Archive for February 2011
Are carbon offsets really worth it?
February 26, 2011 | 
Author Will offsets save the planet? By buying carbon offsets you are compensating for the greenhouse gases emitted by you in the atmosphere. A plaster strip can assist in curing the wound, but prevention is better than heal. Causing ecological procedures in your life will have major impact than the carbon offsets you are buying. It is indicated that the offset is equal to specified number of cars being reserved away from the road. Commuting by public transport or riding a motorbike can keep your car away from the road too! Physically sustaining a reason is more effective than an imperceptible reduction on your bank account. Your ecological activities like walking, riding a motorbike, utilizing public transport etc. will have a undulation effect on your neighborhood and workplace, and will convince others to pursue. Unconventional renewable energy The lighting, heating, air conditioning and amusement systems, also kitchen and laundry equipments all consume energy from the gridiron. Many of us would like to have a wind turbine or solar panels so that we may have a restorable, ecological resource of energy instead of depend on coal which contaminates the atmosphere. But in practice we are not able to manage it because of the primary costs. Yet there is a chance for running your business or home on alternative energy. Enquire from your local utility about the availability of eco-friendly energy. With additional payment on your standard energy bill you can help them organize alternative energy schemes. It is mandatory for utilities to arrange for providing of alternative, renewable energy equal to the kilowatt hours of the patrons who have signed for eco-friendly energy. When more people sign up for eco-friendly energy, plenty of solar and wind energy systems will have to be fixed. Be inquisitive about Carbon Those of you who are unable to effect ecological changes in your household and think that carbon offsets are the most excellent choice, should take your time to locate about the offset provider. Confirm the details about usage of funds, certification of projects, auditing by independent authorities, feedback from existing clients, and evaluation of rates with that of other companies. Can trees be offsets? One concept broadly recognized for carbon offsetting is planting of trees. As trees grow up, intake of carbon dioxide takes place and the captive carbon will not be released in the atmosphere until the trees are burnt or are decomposed into humus after they die. Although this is a real truth we are yet to know the effectiveness of trees in capturing carbon from the atmosphere. As a long time is required for the trees to develop, so the procedure of carbon capture will expand over that time. But our dilemma of climate change is imminent. So we can’t rely on trees alone to resolve the problem.
Glasgow| WEEE Recycling, why should we recycle WEEE?
Benefit of Recycling
Recycling is an important way for individuals and businesses to reduce the waste they generate and reduce the negative impact of that waste. Because recycling is big business in Ohio, every time you recycle, it also supports the many companies and employees doing this important work. Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves landfill space, conserves energy, and reduces water pollution, air pollution and the green house gas emissions that cause global warming. Together, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and buying Recycled products make up a comprehensive waste and resource reduction strategy that benefits our natural world and our economy.
Saving natural resources and natural areas
Making products with recycled material slows the depletion of non-renewable resources such as metal, oil and natural gas, and reduces the encroachment of new mining and drilling operations. Conserving renewable resources through recycling also helps preserve undisturbed land and natural diversity by reducing the amount of land needed for agriculture and timber production.
Saving energy
It generally takes less energy to make products with recycled materials than virgin materials, often significantly less. For example, it takes 20 times more energy to make aluminium from bauxite ore than using recycled aluminium. Recycling one aluminium can saves enough energy to power a computer for 3 hours. Benefits of reduced energy consumption include reduced costs and reduced dependence on foreign suppliers.
Reducing pollution
Because most energy in Ohio is generated by burning fossil fuels, using less energy means generating less water and air pollution–especially the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Recycling also reduces other forms of pollution as well: Runoff from mining operations and farms, soil erosion and the toxic chemicals released when raw materials are processed.
Conserving landfill space
Everything that goes into a landfill stays there, taking up space. As waste breaks down—which can take hundreds of years—it releases the greenhouse gas methane and can emit many toxic pollutants into our water table. Keeping recyclable items out of our landfills keeps air and water cleaner, reduces the need for Ohio to build new or expanded landfills, and conserves resources by putting existing materials back to good use.
Creating industry and jobs
Recycling isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business. UK firms are among industry leaders in research and development of recycled-content products and mechanical and chemical systems for recycling material into new products.
Posted in computer recycling, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, Food Recycling, Food Waste, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, glasgow weee, Green IT, Iso14001, landfill, London Recycle, London WEEE, Packaging Waste, Plastic Recycle, Plastic Recycling, Plastic waste, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle London, Recycle UK, recycling, Waste management, Waste Plastic, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE London, WEEE UK, wheelie bin | 
Tags: Business, computer recycling, edinburgh recycle, Edinburgh Recycling, Edinburgh WEEE, electrical waste recycling, Energy, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, glasgow eee, glasgow recycle, glasgow recycling, Glasgow Recysling, glasgow weee, London recycling, recycle, Recycling, uk weee, waste management, weee, weee recycling | 
No Comments »
Too Much Waste
Landfill sites in and around Glasgow, in fact in the UK Landfill sites, will
be full in less than eight years unless we see a major shift in recycling rates.
Glasgow needs to drastically improve on recycling within the city, both businesses and consumer.
However business needs to be doing considerably more than what it is, hence the reason for the introduction of the Zero Waste Scotland Plan.
SEPA, from October 2010, can now request waste records from ANY business. At present SEPA are working out the finer details of how they are
going to police this new law. We will also be seeing certain waste being banned from landfill in the coming months.
The public, and indeed business, needs to be aware of the urgency of the situation, and the financial bite they will feel if the problem is not addressed.
The UK is sending more waste to landfill than any other country in Europe and is heading for huge fines if it fails to rein in the amount of waste it is burying in the ground.
Council tax payers are likely to pick up the bill if this happens.
Radical reforms are needed, say council leaders.
Householders, shops, businesses and manufacturers all have a vital role to play in protecting the environment and in cutting the amount of rubbish that is produced and thrown away.
LGA figures suggest at current rates of waste disposal Britain will hit its landfill limit in 2018.
The chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said: “For decades people used to be able to throw away their rubbish without worrying about the environmental or financial consequences.
“Those days have gone. Taxpayers face huge financial penalties if targets to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill are not met.
“Householders should be congratulated for the efforts they have made in recent years to increase the amount of rubbish they recycle.
“But that doesn’t change the fact that Britain is fast running out of space to dump rubbish in the ground.
“With the current financial squeeze that all councils are facing, it is more important than ever that they work with residents to make sure as much rubbish as possible is recycled to avoid being hit by heavy fines.”
At Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in computer recycling, CRC, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, glasgow weee, landfill, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle UK, recycling, Skip Hire, UK Recycle, UK WEEE, Waste management, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE UK, wheelie bin | Tags: computer recycling, edinburgh recycle, Edinburgh waste, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, electrical waste recycling, electronic waste recycling, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, glasgow waste, Glasgow waste management, glasgow weee, recycle, recycle edinburgh, recycle glasgow, Recycle UK, scotland recycling, Waste, waste management | No Comments »
Recycling: It Really Is Simple, Try It
There is actually a lot of things that you can recycle: Electrical & Electronic equipment, Water, Energy, Paper, Metal, Aluminium Cans, Glass, Plastic, Styrofoam, Steel, & even junk mail. All of these things, as you know, could end up in a landfill or even worse, in the ocean.
The basics of Recycling is to gather items that have been used and reprocess. Allowing them to be used againand again; simple?
Of course you don’t do this yourself, or could you? When we recycle, pretty much means that energy is saved. When a manufacturing company decides to make new stuff out of old stuff, it saves a lot of energy. A good example of this would be the recycling of cardboard, used in hospital bedpans for example; all of the carboard in the bedpans is recycled & can be recycled again.
By Recycling you not only make this planet a better place to live, but also reduce pollution & improve environmental conditions. By simply recycling as much as we can, you help prevent the global climate change, reduce greenhouse gases and cut the amount of fuel used!
By doing all this, it leads to us and companies saving natural resources. For example: If the all the tabloid newspapers were to recycle all of the newspapers that they print every single day, there wouldn’t be the need to cut & kill a thousand trees a day.
Trees in different rain forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, according to some researchers we could see no more trees left in a few years time, though how accurate that statement is I do not know, but it stands to reason that if you continue to take more than you put back eventually you will be left with nothing. This is the same with all fossil fuels as well.
Not only are you helping the world, but you’re saving money!
It is expensive to start production on new products with new materials, manufacturers are going to want that money reimbursed so they can continue making the expensive products. When you buy things that are recycled, it’s obviously cheaper to make, though the marketeers of the large manufacturers would have us believe otherwise, greenwashing at it’s worst! In effect we should be able to buy recycled goods for a low price. Even when you think about it, all the waste & rubbish that isn’t recycled is taking up space in landfills, which are fast becoming full.
Whatever you may think about recycling, be it, in your opinion, another “hippie” movement, at be motivated to do your part, the alternatives, fines for not recycling and destruction of our world as we know it, it unthinkable. No One is saying you have to become obsessed with it, all that is being suggested is that every little bit you can do is a step in the right direction. The Earth has provided a place to live, grow food, provide raw materials, it’s our turn to think and act responsibly to ensure it continues to do so for future generations.
Recycling is simple, whether it be at home or in the office. Take a look around and look at how much waste that is “thrown” in the bin. Almost all office waste can be recycled simply, it just needs someone like you to get the ball rolling and it won’t just be the environment that benefits.
At Be Seen Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change, CO2, computer recycling, Edinburgh Recycle, Edinburgh WEEE, eee, Energy, Food Recycling, Food Waste, ghg emissions, glasgow eee, glasgow recycling, Glasgow waste, glasgow weee, landfill, London Recycle, London WEEE, Packaging Waste, Plastic Recycle, Plastic Recycling, Plastic waste, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle London, Recycle UK, recycling, UK Recycle, UK WEEE, Waste management, Waste Plastic, weee, WEEE Edinburgh, WEEE London, WEEE UK, wheelie bin | Tags: Climate, computer recycling, edinburgh recycle, Edinburgh Recycling, Edinburgh WEEE, Energy, Environment, ENVIRONMENTAL, food recycling, glasgow eee, glasgow recycle, glasgow recycling, glasgow weee, recycle, Recycling, simple\', Waste, waste recycling, weee, WEEE Recycle | No Comments »
Online Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Benefits
In this new-age world where advanced technologies are all the rage with the internet at the forefront, most companies are focused on maintaining a significant online profile.
Keeping their website fresh and updated, providing the best information, showing off the snazziest homepage designs and maintaining a user-friendly interface are the order of the day.
However, one of the less-known ways in which companies can make use of the internet is through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Although firms are still active through their community-based projects, the ease of access and widespread scope of the internet make it a perfect tool for their work.
For starters, a company can clearly outline its CSR policies and activities on its website to make any charities potentially interested in a link-up aware of their approach to fundraising work.
This might include a listing of the charities it offers corporate support to or examples of individual voluntary work by the company’s employees.
Other resources can be used internally, such as using a charity search engine as the company’s intranet homepage.
Climate Change Provides Investment Opportunities
Experts are predicting that climate change is going to reshape investment returns and investment opportunities over the next few years. With eleven of the last 12 years ranking as the warmest on record, people have to face up to the fact that global warming is happening and will have an effect on everyone.
While people are facing up to the realities of global warming investment opportunities are going to be popping up all over the place. This is because new technologies and going to be developed in a bid to slow down global warming and people will have no choice but to use these new tools.
In the northern hemisphere, summers are now one and a half months longer than they were a couple of decades ago. It is also feared that if Iceland’s ice sheet melts, sea levels will rise by seven metres which will wipe out a lot of Pacific islands and reshape the coasts of other countries.
These climate changes mean that the world needs new technology to deal with preventing further damage very quickly. Companies are likely to introduce new ways of producing cleaner energy and using it more efficiently. This is going to provide great investment opportunities as everyone will be desperate to get their hands on new technology that does such things.
Australia is one of the biggest culprits of greenhouse emitters followed by the United States and Canada. Experts believe that countries such as Russia and Canada will enjoy longer growing sessions and will be able to produce food more efficiently while other countries will have their production slashed by long droughts and lack of irrigation water. Weather patterns will also be more volatile and unpredictable which will cause problems for growing crops.
Some people believe that climate change is going to present the biggest investment opportunities of a lifetime and be even bigger than rapid technological changes. Carbon trading, which is due to begin after 2012 will create a whole new asset class for investors to comprehend and will feature as a factor in company financials.
It is very likely that energy and water prices will go up which means that water saving devises will be in high demand. This will make good investment opportunities for people wishing to put their money in this industry. Water recycling and desalination plants will have to be built and homes and offices will need to become more energy efficient providing yet more investment opportunities.
These developments are very likely to have an effect on companies and investment returns in years to come as new products are development and investment opportunities created.
Posted in Climate Change | Tags: Change, Climate, Investment, Opportunities, Provides | No Comments »
Energy Conservation for Your Business
Some Energy Conservation Techniques for All Business Types
Companies may now find many ways to reduce energy consumption. You can apply energy conservation techniques for your business operation’s energy generation, distribution, consumption, and energy transmission.
Some of the available energy conservation techniques from various types of operations and business include high-efficiency motors, lighting retrofit, building control systems, mechanical system upgrades, metering technologies, industrial processing enhancements, demand response improvements, and pumping system modernization.
For example, in new construction, energy reduction is possible through improving the design systems which use any form of energy such as nuclear power, oil, coal, gas, or electricity. Energy conservation techniques may include using enterprise energy management software for design systems which use any source of energy. Such kinds of software would be able to help in the management of electrical loads at each site such as that of backup generators, HVAC, and lighting.
To be able to conserve energy, companies may reduce use of conventional fuels such as electricity and oil by integrating alternative energy sources to its support infrastructure. Wind power and fuel cells are just some examples of renewable energy.
The Benefits of Energy Conservation to Your Business
The three largest operating expenses for all types of business, especially in the retail sector, are labor, benefits, and energy. Companies should take advantage of energy management software and programs which can help in their carbon footprint reduction efforts. Companies are monitoring and responsive to their carbon emissions like that which comes from energy generation, vehicle fleets, utility operations and refrigerant leakage.
There are also some federal and state incentives and rebates which companies can take advantage of. This will allow companies to procure the best rates of energy possible with the use of available program son automated enterprise energy management. With this, any company will be able to monitor its infrastructure, get data on its utility use, peak and non-peak billing factors, power factor charges, demand, position, consumption and taxes.
Through the application of some proven and tested energy conservation techniques, any type of company will benefit from energy consumption reduction. In doing so, companies not only reduce their energy bills but can also help the environment by reduced carbon footprint. In the long run, companies will be able to realize the benefits as various areas in their operations will be improved as well.
Businesses Must Be Aware Of Green Issues In 2010
If there’s one concern that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue in the new millenium, it’s climate change. From individuals to huge businesses, ecological issues are becoming increasingly important as more is being learnt. While it’s imperative that everyone does there bit when it comes to improving the planet, businesses and corporations are in a position of more responsibility than most – meaning it’s very important for them to make sure they are taking steps to greening their operations.
As we move into 2010, companies need to be aware of their operations and how green they are more than ever. As government initiatives come into play to encourage businesses to look at ways of cutting emissions to help the UK meet targets, more and more people are also starting to search for companies that have good ethical credentials. This means that businesses who hope to attract customers are well advised to consider how green their IT is and in what ways it could be improved. Today’s environmentally conscious consumer votes with their feet.
Luckily, there are numerous ways for companies to cut their carbon emissions and green their operations. These measures span from simple rules such as making sure all staff turn off electrical equipment when not in use to making use of video conferencing software as an alternative to travelling abroad for business meetings.
Managed hosting services are also a good way for businesses to minimise their energy input as by having their service needs taken care of by an outside provider, the amount of energy used can be consolidated and better managed by the provider. Products such as SaaS or data hosting packages can not only streamline the amount if hardware businesses need, but can also cut the amount of manpower needed.
New technologies such as cloud computing also offer businesses a good opportunity to minimise their environmental impact. The cloud cuts down on the necessity of businesses having their own servers and allows people to work remotely, as all of their relevant information and tools can be stored in the cloud and accessed from any computer.
Making use of green IT is a smart move for businesses in 2010 as not only does it offer businesses the chance to do their bit for the environment and improve their reputation, but it also guarantees savings on energy bills – a huge benefit at a time when energy prices are constantly on the increase. This means that greening your businesses IT through everything from hosting to recycling is likely to save you money as well as help you save the planet.
Social Responsibility- A Definite Aspect of Corporate Image
This article will provide brief overview about definition, conceptual views as well as possible environmental actions related to the notion of business’s social responsibility. Example will be cited to highlight successful facilitation of a socially responsible business.
With ever increasing concern on environmental hazards and issues related to various products and services, it is becoming an undeniable fact that a business should ensure its social responsibility to facilitate a societal sensitive corporate image. Koontz & Weihrich (1990) asserts that corporate social responsibility is nothing more than seriously considering the impact of company’s action on society. However a more comprehensive definition refers social responsibility with the degree to which a company recognizes what being a good community and global citizen means and acts accordingly (Slocum, 1995:17). It was further asserted that there are three basic conceptual views of social responsibility are generally acknowledged. First ‘traditional social responsibility’ is referred to the perception that by serving the interests of shareholders, organization is fulfilling its social responsibility. Second, ‘stakeholder social responsibility’ perceives that managers and employees have obligations towards identifiable group (stakeholders) that are affected by or can affect organizational efforts to achieve its goal. The difference here is replacement of group definition ‘shareholder’ with ‘stakeholder’ where latter covers broader range of members including shareholders, customers, competitors, government agencies, unions, employees, debt holders trade unions, suppliers and consumer groups. Third, ‘affirmative social responsibility’ initiates dimension broader that organizational stakeholders by arguing that business has obligations to avoid problems by anticipating changes in its environment, blending goals with both stakeholders as well as public and promoting their mutual interests (Papers4you.com, 2006).
To fulfill environmental obligations, social audit is a tool corporate can adopt. Social audit is to identify, measure, evaluate and more importantly report on with continuous monitoring the effects of organization on society and is not manifested through financial statements (Weiss, 1994) . Organizations may carry various affirmative environmental policies to ensure the environmental issues relate dot different areas. For instance in area of accidents, open disclosure of accidents, usage of homogenized standards worldwide can be some options. Pollutions can be reduced by providing incentives internally as well as externally and green teams can also be evolved. Moreover wastes can be minimized through waste disposal services and taking back it from customers. Similarly environmentally safe substitutes can be used in product with minimum and safe packaging (Corbett & Wassenhove, 1993).
Now considering these standards, example of Body Shop can be taken as most suitable case. Body Shop has developed its corporate image as provider of environmentally friendly and natural cosmetics (Slocum, 1995). It was further asserted that company sales and profits were ever rising however the business opposed animal testing, sell most products in reusable bottles with refilling services and always supported recycling process written on their packaging.
So the discussion and example of Body Shop asserts that by fulfilling social responsibility, businesses can win society’s heart and remember customers are always associated with society.
Carbon Footprint: How Creating a Sustainable Business Makes You Money
Carbon Footprint: How Creating a Sustainable Business Makes You Money
We don't have to wait to be forced to become more environamentally friendly, yet it seems that, that is exactly what we do, why, when we can save money as a result of being more enviromentally friendly
Reduce, Recycle and Reuse this is the first stage, and below are some basic ways in which you can take the first steps to becoming environmentally friendly.
While Reducing, Reusing and Recycling is key in preventing climate change, offsetting your carbon emissions is also a good option, although it has to be said that offsetting should never replace the 3 R’s
To offset your carbon emissions simply means to neutralize your part in the polluting of our environment.
An example of offsetting could be a project such as a reforestation, as well as the highlighted projects such as the nAmazon, Scotland also has reforestation projects of it’s own.
Since carbon dioxide emissions are the principal cause of climate change, planting trees to offsetcarbon emissions is key to promoting a greener environment.
Here’s some other ways to reduce emissions and save money at the same time.
(1) Recycle Toner and Ink Jet Cartridges. These things, which always run out at the most inopportune time, cost way too much and, contrary to what the big companies than manufacture them proclaim with their “send it in recycling programs” – end up in the landfill, if we don’t recycle,usually in the poorest areas of the world.
(2) Use Less and Buy Recycled Paper. Back in the early 90′s when email was gaining popularity we all proclaimed that it was the beginning of the paperless office. It should have been but, it wasn’t. Paper sales went through the roof because now we had more information to print out, copy and share with each other. Furthermore, as the quality of recycled content paper has gone up to photo quality level and the cost has gone down to below the cost of “new” paper, it clearly makes no sense not to include the procurement of recycled printer and copier paper in your sustainability plan.
(3) Go Paperless with your invoices.
(4) Recycle Everything. Soft drinks cans, newspapers, used equipment, furniture and materials (if you’re manufacturing things) all carry a price.
Sell your used equipment on EBAY or look for ad’s where a local company will pick up and “recycle” your used equipment.
At Go Green, we offer solutions for a variety of Environmental issues. Please click on the following link to contact us.
Posted in Carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Carbon management, carbon reduction, CO2, Edinburgh Recycle, Environmental accounting, Footprint, Recycle Edinburgh, Recycle UK, recycling, UK Recycle | Tags: Business, carbon, carbon accounting, carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, carbon management, carbon reduction, CO2, Creating, edinburgh recycle, Footprint, glasgow recycle, Makes, Money, recycle, Sustainable, UK recycle | No Comments »