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The Rise of Bioplastics: A Step Toward a Sustainable Future?

yansun — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:12:55 +0000

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. As awareness of its devastating impacts grows, bioplastics have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. But are bioplastics truly a sustainable solution, or do they come with their own set of challenges? Let’s delve into the world of bioplastics to understand their potential, limitations, and prospects.

1. What Are Bioplastics?

Bioplastics are a type of plastic derived from renewable biological resources such as corn, sugarcane, potato starch, or cellulose. Unlike conventional plastics, which are made from petroleum-based materials, bioplastics aim to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and provide an eco-friendlier alternative. Broadly speaking, bioplastics can either be biodegradable, breaking down naturally into harmless substances, or non-biodegradable but still made from renewable resources.

2. Types of Bioplastics and How They Are Made

Bioplastics are categorized based on their source material and biodegradability:

Polylactic Acid (PLA): Derived from fermented plant sugars, often from corn starch or sugarcane, PLA is one of the most common bioplastics. It is widely used for food packaging, utensils, and 3D printing.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Produced by microorganisms through fermentation of plant oils or sugars, PHAs are fully biodegradable and often used in medical applications and packaging.
Starch-Based Plastics: These are made directly from natural starches like corn or potatoes and are commonly used in single-use items like bags and cutlery.
Cellulose-Based Plastics: Derived from wood pulp, cellulose-based bioplastics are used for films, eyeglass frames, and other products.
Bio-based Polyethylene (Bio-PE): Made from sugarcane, Bio-PE is chemically identical to conventional polyethylene, meaning it isn’t biodegradable but can still reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production.

The production of bioplastics generally involves converting raw materials into sugars, which are then fermented or polymerized to create plastic resins.

3. Are Bioplastics Better for the Environment?

Bioplastics are often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, but their environmental benefits depend on several factors:

Carbon Footprint: Producing bioplastics generally emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to petroleum-based plastics. However, the environmental advantage can vary depending on the energy source used for production and the type of bioplastic.
Biodegradability: Many bioplastics, such as PLA, require specific industrial composting conditions to degrade properly. Without access to these facilities, they may persist in the environment like traditional plastics.
Resource Use: Growing crops for bioplastics requires land, water, and fertilizers, which can contribute to deforestation, water scarcity, and soil degradation. This raises concerns about their overall sustainability, particularly when scaled up.

4. Challenges and Side Effects of Bioplastics

Despite their potential, bioplastics are not without their challenges:

Waste Management Issues: Bioplastics often end up in landfills or conventional recycling systems due to a lack of proper composting facilities or labelling. In landfills, they can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Competition with Food Production: Using crops like corn and sugarcane for bioplastics may divert resources from food production, exacerbating food security issues in some regions.
Cost: Bioplastics are generally more expensive to produce than petroleum-based plastics, making them less competitive in price-sensitive markets.
Microplastic Pollution: Some bioplastics break down into microplastics, which can still pose risks to marine life and ecosystems.

5. Alternatives and Future Developments

While bioplastics hold promise, other alternatives and innovations are also being explored:

Edible Packaging: Companies are developing packaging made from seaweed or other edible materials, which can completely eliminate waste.
Algae-Based Plastics: Algae is a fast-growing, renewable resource that could serve as a sustainable feedstock for bioplastics.
Recycling Innovations: Advancements in chemical recycling technologies aim to make all types of plastics, including bioplastics, more recyclable.
Biodegradability Standards: Research is ongoing to create bioplastics that degrade more readily in natural environments, reducing the need for industrial composting.
Circular Economy Models: A shift toward reusing and recycling all materials, including bioplastics, can reduce the environmental footprint of plastic use.

Conclusion

Bioplastics represent a step toward reducing humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels and curbing plastic pollution. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Challenges related to waste management, resource use, and cost must be addressed for bioplastics to truly contribute to a sustainable future. In parallel, investment in alternative materials and robust recycling systems will play a critical role in minimizing plastic waste. Ultimately, tackling plastic pollution will require a multifaceted approach involving innovation, policy changes, and a shift in consumer behaviour toward more sustainable choices.

The post The Rise of Bioplastics: A Step Toward a Sustainable Future? appeared first on Ecowonder.

The Rising Electronic Waste Crisis – Get Smarter with E-Waste

yansun — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:10:50 +0000

We live in a world where nearly every aspect of our lives is ruled by technology — we can’t live without it. There are now more devices connected to the internet than there are humans on this planet. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream and becoming a global crisis. Now it is the time to face the scary truth of e-waste and take smarter choices to reduce the severe risk to human and environment.

What Is E-Waste?

E-waste refers to anything with electronic components that is no longer used. Common types of e-waste include mobile phones, computers, televisions, tablets, TVs and many types of home appliances like air conditioning units, toasters, coffee machines, or mains-powered toys. Essentially, e-waste consists of any product with plugs and electronic components. It becomes ‘waste’ when someone stops using the item and either keeps it at home in a drawer, throws it in the bin or sends it to a recycling facility.

Environmental and Health Risks of E-Waste

Millions of tonnes of electronic waste are generated globally every year. As United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) points out 20-50 million metric tonnes of e-waste are discarded every year, with only 20% of this being recycled. E-waste can be toxic, is not biodegradable and accumulates in the environment, in the soil, air, water and living things. When e-waste becomes landfill, toxic materials from electronic devices are released into bodies of groundwater and soil affecting both land and sea animals. When the waste is warmed up, these harmful chemicals are released into the air and can have a detrimental effect on the atmosphere.

Most people don’t realise that some recycling plants — even trusted or credible ones — ship their e-waste abroad to extract minerals and repurpose parts. While that doesn’t sound terrible, it comes at an enormous cost to local populations. Methods used are almost always improper. For example, open-air burning and acid baths being used to recover valuable materials from electronic components release toxic materials leaching into the environment. These practices can also expose workers to high levels of contaminants such as lead, mercury, beryllium, thallium, cadmium, and arsenic, and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls, which can lead to irreversible health effects, including cancers, miscarriages, neurological damage, and diminished IQs. Informal recycling markets in China, Africa, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the Philippines handle anywhere from 50–80% of the world’s e-waste. This obscene form of urban mining has damaging consequences to both the people and the landscape of these areas, creating untold pollution that we’ll be fighting against for decades to come.

Circular Approach for Electronics

A new vision for the production and consumption of electronic and electrical goods is needed. It is easy for e-waste to be framed as a post-consumer problem, but the issue encompasses the lifecycle of the devices everyone uses. The concept of a circular economy encourages a total rethink and redesign of the way we make stuff and its overall lifecycle. Instead of the traditional linear model of “take, make, waste”, the circular economy is a regenerative approach that is both sustainable and creates better value for customers thanks to the increased reuse of products. Designers, manufacturers, investors, traders, miners, raw material producers, consumers, policymakers, and others have a crucial role to play in reducing waste, retaining value within the system, extending the economic and physical life of an item, as well as its ability to be repaired, recycled and reused.

Changes in technology such as cloud computing and the internet of things (IoT) could hold the potential to “dematerialize” the electronics industry. The rise of service business models and better product tracking and takeback could lead to global circular value chains. Material efficiency, recycling infrastructure and scaling up the volume and quality of recycled materials to meet the needs of electronics supply chains will all be essential. If the sector is supported with the right policy mix and managed in the right way, it could also lead to the creation of millions of decent jobs worldwide.

Ways To Reduce E-Waste

As a consumer, we also can take conscious actions to reduce e-waste and its environmental footprint:

1.Extend the life of your electronics

An effective way to reduce your e-waste is to preserve your current electronic possessions as much as possible. Keeping them in good condition, cleaning them regularly and removing excessive debris and dust is a good start. Ensure that you buy screen protectors and hard-wearing cases to prevent damage to them. In addition, you may want to exercise caution when it comes to ‌devices’ batteries; for example, avoid overcharging them and store them in cool, dry places.

2. Donate or sell unneeded electronics

This is one of the best ways you can reduce e-waste. When you donate electronics that still work, you can ensure that they will be put to good use, perhaps in the hands of someone that does not have access to the same level of technology that most people do. If you don’t know anyone that will want it, you can give it to charity or send it to a retailer who will refurbish it and may even give you credit for a new device. Many charities or non-profit organisations accept unwanted electrical donations for onward distribution to schools or communities. Alternatively, they are sold to fund charitable outreach programmes.

3. Take your e-waste to a proper recycling facility

Any items with plugs or charging ports should not be sent to landfill and should be recycled at dedicated Recycling Centres, electrical item banks, or via third-party retailers. Many local councils accept small electricals as part of their residents’ regular home recycling schemes. You may need to consult with your specific local authority to determine the correct process for electrical itemcollection. Alternatively, research online to find out-of-home recycling points to make sure that your items are going to be disposed of correctly and ethically.

4. Buy greener appliances and products

Saving money on purchases has become a priority for many homeowners nowadays, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis. However, buying new electric appliances with high energy ratings is an excellent way to make long-term cost savings. These appliances are designed to be more efficient than standard models, using less energy per day and, as a result, generating far less electronic waste.

The post The Rising Electronic Waste Crisis – Get Smarter with E-Waste appeared first on Ecowonder.

8 Great Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas

yansun — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 11:46:52 +0000

The kitchen is a vital part of our family where we spend a lot of time, cooking, eating or cleaning, while it is often the most wasteful part of the home as well. From the food we cook to the detergent we clean with, there are so many opportunities to improve upon for a greener and eco-friendlier kitchen. The eco-friendly kitchen begins with eating green, but it doesn’t end there. Adopting an eco-friendly kitchen means you are making a conscious effort to prevent the exposure to toxic chemicals in food products. An eco-friendly lifestyle in the kitchen is not just for you, but also for your whole family. It can be a valuable teaching lesson for children to learn the importance of being a healthy eater and adopting a sustainable and eco-friendly mindset.

So, here are some tips for an eco-friendly kitchen:

1.Reduce Your Plastic Waste

Plastic waste is severely damaging our planet and is life-threating to thousands of wild animals of the ecosystem. Recently, the 5p charge of the single-use plastic shopping bags in the grocery store has made it simple to switch to grocery shopping “plastic bag-free” by using a reusable shopping tote or produce bag. Single-use plastics containers in the kitchen should be swapped out for longer lasting reusable alternatives. An easy alternative is to use glass, bamboo, wood, or cardboard containers to replace plastic. Not only will you move toward living eco-friendly, but you’ll also be avoiding any potential harm of being exposed to BPA and other plastic chemicals. If you still have the need for single-use items such as cutlery, plates, or cups for perhaps a party, look for biodegradable or compostable options.

2.Use Your Appliances Wisely

Keeping your kitchen appliances on standby wastes unnecessary energy. You can turn them off manually or get yourself a standby saver that automatically switches off all appliances when they are not in use. Energy-efficiency upgrades are coming fast to many new appliances. Energy ratings now run from A+++ to F, with A+++ using the least energy and F using the most. The better the rating, the more energy efficient and, therefore, the most cost effective. You also need to make the best use of the oven — cooking more than one thing at once, for instance. Reheating your food in a microwave can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent instead of the oven.

3.Do It Yourself

Fresh meals containing vegetables, lean meats and whole grains are always highly nutritious and best for your health. Avoid purchasing pre-prepared, frozen foods, and make them yourself at your green kitchen. Although food manufactures constantly claim frozen meals can be reheated without any loss in taste or quality, thaw and rehydrate frozen and dehydrated foods itself is an energy cost activity. Cooking freshly let you know exactly what is going into your food and cuts out energy associated with processing food. If you have enough space in your garden, take it a step further and grow your own fruits, vegetables, using your composted kitchen waste as fertiliser.

4.Buy Local

Food miles have risen to the top of eco-friendly food discussions, and the fewer miles from farm to table, the better. Organic melon from Malaysia might taste good in the frozen winter, but consider the pollution caused by flying them to wherever you are. In addition, all the preservatives and biocides used to preserve the food will cast additional burden to the environment. Whenever possible, we recommend try to purchase food products that are created locally. You’ll not only support your local community, but also will sustain some of the nutrients which might be lost in the process of being picked and shipped thousands of miles. You will also reduce your carbon footprint because of the reduced cost of transporting the products. When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, your spending will also boost the local economy and you might build some personal relationships with local entrepreneurs.

5.Save Water

Water is becoming a precious resource, and we need to stop taking it for granted especially in the kitchen. An efficient dishwasher, for instance, can use a lot less water than washing the dishes by hand in the sink. For maximum water efficiency only turn on your dishwasher when it’s full. The key to water efficiency is to avoid leaving your tap running. Washing your produce under running water is wasteful and unnecessary. Fill up a bowl of water and wash them that way instead. Another way to save water when washing up is to wash or wipe dishes as soon as you can, that way the food doesn’t harden and less water is needed to get them sparkling clean.

6.Green Clean Your Kitchen

Cleaning products can considerably impact our carbon footprint. Regular petrochemical dishwashing liquids, detergents and other household cleaning products contain all kinds of chemicals, which may be potentially hazardous and after entering our waterways will adversely affect marine life. Alternatively, you can switch to eco-friendly products instead or consider making your own from no-impact kitchen staples, such as vinegar and baking soda, which combine to make a great all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. Do It Yourself is the most cost-effective way of cleaning your kitchen in a safe and eco-friendly way.

7.Bulk Up

There are plenty of environmental and financial reasons to buy in bulk. Purchasing Buying in bulk usually means less packaging, and fewer trips to the store, and can also mean financial savings. You will travel less for your bulk shopping trips, and this will contribute to improve the environment by reducing CO₂ emissions. Buying larger packages help to save on packaging waste, since individually packaged products use more plastic, which is harmful for the environment and the food chain. Bulk cooking is a more efficient use of appliance energy and your time, so cook up a nice big pot of soup and anticipate saving (and eating) lots of leftovers. Just make sure you can consume what you purchase and produce.

8.Recycle and Reuse

Paper, plastic and aluminium are all frequently used in the kitchen, and these items are accepted in most local recycle programs, making them rather easy to recycle. What you may not realize, however, is that your kitchen is probably filled with other recyclable items. Most cookware is made from nonferrous metal (aluminium, copper and stainless steel) and can be recycled at a general scrap metal recycler. Cork is an incredibly sustainable material. It’s made from tree bark, which doesn’t harm the tree when removed. If you love DIY projects, there are numerous cork recycling projects. You can create a dedicated recycling area in the kitchen with a range of stylish bins for different types of kitchen waste.

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Why We Should Use Natural Bamboo Fibre Products

yansun — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 11:54:20 +0000

Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable, and sustainable plant that requires zero chemicals and pesticides. It can be grown in a wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate regions and has countless uses in many areas of our daily life. The more I learn about what seems to be a “miracle plant”, the more I advocate for its use as a renewable resource and sustainable material. As our planet suffering from depletion of natural resources, deforestation, and harmful amounts of waste dumped into the environment, bamboo provides us with a green alternative solution to save our future.

What Is Natural Bamboo Fibre?

Bamboo textiles can be produced using a number of different methods. With the development of new technology, bamboo fibre can be created with a closed-loop production process. With a combination of mechanical and physical separation, chemical or biological degumming, stems of bamboo are crushed into a loss floc-like natural fibres. Unlike the process used to create viscose rayon, closed-loop production doesn’t chemically alter the structure of the cellulose that is used, which results in a fabric that can be considered purely organic. While the solvent used to make traditional viscose rayon is wasted and usually ends up in the biosphere, the solvents used in closed-loop production can be reused again and again, which significantly limits the environmental impact of this industry. The natural fibre obtained by separation is the fifth largest natural fibre after cotton, wool, silk and hemp. It can be used in textile, non-woven, composite materials, building materials, environmental protection materials and many other industries.

Benefits of Bamboo Fibre

Antibacterial: Bamboo contains nature antimicrobial bio-agent called ‘bamboo kun’, which prevents bacteria and fungi to grow. The international SGS organization has found that the bacteria in the bamboo fibre are naturally reduced by 75% after 24 hours, while at the same condition, the bacteria will multiply in cotton and wood fibre.
Deodorization: The special ultra-fine microporous structure inside the bamboo fibre makes it have strong adsorption capacity, and can absorb harmful substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and ammonia in the air to eliminate bad odour.
Moisture absorption and dehumidification function: The cross section of bamboo fibre is composed of a plurality of elliptical slits, which is hollow, and the gas permeability is 3.5 times that of cotton. Bamboo fibre is known as the “breathing fibre queen” because it can absorb moisture and dehumidify instantly.
Anti-ultraviolet: The UV transmittance of cotton is 25%, that is, 25 units of ultraviolet light is absorbed and stored in the subcutaneous tissue. The UV transmittance of bamboo fibre is less than 0.6%, and its UV resistance is 41.7 times of cotton. Due to its anti-ultraviolet radiation property, natural bamboo fibre is suitable for making summer clothing for the protection of human skin against damages of UV radiation (UVR).
Durable: Bamboo Fibre products can be stronger than aluminium and more durable than oak. For example, bamboo bowls won’t break easily if you drop it, even on a tile floor.
Lightweight: The strength is matches by a superb lightness which makes bamboo fibre highly practical. Even an over-sized bamboo bowl will be light enough for a child to lift or carry.
Eco-Friendly: Bamboo fibre is completely bio-degradable, and as bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth, it is a sustainable and renewable form of material.

Popular Bamboo Fibre Products

Bamboo Fibre Reusable Coffee Cup

Save the planet a cup at a time with the Bamboo Fibre Reusable Coffee Cup. Made from hardwearing, sustainably sourced bamboo fibre, it’s environmentally friendly yet supremely practical. This eco-friendly option offers coffee lovers and tea drinkers an ideal alternative to disposable cups and boost your environmental credentials.

Bamboo Fibre Children Dinner Set

Bamboo fibre is naturally lightweight, making it easy for little hands to hold. The bamboo fibre children set contains a baby spoon and fork, which are smooth but with comfortable and enough grip so a toddler can develop a good grasp for self-feeding. Without any plastic material, the dinner set can decompose in nature within 3 years, making it an ideal subject to increase environmental awareness from very young age.

Bamboo Fibre Cloth

Bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass, the bamboo fibre is then made by pulping the bamboo grass until it separates into thin threads of fibre, which is then spun and dyed for weaving into cloth. Unlike many of the other fabrics, bamboo is extremely breathable, and it is able to keep the wearer almost two degrees cooler in the heat and noticeably warmer in the cold. Bamboo fibre cloth is also anti-bacteria, UV protective and perfect for those who experience allergic reactions to other natural fibres such as wool or hemp.

Bamboo Fibre Bedding

If you get too hot at night or suffer from night sweats, bamboo bedding could be the answer. Bamboo fibre is incredibly soft, naturally antibacterial and absorbs moisture. It also regulates temperature, keeping you cool when you have night sweats or hot flushes – making it perfect for bedding, including sheets and duvet covers.

Degradable Flower Pots

If you’ve got totally green thumbs, you’ll love the bamboo fibre flower pots. They are made entirely from eco-friendly and biodegradable materials and will breakdown and biodegrade in landfill over 3-5 years, leaving a much lower footprint than other materials. You can combine different colours and designs to create a contemporary atmosphere in your interior and brings out the best of your flowers and houseplants.

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8 Sustainable Travel Necessities for Eco-conscious Travellers

yansun — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 11:20:25 +0000

Traveling is a great way to discover the world we live in and experience different culture, but the booming tourism industry results in massive problem with the environment. From the heavy pollution caused by traffic to the many plastic-wrapped amenities we use on the road to the waste produced at the hotels we stay in, travelling can have some negative impacts on the environment. Luckily, there are innovative products that take advantage of natural and sustainable materials to reduce waste and minimise the impact we as travellers have on the planet. Skip the single-use plastic and disposable products that increase our carbon footprints. To help you out, we put together a list of useful eco-friendly travel accessories and products you can bring and use during your trip.

Reusable coffee cup

Travel and takeaway coffee tend go hand in hand. A cup of nice coffee is essential to soothe the stressful waiting time at the airport or train station. While you may assume that takeaway coffee cups are recyclable, most single-use coffee cups contain a thin plastic lining. In fact, the UK alone throws away 2.5 billion coffee cups each year and less than 1 per cent of these are recycled. Switching to a reusable coffee cup is a great way to cut your plastic footprint, and lots of coffee chains now offer rewards to customers who do this. For example, you can try bamboo fibre coffee cups, which is BPA free and completely biodegradable.

Tote bags

Plastic bags contribute significantly to the pollution of our oceans and landscape – so stop using them. You can store one tote bag in every single one of your travel bags, just in case you forget to pack one. Tote bags can be used to carry your shopping from the market, store your items when you go to the beach or as a casual day bag when you explore a city. If you’re looking for a smaller and more permanent solution for your handbag, get one of these foldable bags that fold down into a tiny square-sized pocket and keep it at the bottom of your bag at all times.

Bamboo toothbrush

In the US alone it’s estimated that nearly one billion plastic toothbrushes end up in the landfill each year. This is far too much excess plastic waste that can be easily prevented with a switch to a more environmentally friendly toothbrush. Try this Travel Toothbrush Set consisting of 4 natural bamboo toothbrushes and a travel toothbrush case. The handle of the toothbrush is composed of rapidly renewable bamboo and the soft bristles are made from BPA-free nylon. Make the switch today and start your steps towards a more sustainable environment.

Solar charger

Finding a reliable way of charging your phones and other gadgets can often be a major hassle for travellers on the road. Solar chargers mean you can keep all your devices full of juice, without having to rely on a mains power supply, or a battery – while using a sustainable source of power. With a high capacity battery pack, the Anker PowerPort Solar charger makes sure you have enough power during your trip – that’s one less thing to worry.

Organic stuff bags

Complete your packing technique with organic stuff bags. They will make your packing a lot faster and easier. With these organic stuff bags at different capacities and sizes, you can easily organize everything in your suitcase. Small size for phones and cosmetics, medium size for books, iPad and toys, large size food, clothes and shoes. With a drawstring cord, you can knot to secure your stuff and make sure everything inside will not lose. These bags are made of natural cotton, which is eco-friendly, durable (perfect for long-term use), lightweight and biodegradable.

Reusable utensil set

When you’re on vacation, you will likely be eating out at restaurants, maybe taking food to a park, or back to the hotel. Make sure you always have a set of reusable, eco-friendly cutlery to use so you don’t have to resort to plastic ones. This Reusable Cutlery Travel Set is made with durable and sustainable bamboo, which is a fast-growing, non-toxic, recyclable, and BPA-free. Take these with you so you can easily refuse flimsy single-use plastic utensils when offered.

Solar-powered lamp/lantern

Camping is an awesome way to enjoy your holiday. Hiking, surfing, mountain biking, windsurfing, kayaking… the options for adventure on a camping trip are limitless. As one of the most important equipment for camping, when it comes to camping lantern, you can choose a more eco-friendly option by choosing solar-powered device. Have a try of this Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern: it is compact, inflatable, solar powered, waterproof, rugged, portable, and eco-friendly. You can use it to light your table for dinner and path to the campsite’s toilet or as a nightlight for reading.

Reusable Straws

In many countries water or soft drinks and cocktails are served with single-use plastic straws. With a recent push to eliminate single-use plastic straws, there are now many reusable drinking straw options on the market. You can choose from bamboo made, silicon, or stainless steel. They may require a bit of extra care and washing and may require replacing at some point, but It’s an easy and inexpensive way to have a positive impact on the future of the environment for our loved ones.

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The 10 Most Eco-Friendly Materials: Green Substitutes for Plastic

yansun — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 12:57:02 +0000

Today, plastics objects are all around us, from the food containers, and the clothes fashioned from plastic fibres to important building material used in everything such as insulated wall panels and window frames. Our dependence upon plastic also has an increasingly serious downside, because the tremendous plastic pollution is ravaging wildlife and washing up on beaches. The green movement is making huge strides replacing plastic with organic fibres like bamboo and hemp, as well as good old corn starch and used paper. Here is a go-to list of the more Eco-Friendly Materials, alternatives to plastics that are currently available in the market.

Recycled Glass

Unlike plastic, which often is derived from fossil fuels, glass is made from sand. This renewable resource doesn’t contain any chemicals that can leach into your food or body. And it’s easily recycled — glass produced from recycled glass is melted at lower temperatures thus lowering energy requirements for production compared to glass produced directly from raw materials. Container manufacturers and the fiberglass industry together reuse 3.35 million tons of recycled glass annually.

Bamboo Fibre

Bamboo is considered one of the most renewable resources on the planet and one of the most Eco-Friendly Materials, since it is naturally pest-resistant, grows incredibly fast and can actually help rebuild eroded soil. It also regenerates without need for replanting and requires minimal fertilisation or pesticides. Natural bamboo fibres are created from the pulp of bamboo grass. There are actually two methods (mechanical and chemical) of extracting fabric from the bamboo plant. These methods do have some environmental drawbacks but could potentially be sustainable.

Starch-based Biocompatible (Bioplastics)

As a totally biodegradable, low-cost, renewable and natural polymer, starch has been receiving lots of attention for developing as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic which take thousands of years to biodegrade in the environment. Corn and potato starch can be used to produce tableware, straws, cups, and packaging are commonly made from plastics. A combination of revitalizing old ideas and revolutionizing plastic technology to make biocompatible products looking and feeling just like regular plastic may be the right step forward.

Recycled Paper

Million trees, many may come from endangered forests, are killed each year to produce ‘virgin paper’ (paper that comes directly from trees). Recycling paper is one of the easiest ways to have a positive impact on the environment. For every ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees are spared. This is enough to significantly impact the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and keep paper out of our landfills. You can recycle most paper, including white office paper, newspaper and mixed-colour paper, through a local recycling program. You can also reduce your use and reuse your paper when possible.

Organic Cotton

Conventional cotton production using toxic pesticides and fertilisers and around 11,000 litres of water for every kilogram of cotton can have a huge impact on the environment. If you want to make a positive change, and support a better future, then start with small changes in making your lifestyle a little bit healthier by switching to organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without harmful toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers and requires less water meaning lower impact on the surrounding areas. Although organic cotton products can cost more than conventional cotton due to farming and manufacturing processes, as consumers we may be worthy to pay the extra price to help promote a sustainable and eco-friendly industry.

Stainless Steel

Tough and easy to clean, stainless steel is a long-lasting, durable and 100% recyclable material. Stainless steel does not contain any potentially harmful chemicals and can replace many commonly used plastic materials and appliances in the kitchen such as single-use cups, storage containers, bins, and lunch boxes. In addition to its shine and beauty, food grade stainless steel serves as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic for your kitchenware.

Hemp

As a member of the Cannabis Sativa plant family, hemp dates back to more than 10,000 years ago with a myriad of uses such as paper making, cloth weaving and extracted oils for medicinal products and skincare. Hemp is an eco-friendly material because it usually doesn’t need as much water as regular cotton, and it needs few pesticides compared to other fibres. As a fabric, hemp is stronger and more lasting than cotton; it softens with use and yet, remains hard-wearing. Hemp also allows your skin to breathe better and regulates your body temperature, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Stone wool

Stone wool, also known as mineral wool, comes from natural basalt rock and recycled slag (a mineral by-product of smelted ore). Over the past few years, stone wool has gained popularity as a valuable and sustainable building material due to its unique properties, including fire and water resilience. Unlike foamed plastic or fibreglass, stone wool can be engineered to provide higher thermal insulation and sound absorption. Made from one of the Earth’s most abundant minerals, stone wool can be a promising alternative for plastic in the building industry.

Aluminium

Do you know that aluminium is one of the most environmentally friendly metals on the planet? Often used as a beverage container, aluminium is the most recycled industrial metal in the world. Aluminium is an extraordinarily versatile, so it has been designed for use in all areas of our everyday lives. When compared to the reusable plastic products, an aluminium container will be more durable and last much longer. Aluminium is lightweight, recyclable and can be stacked to ship efficiently thus lowering carbon emissions through logistics and supply chains.

Biodegradable Plastics

Unlike bioplastics made from natural materials, biodegradable plastics is made from traditional petrochemicals, which are engineered to break down more quickly. Although closely resemble man-made polypropylene, biodegradable plastics aren’t as versatile as petroleum-based plastics and hasn’t been used in significant quantities because of higher manufacturing costs. A variety of products, including disposable package for foods, beverages and various medical applications can be made by biodegradable plastics. However, you might not be aware that biodegradable plastics do not decompose unless they are disposed of properly, they usually can’t be effectively composted and don’t usually break down in landfills.

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How To Shop Eco-Friendly

yansun — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 12:34:35 +0000

Over the last decade, realization and concern towards the environment has led to the movement of consumers behaviour to minimize our carbon footprints. Although for many of us complete eco-friendly living may seems to hard, one of the most impactful and easiest change to start a greener lifestyle is with your shopping habits. Here are eight things you can do to make your next trip to the grocery store a little bit more environment friendly.

Use Reusable Shopping Bags

For eco-friendly shopping starters, using heavy-duty shopping bags is a great way to help cut back on pollution. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and many of them end up entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Hundreds of thousands of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine mammals die every year after eating discarded plastic bags they mistake for food. Choosing reusable bags saves on non-renewable petroleum resources and protects the environment. It may take a bit to get into the habit of remembering to bring along environment friendly reusable bags, but the Earth will thank you in the long run.

Buy Local Products

Whenever it’s possible, try to purchase food products that are created locally. You’ll not only support your local community, but also will sustain some of the nutrients which might be lost in the process of being picked and shipped thousands of miles. You will also reduce your carbon footprint because of the reduced cost of transporting the products. When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, your spending will also boost the local economy and you might build some personal relationships with local entrepreneurs.

Shop Seasonally

Food in-season not only tend to be less expensive, but it also requires less packaging or storage and reduce environmental impact of growing or transportation out of season products. For example, to apply eco-friendly shopping, instead of buying asparagus and strawberries in the winter, buy something else and wait until they are in season. What’s more, seasonal foods usually taste better and if you enjoy cooking, it may be fun to challenge your culinary skills with making more seasonal dishes.

Buy in Bulk

There are plenty of environmental and financial reasons to buy in bulk. Buying in bulk usually means cost savings in terms of both product price and gas consumption. You will also travel less for your bulk shopping trips, and this will contribute to improve the environment by reducing CO₂ emissions. Buying larger packages help to save on packaging waste, since individually packaged products use more plastic, which is harmful for the environment and the food chain.

Look for Recyclable Packaging

You can make your shopping experience greener by looking for products packaged in recyclable or reusable packages. Take a look at the packages and labels of the products, they usually tell a lot of important information about the products and the packages resources. In terms of reuse, environment friendly glass jars and plastic containers can be used to store buttons, craft supplies, and even leftovers. All you have to do is make a conscious effort to buy things you can work with instead of things that will simply be thrown away.

Buy Used Products

Another great way of transforming into a greener shopper is by purchasing second-hand items. You can do this online (through eBay, Craigslist, and similar sites) or by visiting local charity shops, yard sales, and flea markets. One of the major reasons why second-hand stores are doing well is because it saves money. But apart from being easy on the pocket, another benefit of purchasing used products is environment sustainability. Just as the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! You’ll be surprised at what you can find and supports everyone in the community.

Avoid Impulse Buys

When shopping, the unplanned decision to purchase something that you don’t need is what is called an impulse buy. If you’re one of these impulse buyers, you could avoid potential money problems and contribute to saving the planet by following a few simple tips. Planning is a great way to ensure you’re buying the products you need and avoid irrational decisions. Don’t carrying your credit cards, doing your research before a purchase and avoid going to shopping area are all effective ways to stop impulse buying.

Shopping Online

Shopping online can eliminate car trips and associated carbon emissions and on average, it lowers energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by about 30% compared to traditional retail. E-commerce needs less space and uses less energy since everything is operated through central warehouses. A MIT study suggests that online shopping customers reduce carbon footprint almost two times compare to brick-and-mortar shoppers.

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Green Steps for Eco-Friendly/Sustainable Living

upfitadmin — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 10:17:00 +0000

With environmental concerns increases, people are becoming more willing than ever before to make changes to their lifestyle but, living eco-friendly isn’t always the easiest, you might feel a little overwhelmed about all the big ideas of saving the planet. But, while large steps like having solar homes or electric cars certainly promise to make a huge difference in the world, there are other more accessible green steps you can apply in your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint and practice sustainable living. Here are some easy and small changes you can make in your everyday life to help live an eco-friendlier lifestyle:

Replace Plastic Containers

Storing food, drink, and sauces in plastic containers is so normal that we don’t even think about alternatives, but there are ways to go green in this category. An easy alternative is to use glass, bamboo, wood, or cardboard containers to replace plastic. Not only will you move toward living eco-friendly, but you’ll also be avoiding any potential harm of being exposed to BPA and other plastic chemicals.

Giving up Bottled Water

Do you know bottled water is one of the least eco things you can consume, and plastic water bottles are the most common plastic found in the garbage! Many of those plastic bottles that don’t get recycled and will have ended up in our landscape. Estimated to have a carbon foot print of around 82.8g for half a litre, any reduction in using them is a major step forward for living eco-friendly. Instead of plastic bottles, give reusable biodegradable fibre or metal water bottles a try. They are extremely eco-friendly and often more stylish.

Use Paper Less and Recycle More

The world we live in today relies much more on computers and other smart devices. It is easy to go a day without using a notebook or even a piece of paper. You can be more environmentally friendly by unsubscribing from unnecessary catalogues and changing for paperless billing and statements from your bank, gas and electric providers. If it is essential for you to use paper at your job or at school, you can still make a difference by recycling the paper you do use. Recycling paper uses less energy and saves more trees that get to fill our forests than by creating ‘virgin’ paper.

Remember a Carrying Bag

While the 5p charge has brought plastic bag use down by 80% in some stores, there are always going to be days when we go shopping, whether it’s for groceries or clothing and forget to bring a reusable shopping bag. I started to bring a tote bag (it folds up real small) with me wherever I go. I have something to store whatever I buy without resorting to using wasteful plastic bags.

Improve Energy Efficiency of Your Home

There are a lot of things you can do to cut down on energy you use in your home. Start by replacing your light bulbs with LED bulbs which can last longer and use much less electricity. Unplug appliances when they aren’t being used, wash all possible clothes on cold and lower your thermostat in the winter. As well as educing your carbon footprint, these steps will also lead to smaller energy bills and more money in your pocket.

Eat Less Meat

Believe it or not, cutting back meat and dairy products from your diet can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 73 per cent. While eating a vegan diet isn’t appropriate for everyone, you can help by choosing to go meatless one day a week or eat more seafood. Less livestock results in a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions, it would also free up wild land lost to agriculture, one of the primary causes for mass wildlife extinction.

Consider Public Transportation

Using public transportation when it’s convenient is an environmentally friendly mode of getting around. Similar to carpooling, using public transit significantly reduces the average amount of energy used per passenger than a single-occupancy vehicle, and the amount of tailpipe emissions associated with those vehicles. By reducing the amount of emissions in dense urban areas, public transportation can help cities to lower smog, to improve air quality, and to decrease the health risks associated with poor air quality.

Work from home one day a week

The first big benefit when you start working from home is that there is no more commuting to an office needed. In addition, working from home provides the potential to save fuel energy and other resources needed to operate, build, repair, and maintain personal vehicles to decrease. Studies show that if one million people worked from home just one day a week it could eliminate three million tons of CO₂ each year. Working from home can also promotes safety by taking commuters off the roadways and offers a renewed opportunity for workers to rediscover the possibilities of working productively from their homes.

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How Eco Friendly Are Bamboo Products?

upfitadmin — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:54:13 +0000

Bamboo has recently become a popular alternative material for many products —from reusable coffee cups to towels and even flooring — mainly because of it has been considered as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional wood. There are a lot of amazing qualities of bamboo that really stand out when compared to other materials:

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on earth

Bamboo is a highly sustainable plant. Bamboo is grass and can grow to full size in just 3-4 months, compared to standard trees which can take 30+ years to grow. When you harvest bamboo, you aren’t killing a plant, you’re basically just mowing your lawn. This makes it a super sustainable alternative due to its naturally renewing properties.

Bamboo is good for the environment

Bamboo plants absorbs five times more carbon dioxide and produces 35% more oxygen than their wood counterparts. Bamboo plants have strong roots in the ground which makes the soil more stable. This means it can stabilise and restore the land and prevent landslides. In addition, with proper care, your bamboo products can be reused and wood from bamboo are biodegradable in nature as well.

Bamboo is strong and durable

Bamboo is one of the strongest materials on the planet and is named as the new ‘green steel’ for its versatility and strength in construction. Bamboo has a strong, natural fibre that has shown to be superior to similar materials, especially wood. It doesn’t break as easily as wood when bending it to form into various shapes and the amount of material needed to produce a sturdy product can be much less than woods.

Bamboo is safe and hygienic

Bamboo fibres are naturally anti-bacterial without needing any toxic chemical treatments, all thanks to its antimicrobial bio-agent called ‘bamboo kun’. This prevents bacteria and fungi to grow on bamboo products making it the perfect plant for naturally hygienic products such as bamboo straws and cutlery, keeping them sterile and fresh. Bamboo fibre is soft, gentle, and safe for even the most sensitive skin. Bamboo is also UV-resistant and also protects your skin from moisture with its natural wicking properties

Bamboo products provide so many benefits other materials can’t. Each time you purchase bamboo plant products, you not only create a better, more sustainable lifestyle for yourself, but also help to create a sustainable world for generations to come. Make the change today and switch to sustainable earth-loving bamboo products. We can all make a difference and create a positive future for our planet.

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