Archive for the ‘Living’ Category
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Paper is one of the most versatile and common products of modern societies. Unfortunately, as paper use grows, paper waste continues to rise as well. Today a major part of municipal waste is made up of paper and paper products. Around one-third of all household waste is paper. As you know, to produce paper it is necessary to cut down trees. Recycling paper and creative use of paper waste saves environment and slows down the rate that landfill sites are filling. The decomposing paper releases 20 times more potent greenhouse gas (methane gas) than carbon dioxide. Another benefit of recycling waste paper is that keeping paper out of landfills reduces greenhouse gases and this will help to slow down global warming.
Reusing Paper
You can help the environment by reusing paper. Reuse minimizes the amount of trash you produce and conserves resources. As a society, we’ve become addicted to paper products. Production of recycled paper involves between 28 - 70% less energy consumption. Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves about 30000 liters of water, about 3000-4000 KWH electricity. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper.
There are three categories of paper that can be used as feedstock for making recycled paper.
- Mill broke is paper trimmings and other paper scrap from the manufacture of paper, and is recycled internally in a paper mill.
- Pre-consumer waste is material which left the paper mill, which has been discarded before it was ready for consumer use.
- Post-consumer waste is material discarded after consumer use, such as old magazines, old newspapers, office waste, old telephone directories, and residential mixed paper.
Creative Usage of Paper Waste
Using paper creatively in your apartment or community helps to save paper, water, electricity, reduce air pollution, save valuable wildlife habitats and ecosystems. Here are some of the top ways to reduce and re-use paper in your home or apartment.
- Make Books or Pads: You can use paper that has a blank side, or even half a blank side to make note books and telephone message pads. You may probably find that you and your family members have reduced paper waste or usage of notebook in a year. You can use papers, catalogs or even half a blank side of envelops or mails you received for making your telephone message pads or shopping list.
- Buy recycled paper: The future of recycling depends on there being a market for the materials collected. Paper mills cannot continue to produce recycled paper if people do not buy items made from it. If a lot of people ask or demand recycled paper and its product, it may encourage the shop to add to its recycled range. When paper and other suitable materials are recycled all these environmental impacts are reduced significantly.
- Drawing Books: Instead of buying expensive drawing books for your children, you can make home-made coloring books. You can also use scrap paper with a blank area for kids to draw. If you are creative, you can create home made drawing books for your children which save paper, your money without affecting your kid’s talent.
- Home paper recycling: Learn how to recycle your own paper at home by making new paper out of scraps. You and your family can recycle paper at home and doing so will cut down on the costs of having to buy more paper. Recycling paper saves forests, saves energy in production and transportation and, thereby, reduces global warming. Now a paper recycling plant is available that enables you to recycle paper and make your own stationery or paper gift items at home. Now technology offers simple and uncomplicated device that even a child can try his hand at it.
- Re-using Magazines: If you were thinking of sending some books or magazines to recycling, think about if they have really been re-used as much as possible first. You can also use images from magazines to decoupage items such as tables and boxes or crockery. Instead of throwing out papers, catalogs and magazines use them to make beads, paper cutting and decoupage. Sometimes libraries, local hairdressers, Clinics and hospitals will be interested in receiving old magazines.
Today, it is widely recognized that the volume of paper products we discard must be dramatically reduced soon. One and all have a role to play in encouraging the recycling of waste paper and the reduction of waste in general. As you know, to produce paper it is necessary to cut down trees. In some cases this has meant the loss of valuable wildlife habitats and ecosystems. Almost any household paper, including used newspapers, cardboard, packaging, stationery, direct mail, magazines, catalogues, greeting cards and wrapping paper, can be recycled. You can make special notes, cards, book covers, or use in scrap-booking projects. Creative usage of paper waste saves forests, energy and thereby saves environment.
Disclaimer: The article contains data collected from various sources and the use of same is at readers discretion.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: Buy recycled paper, Creative Usage of Paper Waste, creative use of paper, creative use of waste paper, Eco-friendly homes, environment friendly waste processing, green living habits, home-made coloring books, home-made drawing books, Learn how to recycle your own paper at home, making message pads, making recycled paper, Mill broke, paper waste, paper waste recycling, Post-consumer waste, Pre-consumer waste, Re-using Magazines, recycling paper, Reusing Paper, Usage of Paper Waste
Posted in Green Living, House Keeping | No Comments »
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Bird watching is a love and a hobby for many but what do you do when they starts to take a hold of your life and becomes quite a nightmare for you.
Certain bird species are often both serious nuisances and capable of transmitting diseases, contaminating our food and damaging our structures. Pest birds can create health-related problems through their feces, including histoplasmosis (Cave disease) caused when airborne spores of the fungus, cryptococcosis, psittacosis (parrot disease) and bird droppings may also cause damage to property and equipment. When birds are becoming pests and many problems regarding their existence occur, it is clear that we need to properly solve the problems to prevent further damages in the future.
Pre-elimination of pest bird
Controlling pest birds or pigeon population is a civic problem that is being addressed now in several cities. You would be well advised to take precautions to keep pigeons or pest birds away from your residence and office. Following are the four stages of the pre-elimination of your pest birds-
- Stop anyone feeding the birds.
- Clean up the garbage areas and trash bins so there’s no food to peck at.
- Eliminate any other food sources that you might see.
- Get rid of nesting or roosting areas.
Types of bird repellents
Birds can be considered a pest when they decide to roost or nest in areas where their feces and remains can be considered a hazard. In India, Crows and the Pigeons are two types of birds that one can find in the area immediately surrounding their building. Pigeon repellent is an effective and efficient in controlling pest birds which makes them feel uncomfortable and leave. Following are four important methods used to control pest birds in residential or commercial buildings.
- Sonic bird deterrents: Sonic bird deterrents are sound alarm sounds, gunshots, recordings of bird voices warning broadcasts, etc. Common locations for these devices include vineyards, reclamation plants, airports, and other open areas. Sonic bird deterrents are audible and discourage pest birds from coming into an area.
- Chemical deterrents: Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere. The systems come with a wide range of nozzles and timers to deter sparrows, pigeons, starlings, crows, blackbirds and geese. These have been highly effective in discouraging pest birds from landing and roosting in large areas.
- Physical bird deterrents: You can stop birds from roosting by easily installing a physical bird deterrent. Physical bird deterrents include such products as spike systems, Bird Netting, Bird Slope, Bird Jolt Systems, Bird Wire, Bird Spiders, and more. These products will not harm birds but they are simply designed to repel birds from an area.
- Visual repellents: Birds generally have very good eyesight and react to both movement and things that resemble their enemies. Visual repellents create a visual distraction that causes the birds to fly away. You can use the scare balloons that have reflective eyes which cause a visual diversion area and cause the birds to fly in the other direction.
Bird control is important because pest birds can create health-related problems and cause damage to property and equipment. Pest bird droppings can carry over 60 transmittable diseases. Several of these diseases have been known to be transmitted to humans and other animals. There are lots of bird control products available that will act as effective bird repeller. The main purpose of all these bird control devices is to get rid of pest birds and keep them away from our surroundings. Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere.
Pest birds are known carriers of pathogens that can aggravate respiratory diseases. If you have pigeons nesting around your house, consult a professional. Today there are many pest control companies and other service providers to offer you a logical and practical solution with installation of bird nets, spikes etc. to create an effective barrier. Apply a good, effective humane bird control methods that keep the birds away without hurting them in any way.
Disclaimer: The article contains data collected from various sources and the use of same is at readers discretion.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: bird droppings, Bird Proofing, bird proofing gel, bird proofing net, bird proofing sound, Chemical deterrents, Pest Birds, Pest Control, pest control companies, pest control india, Physical bird deterrents, Pre-elimination of pest bird, Sonic bird deterrents, Types of bird repellents, Visual repellents
Posted in Pest Control | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
- The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites.
- Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week and keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated. Ornamental pools can be aerated or stocked with mosquito-eating fish. Aeration / water movement helps because mosquitoes prefer quiet, non-flowing water for egg-laying and development.
- Use citronella scented candles and Tiki torches with citronella. In order for citronella candles to be effective, place a mass of them surrounding the area where people gather.
- Eliminate standing water by unclogging roof gutters, emptying children’s wading pools and swimming pools at lease once a weeks, getting rid of old tires in the lawn, emptying used containers in the yard, turning any unused containers upside down so they can’s collect water.
- Attract birds and mammals that feed on mosquitoes to the lawn. Blue Martins and bats feast on mosquitoes and can keep them at bay.
- Make sure windows, doors, and porches are tightly screened and are free of holes.
- Repair any leaks and/or eliminate puddles that may have formed around faucets and window air conditioner units.
- Under construction properties and debris in common areas are mosquito-breeding grounds. Ensure the builders or workers carry out precautionary measures includes fogging and elimination of water accumulation which has resulted in larva formation.
- Clogged rain gutters are one of the most overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around homes. Remove any standing water on flat roofs or around structures. Repair leaking faucets and air conditioners that produce puddles for several days.
- Take some time to do a walk around your apartment common areas looking for locations where water can sit. When you find them, dump them out and reposition them so they can’t hold water.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: 10 Easy ways to Prevent Mosquito, Change water in bird baths, Clean surronding, Clogged rain gutters, debris in common areas are mosquito-breeding grounds, eliminate mosquitoes breeding sites, Eliminate standing water, emptying used containers, Fight against mosquitoes, Malaria, mosquitoes, precautions, Prevent Mosquito bite, Prevent Mosquito breeding, prevention
Posted in Common Area Safety, Pest Control | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Each year, August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate an occasion to rejoice in our freedom and to pay collective homage to all those people who sacrificed their lives to the cause. The Independence Day celebration is a moment of pride and glory. For this Independence Day celebration, there are many things that we can do to save the environment.
- Form a group or community for planting plants and trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen. You can form a club or team for planting trees at a regular interval.
- If you no longer need something that might be useful to someone else, try to donate the goods rather than throwing them away.
- Wish your friends and relatives on this special occasion with e-card. This is cheapest and easiest way to wish them. Save paper by sending e-card.
- Observe green day on Independence Day and 3 R’s-“Reduce, Re-Use and Re-cycle” should be the mantra in each one’s life.
- Limit your Balloon Release as many people are-unaware that balloon releases can result in littering and harm to wildlife and environment.
- Fireworks are one of the best parts of Independence Day celebration, but the fact that they are also explosives that spew dust, smoke, heavy metals, carbon monoxide and other toxins into the air.
- Do not use or buy paper or plastic Flags. Paper flag leads to waste by cut down of millions of trees and plastic takes more than 1000 years to decompose.
- Do not let small children use the National Flag as a toy which often ends trampled upon the road, in dustbins and elsewhere. Often, these flags are burnt along with garbage causing threat to environment and disrespect to National flag.
- Independence Day events will produce lots of trash, much of which could probably be recycled. You can spread awareness or educate or circulate the information to schools, private & government organizations, apartment complexes and residents in or around your neighborhood by putting dos and don’ts on the notice boards.
- Because of the harm to wildlife and the effect of litter on the environment, ban use of balloon, plastic and paper flag in or around the premises of Independence Day celebration.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: Adopting Green Lifestyle, ban use of balloon, disrespect to National flag, Eco-Friendly Independence Day, Green Lifestyle, Green Living, green living habits, Independence Day Celebration, Paper flag
Posted in Festivals, Green Living | No Comments »
Friday, August 6th, 2010
Today, Vaastu Shastra is widely used in different aspects of design and building, adhering to physical and cosmic forces by merging sound elements in design and architecture. It is essential that each and every person must have a sound sleep so that he/she will wake up the next morning with a lot of fresh energy. According to the Vaastu Shastra the level of peace and tranquility that prevails in the bedroom can be enhanced by observing some simple principles.
- There should not be any beam crossing over the bed. If it exists, proper rectification should be done immediately otherwise the health will be affected.
- All the electronic gadgets should be placed at a distance from the bed as the Electro- magnetic waves emitted by them interferes with the sleep.
- Avoid keeping the photo, calendar or idols of any Deities in the bedroom.
- The master bedroom should always be located in the Southwest part of the house as Southwest represents the element Earth which implies the heaviness, which makes it as the ideal place for the master of the house.
- The bed placed should be on the South/West walls and if not there, it should be kept at least 4” away from the walls.
- Use the bedroom only for sleeping, not for working or watching TV and avoid excessive mental stimulation before bedtime.
- When choosing a mattress for the bed one has to choose a mattress that provides complete support to the body when lying down.
- Soothing pastel colors and objects and pictures associated with pleasant memories should find a place in the bedroom.
- One should sleep in his own house with his head facing east or south. If one is staying in someone else’s house, or while traveling, he should sleep with his head facing west.
- One should never sleep with his head facing north. The North is considered to be a very powerful direction. However, it is ideal only for worship. A bedroom in the north will bring financial losses and unrest.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: peace and tranquility in the bedroom, should not be any beam crossing over the bed, sound sleep, vaastu, vaastu direction, Vaastu for bedroom, Vaastu For Sound Sleep, vaastu guidelines, vaastu ideas, vaastu shastra, vaastu tips
Posted in House Decoration | No Comments »
Friday, August 6th, 2010
Science shows that the conservation of energy helps in the environment. Rising energy costs and the lack of customer confidence in the accuracy of electricity meters all contribute to the growing importance attached to testing electricity meters. If your electricity bill has increased suddenly without any reason, check the functioning of your electric meter.
Check where the problems lie
There is a simple check you can perform to find out whether the problem is in the new electronic meter or in the connections or household wiring etc. You can check the working of energy meter in the following manner.
- 1000-watt lamp Test: A 1000-watt lamp if energized for one hour would consume one unit of electrical energy. You need to switch off all your electrical lamps/appliances, etc. Now record the reading of your electrical meter and let only 1000 watt lamp run for one hour and then record the final reading. If the difference of reading is one unit i.e. 1 KWH, it means that meter is working satisfactorily. This check can also be conducted with 500W lamp run for 2 hours or 200W lamp for 5 hours or 100W lamp for 10 hours.
- Kill A Watt: Kill A Watt from P3 International is a pretty simple concept. The Kill-A-Watt allows you to connect your appliances and assess how efficient they are. A large LCD display counts consumption by the Kilowatt-hour, just like your not-so-friendly utility company. You can figure out your electrical expenses by the hour, day, week, month, even an entire year. It’s essentially a meter that tracks the power consumption of whatever’s plugged into it.
- Meter Constant: Meter Constant for an Energy meter is the amount of KWH used in its low voltage circuit for each revolution of the induction disc. You can check the working of energy meter with the help of meter constant which is indicated in the space meant for indicating name, etc attached to the meter e.g. X impulses /kwh i.e. X impulses per unit. If meter constant indicated on the meter matches with your actual impulse count/number of blinks of LED, it means that the meter is running ok.
- Power strip: A power strip is a strip of sockets that attaches to the end of a flexible cable and allows multiple devices to be plugged in. Power strips are often used when many electrical devices are in proximity, especially with audio/video and computer systems. Some power strips have energy-saving features, which switch off the strip if appliances go into standby mode. Using a sensor circuit they detect if the level of current flowing through the socket is in standby mode (less than 30 watts), they will turn off that socket. This reduces the consumption of standby power used by computer peripherals and other equipment when not in use, saving money and energy.
Meter working Unsatisfactorily
If your meter is working unsatisfactorily, find out whether the problem is in the electronic meter or in the connections. Faults in the measuring circuit of an electricity meter can occur when a system is wired incorrectly from the start. Other causes include interruptions to the connecting leads or the use of transformers with the wrong transformation ratio. If incoming and outgoing current is almost the same, then it may be concluded that connection to the meters are ok and there may be some problem in the meter itself.
If outgoing current is appreciably more than the incoming current, then somebody else’s neutral wire has got connected to the meter’s neutral wire and it is because of this reason that the meter is running fast. If outgoing current is less than the incoming current, it means that there is some leakage of current, earthing, etc in the building. This may be because of the old worn-out wiring in the house.
Wrong reading
A meter reader reads a large number of meters in a day. Hence, mistakes though occasionally may happen in taking readings of meters. If there is some anomaly in the energy bill like Wrong reading, arrears amount shown though the bill is paid etc the consumer may contact to the nearest Sub Division Office or Billing Centre & bring the anomaly to notice of concerned Sub Divisional Officer for rectification.
You have to look on your monthly bills and try to compare it on your latest bill. This way, you will study if your electricity bills are going high or low. Make it a habit to switch off the fan, light and electrical appliances when you leave a room. Make sure your electric company is billing you each month for the actual electricity your house has used. Unauthorized extension of your electrical wiring connecting to different or adjacent installation would increase the electricity consumption recorded by your meter.
Disclaimer: The article contains data collected from various sources and the use of same is at readers discretion.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: 1000-watt lamp Test, accuracy of electricity meters, anomaly in the energy bill, Checking Functioning, Checking Functioning of Electronic Meters, conservation of energy, Electrcity meter working unsatisfactorily, Electricity Meter, electricity meter checking, Faults in the measuring circuit, Kill A Watt, Kill-A-Watt from P3 International, Meter Constant for an Energy meter, power strip, Wrong meter reading
Posted in Save Energy | 1 Comment »
Friday, August 6th, 2010
Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs in dirty, stagnant water. They bring diseases like dengue fever and malaria. Mosquitoes are the most active at dusk, so it helps a little if you reduce outdoor activity at this time. Although some chemical repellents do work, it is always recommended to have a natural alternative. Many people are searching a ‘natural’ solution or plants to repel mosquitoes. There are a number of plants that repel mosquitoes. Some of most famous mosquito-repelling plants are following.
Mosquito Repellent Plants
 |
Ageratum: This charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the smell. It can grow in both full sun and part shade. Ageratum Plant is native to South and Central America. Ageratums are annuals and the come in a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings. It is used in the perfume industry and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants.
|
 |
Rosemary: Rosemary is an attractive choice for many gardeners because it has such wonderful applications in the kitchen. In addition to being a delicious spice, its oil can be used against mosquitoes. It is a small evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves. Rosemary needs hot, dry weather and well-drained soil, so may not be easy to grow in colder climates. It can easily be grown in a pot and moved indoors when necessary.
|
 |
Marigolds: Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any landscape. Mosquitoes don’t like its scent any better (and some humans feel the same way). These cheery flowers repel many other insect pests as well, but are popular nectar sources for butterflies.
|
 |
Neem: You can use neem in a personal mosquito repellant on the skin, or you can burn it, for example as incense, or by adding neem oil to citronella flares or kerosene lamps. Neem’s natural mosquito repellent properties are an important weapon in the fight against malaria. For malaria protection neem oil is fantastic.
|
 |
Basil: Basil is an annual herb closely identified with Italian cooking, although it is originally from India. According to the scientists who conducted studies on basil, the herbal plant is abundant in many nutrients. The basil plant is cultivated and used as a spice or condiment. Basil is also used as an insect repellent.
|
 |
Catnip: Catnip is famous for attracting cats, but what is less well known is that it also repels mosquitoes. The catnip plant is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. Oil isolated from catnip by steam distillation is a repellent against insects, in particular mosquitoes, cockroaches and termites.
|
The lovely and aromatic garden herbs citronella grass, rosemary, basil, Horsemint, lavender, Tansy, lemon balm, and lemongrass are also effective mosquito repellents. One of the most famous mosquito-repelling plants is citronella grass, which is used by manufacturers to make citronella candles. Get rid of standing water sources where female critters like to lay their eggs. Water from birdbaths, wading pools, and pet bowls should be changed a couple times a week. Planting mosquito repellent plant not only an earth-friendly way of dealing with these pests but also it will add beauty to your gardens, and will not jeopardize your health.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: Ageratum, basil, catnip, citronella, citronella grass, common area, green pesticides, horsemint, lemongrass, marigold, mosquito repellent plants, mosquitoes, neem, plants in apartment, repel mosquitoes naturally, Rosemary
Posted in Pest Control | 2 Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
- Light-emitting diodes commonly called LED’s helps you to save your utility bill and reduce conception of electricity when comparing with ordinary incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
- Switching to LED lighting can save 40 to 70 percent of the electricity.
- A building’s carbon footprint from lighting can be reduced by 60 to 70 per cent by exchanging all incandescent bulbs for new LED.
- LED lights have an extremely long life span and use much less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- LED can be made to focus without the use of extra reflectors or lenses, which means less bulk and lower cost for the same beam of light.
- The fitting options are so great that they can even fit into recessed ceiling spot lights giving off a fantastic level of lighting.
- LED Light bulbs offer a range of different lighting options, from colored lighting to dim and romantic lighting, there is an LED bulb to suit your every lighting need.
- The LED light bulbs currently on the market are best-suited for task and accent lighting.
- LED bulbs contain no mercury and are solid state. They can be dropped without presenting a chemical hazard and there is no filament to break.
- LED bulb gives off a greater level of light, comes in a range of different lighting options and will last for long. These lights can be used in traffic signals, crosswalk signs, and Common areas of apartment and can be used even on holiday displays.
LED lighting is an attractive alternative to incandescent or fluorescent lighting in both residential and commercial lighting applications. LED lamps are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit, very energy-efficient and have very long lives. In some states government offers incentives or rewards for supporting green living and reduce carbon footprint. Switching to LED can save electricity and leading to reduction in consumption of coal through which electricity is generated.
Did you like this Article?
Share it with others!
Tags: 10 Reasons For Switching To LED Light, advantage of LED lights, carbon footprint from lighting, contain no mercury, energy efficient building, energy efficient home, Energy saving, LED bulbs, LED contain no mercury, LED for Apartment, LED Light bulbs, LED Lights, LED Lights in Common areas, long life span and use much less energy, Switching to LED light, tips
Posted in Save Energy | 1 Comment »
