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Keeping Vegan Pets

Glue Remover, Rust ConverterIf you have a carnivore (meat eater) for a pet, such as a cat or dog, you will find that their diet may not fit very well into your own diet, if you are a vegan or vegetarian. We begin with a rather humorous commentary on a short-lived (extremely short-lived) satire in the Americas based upon making fun of the ultra-frugal vegan lifestyle of a stereotypical liberal. At various points throughout the few episodes which aired, the family is shown feeding their pet dog only vegan dog food. The dog is shown salivating and obsessively picturing meat everywhere, even entertaining the possibility of chewing on live human legs in order to satisfy his meat cravings. At various points throughout the show, a neighborhood telephone pole is shown, with notifications of all types of missing family pets, with the implication that the vegan-fed dog has caught and eaten all of them.

While this is just a satire, many vegans are unsure about how to take care of their pets in such a way that satisfies the needs of the pets, but also conforms to their own belief systems and personal views on the subject. There are two approaches to this:

The first approach shows that many people feel that their canines and felines are not negatively affected by a meatless diet as long as they are fed a complete and balanced diet, which is appropriate to their needs. This may need to include supplements, which are typically naturally found in meat. It is recommended that you get their PH levels tested, and ask your veterinarian about the appropriate care for your particular breed of dog and how an alternative diet may affect their behavior or energy requirements. It may also be noted here that carnivores such as cats and dogs tend to only eat vegetation when they are sick and need to clean out their systems. So, while vegetation is naturally eaten by carnivores, it is obviously not their first choice of food.

The second approach depicts how many vegans and vegetarians recognize that while they do not wish to eat meat themselves for various reasons, their carnivorous pets require meat as part of a balance diet and buy meat from a local butcher, sustainable source, or even pay for more expensive organic meat which was not raised on steroids or in inhumane conditions. Whichever way you choose to feed your vegan pet, the choice must be entirely up to you. Only in this way will you feel good about your final decision and feel in control of your household and pet decisions.

There are other ways to be health conscious and to be aware of the impact you have on the humans and animals around. Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly spill kits, waste disposal kits, disinfectants and sanitizers, in small and bulk packaging. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AmazingAnimals/story?id=7154396&page=1

http://www.vegetariandogs.com/

http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/vegetarian-cats-and-dogs.aspx

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/25/vegan-pet-food-is-it-ok-t_n_178880.html

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Keeping the Peace with Green

Fabric Conditioner,Laundry PowderSometimes, staying green is not just about saving our beautiful earth, but also about facilitating peace, tranquility, communication and understanding between different groups and different programs for improving our sustainability.

An educational program geared toward improving both peace and eco friendliness, Art of Living, has designed a newspaper bag competition where volunteers help schools and teachers to train students on how to make cheap, easily accessible, biodegradable paper bags for shopping, carrying items, in school, as purses, and in gift giving. Rather than the teacher assigning a paper about a project, students are given instruction and materials and they learn in the real world a practical approach for turning simple everyday objects into reusable items which are sustainable and biodegradable after they are thrown away. Students are thrilled with how easy these are to make and one mother reports that her son worked on seven at one time for a period of twenty minutes. Both teachers and parents are excited about this hands-on approach to learning about protecting our environment, and many schools reported that, once the students were given the idea, they worked together and learned about peaceful creativity and community while they were working on their eco friendly bags.

Architects for Peace is an environmentally aware and socially responsible non-profit organization that is designed to help architects, landscape architects, engineers, environmentalists and urban landscape designers to build aesthetically pleasing, socially responsible cityscapes in our urban areas. Architects for Peace facilitates professionals from a wide variety of origins coming together to meet urban needs in a peaceful, cooperative environment. Originally based in Australia to potentially prevent Australia’s involvement in Iraq 2003, it is now a peace-based, global operation with professionals, volunteers and environmentalists from all parts of the world.

While being eco friendly is not synonymous with peace, the two have one thing in common: a desire to protect and flourish the efforts of the greater good. This is why Envirosafe Solution is dedicated to bringing you eco friendly applicators, pumps, hand cleaners and lubricants, as well as many other eco friendly products. We want to contribute to the greater good, and we want to help you do it, too. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfKv5JtXiP8

http://www.architectsforpeace.org/us.php

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Incorporating Green into Your Business Plan

Dishwasher Powder,Disinfectant,Rust RemoverIf you are not able to “think big” in business, the idea of incorporating green into your business plan seems like a farfetched, expensive, inconvenient, and time costly enterprise. However, if you open your mind up to an infinite number of possibilities in the business world, you will see that it is quite easy to incorporate eco friendliness into your company operations. In fact, when it comes to using earth-friendly methods of operation, employees are likely to go further and work harder to accomplish the same tasks when they know of and are aware of how these new steps are helping the greater good. Personal motivation is exploited in the greater benefit for the whole business.

Common Sense

The first thing and perhaps the simplest thing in turning your business green is basically using common sense. This seems as if it would not have a great deal of impact on our environment or your energy bill, but it does. Turning out lights when you leave a room, turning down the heating or air conditioning when you leave the office, fixing cracks and insulating windows and doors, keeping parts moving smoothly and working efficiently, and simply being aware of energy sources and what you are doing are all ways in which you can contribute. Common sense is sometimes not used in certain business or manufacturing settings, because it seems a bit like parenting a child rather than running a business, but soon everyone will fall into the habit of remembering these little details, and they will add up nicely.

Replace Inefficient Energy Consumers

You may be unable to replace your entire office with a newer, greener setup, but you are able to replace old, ineffective, and inefficient forms of energy at work. Get a green energy evaluation, or just a systems evaluation, and review all of the ways in which you can update the quality of work without spending a great deal of money. Reducing carbon emissions (and advertising that you are doing this) may also boost employee morale.

Go Online

Many businesses are operating on a paperless basis. Find out how much of your company operations can be conducted online or just on a computer and start reducing your paper waste as much as possible. This also conserves a great deal of energy used to spend printing, copying, and scanning paper materials as part of your business.

While you are replacing inefficient consumption of energy, go ahead and replace the harsh, non earth friendly chemicals you use to clean the break room and the office. Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly sanitizers, degreasers, lubricants, and toilet treatments for your green business plan. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/environmentbiz/a/envirfriend1.htm

http://www.sba.gov/content/green-guide-new-businesses

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/iitb-promotes-ecofriendly-business-plans/395638/

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Happiness is in the Eye of the Beholder

Disinfectant, Rust Remover, Fabric ConditionerAs ecological developers seek to increase sustainability and make our planet more self sufficient, the inevitable question arises: Why bother? This is an excellent question because it facilitates a movement of epic proportions. If every human on earth sought to, in some way, improve the planet’s sustainability and their consumer products’ biodegradability and fuel efficiency, then the landscape of the world would look vastly different than it looks today. Therefore, the question, “Why bother?” must be addressed. What motivates humans to take new and innovative action on the behalf of the greater good?

First, how do you measure happiness or satisfaction?

For decades, happiness has been researched as a serious field of study. This is illustrated in The Psychology of Happiness by Michael Argyle. He has 35 pages of research citation alone, indicating that this field not only should be considered a relevant area of research, but is already thought so by many field experts. After all, if humans are unable to measure our own happiness and contentment, then how do we know what to strive for and what constitutes a job well done? In fact, we may not even be able to function as a species without internal mechanisms for measuring our own happiness next to some constant.

Argyle finds that basic human needs and the lack thereof create a greater difference in measurement than anything else. For example, in prosperous nations, individuals are not noticeably affected by added wealth. However, in countries where wealth satisfies basic human needs, then the acquisition of wealth becomes something that is very closely tied to happiness, for it fulfills basic survival requirements.

Second, how do you combine ecology with the human need to change?

When attempting to stir a citizenry into action on behalf of our planet, it is important to remember what information they already possess. Many people do not believe that their individual actions make hardly any difference to the sustainability movement and many others believe that eco friendly causes are not necessary or do not make a noticeable impact on our environment. Unfortunately, this apathy is largely due to a desire to remove oneself from political leanings, which is invariably tied to all mass movements and government reform. Therefore, it becomes important to show individuals that this is not just a political movement, but a cause which creates a healthier, safer planet for humans to live, as well as continuing eco systems and sustainability for future generations.

Envirosafe Solutions is committed to bringing you biodegradable, non-toxic products and products which are tested as earth friendly and safe to use on our planet. We carry a range of eco friendly absorbents, spill kits and degreasers, as well as kitchen products, laundry products and lubricants for both household and industrial use. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://www.cis.org.au/images/stories/policy-magazine/2002-autumn/2002-18-1-richard-tooth.pdf

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Green Traits of Natural Birthing Centers

Dishwashing Liquid, Toilet Bowl CleanerBirthing centers have been around for many centuries, but they are no longer as common in some first world nations. Fortunately, they still exist today in some areas and they offer an ecologically sound perspective on the process of human birth and pain management and how the whole process can be even more beneficial than what the mother and child get directly out of it. Natural birthing centers are based upon the principles that the earth and the human body both create more than enough resources to handle giving birth, and any complications arising thereof, and sustaining life on earth.

Ancient birthing centers give classes and mentor-protégé tutoring on natural birth and disease control and birthing complications, and have done so for many years. Not only is this information passed down from generation to generation, but it is often passed down through direct experience with helping mothers, and this helps the material to absorb deeply into the students memory and levels of discernment and understanding. Today, thousands of pounds of paper is used to print textbooks which are barely skimmed and sold back to campus bookstores, but natural birthing centers use their local prestige and power to pass on actual knowledge, rather than superficial guidelines.

Natural birthing centers use locally available plants and ingredients in powerful ways to accomplish healing. This stimulates the local economy, but more importantly, it motivates and actively proves to local residents how important it is for their community to remain independent and locally self sufficient. This is the greatest way in which natural birthing centers contribute to their community, because an economically independent area can withstand national politics and it can preserve ancient wisdom which has been passed down and kept undiluted for several generations.

Fortunately, for the rest of us who do not live in these communities, we have other natural examples to follow, such as the earth friendly practices upheld by Envirosafe Solutions in Perth Australia. We are a modern company with ecologically sound products and motivation to protect our environment while sustaining first world luxury. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.sbbirthcenter.org/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17718869

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Green Sightseeing and World Travel

Fabric Conditioner,Laundry PowderAs much as you may enjoy traveling and exploring “off the beaten track”, sometimes it is just nice to be a regular tourist and to engage in general sightseeing. Unfortunately, particularly due to selfless volunteer eco friendly vacations, general tourism and sightseeing tours are seen as a waste of resources and are seen as very commercial. This does not have to be the case. This is particularly true if your “commercial” tourism uses plenty of mass transportation for tourists, which saves on fuel and energy required for travel.

Much of what has been negatively attributed to world travel and commercial tourism is not based upon sleazy tourism companies, but on individual accumulation of non-biodegradable trash and irresponsible personal accountability.

More than getting others to change their behavior, honestly and accurately changing your own behavior will set the best example and have the most influence. When people are preaching the benefits of eco friendly behavior, the first thing you notice is whether or not they practice what they preach. So, the first thing you must concentrate on is your own individual behavior and what products you use, how you dispose of them, and why you act in this manner. Doing it because you “should” is not good enough, especially if you are questioned about it. You must educate yourself on the companies you buy from and what are the best ways to dispose of recyclable materials and why these are the most effective ways.

The second thing to focus on is being exact in your details. It is easy for individuals who are raised in a consumer market to “consume” regularly and fail to keep track of their purchases, disposals, usages and reusing old or reclaimed materials. Begin with what you are packing on your journey. All of your clothing, all of your packed materials, and then work outward, paying attention to food, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, gifts, etc. If in doubt, try to access online databases and find out about reputable company histories to make sure. Part of being eco friendly during your general tourism is to keep track of your purchases, waste, and consumption.

Envirosafe Solutions focuses on selling eco friendly products to companies and industries which require earth protecting soil treatments, fuel treatments, degreasers, and sanitizers. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/BusinessTravel/story?id=4454257&page=1#.Tz4H65jyEc4

http://www.worldwildlife.org/travel/item7709.html

http://journals.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/story/59121/Worldwide/Top-10-Tips-for-Environmentally-friendly-travel

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Green Product Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness

Dishwashing Liquid, Toilet Bowl CleanerSometimes, we encounter something called “green-washing.” This is where a product either claims to be eco friendly and isn’t, or where a product that is eco friendly is also not very effective and requires more of the product in order to accomplish the same tasks as non-eco counterparts. For this reason, individuals who are new to ecology often find themselves disgusted and frustrated with incompetent products or equipment. This is unfortunate, since valid, safe, earth-friendly and usable equipment and materials do exist. How can you find these illusive materials and how can you be sure that they are just as effective as their non-eco counterparts? By making a list, of course…

Make your list before shopping

Before you go to the store or shop online, it is always best to know what you are looking for first. If you do not set a list of standards out beforehand, you may be tempted to settle for sub-par quality and ecologically friendly products because you are not paying attention. When shopping for cleaners, paper products, disposable products, or anything which can be found in sustainable or organic form, make a list and keep it with you at the store to evaluate what you are purchasing.

Keep it understandable

If you do not wish to research acronyms and different types of “green” certifications, then you must know what else to look for. Keep it simple and keep it understandable. Just because a product calls itself green and says that it is safe in a certain way, if you do not understand the words or acronyms being used, then do not be impressed. Sometimes, company use green-washing by stating that something is “XYZ-free” when that particular substance was banned 20 years ago, anyway. In other words, they are looking to impress you, not be honest.

Value verification

It is also a good idea to look at the quality of the product, too. If it is below your household or personal standards, then it may be a cheap quality product which is being sold at a discount in order to appear buyable. All of your eco friendly products must be good quality and up to your own standards of living.

Percentages

When you do not understand certain language on the packaging, you can bet that you will still be able to understand the percentage of recyclable products in the item. If it is mostly or completely recyclable, then it is eco friendly. If it is made out of recycled materials, then it can be recycled again. Look at the percentage of recycled material in the product and win at numbers.

Cost effectiveness

Sometimes, green-washing is not shown by a cheap quality of product, but by jacking up the price of a good quality eco friendly product. This price raising can be unreasonable and if so, it is another form of green-washing. Be careful to watch your money, as well as your disposables.

Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly, high quality degreasers, fuel treatments, and lubricants at a very reasonable price. Our products are industrial strength and ready for use in your home or office or factory floor. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://stopgreenwash.org/

http://www.greenwashingindex.com/

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Green Printers for Your Home or Office

Dishwashing Liquid, Toilet Bowl CleanerEven office work must be kept in mind when choosing eco friendly products. Machines which require electricity, fuel, or heavy maintenance can be both costly and damaging to the earth. Fortunately, there are some options available to the office green freak. This is especially helpful for paper consuming products, such as printers and copiers.

Reduce your paper output

Before we begin our tour of green printing methods, it is always a good idea to try to reduce your need for paper products as much as possible. Some companies are able to operate entirely online. American internet service provider, Clear, runs an entirely paperless system where bills are only available in an online account and you can only receive paper copies of these bills if you print them off yourself. GreenerPrinter.com also offers reduction of paper output to only stocking and printing on paper that is recyclable, often using 100% recycled paper.

Use sustainable inks in your printer

Pixxlz.com, an eco friendly printing company, uses soy and water based inks to make sure that the printed paper is even more recyclable. Without using oil, the ink is more sustainable and can appear brighter on the paper. Pixxlz.com also uses chemical-free toner in their printing presses.

Use energy saving printers

In 2009, HP launched energy-saving printers which used only a fraction of the electrical wattage of comparable printers, as well as printing multiple document content on single pages and having an option for automatically printing on both sides of the paper, reducing paper waste and usage.

2011 brought Epson into the picture, which reduced the necessary amount of power to operate by 80% to 90%. The sleep mode of this printer also focuses on conserving energy, which reduces both energy consumption and cost of energy consumption.

Reduce carbon emissions

The 2011 Epson printer also is made with minimal usage of paint in the manufacturing process, reducing their carbon footprint by approximately 9,300 tons. Companies should always be aware of the fact that their green image, as well as their revenue, could be improved through research and development of a better, safer, and easier way to make products, particularly products with recyclable parts.

At Envirosafe Solutions, we have also done our homework and have found easy, effective, and eco friendly ways to improve your business and our planet. Our products include corrosion treatment, degreasers, and fuel treatment. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://www.greenerprinter.com/grp/jsp/whoweare.jsp

http://www.pixxlz.com/philosophy-we-print-green

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Green Marketing for your Business

Eco Friendly, Environmental Cleaning ProductsWhen you are setting up your company, it is important to be socially conscious. This not only applies if your business is advertised as eco friendly, but also if you simply wish to reduce emissions while lowering costs. There are many different ways to accomplish this, depending upon your target clientele, of course. For instance, you may wish to list the reliability and the years of experience you have had in the green marketplace if your target customers are small business owners or managers who seek reliability and stability in their business partnerships. If your target customers are looking for affordable, luxurious and comfortable overnight stays, your green marketing strategy should include beauty, inspiration, and, of course, a commitment to quality. Let us look at an example of successful green marketing which covers several different needs.

In June of 2011, Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront, a brand of Hilton Worldwide, revealed a giant green living wall in the hotel’s sky lobby. A living wall is a vertical garden, where a wall with a unique irrigation system and features is planted with thousands of plants (three thousand eight hundred and forty, in this case) and the plants are able to grow and thrive due to the efficient irrigation setup within the wall.

Beginning at one end of the spectrum, the wall is a great way to attract environmentalists, since it provides a total oxygen supply indoors which is equivalent to 16 fourteen-foot-tall trees. This cuts down on energy spent circulating fresh air from outdoors, as well as supporting knowledge of plant growth among the community. According to Denise Eichmann, Senior Project Manager for Ambius Project Development North America, there are six species of plants on the wall, the arboricola, the hardy neon, the rex begonia, the rabbit foot fern, and the golden pothos.

Next, we move on to lightly eco-conscious hotel guests. Such a hearty support of earth friendly productivity on the part of Hilton Worldwide will be seen positively by hotel guests who wish to know that they are staying in an earth friendly (and comfortable) hotel, but who also are not interested in becoming fanatics of the subjects. This is advertising through the creation of an atmosphere which is pleasing to the customer.

Thirdly, we now address the hotel guests or visitors who are only somewhat interested in green life and preserving our planet. While they may not reap the full benefits of understanding how good for the environment and oxygen supply and energy consumption the green wall really is, they are able to enjoy its beauty. Art, gardens, and living things are all inspirational.

Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly absorbents, spill kits, cleaners and disinfectants. We want to contribute to the inspiration which green marketing can create for everyone. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/embassy-suites-chicago-downtown-lakefront-features-new-eco-friendly-green-wall-sky-lobby-lse-rto-1523650.htm

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Sustainable Gardening

Dishwashing Liquid, Diesel Bug KillerSustainable gardening is not just for the purpose of saving the planet and each of us contributing our little part to the well being of the earth. Sustainable gardening is also about reducing grocery bills, reducing petrol costs of traveling to and from the supermarket, reducing support of and exposure to harsh chemical pesticides and preservatives which are sprayed on the food, and about learning how to commit to growth of a plant. This last part may be the most difficult for many of us, since we are not always aware of our plant responsibilities in the middle of our busy lives. Perhaps some of you, (and myself), have had several bonsai plants die on you in your dormitories in college.

Urban gardening

Large portions of earth’s population live in cities. In this urban setting, the idea of gardening can seem strange and even impossible. However, many people are successfully doing this and are dramatically reducing their grocery bills as a result. Some people hang potted plants from beams, rafters and the roofs of their porch, patio or balcony. Some have plenty of light on a balcony, sun room or through large, well-lit windows. Some people use grow lamps to flowering fruits and vegetables, and mint and herbs and spices for their kitchen or as aromatic devices.

Pipe gardening

If you have access to a flat roof, or an otherwise undecorated but also unlivable segment of space, you can do pipe gardening. This is where you take long large pipes or long thin box segments and lay them out in a row. Cut holes in the pipe for individual plants to grow through and allow enough width in the hole for large plants and thick stalks, depending upon the size you wish them to reach.

Hydroponic gardening

If you absolutely are not in favor of using potting soil or consider it too messy or even if you just don’t have enough room, you can also use hydroponic gardening. Plant roots need nutrition, water, and air, so you can actually grow plants in tubing or lines through which you have water and aeration. There are many different types of hydroponic setups to choose from, depending upon what you wish to grow and what type of root system your plants have and what they require for nutrition and water/air balance.

While you’re at it, check out ways to keep your garden clean and earth friendly by using eco friendly Soil Wetta, spray sanitizers and liquid cleaner from Envirosafe Solutions. We want to help you be sustainable. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://earthfirst.com/urban-gardening-you-can-grow-food-no-matter-where-you-live/

http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2012/02/19/hang-a-balcony-farm-outside-your-apartment-kitchen/

http://howtohydroponics.com/

http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/

http://advancednutrients.com/hydroponics/articles/hydroponics-gardening/

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Soil Erosion and Protecting Our Earth

Dust SuppressorSoil performs a variety of functions, including holding and storing water, organic material and nutrients for agriculture, plant life and human life. Soil erosion is attributed to problems in the agricultural industry, but that is not where the problem ends. You see, erosion contributes to long-term or, if left untreated, potentially permanent environmental repercussions in the form of sedimentation, pollution and flooding. These problems are just the beginning. There are many different types of soil erosion, as well as long-term consequences the earth, ocean and sky.

Soil erosion increases carbon in the atmosphere.

Earth holds many different types of chemicals and chemical compounds, including carbon and carbon compounds. When soil erosion is a problem in an area of land, the carbon content of the soil is released into the atmosphere and causes atmospheric buildup of carbon and carbon compounds. It is important to maintain good soil conservation, for both solid and gas chemical balance.

Soil erosion interferes with important archaeological data.

When soil erosion causes farmers and other resource harvesters to plow deeper in order to gain minimal nutrients, then this interrupts natural landscapes and archaeological features. This suggests that soil conservation not only satisfies immediate agricultural needs, but also helps to maintain long-term or even almost permanent civilization needs.

Desertification is also a potential consequence of the final stage of soil erosion.

Humid or heavily arid parts of the world, such as the western United States, the Mediterranean, central Asia and India, are vulnerable to unnaturally dry weather if soil erosion occurs on a large scale. For example, these areas and the vegetation and animal life dependent thereon require a humid environment and therefore require maintenance of water supply. If soil erosion occurs, then the vegetation and ground cover for crops and grazing animals disappears, which in turn reduces the organic content of the soil. This reduction of organic nutrients in turn results in soil exhaustion, followed by desertification.

Erodibility versus Erosivity

Erodibility refers to characteristics inherent in the soil which are either susceptible to or strong against agents of erosion and which affect how detachable the soil is and how transportable it is once it is detached. Erosivity refers to how likely agents of erosion, such as wind or water flow or rain fall, are to detach soil in a given area. Erosivity therefore describes conditions surrounding the overall environment of erosion, rather than specific qualities of the soil itself.

Envirosafe Solutions supports soil conservation and any part of landscaping which maintains organic material and nutrients in our soil. Check out our Soil Wetta and dust suppressant on our webpage or call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

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Eco-friendly industry practices the answer, not tax: ATA

Multi Purpose Lubricant, Fuel Conditioner, Toilet Bowl CleanerHeavy transport operators will be exempt from this year’s July 1 carbon tax – but only for two years. Government plans to apply a carbon tax on fuel used by heavy truck operators from July 1, 2014, has concerned the industry. It argues eco-friendly advances (from LNG to environmentally friendly workshop liquids) are making environmental inroads.

Plans to extend the eco-friendly carbon tax to include heavy truck operators have been met with strong resistance.

Industry lobby group the Australian Trucking Association and key independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have argued the tax would hit rural operators hard, as most would be unable to pass on the cost.

“If fuel (for heavy road transport) was in, we were out,” Mr Oakeshott has said, referring to his support for the current scheme, which does not extend to the trucking sector. The Government, however, has made it clear it intends to apply the tax to heavy transport operators by July 2014, two years after the carbon tax commences.

Greener industry

Freight operators have also opposed the July 1, 2014 carbon tax introduction for heavy trucks.

The Australian Trucking Association has released a detailed environmental report outlining the industry’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.

It has argued that small-to-medium sized operators – who would struggle to offset carbon tax costs – had already become more environmentally friendly. Liquid gas (LNG), better operating systems and improved driving techniques have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Small changes such as more efficient transport routes and the use of environmental cleaning products (such as Envirosafe Solution’s Diesel Bug Killer and dust suppressor) in workshops and depots have also been embraced.

The ATA’s parliamentary submission called for the trucking industry to be permanently exempt from the extreme green carbon tax.

“The Australian Government has stated that carbon pricing will only affect around 500 polluters. But the planned changes to the fuel tax credits system will impose an effective carbon price on every one of Australia’s 47,000 trucking businesses,” the submission said.

“Eighty-five per cent of these businesses are small businesses with fewer than five employees. They are no different to the other small businesses that are permanently exempt from the carbon price, except they happen to operate trucks weighing more than 4.5 tonnes.”

Other heavy polluting sectors such as mining and rail will feel the impact of the tax from July 1 this year due to a reduction in fuel tax credit rates.

ATA chief Stuart St Clair said small rural operators would struggle to pass on the extreme green tax.

“It has been proven over the last few years as fuel prices have fluctuated. We have found it is increasingly difficult, in the advice given to us by operators across Australia, to be able to pass those costs on now. That is making it very difficult for those who operate not only in the cities but also in regional, rural and remote Australia to be able to claw back those costs,” Mr St Clair said.

Improved environmental practices from heavy polluters such as transport operators are helping to reduce environmental impacts. For more information on environmentally friendly liquids suitable for use at transport workshops and depots (including industrial hand cleaners and rubber remover) contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/carbon-plan/independents-fight-heavy-trucks-carbon-tax/story-fn99tjf2-1226148480584

http://www.truck.net.au/public/news/carbon-tax-taking-stand

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$30 billion Olympic Dam expansion approved

South Australia is preparing to ride the next wave of the nation’s mining boom. As the state gears up to meet infrastructure demands, environmental strategies including the use of eco-friendly industrial products remain critical.

A $30 billion expansion of BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mine near Roxby Downs is the centerpiece of new mining and energy projects earmarked for South Australia.

Preparations are taking place ahead of the projected boom including:

  • Government and industry working to meet demands for improved infrastructure including upgraded highways and airport terminals;
  • Environmental impact statements being developed and implemented. As a heavy polluter, the mining industry has been required to embrace green revolution strategies ranging from alternate fuel sources and sustainable waste management to the use of environmental cleaning products;
  • Regional towns and cities being promoted as fly-in,-fly-out or drive-in, drive-out bases for the mining workforce;
  • Water requirements being investigated. As the nation’s driest state, SA’s water resources are scarce. Mining projects will be required to use eco-friendly liquid products to reduce the risk of water contamination.

Glue Remover, Industrial Hand CleanerThe South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy has warned the mining boom will only be realised if infrastructure can match demand.

“If the Government’s not prepared to take some sort of a stake in key infrastructure – not everything, just some key ones – then I think half of the potential jobs out there associated with the infrastructure and mining could be either not realised at all or put off for several decades,” SACME chief executive Jason Kuchel warned.

The 2011 Resources and Energy Infrastructure Demand report has predicted SA’s gas use will increase 20-fold by 2014 and power and water use will quadruple. Pressure on its airport and road system will be intense.

“It’s very clear the Government is going to have to take a greater role than just purely relying on the private sector to provide infrastructure,” Mr Kuchel said.

“In many areas the government can be justified about putting in dollars, especially where those dollars would be less than the royalties that they would otherwise not see had they not made the investment.”

The Olympic Dam expansion is predicted to create an estimated 6000 jobs during its construction phase and bring in taxes and royalties.

Its approval late last year was subject to 150 conditions aimed at ensuring environmental issues were addressed.

Environmentally friendly liquids including eco-friendly industrial cleaners reduce the threat of water and soil pollution from spills and contaminated wastewater.

Leading Perth-based environmental cleaning products supplier Envirosafe Solutions has a range of biodegradable products including hand wash, mineral deposit remover, dust suppressor, solvent-free degreaser and low-phosphate laundry powders.

While SA prepares for the economic benefits of the predicted mining boom the need for sound environmental practices has never been more critical. For more information on eco-friendly liquid products contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/resource-boom-will-stretch-state-to-limit/story-e6frea6u-1226238647705

http://www.sacome.org.au/images/stories/Mining_Lobby_says_1010_a_great_day_for_SA.pdf

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Perth unveils $500M wastewater recycling strategy

Fabric Conditioner, Laundry Powder, Dust SuppressorPerth has unveiled a plan to return up to 30 per cent of its treated wastewater to underground aquifers. The initiative highlights the importance of using environmental cleaning products instead of pouring dangerous chemicals down the drain.

A $500 million wastewater recycling plan has been released for Perth, aimed at drought-proofing the city.

The eco-friendly initiative will increase the amount of treated wastewater entering the city’s aquifers from six to 30 per cent by 2030.

Wastewater includes treated industrial liquid waste and stormwater. Chemicals including disinfectants and cleaners such as laundry powder found in wastewater and stormwater run-off can contaminate soil and waterways.

Perth’s Water Corporation has unveiled the recycling plan as part of its 50-year ‘Water Forever’ program.

“This new investment will see the Water Corporation transfer more of its groundwater abstraction to the deeper Perth Yarragadee, Leederville and coastal aquifers, which will have a positive impact on some wetlands and lakes,” Water Minister Bill Marmion said.

Water scarcity has become a key concern in Perth, where:

  • Winter rainfall has dropped 20 per cent in recent years;
  • Dams supplying the city are at just 35 per cent of capacity and inflows have dropped 70 per cent in the past 30 years;

Recycling wastewater is an integral part of the city’s water strategy.

Extreme green strategies – including reduced chemical usage – play a significant role in improving water health.

Environmental cleaning products are becoming increasingly popular as corporate businesses, industrial factories and government bodies look to reduce their environmental footprint.

WA environment group Conservation Council has identified gas fracking, inefficient new homes and heavy water using industries as the major threats to Perth’s water security.

“The Water Corporation’s plan to drought-proof Perth sounds good, but it cannot be taken seriously when the government is failing to act on these major threats to Perth’s water future which are out of the Water Corporations control,” Piers Verstegen said.

“The Corporation’s plan will rely heavily on deep underground aquifers for Perth’s future water supply; however these water sources are under immediate threat from the toxic gas fracking industry.”

Perth-based environment cleaning products supplier Envirosafe Solutions has worked with industries including mining and manufacturing to improve environmental outcomes by reducing chemical reliance.

“When you pour something down the sink or drain it doesn’t just disappear,” director Murray Simon said.

“Choosing products that are non-toxic and biodegradable is a small step that can make a big difference to the environment, especially when we are treating wastewater and returning it to our aquifers.”

For more information on safe, non-toxic disinfectants, mineral deposit remover, glass cleaner and other eco-friendly liquid products contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/special-features/wasterwater-recycling-boost-in-drought-plan/story-e6frg19l-1226208275771

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Disasters highlight mining eco-challenges

Industrial Hand Cleaner, Mineral Deposit RemoverExtreme weather has forced one Northern Territory gold mine operator to flush acidic water from a holding pond into a nearby river. It’s just one example of the difficulties facing the mining sector when it comes to eco- management, which can be improved through the use of environmentally friendly liquids.

From floods to train derailments, the potential for environmental fallouts from mining has been highlighted in the Top End recently.

Heavy flooding in the Katherine region forced mining company Vista Gold to release acidic water from a retention pond at its Mount Todd gold mine in late December.

The Northern Territory Department of Resources has been monitoring the overflow into Edith River, which a Vista Gold spokesperson said was an appropriate measure in light of heavy rains from ex-Tropical Cyclone Grant.

The company said the flush was in line with government licensing requirements. Wastewater management is critical for the gold mining industry’s credentials as environmentally-friendly. Liquid waste from mining processes (known as tailings) poses one of the greatest eco-friendly challenges for the sector. Tailings can leach acid into soils and waterways.

The use of environmental cleaning products low in phosphates and toxic chemicals further reduces the risk of contamination and improves worker safety.

Dust mitigation is another critical issue which can be tackled through filters and spraying eco-friendly industry liquid dust suppressors.

Train derailment

A train derailment along the Adelaide-to-Darwin line prompted more environmental concerns for the Edith River in the same week as the Mount Todd retention pond flush.

As much as 1200 tonnes of copper concentrate was reported to have spilled into the Edith River after a derailment which resulted in an investigation by authorities.

The mining industry has taken environmental management more seriously in recent decades and measures such as dust and waste water management has become a growing concern.

Switching to eco-friendly liquid products has improved environmental accountability and reduced workplace health and safety hazards.

Perth-based eco-friendly industrial liquids supplier Envirosafe Solutions has been leading the challenge to reduce reliance on toxic chemicals.

Its Extreme Green range has been developed with the mining industry in mind and includes dust suppressors, workshop products such as rust removers and coolants and laundry and kitchen cleaners.

Floods and rail disasters highlight the risks inherent in mining processes and products. Switching to eco-friendly industrial liquids is one step toward more eco-friendly practices. For more information contact Envirosafe Solutions’ on 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-02/overflows-continue-at-top-end-gold-mine/3754942?section=nt

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/oz-minerals-insurance-claim-for-derailment-loss-may-face-complication-over-pollution/story-e6frg9df-1226234407238