Anyone over the age of 35 should read this, as I copied this from a friends status ..

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. I apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days“.

The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations“.

She was right about one thing–our generation didn’t have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on “Our” day, here’s what I remembered we did have….

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of Wales. In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right. We didn’t have the green thing back then.

We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then?

Please post this on your Facebook profile so another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smarty-pants young person can add to this


Read more:  http://gaasedal.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/anyone-over-the-age-of-35-should-read-this-as-i-copied-this-from-a-friends-status/

Silverback's Starke city bikes charge your gadgets

Bike maker Silverback has finally added something to its new Starke range that nerdy cyclists have wanted for years: a USB port. The four-strong lineup of city bikes all have a dynamo-powered USB port up on top of the head-tube, ready to charge cellphones, MP3 players, GPS units or anything else. When not engaged in recharging your cellphone, the front dynamo hub runs the lighting system.

It’s incredibly practical, and bike commuters will soon be able to enjoy many of the same comforts as their car-bound enemies: cup warmers, USB-powered fans (very useful) and maybe even a USB-powered reading lamp (I put this one is as a joke, but it might make map reading easier at night).

Otherwise, the Starkes are a smart-looking bunch, running from the 31-pound (14-kilo) Starke 1 up to the 25-pound (11.4-kilo) Starke Sub Zero. All have the same “Flow Formed Nickel Alloy” frame, and all have disk brakes front and rear. What differs are the components and drivetrain. The lower end models get chains and derailleurs, while the Sub Zero gets an internal-geared hub and a belt drive.

The Starkes were shown off at last week’s Interbike, and are part of Silverback’s “2012 platform.” As such, we have no prices or launch dates, and the specs may change (which is why I didn’t bother with brands in the spec list, although you can probably guess most of it is Shimano).

Using Waste Heat from Automobile Exhaust

ScienceDaily (June 12, 2011) — With the completion of a successful prototype, engineers at Oregon State University have made a major step toward addressing one of the leading problems in energy use around the world today -- the waste of half or more of the energy produced by cars, factories and power plants.New technology is being developed at OSU to capture and use the low-to-medium grade waste heat that's now going out the exhaust pipe of millions of automobiles, diesel generators, or being wasted by factories and electrical utilities.

The potential cost savings, improved energy efficiency and broad application of such technology is enormous, experts say. The new systems now being perfected at OSU should be able to use much of that waste heat either in cooling or the production of electricity.

A prototype device has been finished to demonstrate the efficacy of this technology, and the findings just published in Applied Thermal Engineering, a professional journal.

"This could become a very important new energy source and way to improve energy efficiency," said Hailei Wang, a research associate in the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at OSU. "The prototype shows that these systems work as well as we expected they would."

More than half of the heat generated by industrial activities is now wasted, Wang said, and even very advanced electrical power plants only convert about 40 percent of the energy produced into electricity. The internal combustion engines of automobiles are even worse -- they generally operate around 25-40 percent conversion efficiency. The very function of an automobile radiator is to dissipate wasted heat.
Various approaches have been attempted, and are sometimes used, to capture and use at least some of that waste heat to produce cooling. The new system being developed at OSU may do that as, or more efficiently than past approaches, be more portable, and also have one major advantage -- the ability to also produce electricity.

It's called a "thermally activated cooling system" that gains much of its efficiency by using extraordinarily small microchannels which help to better meet the performance, size and weight challenges. It effectively combines a vapor compression cycle with an "organic Rankine cycle," an existing energy conversion technology.

The new prototype completed at OSU succeeded in turning 80 percent of every kilowatt of waste heat into a kilowatt of cooling capability. Researchers say the conversion efficiency wouldn't be nearly as high if the goal is to produce electricity -- about 15-20 percent -- but it's still much better than the current approach, which is to waste the energy potential of all of the heat.

"This technology would be especially useful if there's a need to have cooling systems where heat is being wasted," Wang said. "That's one reason the research has been supported by the Department of Defense, because they see it being used to provide needed air conditioning for electronics and other purposes when they are using generators in the field."

However, the OSU scientists said that may be just the beginning. Factories often produce enormous amounts of wasted heat in their operations. The systems could also be incorporated into alternative energy technologies such as solar or geothermal, scientists say, in addition to fossil fuel use.
Conceptually, it should also be possible for such systems to be used in hybrid automotive technology, taking waste heat from the gasoline engine and using it not only for air conditioning but also to help recharge the battery that powers the vehicle, Wang said.

Continued research will be needed to perfect the technology and adapt it to different uses, the scientists said.

The work takes advantage of OSU's advanced programs in microchannel technology, a key focus of the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute operated by OSU and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This study was co-authored by Rich Peterson, an OSU professor of mechanical engineering, expert in thermal sciences and energy systems, and associate director of the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute.

enlarge

Thermal activated cooling system. This prototype of a "thermal activated cooling system" has been developed by engineers at Oregon State University, and promises important new advances in energy efficiency by using wasted heat. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Oregon State University)

I adopted a Tree

Yes! My tree had been planted in Indonesia. I adopted a tree...    :)

Remember my previous post on Nokia Recycling Program about planting a tree for you when you recycle your phone?

Check it out below.
Nokia Recycle A Phone Adopt A Tree Program

I had just received the email from Nokia

"Hello,

Thank you for recycling your mobile phone(s) with Nokia and participating in our Recycle a Phone, Adopt a Tree program.

We are pleased to advise you the coordinates of the tree we will be planting on your behalf:

Certificate reference: NEWtrees Tree 1xxxxx.pdf

Seeing your tree in Ovi Map is really easy:

1. click on this website http://www.nokia.mynewtrees.com

2. For easy reference, attached are step by step instructions how to go about viewing your tree(s).

In case you have any problems, please send an email to feedback@mynewtrees.com.

Thank you again for participating in this program to help conserve the world''s forests.

For more information about this NEWtrees program please click on this website http://www.wwf.or.id/newtrees "


With Best Regards,
Market Environmental Affairs
Nokia South East Asia Pacific

Recycling gives your phone a second life

This is something new to me.  I happened to see this at the Singtel shop at Bukit Batok West Mall.  A box for you to drop off your old mobile phones to be recycled.  It can be of other brands, and any other mobile phones accessories as well.  I had took the return-envelope as I did not had my phone with me.  I had posted it back.  Glad that it could recycle other phones too.  I had send my SE G705, with the charger, usb cable, and the ear piece.

They are going to plant a tree on my behalf and going to send me the co-ordinates of the trees and I could check it out on their OVI maps. Please do your part, and recycle all your old phones.  Read below.



Is your unused phone cluttering up your desk drawer? Our global consumer survey reveals that 44% of old mobile phones are lying in drawers at home and not being recycled. If you no longer need your mobile device or accessory, you may consider giving it to one of your friends for use or bring it back to us for recycling. 100 percent of the materials in your phone can be recovered and used to make new products or generate energy.

Recycling means there's no need to extract and refine as much material for new products, saving energy, chemicals and waste. If every Nokia user recycled just one unused phone at the end of its life, together we would save nearly 125,000 tonnes of raw materials.

Taking part in creating best practices

At Nokia, we believe it's our responsibility to make it as easy as possible to recycle mobile devices that are no longer in use. To recycle your phone, battery or charger, all you have to do is drop it off at any Nokia recycling point and we'll take care of the rest.

Nokia works with carefully selected companies who reclaim materials from the phones and accessories we pass on to them. These companies are assessed on a regular basis to make sure they're doing things properly and that anything handed to them is recycled responsibly.

Nokia supports the concept of individual producer responsibility. In order for us to carry out our own responsibilities we need others in the value chain, like consumers and retailers, to commit to bring back obsolete mobile devices for responsible recycling. Such co-operation eventually leads to a situation where significant drivers for environmentally optimized product design enabling easier recycling would become commonplace, bringing further benefits for consumers, producers and the environment.

We've been running take-back campaigns since the late 1990s and we regularly work with environmental organizations or non-governmental organizations such as WWF to increase consumer awareness in different markets around the world. We also work with others in our industry to improve recycling standards.

Nokia also participates in many projects to improve the way redundant phones are treated. These include the MPPI work group that has drafted global guidelines covering design, collection, refurbishment and recycling of mobile phones. We are also a member of StEP initiative (solving the e-waste problem), an industry and academia cooperation led by UN university.

For more details and location of the drop box, please see :
http://www.nokia.com/environment/recycling

Six green-minded iPad accessories

Written by John Platt

Whether you already own a first-generation Apple iPad or are looking to buy an iPad 2 when they come out later this month, there are a variety of accessories on the market to help keep your tablet safe, secure — even powered.

Here are six of our green favorites:

1. The Vers Shellcase: Available in eco-friendly, hand-crafted bamboo, the Vers Shellcase (pictured) has a metal foot so you can rest the iPad on a tabletop and use it at a natural incline. If you choose not to go with bamboo, there are hardwood options available, and Vers will plant 100 trees for every tree it uses in producing its products. ($79.99)

2. The Audrey iPad Purse: Fashionistas should check out this great and stylish bag. It’s made from recycled “suede and satin” (both of which are made from recycled plastic bottles), “vegan leather” (in other words, leather substitute) and recycled zippers. The bag is fully padded to keep your iPad safe and offers several pockets so you can pack away any necessary cords. ($108)

3. Eco-Vue iPad Case: This Marware’s iPad case comes with a flap that folds over the screen when it’s not in use and a hand strap for easy carrying. The flap can also be used as a stand when you want your iPad to be vertical on a tabletop. The case is made from RoHS-certified eco-leather, which is produced with fewer toxic chemicals than typical leather tanning processes. ($54.99)

4. A Solio solar charger: Solio has several solar chargers on the market, like the popular Solio Classic. Most solar chargers on the market can’t charge an iPad, which requires more juice than these small devices can provide, but a fully powered Solio charger can be used like an external battery to run your iPad. This video shows how. ($99.95)

5. Zagora iPad Sleeve: This snug sleeve protects your iPad from dents and scratches. It’s made from canvas made of hemp, which is grown in China with no pesticides. ($35)

6. DIY Wooden Stand. For the do-it-yourself crowd, here’s a great, inexpensive option. You can create your own iPad stand with a block of reclaimed wood, a saw, a 19mm drill bit, and sandpaper. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works, and you can make it yourself with whatever wood you can find lying around. The website has complete plans on how to do it.

EARTH HOUR SINGAPORE 2011 - OFFICIAL CELEBRATION PARTY

Create your Facebook Event, make a newsletter or tweet to let the world know about Earth Hour and share with your friends what you will be doing. You can use the tools we've put together for you.

EARTH HOUR SINGAPORE 2011 - OFFICIAL CELEBRATION PARTY

Venue: The Promontory @ Marina Bay
MRT: Raffles Place exit J (click here to see the location map)
Date: Saturday, 26 March 2011
Time: 5.30 – 10.00 pm

WWF's Earth Hour event is sustainably fueled by Alpha Biodiesel recycled from IKEA Restaurants' waste cooking oil.

Free Live Concert and Carnival (5.30 – 8.30pm)

This year, WWF, in partnership with the Singapore Kite Association, will be inviting you to make your own kite and personalise it with your message or wish for the Planet. Remember also to bring your picnic basket and your beewax candles. Sit back, relax and enjoy the performances and some educational fun at the carnival.

As the lights go out, get your walking shoes in ! (8.30 – 9.30pm)
Get on your feet and show your support to the protection of our Planet. So get ready to walk in the dark for the first ever Earth Hour Night Walk! Lace up and join your fellow Singaporeans and our celebrity supporters in showing your commitment to our planet.

To know more, visit http://earthhour.wwf.sg/events.php

After Dump, What Happens To Electronic Waste?

Recycling may not be enough.  Please listen to the podcast!
But there are ways to ensure that your electronics are handled correctly!

Click here to listen:
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13&prgDate=12-21-2010

Top 10 Green Resolutions for New Year

Every year you make New Year resolutions, but despite your good intentions, your list is too big and never fully actualized. This year, make the resolutions for the environment that actually make a difference in your life and along the way you save money. These top 10 green resolutions help to simplify your homes, and your lives, to be greener, healthier, and happier this coming year.


1. I resolve to start recycling. Recycled as much as you can. You can start by recycling the plastic bags, paper and cans. About 50 percent of your trash can be recycled. Buy products in a recyclable bag or can. Once you make a habit of recycling, your family and friends will follow you to make this planet greener.



2. I resolve to use energy efficient appliances. Appliances around the house need electricity. It cost you to operate these appliances. Energy efficient appliances help you save money on your electricity bill and less green house gas emission. If you are planning on buying new appliance, give the old one to the needy people or donate it. Do not throw it in the garbage. During the year, do not limit yourself to only these changes, but will continue to evolve as you try to lesson your CO2 impact on this planet.




3. I resolve to use eco-friendly cleaners. Start using eco-friendly detergent, laundry products and other cleaners. Many eco-friendly cleaning products are plant based, concentrated and biodegradable. They are as effective as other cleaning products.



4. I resolve to use recycled bag. Plastic is the worst enemy of environment. You can start your new year by using recycled bag as often as possible. The recycled bags are made from candy wrapper, denim jeans or other recycled materials.



5. I resolve to start composting. Composting takes more time and energy. But it is not hard, once you get the habit of doing it, you will make a difference. Besides, composting helps the plants grow. You can compost leftover food, fruit and vegetable skin, dry leaves and yard clippings.



6. I resolve to use less electricity. Using less electricity makes a difference. Your house will produce less green house gas and you will save money. To reduce your electricity usage, you can turn down the heat by 2 degrees during winter season. Put an extra layer of cloth to keep you warm. Change the light bulbs with LED bulbs, this way you save energy and produce less green house gases. Use less hot water by washing clothes with cold or warm water.



7. I resolve to give up paper towels. Paper towels create waste, which is not good for the environment. You can save trees being cut by using reusable towels. The microfiber towels grip dirt and dust just like paper towels. Once you are done with them, wash them and reuse again. If you must use the paper towels, buy the recycled paper towels.


8. I resolve to avoid wasting gas. Gas makes our environment more polluted than plastic. You can walk, use bike or public transportation. It is good for your health and the environment. Another thing you can do is check your tire pressure. If you keep your tires properly inflated, you could save gas and increase your gas mileage.



9. I resolve to start using stainless steel water bottle. Water bottles are widely used around the world. The plastic bottles takes long period of time to compost. They create more pollution in the environment. Start using the stainless steel water bottle. If you have to buy plastic bottle water, then use the same bottle by refilling it.





10. I resolve to plant trees. This New Year resolution is easy and everybody can do it. Try to plant a tree every month. Planting tree with your children is a great activity to spend quality time with them. You can teach them about how plants help the environment. If everyone on this planet tries to plant a tree, half of our environment problems will be solved.


During the year, you do not limit yourself to only these top 10 green resolutions, but continue to evolve as you try to lesson your CO2 impact on this planet.

RollerGen Battery BOS

Convenient, portable power source named BOS for its shape: like a Bar-Of-Soap. Enabled by the latest generation battery technology. Compatible with all electronic devices via USB.

 

When you stop riding, you take the BatteryBOS with you. Never miss an opportunity because of uncharged devices.

• Fully charged in 4-5 miles of riding. Charges at an amazing 30 watts! Required to handle the huge RollerGen dyno output levels. This is the magic – very small, yet very high power.

• Dual high-current USB outputs put out a combined 4.0 amps at 5V! USB-1&2 is just 0.5 amps, and soon-to-be-released USB-3 only goes to 0.9 amps. BOS’s high current provides more than enough power for today’s and tomorrow’s devices.

• Take advantage of higher amperage by connecting a USB hub and charge multiple devices at once. High capacity 15 watt-hours will fill up multiple gadgets before running out.

• A bright LED light comes in handy in the dark, so we included it.

Battery full indicator and disable slide switch. No accidental discharging because the “on” button was leaned against.

 Remember to check out the website on the RollerGen Power System.

Earth Hour 2010

Asus Protect 3.0 Motherboards

It’s not easy to make motherboards exciting but with its new Protect 3.0 technology, ASUS has achieved just that. Protect 3.0 is an ASUS initiative to protect the Earth, protect PCs and protect the most important thing of all – you, the user.

At the heart of all Protect 3.0 motherboards is an ASUS Energy Processing Unit, or EPU. This monitors power use in real time, automatically saving energy when demand for the computer’s resources is low. As this accounts for around 75% of daily PC the power reductions can be considerable – up to 33KW of electricity saved for every PC built around an ASUS Protect 3.0 motherboard.

Looked at another way, if 10 million computers used an EPU-enabled Protect 3.0 motherboard then it’s calculated that 207,430 tons of CO2 emissions would be eliminated. That’s equivalent to the entire annual carbon emissions from Australia.

However, energy saving is just one aspect of the innovative Protect 3.0 technology. Real-time surge protection means that ASUS Protect 3.0 motherboards shield sensitive (not to mention valuable) PC components from electrical spikes in a way that no other motherboard can.

As well, ASUS has produced a low-radiation design for Protect 3.0 motherboards. The effective radiation reduction compared to other motherboard brands is up to 50%.

Protect the planet and yourself!

Singapore's first Zero Energy Building launched today

This is an article from AsiaOne, and Yes! Singapore's first environmental friendly and self sufficient building. After hearing it 2 years ago, until now, we're finally doing our part. =)

It is the first building in Southeast Asia to be retrofitted with green features and technologies. -AsiaOne

Mon, Oct 26, 2009
AsiaOne

Singapore's first retrofitted Zero Energy Building (ZEB) located at the BCA (Building and Construction Authority) Academy was officially opened today by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development.

The ZEB, a flagship R&D project by the BCA, is also the first existing building in Southeast Asia to be fully retrofitted with green building design features and technologies.

It houses fully functioning classrooms, a library, multipurpose hall and offices, and is used as a test-bed for innovative building designs and energy efficient building solutions, especially for existing buildings.

The building underwent a very energy efficient re-design of the facade, the roof, the M&E system and other building components to reduce its energy needs, and was retrofitted at a cost of $11 million.

The Zero Energy Building is expected to be about 40-50% more efficient than an office building of similar layout. Although the building is connected to the grid, it is expected to generate as much electricity as it consumes over a typical year.

Solar panels installed on the roof and other prominent areas will tap the sun's energy to generate about 207,000 kWh of electricity a year - enough to supply power to 45 four-room HDB flats.

The building is also fitted with a a single coil twin fan ventilation system - an NUS invention - to reduce utility bills that often go into air-conditioning. This controls the flow of fresh and recycled air separately - according to demand - in the building. Fresh air is only channeled to rooms that are occupied as it consumes more energy to chill compared to recycled air.

The launch kickstarted the inaugural Singapore Green Building Week (SGBW) which celebrates the achievements of Singapore's efforts towards sustainable development through a series of local and international activities.

Dr. John Keung, BCA's CEO, said: 'The Singapore Green Building Week is not just about showing the fruits of our efforts but is also an opportunity for us to learn and share our experiences and knowledge in sustainable development.

We hope that the success of the Zero Energy Building will spur the industry on towards incorporating green building design and technologies into their developments. All of us have a part to play in protecting the environment for future generations.'

10 Tips on how to drive more efficiently

1 Drive smoothly

If you drive aggressively, you can burn up to a third more fuel than if you drive smoothly. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as even as possible.

2 Use higher gears

When you drive in higher gear, you’ll use less fuel, so change up a gear whenever you can.

3 Keep the windows closed

Wind blowing through an open window can slow you down. And, to compensate, you’re likely to speed up. Instead of opening windows why not use your car’s internal ventilation system, just so long as this doesn’t make you feel drowsy.

4 Use cruise control

Using cruise control on major roads can help you maintain a constant speed and helps you make all those drops count.

5 Avoid excess idling

Stuck in a jam? Idling gets you nowhere, but still use up fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue until you need it. As a rule, if you’ve stopped for over 10 seconds, switch off your engine.

6 Avoid over-revving

Change gear in good time when you pull away or when you’re accelerating. Never ‘redline’ the rev counter.

7 Avoid high speeds

The faster you go, the more wind resistance you’ll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. Remember that according to the UK Department of Transport figures, at 70mph you could be using up to 30 per cent more fuel than at 50mph. So keep it slow.

8 Use air-conditioning sparingly

Sometimes it’s hard to avoid using your air-conditioning, but remember that it does put added strain on your engine on hot or cold days. And, it can increase your fuel consumption by up to 8%. On temperate days, you can always use your car’s internal ventilation system instead.

9 Avoid rush hour

If you can travel outside of peak times, you’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and use less fuel as a result.

10 Keep a constant speed

Instead of coasting when you reach a downward slope, maintain steady engine revs. This will help you to maintain a constant speed rather than picking up speed and is likely to have a positive effect on your fuel consumption.

10 Tips for you and your car

1 Service your engine

Did you know a poorly maintained engine can increase your fuel consumption by up to 50%? Just replacing dirty spark plugs can improve your fuel consumption by up to 5%.

2 Keep your tyres at the right pressure

If your tyres are under inflated by just 1psi, your fuel efficiency can be reduced by up to 3%. So pump up those tyres up once a week or whenever you fill up.

3 Avoid carrying excess weight

For every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry, your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%. So clear your car of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle when you can.

4 Take the roof rack off

If you’re not using your roof rack or your roof box, remove it. A roof rack can affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle, creating drag which can result in your car using up to 5% more fuel.

5 Check the air filters

Air filters keep impurities from damaging your engine. Remember to check and replace your air filter if clogged.

6 Use the correct oil

Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can help improve fuel efficiency by 1-2%. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently.

7 Check the seal on your fuel cap

Fuel evaporates every time you open the fuel cap. Make sure your cap is properly screwed on every time after every fill up

8 Plan your trips

Cutting down on the time spent in the car is the easiest way to conserve fuel. To reduce driving time, combine all your short trips and errands into a single journey or call ahead to avoid wasted journeys.

9 Keep hydrated

Don’t forget to drink water. When you’re well hydrated, you concentrate better. Keep a bottle to hand as you drive and make sure you drink your recommended eight glasses a day.

10 Keep calm

That way you’ll be able to drive smoothly and anticipate what’s going on ahead of you. When you keep calm, you also drive with plenty of distance between your car and others.

Power to Change

This is an initiative from HP in doing their part in making our place a greener one. Do visit it, and experience the change. Help spread the word too!

http://www.hp.com/powertochange

Here is a link to their blog that started from the simple thought that small changes can make a big difference. Do visit it too!

http://blog.hppowertochange.com/

Go Go Gadget Recycling!

How can my blog about gadgets not blog about recycling gadgets? Here is a post from washingtonpost.com.


Sunday, November 25, 2007

It's hard to imagine life without cellphones, computers and iPods. And as technology advances, so does the rate at which we buy gadgets just to keep up. While constantly upgrading your electronics is hard on the wallet, it's also harmful to the planet -- and possibly your health.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 1.5 million to 1.9 million tons of unwanted electronics (also called e-waste) was deposited in U.S. landfills in 2005. Not only is this a waste of resources, but these items contain hazardous chemicals and toxic metals such as flame retardants, arsenic, mercury and cadmium; an average of four pounds of lead is inside each cathode-ray tube TV and computer monitor. These chemicals can leach from landfills into drinking water reserves, or, if incinerated, they're released into the air.

Recycling is the obvious solution, but even it must be approached with caution. The Basel Action Network, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that studies the global toxic waste trade, estimates that 50 to 80 percent of U.S. electronics set aside for recycling are smuggled to India and China, where environmental and health regulations for recycling are lax. A study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences published this year in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that the air in Guiyu, a Chinese city that hosts many of the country's e-waste recycling facilities, has the highest documented levels of two toxic chemicals -- polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) -- in the world.

Most municipalities have drop-off sites for household electronic waste, but these public services are often contracted out to private recyclers, which may or may not be reliable. If you choose this route -- or use a private recycling service directly -- do your homework and ask questions. "A reputable recycler can talk you through what happens to your electronics and provide references," says Elizabeth Wilmot, president of Turtle Wings, a Maryland-based e-waste recycling service. For a fee, Turtle Wings (1771 Olive St., Capitol Heights, 301-583-8399, http://www.turtlewings.com) will pick up from households; it also takes drop-offs at a lesser cost.

Some other e-waste recycling tips:

- If your goods are only a few years old and still work, see whether a school, charity or church could use them.

- Most electronic brands accept their own products for recycling, although you'll have to pack and ship the items yourself. "A company with a reputation is absolutely trustworthy," Wilmot says. "If you're a corporation, you're not going to be dumping monitors." The EPA's eCycling program lists Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy and Apple among its retail partners accepting household electronics. Most cellphone service providers accept used phones in their stores or via mail; check with your provider for details.

- The most effective long-term solution is for the gadgets themselves to get greener. Many electronics companies have pledged to reduce or eliminate toxic materials in their products, so as the eco-movement gains momentum, look for easily recyclable goods with longer life spans. In the meantime, be a green consumer: Don't replace your phone or TV just because a shinier, newer model is available. Stick with what you have for as long as it's useful.

New Template for my Blog

I have decided to change the layout template for my blog, to go green. =P
After hearing from the news a few days ago, I have started to post some recycling tips, and so on.
I've got the tips from other websites, and hope that by putting it on my blog, more people get to read them.
We need to save our Earth, and what we can start doing now is to reuse, reduce, and recycle. Recycling is an excellent way of saving energy and conserving the environment. Did you know that:

• 1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
• 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
• 1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours.
• 70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials.

Let us do our part in saving our Earth for our next generation.

www.recycling-guide.org.uk

A large percentage of UK household's still do not recycle enough and throw everything that they consider 'rubbish' into their ordinary bin.

Much of this waste can be recycled and should be disposed of separately to general household waste. Look inside this rubbish bin to see how much of the contents should actually have been recycled.

Do visit here for more details.

Top Recyling Tips

1. First things first, a little R & R & R
The aphorism is so tired it almost might seem like “reduce, reuse, recycle” should go without saying. But in fact, most of us have only really heard the last third of the phrase, and they’re ranked in order of importance. Reducing the amount that we consume, and shifting our consumption to well-designed products and services, is the first step. Finding constructive uses for “waste” materials is next. And tossing it in the blue bin is last. (The garbage can is not on the list, for good reason.) Through a balance of these three principals you can easily see your landfill-destined waste dwindle fast. A good example of recycling is setting your empty water bottles in the bin on the curb. But by using a water filter and reusable container you can reduce or completely eliminate your need for disposable plastic bottles.

2. Know what you can and can't recycle
Read up on the recycling rules for your area and make sure you don't send anything in that can't be processed. Each city has its own specifics, so try to follow those guidelines as best you can.

3. Buy recycled
The essence of recycling is the cyclical movement of materials through the system, eliminating waste and the need to extract more virgin materials. Supporting recycling means feeding this loop by not only recycling, but also supporting recycled products. We can now find high recycled content in everything from printer paper to office chairs.

4. Encourage an artist
If you know someone interested in making art from recycled materials, offer to provide supplies. Many school children need items like paper towel tubes for art projects. Older artists use everything from rubber bands to oven doors. If you know someone who teaches art classes, suggest that an emphasis be put on making art from trash. While you're at it, remind them to use recycled paper and biodegradable, earth-friendly glues, paints, and pencils whenever possible. See below for inspiration and groups that connect artists and students with useful “trash.”

5. Recycle your water
If you're a homeowner, consider rearranging your plumbing so that rainwater or wastewater from your shower and tub is used to flush your toilet. If you have a garden, water it with leftover bathwater or dishwashing water (as long as you use a biodegradable soap). For more on water recycling see How to Go Green: Water.

6. Recycle your greenery
William McDonough and Michael Braungart, authors of the groundbreaking Cradle to Cradle, envision so-called “waste” divided into two categories: technical nutrients and biological nutrients. Biological nutrients are those that, at the end of their useful life, can safely and readily decompose and return to the soil. Composting is one of the simplest and most effective recycling methods. Both your garden cuttings and your green kitchen waste can go into an outdoor or indoor composter (with or without entertaining a population of worms). If you don't have a garden yourself, find neighbors or a community garden that can make use of your soil. Composting food scraps will mean your regular kitchen wastebasket fills up more slowly and also won’t smell. Hotter, more active compost heaps can also consume tougher stuff like newspaper and paper napkins. After Christmas, many cities also have programs for turning your tree into mulch.

7. Recycle your robots
Electronics recycling is becoming more common in many urban areas, battery recycling is ubiquitous (rechargeable batteries are ecologically sounder, but even they wear out after a while), and there are a number of non-profit organizations that will take computer parts and turn them into working computers for others. Companies like Ebay have also developed programs to help your electronics find new homes. Other groups will gladly recycle your cell phone or give it to a senior citizen, as even without a contract it can still make emergency calls. If you have a major appliance that doesn't work and you'd rather replace it than try to fix it, offer it to local repair shops, trade schools, or hobbyists to tinker with. Many cities now offer hazardous waste recycling days when they will take not only hazardous waste, but electronics.

8. Anticipate recycling
In addition to buying recycled goods, keep a keen eye out for recyclable goods. Whenever you purchase something packaged, think about how you can reuse the packaging, return it to a shipping store for reuse, or try to otherwise recycle it. If you get something likely to run down or wear out over time, such as an electronic component, give preference to the model that can be easily upgraded or cannibalized for parts so that you don't have to junk the whole thing if one part breaks. Products that are impossibly fused together are often called “monstrous hybrids” and are, while often cheaper up front, frequently unfixable and unrecyclable.

9. If you don’t love something, let it go
Lots of charities welcome your donations. Groups like Freecycle and Recycler's Exchange exist to help you get rid of useful objects that you just don't want to make use of. If you're in a Craigslist city, make use of the "free stuff" section. Give away clothes that don't fit, the boxes you used in your last house move, or scented soaps that don't appeal to your sensibilities. Make it a rule in your house that nothing useable goes in the trash until you've given the community a fair shot at it.

10. Become a waste-stream analyst
To better understand the kind of materials that enter and leave your home, office, or school, consider conducting a waste audit. Set a span of time like a week or a month, and separate your waste categories. Weigh the different kinds of material flows that go out the door (landfill waste, organic compost, aluminum, recyclable plastic, reusable material, etc.). Design a “material recovery” program that minimizes the amount going to the landfill. This is a great exercise to do with kids but can be very convincing to corporate higher-ups, too, especially since most companies pay to have their trash hauled away and can get money for recycled paper, containers, toner cartridges, corrugated cardboard, and such.