Tag: Solvent-Free Degreaser

Many Australian companies, groups and individuals have been tirelessly working on environmental issues for years. Some of these have banded together to strengthen their power and their activities for change. Envirosafe Solutions spotlights The Boomerang Alliance and gives you a profile on this particular group that is committed to a zero waste in Australia.

The Boomerang Alliance comprises a group of environmental organisations that are committed to bringing about a state of zero waste in Australia. Yes, it’s a tall order and a lofty ideal, but this alliance believes it is possible and attainable. “We commit to work for zero waste in Australia based on a mechanism of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for ensuring the elimination over time of all products and packaging from the waste stream. The goal of zero demands that Australia change course on waste as a matter of urgency or risk falling further behind world’s best practice.”[1]

The Alliance also promotes a redirection of the cost burden of waste disposal away from local government and ratepayers and towards those consumers and industries that are actually producing the waste litter and excess packaging to begin with. It also says penalising poor performers and rewarding companies that embrace cleaner production and waste and litter reduction is the way forward.

The group comprises many major environmental organisations:

• Greenpeace
• The Australian Conservation Foundation
• Friends of the Earth
• Conservation Council of Western Australia
• Clean Up Australia
• Total Environment Centre
• NSW Local Government and Shires Association
• NCC zero Waste Action Group
• Arid Lands Environment Centre
• Nature Conservation Council of NSW

Waste and You

Each and Every Australian actually produces or generates approximately 2 tonnes of waste annually. And only about 50% of this is recycled. 50 million tonnes of waste is produced annually nationally. And there are some simple things you can do to help:

• Use cloth shopping bags
• Reject or say no to plastic shopping bags
• Ask your local shops to forget about that paper bag and give you the purchased item without the packaging
• Place those newspapers in the recycling
• Re-use your old printed computer paper. The blank side makes great notepads when stapled together.
• Get the kids to convert cans to cash

E-Waste

What do you do with your old printers, computers and mobile phones? Do you simply throw them out into the garbage, or do you dispose of them responsibly? The Boomerang Alliance also states “the massive explosion in the electronics consumer market was not accompanied by consumer responsibility.”[2] Australia, like the rest of the world is in fact at the tipping point regarding e-waste with over 230 million e-waste items on their way to garbage dump areas and landfill sites at the end of 2009.

A National Waste Policy

Finally in 2010 a new National Waste Policy was introduced.  The computer and television industry were involved as were many major industries and government and corporations. This policy will help to streamline a national waste strategy where previously waste management was overseen by state and territory bodies.[3]

It also sets a clear direction over the next 10 years aimed at:

• Reducing waste generation
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Manage waste as a viable resource
• Ensure treatment, disposal, recovery and re-use is undertaken in a safe, scientific manner
• Develop employment associated with waste management and recycling

The policy will also be implemented at all levels, from local governments through to state and territory and on to the federal level. There will also be a focus on collaborative action and extended producer responsibility schemes that mean a producer is now responsible for the waste it produces right up until the end of the product’s life.

Envirosafe Solutions supports the work of the Boomerang Alliance and the new National Waste Policy strategy. Telephone Envirosafe Solutions and use green and eco-friendly products. 1300 889070.

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[1] http://www.boomerangalliance.org.au/images/pdfs/1_statement_of_position.pdf

[2] http://boomerangalliance.org.au/e-waste.html

[3] http://ephc.gov.au/sites/default/files/WasteMgt_Rpt_National_Waste_Policy_Framework_Less_waste_more_resources_PRINT_ver_200911.pdf

Australia is the only country-continent capable of massive fish production. However, the situation has significantly changed during the last century, and overfishing has become a serious problem for Australia. Stocks are down, and sustainable practices need to be introduced and considered.

Threats to Stocks

In 2005, 17 species of fish from a total number of 84 were considered to be in danger from overfishing. Given the fact that climate change will have an impact on sea life, affecting their natural habitat, it is hard not to relate one with the other.

Another issue found in Australian waters is related to illegal fishing. Trawlers often fish illegally without any permit, right under the noses of authorities. People fishing illegally do not keep count of mating seasons or fish migration. The Australian Coast Guard also spends a large proportion of time safeguarding against illegal fishing boats in our territories, which come down from Asia to trawl and net for our stocks.

Because of this, the natural balance is disrupted and several species endangered.

Climate change impact

Fish populations in Australia are also affected by climate change which in turn affects such issues as

• The unequal distribution of nutrients
• The invasion from exotic species
• Rising sea levels
• Currents in warm and cold water

These four elements are very connected to one another an disruptions in one may have a chain effect or reaction in another – all of which throws out the delicate aquatic conditions and balances that foster fish reproduction and spawning.

With the balance thrown out, an ensuing lack of food and lack of a secure place for laying eggs, may ultimately translate into species disappearance. It is estimated that Australia loses 20 species every year, on land as on sea, which could interfere permanently and irreversibly with the natural environment cycle.

Stealing fish

Overfishing, a major concern for all Australians, has been debated within the Federal Parliament on numerous occasions over the past few years. Green groups have even argued that the significant hike in fuel prices may help to curb the waves of overfishing that can occur.

This is because fuel represents 60% of the total capital outlay associated with fishing, and any fuel hikes can significantly affect duration of time out at sea for trawlers and sizeable fishing boats.

Of course multiple measures have been implemented, from increasing coast guard and water police patrols, to utilising new and better devices to spot trawlers. And of course illegal fishermen will come up with new innovative methods to fish, from dynamiting the water to tracking fish movements with radar; Aussie sea life continues to remain endangered, more now than ever before.

But in spite of this, there are companies and organisations attempting to make a real difference.

Envirosafe Solutions is always concerned for the waters surrounding the Australian continent, and that is why the company has developed an Extreme Green Range of products that have less impact than most other counterpart products on the market. If you would like to know more about the Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green range, please contact 1300 889070 and speak with the sales staff who can assist.

Sources

http://www2.fisheries.com/archive/members/dpauly/chaptersinbooksreports/2006/fuelsubsidiesfisheriesglobally.pdf

http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/australia/environmental_problems_in_australia/

Recently, there has been a lot of talk on the topic of electromagnetic radiation and the impact it may have upon human health.  Some scientists believe that electromagnetic radiation can cause genes to mutate, leading to health issues later down the track in life.  Of course, a few decried this as paranoia and conducted studies that would prove the exact opposite.

While some maintain there is no definite conclusion about EMR, other organisations such as ARPANSA – The Australian Government’s Electromagnetic radiation Complaints Register, consider otherwise. This site actually collects data and reports on possible damages to health because of EMR from mobile phones, microwaves, power-lines, induction heaters and other things.

So, is EMR dangerous or harmless?  Both theories have strong points and the results of the conducted studies sustain each one of them.

What are electromagnetic radiations?

Electromagnetic energy is all around us.  Examples of electromagnetic radiations are given by:

• Radio waves
• TV waves
• Radar waves
• Heat
• UV light
• X-rays
• Short waves
• Microwaves
• Gamma Rays

The most debated electromagnetic radiations are those emitted by the mobile phones.  Those radiations are believed to cause problems such as changes of skin colour, overexcited brain cells, or even cancer.

Sometimes, electromagnetic radiations are compared to chemical radiations within a nuclear reactor.  It is believed that, in time, the effect is similar to radiation poisoning resulted from nuclear residues.

While in Australia, and all around the world mobile communication is increasing, concerns are being expressed about the possible impacts of electromagnetic radiation on the human body.

According to studies, electromagnetic radiation may have a negative effect upon neurotransmitter balance, the cognitive function, and REM sleep pattern and may cause various brain diseases, such as brain tumours or brain cell damage.  However, most reported effects are rather small, as long as the intensity of the radiation remains with a given range.

Biological effects of electromagnetic radiation

Researchers blame many diseases on electromagnetic radiation.  For example, the radiation from GSM cell phones may cause a certain amount of stress to two of the proteins that exist in our skin.  Another study shows that cell phone frequencies have caused damage to the neurons of rats, directly affecting their cortex.

As we know, rats are physiologically similar to humans; the results may be conclusive but like everything else this debate has stirred, there’re opposing points of view on what the rats exhibited.

Also, Italian researchers have found that electromagnetic radiations have a negative influence upon the growth of leukaemia cells.  According to the research, leukaemia cells that were exposed to normal cell phone frequencies for 48 hours, started replicating more aggressively.

According to an additional Israeli study, people who use cell phones are often are more likely to develop a form of cancer that attacks the salivary glands.  Also, brain tumours, miscarriages, and lymphatic cancer have all been linked to electromagnetic radiation.

However, other scientists claim that even those results are accurate the possibility of developing any form of cancer only from using the mobile phone is minimal, since the electromagnetic radiation emitted by this device is not dangerous to anyone.

Be aware of the unseen impact of EMR and use telecommunications devices responsibly.

Envirosafe Solutions supports the responsible use of technology and believes a sustainable way forward for the environment and business can be achieved. Telephone to speak with Envirosafe Solutions about their environmentally friendly Extreme Green products. 1300 889070.

Sources:

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/RadiationProtection/emr/index.cfm
http://www.emwatch.com/EMF%20Effects.htm

http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/electromagnetic-radiation-study.html

While heating and cooling concerns may not be as severe as those experienced by our European counterparts, there is no doubt the extremes of the Australian climate in some parts of the nation, means that energy expenditure must be monitored carefully. Summer in Australia can be very, very hot, and winters in the inland regions and in the southern states can be bitingly cold. This of course translates to the possibility of excessive spending and usage of energy. We warm our homes, we cool our homes. We try as best we can, to live comfortably on a continent of extremes and often rugged conditions. Today Envirosafe Solutions considers what each of us can do to minimise our heating and cooling costs. And in so doing, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the planet on its way.

According to the Australian Government, heating and cooling of Australian homes and businesses can account for up to 40% of the total annual energy use. In some cases, it is even more.[1] But there are solutions and there are alternatives. There are various strategies and approaches you can adopt to cut down on your heating and cooling costs and here are just a few:

Passive Design

“Passive design is design that does not require any mechanical heating or cooling. Homes that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort.” [2] This involves such factors as:

• Shading
• Orientation of the build
• Designing with the climate in mind
• Utilising passive solar heating

If you are thinking about building a house, think about these factors at the design and planning stage. You may be surprised at how much money you can save in heating bills later on down the track once you are living in your new home.[3]

Other ways you can reduce your heating and cooling costs is to consider the modes of mechanical heating and cooling you use.

Mechanical Heating

If you cannot implement passive heating and cooling, then the next best option may indeed be to choose appropriate heating for your particular situation. This will depend on your individual circumstances. But here are few guidelines that may help you on your way:

• Gas heaters. These are cheaper to run than electric heaters and produce 1/3 greenhouse gas emissions than the electrical equivalent.
• Heat pumps or reverse-cycle air conditioners are the most energy efficient when it comes to electric heating
• Electric in-slab floor heating is the most expensive heating to run.

Mechanical Cooling

There are a number of mechanical cooling options to choose from:

• Fans. These are the cheapest option on the market and in less extreme areas of Australia may be sufficient to cool homes.
• Evaporative coolers. These are the preferred choice in areas where there is very low humidity.
• Air conditioners. These are by far the most damaging to the environment. Filters need to be cleaned regularly and conditioners that are not installed correctly or that are not maintained properly can cost you more.

Make sure to source the cheapest and most environmentally sound heating and cooling options.

For more information concerning environmentally safer solutions for our Australian environment, please contact Envirosafe Solutions. Envirosafe Solutions produces the Extreme Green Range of liquid products for business, the home and for industry. To purchase or enquire please call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 889070.

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[1] http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/energy/heating-cooling

[2] http://yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs41.html

[3] Ibid

Like most of you, Envirosafe Solutions has monitored and followed the events of the massive tsunami that hit Japan on the 11^th March 2011. Not only were whole communities wiped out, but the tsunami led to a series of chain events and reactions, one of which was the demise and destruction and leaking of the Fukushima Power Plant. Envirosafe Solutions has provided regular updates on the Fukushima situation and today provides new information for you to consider.

On July 10, Japan’s Prime Minister announced that the decommissioning of the crippled Fukushima Plant could well take decades. “It is now expected to take 3, 5 or 10 years to control it and even several decades until the accident settles finally,” he said.[1] The cleanup had also been suspended In June because of high radiation and safety concerns, and this has continually slowed down the cleanup effort.

It will also take several decades before the reactors can be dismantled, which means the whole area is effectively a barren and deserted wasteland for the next twenty to thirty years.

At this stage, the Japanese government is also attempting to develop a long tern revised roadmap for dealing with the site and the issue.

Satellite imagery before and after shots over the Fukushima plant site can now be viewed online, and these show the clear extent of devastation the plant experienced.

Radioactive caesium in Tokyo water

The ABC also reported on July 4 that radioactive caesium has now been found in tap water in Tokyo. With a half life of 30 years, it is extremely toxic. The contaminated water –containing caesium 137 – was found in samples from the Shinjuku ward. While authorities are stating the levels are well below the maximum safety limit, residents in the area are not happy about it.[2]

The same toxic caesium has also impacted various sewage systems in Japan. Sludge from a treatment plant in Fukushima has been detected and radioactivity has also been found in sewage in the nation’s capital. Japanese authorities are now surmising that some of the radioactive material from the stricken Fukushima reactor may have seeped into sewage pipes, eventually accumulating in treatment facilities.

Disaster Rating

The severity rating of the Fukushima disaster was initially downplayed. But in recent weeks, the Fukushima incident has been rescaled to a level 7 which means it is now on par with the disaster level for Chernobyl. Chernobyl is of course the world’s worst ever civilian nuclear accident, which dispersed radioactive material over much of Europe and even beyond. Radiation zones have also now been extended beyond the 20 km exclusion zone because of increased risk.

Envirosafe Solutions is well aware of the dangers that chemicals and toximaterials can pose to the atmosphere, to water supplies and to the environment. That is why we have worked hard to develop a safer alternative to many of the liquid industrial and cleaning products on the market today. All the Envirosafe products come with their own specially devised safety rating and with a comprehensive labelling that allows you to know exactly what you are using. For more information please call one of the Envirosafe Solutions sales team on 1300 889070.

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[1] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-10/Japan-says-plant-clean-up-will-take-decades/2788632

[2] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-04/radioactive-caesium-found-in-tokyo-tap-water/2782128

If you have ever visited Bakersfield in California, you would know the pollution situation there is dire.¹ As I drove through the city on a recent visit, I noticed that the pollution level in Bakersfield was so bad that it was visible to the naked eye in the form of dense grey smog and I made a mental note to look up current pollution control norms in the USA.³ It also led me to wonder about the history of pollution control and regulations in the United States and whether they were leading the way on the issue, given the current state of the global environment. ²

My research on pollution control norms in the USA found that the US government had passed the Clean Air Act back in the 70’s.⁴ At that time, the new pollution control norms was hailed as one of the most rigorous anti-pollution norms to be enforced in the world and resulted in cars that had cleaner emissions, factories that were less polluting due to the newly mandated and installed air scrubbers and fuels that contained less harmful pollutants. The new pollution control norms meant that Americans could breathe easier – for a while.

As the number of cars, air planes, ships, factories and other contributors to air pollution kept increasing, the ozone levels (principle contributor to smog) in the cities also kept steadily increasing.⁵ By the 90’s, many American cities were affected by the higher concentrations of ground level ozone and the time had come for pollution control norms that were stronger and tighter.

The Environmental Protection Agency in the USA is the principle authority that is responsible for keeping a check on pollution in America.⁶ I found out that it had indeed drawn up tighter and more up-to-date pollution control norms that should have taken care of the smog situation that affects as many as half the cities in the USA. Unfortunately, as in most other countries, the new and tighter pollution control norms were stuck somewhere in the files awaiting government approval. The polluting industries it seems have an iron grip at the highest levels in the White House and will not allow the President to receive sufficient support to pass the law enforcing tighter pollution control norms.

Had the new pollution control norms come into force, more investment would have been required for installing up-to-date pollution control equipment and for producing engines that burn fuel through a cleaner process and fuels that are leaner in carbon content. The main opposition stems from a flawed logic that the new pollution control norms would mean increased costs and therefore jobs would be lost. Of course the costs would go up. But it is equally true that new jobs would be created in the manufacture and installation of new anti-pollution equipment and revised monitoring norms.

Instead of waiting for America to lead the world with new pollution control norms, surely this is an opportunity for Australia (and other governments in the world) to take the initiative and accept the mantel of leadership in setting up new pollution control norms.⁷ Australia can indeed lead the way on this issue.

Telephone Envirosafe Solutions, a wholly Australian company for more information about eco-friendly products that really work. 1300 889070

Sources:

1. Brief on Bakersfield, C.A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_California

2. pollution level in Bakersfield: http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x16510738/Bakersfield-again-No-1-for-particle-pollution

3. Current pollution control norms in the USA: http://www.pollutionissues.com/Ho-Li/Laws-and-Regulations-United-States.html

4. Clean Air Act, USA: http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/

5. Ozone levels and smog: http://www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/oz_prob.html

6. The Environmental Protection Agency in the USA:

http://www.epa.gov/

7. Clean Energy Future initiative: http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/index.html

Today Envirosafe Solutions looks at garbage and what we can do about it.

Garbage continues to remain a very persistent problem all around the world – we just label it as trash.  We may not notice it, or it may not bother us, but rest assured it continues to have an impact on the environment.  In some countries, people go out for picnics but forget to pick up after themselves when they are done.  Plastic and other materials take a very long time to decompose in nature, and when they do, they are highly poisonous for the environment.

Collection programs have been put in place in many countries, however and this has not completely solved the Waste Management problem.  Garbage dumps all over the world are overfilled [a new twist on the term landfill], and new ones are being built constantly.  Unfortunately, many of them are built around cities and the smell and sewage water is highly disturbing for the residents.

Some types of waste cannot even be burnt, because of the toxic fumes that they release.  A solution might be the collection programs.  Recycling is also a good solution in order to diminish the high amounts of waste, to decrease the costs of producing materials such as paper, tin, plastic or glass, and to protect the environment.

Hazardous waste management

In Australia, a pressing problem is hazardous waste management.  According to this legislation in place, mainly the Hazardous Waste Act, companies may deposit or export hazardous waste only when they are in possession of a permit.  The Minister for the Environment and Heritage offers a permit only when the waste is properly managed and must be deposited or processed in a facility that will not allow it to affect the environment.

Examples of hazardous waste include:

• acids
• pesticides
• paints
• bases
• oxidizers
• cyanides
• flammables
• organic solvents

These materials have special processing requirements, according to each of their chemical composition.

Recycling and waste management

Any household or commercial business in Australia has specific bins for selective waste collection.  Thus, there are special bins for:

• Foods
• Paper
• Plastics
• Batteries
• E-waste
• Garden waste
• And others

By law, each household or company must use selective waste collection in order to capitalize the waste.  Companies in Australia produce different kind of bins, according to the type of waste that has to be collected in them.  Waste dumps nowadays have special selection programs in order to separate wastes into categories.

Environmental NGOs and governments promote recycling worldwide.  People need to learn that nature cannot deal with the human produced waste, and that mean needs to protect the environment from poisonous compounds as much as possible.

However, there are situations where people shown no respect for the environment.  For example in Australia in 2010, there has been an increase in the quantity of a E-waste at the beginning of the year, as people were throwing away their old computers, televisions, or other electronic devices that have been replaced during Christmas, regardless of the regulations imposed by the government.

Envirosafe Solutions encourages all Australians to change their attitude to garbage and to increase home and office recycling. It also supplies products that have a comparatively low hazard rating compared to other similar products. Phone Envirosafe Solutions to find out more about their Extreme Green Range. 1300 889070

Sources:

http://australia.gov.au/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/pollution-and-waste-management

http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/314

http://www.tes-amm.com.au/downloads/Press_Release_TESAMM_Jan25.pdf

Greenhouse gas is a marketable commodity.

Consider this: Carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas is used to create pressure as well as fill in the vacuum created during oil extraction.¹ Carbon dioxide is used by most oil drilling rigs around the world.² The annual market for this greenhouse gas from oil companies alone is in the range of 40 million tons per year. Whereas, if carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to be reduced to pre-industrial era levels, than we need to remove 30 Billion tones of this substance.

Assuming that we do not add any more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, we would still have enough carbon dioxide reserves in the atmosphere to supply all the world’s oil wells for 900 years! The fact that oil wells will go dry long before that is beside the point. The point is, instead of making carbon dioxide in factors and supplying it to oil industries, if we could just suck it out of the air, it might possibly help us combat the effects of greenhouse gas on global warming.

Geophysicist Klaus Lackner and his students at the Columbia University have done just that. They have created a prototype artificial plant that can suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Currently the plant is far from perfect but early stages and trial suggest it works.³ Bulk users of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide include dry ice factories, greenhouse farms and algae ponds.

What is now also required is for the government to decree that users of carbon dioxide must buy carbon dioxide that is taken from the atmosphere or extracted from fossil fuels and not that which is created in special factories. If we do this, a whole new industry and thousands of jobs could be created that are also safer and more sustainable.

Eastern Germany has coal fired thermal electric power plants each of which belches out over 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide every day and is currently a major contributor to the greenhouse gas and greenhouse effect.⁴ Now Swedish utility Vatenfall has started a pilot plant that removes and captures the carbon dioxide from the coal.⁵ This captured greenhouse gas can be used at any location or process where carbon dioxide is required including filling up of depleted oil wells and gas fields. Currently the pilot plant is of a small capacity but once the technology is perfected, it could be a means to clean up our act at the source.

So while Geophysicist Klaus Lackner and his students at the Columbia University perfect the technology to suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the Swedish utility Vatenfall can perfect the technology of using coal without having to release greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. This could effectively ensure that carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by Klaus Lackner and his students is not replaced by polluting industries.

While there does seem to be a promising market in greenhouse gases, there are still some concerns about using greenhouse gas to fill vacuums in the ground. Primary concern is that the greenhouse gas could leak through the ground and find its way back into the atmosphere⁶. The oil companies are however quite confident that there is no leakage. Norwegian gas company StatoilHydro for example, has been extracting carbon dioxide from natural gas and pumping it deep below the North Sea. It has been doing so for more than 10 years. Some of course will wonder on how much we can trust oil companies to tell us the truth. But if carbon dioxide can indeed be stored safely below the Earth and we perfect greenhouse gas extraction technologies, then this technology may well be the start of a radical new approach to the greenhouse gas issue.

To obtain environmentally friendly products that are safer for our environment, telephone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 889070

1. Carbon Dioxide the greenhouse gas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth’s_atmosphere

2. Use of Carbon Dioxide in enhancing oil recovery: http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/2/12/205144/452

3. Carbon Dioxide Capture from air: http://www.physorg.com/news96732819.html

4. Coal fired power plants: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Fossil_fuel_power_plant

5.  Carbon-neutral electricity: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10191202-54.html

6.  Carbon storage concerns: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/carbon-capture4.htm