing is mixing it with plastic from bottles and food packages and plastic bags.” It’s a simple and easy solution to a pressing environmental problem. And, as a result, this successful business no longer demands new plastic for its road mix, and uses an existing and recyclable supply that’s already a cause for concern in Bangalore and its many dumps. And it also employs some of the poorest members of the Bangalore population in the process.

Business like KK Plastic in Bangalore in India, and Envirosafe Solutions in Australia can, and are, making a difference. Envirosafe Solutions’ Extreme Green Range of products is far less toxic to the environment than many standard liquid products. Telephone Envirosafe Solutions for more information on their Extreme Green range on 1300 88 90 70

[1]http://www.target.com.au/html/aboutus/img/compostablebags/mediarelease2009.pdf

[2] Relph, M.K. Where the roads are paved with plastic. http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2011/04/18/3192740.htm

[3] http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangalore-activist-on-the-road-to-plastic-success-story/46501-3.html

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A Bug’s Life

It’s a bug’s life! Or is it?

Any industry that uses diesel fuel will be beset by the good old “fuel or diesel bug.” More commonly known as Cladisporium resinae, or Hormoconis resinae, the sludge waste produced by this nasty little critter has the potential to corrode the metal structure of fuel tanks, in turn risking human life and blowing out cost to industry.

The good old diesel bug actually lives in the water found in fuel, and is known to collect at the base of tanks, near drainage sectors and vent bays and areas where condensation may occur. While large scale fungi infestations could lead to blockages in the fuel system, the most pressing problem lies with the more commonly occurring corrosion that is a frequent accompaniment to smaller-scale infestations. In aviation especially, it can cause pitting and corrosion to the fuel tanks and wing structure which has potentially life-threatening consequences.[1]

A successful and cost-effective eradication plan for the fuel bug needs to be a part of any business that is reliant on diesel and fuel. And in this day and age, it is important any implemented plan is also environmentally safe and sound.

Envirosafe Solutions has a one-stop answer to the problem. Efficient, easy to use and with negligible environmental impact, The Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer is a fast and effective method of control and eradication – safeguarding industry, the environment and human populations against this pervasive little pest. And, “when added to fuel, it absorbs all the water, thus breaking the chain in the environment in which the Diesel Bug can survive. Without water, the bug suffocates and dies, and passes through the filter system until it is finally killed by the combustion process. Most importantly, the diesel bug cannot re-infest when Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer is mixed in the fuel.[2]

Envirosafe Solutions suggests you follow these key maintenance issues in the control of the diesel bug:

  • Carry out water drain checks of the fuel tanks regularly and include vent and surge bays.
  • Ensure that all water is removed.
  • Keep the tanks full if possible (more fuel means less room for condensation to occur).
  • Perform regular testing to monitor the fuel quality.
  • Clean tanks thoroughly.
  • Fuel fungi are most common in tropical environments, so the northern regions of Australia can be particularly impacted.
  • Also, take extra care in more remote areas where there may be less control over fuel quality. Regular maintenance and checking is vital in these regions. [3]

When seeking solutions to the diesel bug for your business and industry, look no further than Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer. Telephone Envirosafe Solutions now on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] Bowden, D. Attack of the Fungi. Flight Safety Australia Sept-Oct 2005 pp 50-51. http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fsa/2005/oct/50-51.pdf

[2] http://www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat=14&product=12

[3] Bowden, D. Attack of the Fungi. Flight Safety Australia Sept-Oct 2005 pp 50-51. http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fsa/2005/oct/50-51.pdf

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Our Ningaloo

Envirosafe Solutions focus on the local West Australian natural environment.

Envirosafe Solutions, manufacturers of Extreme Green products, takes pride in its green approach to business and industry. The management team places a major emphasis on the development of effective products that are safe to use and that have a low-impact on our environment internationally, nationally and locally. And it is this local environment that requires delicate respect and protection. After all, our local environs are “our own backyard.”  And it all starts with home.

The West Australian local environment is one of unsurpassed beauty. Travel north from the capital and you are overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the pristine coastline and all it has to offer. The fracas and hustle and bustle of the east coast of Australia is absent, and the experience is one of pure exhilaration.

Ningaloo Reef, 1200km north of Perth, is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Western Australian natural marine environment. It is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef and is uniquely positioned extremely close to land mass. This unrivalled aspect of its novel positioning makes it the only reef of its kind in the world. It is the only large reef in the world that can be accessed so easily from mainland. (At its closest it stands just 100 metres from shore and at its furthest, less than 7 km.) This contributes to its popularity as a prime destination for West Australian locals as well as eco-tourists from our own continent and beyond.

On the 7th May 1987, the area was declared a Commonwealth Marine Park and because it “is located in a transition zone between temperate and tropical waters,”[1] it sustains a vast array of plant and marine species from both these zones as well as novel geomorphic features. The reserve is also well-known for its annual migration of whale sharks. Tim Winton, West Australian author and Australian “national treasure,” described his first ever meeting with a whale shark as one of the best of his life:

“And there, out of the hazy deeps, loomed a great shadow. The water was blurry with plankton and jellyfish and this thing looked like a Zeppelin floating out of the clouds. I just couldn’t comprehend the sheer size of it….The shark blocked out the sun. I could feel the passage of it through the water as I swam on my back trying to keep pace with it until, eventually, I fell back in the turbulence of its wake. I surfaced with a whoop of exhilaration. I felt privileged to have had those few moments.

I knew I’d come to a special place, somewhere precious.”[2]

Ningaloo Reef is our Ningaloo. And the products we use at home, in our businesses and in our industries are inextricably linked in with the natural environment, locally, nationally and internationally. That is why it’s important to source and select environmentally sound products from environmentally sound companies like Envirosafe Solutions who have a comprehensive understanding of their ethical responsibilities to the environment, the planet and its inhabitants.

In 2011, we as a world community are beginning to appreciate the considerable long-term harm resulting from the use of toxic chemical products. Let’s steer ourselves towards household, business and industry best practice and source products such as those from Envirosafe Solutions that have a far-reduced impact on the beauties of our own backyard. It’s our world. Let’s look after it.

Call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 8890 70.

[1] Australian Government. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mpa/ningaloo/index.html

[2] Winton, Tim. Save Ningaloo. http://www.save-ningaloo.org/frames/page6.shtml

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Green cleaning products key to workplace safety

A global framework for the classification and labelling of chemicals is being adopted in Australia. It will be phased-in from 2012 and will form part of health and safety protocols within Australian workplaces. Chemical cleaning products are associated with skin and respiratory irritation for workers in cleaning, mechanical, mining and healthcare sectors. In addition the transportation and disposal of these chemicals create significant environmental impacts. Today we look at reducing these risks through the use of low-toxicity, natural-based environmental cleaning products.

Cleaning products can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation and are an important consideration in health and safety guidelines for Australian workplaces.

Workers in cleaning, healthcare and education sectors as well as mining, industrial and mechanical workplaces are exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis.

New labelling and safe handling guidelines are being adopted by SafeWork Australia, which will replace existing separate classifications for hazardous substances and dangerous goods.

The new model for workplace hazardous chemicals will utilise the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, developed under the auspices of the United Nations. It will outline health and safety regulations and clear guidelines on correct labelling and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Its phased implementation will be rolled out from next year.

Health and environmental risks

Exposure to toxic cleaning products needs to be minimised to protect workers. According to the US EPA website – which promotes the use of eco-friendly cleaning products – the health and environmental risks from cleaning products include:

  • Contamination of wastewater through the rinsing and cleaning of sponges, storage containers containing residual product;
  • Risks to aquatic species and wildlife from wastewater contaminated with chemicals such as alkylphenol ethoxylates – a common surfactant in cleaners – which has been identified as an endocrine (hormone) disrupter;
  • Poor water quality caused by chemicals containing phosphorus or nitrogen;
  • Poor indoor air quality created by the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) found in cleaning products.
  • Environmental risks associated with the transportation, storage and disposal of commercial cleaning products.

The US EPA states that actual risk from typical workplace exposure was uncertain but that: “Regardless of the expected risk levels… reducing the intrinsic hazard of a product is a desirable pollution prevention objective as part of decisions that also take into account other important product attributes”.

Benefits of ‘Buying Green’

Health and environmental concerns associated with workplace chemicals has led to the development of eco-friendly liquid products. Typical characteristics of environmentally friendly liquids are biodegradability, low toxicity and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content.

Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions has been supplying Australian workplaces with safe, effective and affordable eco-friendly liquid products for more than 20 years. Envirosafe Solutions’ Extreme Green cleaning alternatives, including its solvent-free degreaser, cater for the cleaning, industrial, mining, healthcare and government sectors. For more information phone 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/SafetyInYourWorkplace/HazardousSubstancesAndDangerousGoods/FAQs/Pages/FAQs.aspx

http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/cleaning.htm

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Today’s wastewater tomorrow’s drinking water

An ambitious city-wide water recycling program is being developed for Sydney to combat water shortages. The project aims to reduce demands on drinking water supplies and represents a growing trend towards recycling wastewater for irrigating lawns, parks and vegetation and more contentiously, drinking. Seawater desalination has become another tool to secure water and a new plant will supply drinking water to the city of Adelaide. Today we look at different water initiatives and the role of eco-friendly liquid products in limiting toxins entering wastewater that could be tomorrow’s drinking water.

Sydney has unveiled an ambitious water recycling plan which it claims will see it become Australia’s first city to develop a city-wide recycled water network.

The City of Sydney council has appointed a consortium to develop models for the project, which aims to reduce demands on drinking water supplies. The planning group consists of researchers, engineers and consultants.

Lord mayor Clover Moore said the water plan, part of the global Green Revolution, would provide a model for other Australian cities. “In the longer term our drinking water supplies will come under increasing pressure from a growing population and climate change with hotter and dryer weather predicted over the coming decades.”

The recycled water project would supplement water supplied to apartments, commercial and institutional buildings, which account for 80 percent of water usage in the Sydney area. The water plan will also incorporate projects that reduce pollutants from entering waterways. Eco-friendly liquid products limit toxic chemicals from contaminating wastewater.

Saltwater to freshwater

Further South, a seawater desalination plant is being commissioned at Port Stanvac to supply drinking water to the city of Adelaide. The $1.83 billion project uses reverse osmosis to treat seawater and has been earmarked for completion by December 2012. The first drop of water should be produced by the end of July this year.

The South Australian Government expects capacity at the plant to grow to 100 billion litres by the end of 2012

Perth was the first Australian city to receive desalinated water for large-scale consumption after its Kwinana plant began pumping desalinated seawater in November of 2006. It supplies an estimated 17 percent of the city’s water needs. A seawater deslination plant is being built in Victoria to provide an estimated 150 billion litres of water by the end of this year.

Across Australia government and industry have invested heavily in the treatment of greywater, effluent, stormwater and seawater to secure water resources for the future. Water recycling has also been adopted across other parts of the globe, including Singapore, California, Florida, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Key to treating wastewater has been the issue of water quality and the contaminants regularly flushed into water systems, including debris, oils, and chemical pollutants.

Leading Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions has been working with Australian businesses for more than 20 years providing biodegradable eco-friendly industrial liquids.

These products utilise natural cleaning agents, have a low-toxicity rating and are biodegradable. Envirosafe Solutions’ commitment to ecological sustainability supports industry and government efforts to reduce water contamination without sacrificing performance. Its range includes the mining and industrial environmentally friendly liquid Extreme Green Insect and Tar Remover, a fully biodegradable product which is effective even when heavily diluted. For more information phone 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/4477-sydney-plan-for-australias-first-city-wide-recycled-water-network.asp

http://www.sawater.com.au/NR/rdonlyres/076CFEFE-B2E1-450F-83AE-A19B131649C9/0/MedRelADPDelayJan2011.pdf

http://www.watercorporation.com.au/D/desalination.cfm

http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/water_recycling/what_is_recycled_water/what_is_recycled_water.asp

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FMG in Pilbara native title dispute

The Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has become embroiled in a heated dispute with traditional land owners in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The mining company, headed by Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, is seeking access to land in the Pilbara for the planned Solomon Hub mining project, which is expected to provide several decades of iron ore production.

Yet the plan has met with fierce opposition from sections of the Yindjibarndi community, who are the traditional custodians of the land where FMG is planning to build. While some Yindjibarndi people are understood to support the Solomon Hub project, others have criticised the offer from FMG as too low.

FMG has offered $4 million per year in royalty payments for the Solomon Hub project, as well as approximately $6 million more in housing, training and business development for local people.

The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation has been highly critical of the offer, and described FMG’s manoeuvres as the “great native title swindle”. The Aboriginal Corporation has published online material claiming that FMG is attempting to rort them out of the native title rights.

FMG has weighed into the online battle too, releasing video footage of a meeting between company executives and Yindjibarndi people, which allegedly demonstrates that a significant number of local people support the Solomon Hub project. The Aboriginal Corporation has responded to the video, claiming the footage is heavily edited and not a true representation of community sentiment.

The youth activist organisation GetUp has also become involved in the dispute, campaigning online against FMG, on behalf of the Yindjibarndi people. With both sides aggressively pushing their own version of events, the conflict shows no signs of abating in the near future.

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New grants help business turn green

Innovative Australian companies are increasingly implementing green technologies and practices to improve their businesses and reduce their environmental footprint. Sixteen Australian firms are the latest recipients of the Federal Government’s $4.4 million Re-Tooling for Climate Change program. Joining this green revolution are three Western Australian businesses, including two food processors and a mining engineering firm.

A mining engineering firm and two food processors are among the recipients of the latest round of Federal Government grants to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

Western Australian engineering firm Geographe Enterprises has won a $350,000 grant to upgrade its current heat treatment production processes to recycle waste heat generated by furnaces.

Fellow WA firms, Food processors Canon Food Services and Mrs Mac’s, will receive funding of $95,000 and $500,000 respectively. The grants will allow Canon Services to reduce energy and water consumption in the manufacturing process by installing more efficient production equipment. Mrs Mac’s grant will fund production line upgrades which have been projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

The AusIndustry funding was announced by Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr who said green industry practices were critical for Australia’s future.

“These grants provide manufacturers with the funds they need to get their ideas off the ground.  Through innovation, they will cut their costs, reduce their waste, and boost their profits. That’s good news for consumers – and good news for the environment.”

Senator Carr said the private sector had contributed an additional $5.3m to the Government’s $4.4 million to help fund the 16 projects under Re-Tooling for Climate Change program.

Sustainable environmental practice has increasingly become a priority in the day-to-day operations of Australian business. This workplace green revolution includes the reduction of carbon emissions, water and soil contamination. The trend toward sustainable systems has been adopted across a range of industries, including mining, transport, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare and government enterprises.

The shift toward green practices has taken many forms, from upgrading processing plants to utilising environmentally sustainable alternatives such as environmental cleaning products, which reduce chemical pollution entering soils and waterways.

A front-runner in the green revolution has been Perth-based Envirosafe Solutions, which supplies eco-friendly industrial liquids to Australian businesses. The company has adopted sustainable recycling programs at its office and warehouse and buys only certified green power to meet its electricity requirements. It uses its own biodegradable, low-toxicity environmental cleaning products including its Extreme Green range of solvent-free degreaser. Two percent of the company’s profits are donated to Carbon Neutral to off-set carbon emissions.

Programs such as AusIndustry’s Re-Tooling for Climate Change reflects a shift in the culture of Australia’s business community. Companies are embracing the green revolution and adopting sustainable practice to secure profits and reduce their environmental footprint – switching to eco-friendly liquid products is one measure that can be taken today. For more information on improving the environment through the use of eco-friendly industrial liquids contact Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Carr/MediaReleases/Pages/MANUFACTURERSANDPRODUCERSGOGREEN.aspx

http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/InnovationandRandD/Re-ToolingforClimateChange/Documents/RCCFundingOffer-July2010Dec2010.pdf

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Recycling wastewater combats water restrictions

New developments in regional and remote areas are utilising wastewater treatment systems to combat water restrictions and meet environmental guidelines. Local council regulations are increasingly stipulating the use of such systems for sewage and greywater for developments outside of common effluent schemes. The Australian Government has also launched a $200 million funding program to encourage industry to implement water recycling initiatives. Today we look at reclaiming and reusing wastewater and the role safe environmental cleaning products play in this process.

Parts of Western Australia experienced their driest winter on record in 2010 and ongoing water restrictions have highlighted the need for water conservation.

Despite floods and cyclones hammering Australia’s east coast in recent months permanent water restrictions also remain in place in Eastern states.

As the driest continent on Earth, Australia’s water resources and recycling initiatives have been high on the political agenda. The Federal Government unveiled a $200 million initiative in 2009 to fund stormwater harvesting and re-use projects. The funding was part of its $12.9 billion Water for the Future package.

Wastewater treatment systems offer solutions for commercial operations unable to tap into common effluent schemes or wanting to recycle water to irrigate lawns and gardens. They are being increasingly used by accommodation venues, function centres, mining camps, schools, factories and wineries, allowing operators to reclaim wastewater.

Wastewater treatment systems employ physical, biological and chemical processes to recycle rainwater, stormwater, greywater, blackwater (containing sewerage), groundwater and industrial water for irrigation of lawns and gardens as stipulated by local government.

New technologies are being developed to test the quality of treated greywater in light of the growing use of wastewater treatment systems. The CSIRO has been working to develop a national standard for treated greywater. This aims to iron out inconsistencies from separate state and territory legislation covering greywater collection, treatment and use. CSIRO Land and Water scientist Melissa Toifl said the protocol could be used to establish a national greywater treatment testing regime. “With this protocol we are anticipating a national approach in the way greywater treatment technologies are tested and regulated… (which could result in) increasing consumer adoption rates of greywater technologies.”

Combined septic and greywater treatment systems often employ aerobic treatment processes and require a delicate balance of bacterial flora. This can be upset by common cleaning chemicals. The use of environmental cleaning products is an important consideration for users of wastewater treatment systems.

Perth-based Envirosafe Solutions provides eco-friendly industrial liquids to industry and government sectors. Its products are low-toxic and biodegradable and include Extreme Green Solvent-Free Degreaser, Sanitiser/Mould Rid, Hard Water – Laundry Liquid, dishwashing liquid, anti-bacterial hand wash, dishwasher powder, disinfectant, dishwasher rinse aid, laundry powder and fabric conditioner.

Envirosafe Solutions’ Extreme Green Waste and Odour Treatment can be used in septic systems, porta-loos, animal enclosures and food preparation areas to eliminate odours and reduce sludge build-up. The Envirosafe Solutions range of laundry products have been specially designed for use in remote locations and are completely safe for hardwater and septic systems while delivering powerful results.

Australia’s scarce water resources offer a challenge for government and industry and wastewater recycling has increasingly been viewed as a partial solution to water restrictions. Envirosafe Solutions commitment to providing eco-friendly industrial liquids supports water recycling initiatives. For more information phone 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/urban/fs-water-treatment.html

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/policy-programs/urban-water-desalination/stormwater-reuse/index.html

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/minister/previous/wong/2009/media-releases/March/mr20090323.aspx

http://www.csiro.au/news/Greywater-treatment-technologies.html