5 bonnes résolutions à adopter pour l’environnement en 2025

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À l’arrivée de la nouvelle année, les bonnes résolutions ne servent pas qu’à la croissance personnelle. Il s’agit aussi de l’occasion idéale pour réfléchir aux gestes qui contribuent à une planète plus saine. Faire des choix durables, ce n’est pas forcément changer sa vie du tout au tout : vous pouvez commencer par des petits ajustements qui ont du sens.

Voici cinq bonnes résolutions faciles à tenir qui feront la différence pour 2025 : engagez-vous pour l’environnement sans déranger votre quotidien !

1. Repensez les déchets : réutilisation, recyclage

Prêt à changer vos habitudes ? La bonne nouvelle, c’est qu’il suffit de petits ajustements pour faire une grande différence dans la réduction des déchets. La clé, c’est de repenser vos habitudes et de choisir la voie de la réutilisation et du recyclage. En substituant les emballages en plastique à usage unique par des matériaux réutilisables, vous prenez déjà une première mesure efficace.

plastic bag alternative

Finissez-en avec les plastiques à usage unique

Pour faire simple : les plastiques à usage unique sont omniprésents. Ils nuisent à l’environnement et encombrent les décharges. Pensez-y : plutôt que de prendre une bouteille d’eau en plastique, pourquoi ne pas choisir des contenants réutilisables ? Par exemple :

  • Bouteilles d’eau
  • Tasses à café
  • Serviettes en tissu

Tous ces choix peuvent vous aider à réduire vos déchets. Si tout le monde en faisait de même, l’impact serait conséquent !

Optez pour des contenants en verre ou en métal

Pour stocker la nourriture, pensez à remplacer les contenants en plastique par des contenants en métal ou en verre. Non seulement ces derniers sont plus sûrs, ils durent aussi plus longtemps et ne contiennent pas de produits chimiques nuisibles qu’on retrouve dans certains plastiques. Vous pouvez y emballer vos restes, vos repas et même vos collations à emporter de façon plus durable.

Qu’est-ce que ça change?

Saviez-vous que la décomposition du plastique prend plusieurs centaines d’années ? Le plastique dont vous vous servez aujourd’hui ne disparaîtra pas avant plusieurs générations. Surprenant, n’est-ce pas ? Faites partie de la solution, utilisez des contenants plus écolos. Et puis soyons honnêtes, le verre et le métal sont bien plus esthétiques. Qui refuserait une gamelle aussi chic ?

De nouvelles habitudes écolos

Adopter des habitudes écologiques sans prise de tête, c’est possible. Commencez en douceur avec des sacs de courses réutilisables. Ce geste simple peut avoir des effets significatifs : vous réduisez la demande de sacs plastiques à chaque fois que vous faites les magasins. Il suffit de bien penser à prendre votre sac réutilisable quand vous sortez.

Et n’oubliez pas les serviettes en tissu ! Elles remplaceront les serviettes en papier que vous avez chez vous. Non seulement vous réduirez vos déchets, mais vous ajouterez aussi une touche d’élégance à vos repas. Tous les repas ont besoin d’un peu plus de goût !

2. Modes de transport alternatifs : toujours plus loin

Avez-vous déjà réfléchi au nombre de trajets en voiture que vous faites par semaine ? La réponse pourrait vous surprendre. Chaque fois que vous choisissez de prendre votre véhicule, vous contribuez aux émissions de CO2. D’ailleurs, chaque kilomètre non parcouru évite l’émission de 250 g de carbone dans l’atmosphère. L’impact est considérable. C’est là que les modes de transports alternatifs entrent en jeu. Ces mesures profiteront tant à l’environnement qu’à vous-même.

Les transports en commun : un choix judicieux

Les bus, les trains et les métros constituent d’excellentes alternatives à la voiture. Réduisez votre empreinte carbone de façon significative grâce aux transports en commun. Les avantages ne s’arrêtent pas là. Avez-vous déjà calculé les économies que vous feriez sans les dépenses liées à l’essence et au parking ? Vous pourriez économiser des centaines, voire des milliers d’euros par an.

  • Économies de coût :Les transports en commun coûtent souvent moins cher que l’entretien d’une voiture.
  • Moins de stress :Plus besoin de craindre les bouchons.
  • Prenez du temps pour vous :Lecture, musique, détente.

Soyons francs : les transports en commun ne sont pas très glamour, mais les avantages en valent la peine. De plus, dans certaines villes, les réseaux de transports en commun sont en pleine amélioration. Gardez un œil sur les initiatives locales qui favorisent ce genre de méthodes. Il pourrait être étonnamment facile de s’y mettre !

green living tips for seniors

À pied ou à vélo : des habitudes plus saines

Se fixer des objectifs à pied ou à vélo pour les trajets courts, c’est bon pour la planète et pour votre santé ! Pensez-y, combien de trajets courts pourriez-vous effectuer à pied ou à vélo ? Marchez jusqu’au supermarché au lieu de prendre la voiture. Il s’agit d’un changement minime dont vous pourriez tirer des bienfaits immenses.

Au-delà de la protection de l’environnement, il s’agit aussi d’intégrer une activité physique à votre routine quotidienne : vous vous sentirez mieux et vous économiserez l’essence.

N’oubliez pas : « Imaginez la différence si tout le monde supprimait un trajet en voiture par semaine ! »

Suivez vos économies de carbone

Pour garder une motivation à toute épreuve, suivez vos économies en carbone. Le fait de laisser une trace de vos efforts vous aidera à rester concentré. Utilisez une application ou un journal pour y consigner le nombre de kilomètres que vous économisez en évitant de prendre la voiture ; vous prendrez plaisir à voir le nombre augmenter.

  • Installez une application toute bête pour suivre vos trajets.
  • Calculez le nombre d’émissions de carbone évitées.
  • N’hésitez pas à fêter les paliers : 100 kilomètres de non-conduite, par exemple !

Gardez bien à l’esprit que chaque partie de vos trajets a son importance. En trouvant des moyens uniques de réduire votre bilan carbone, vous faites aussi partie d’une solution plus large. C’est valorisant de savoir qu’on fait la différence, non ?

3. Alimentation durable : mangez en toute conscience

Avez-vous déjà réfléchi aux conséquences de vos habitudes alimentaires sur la planète ? C’est un fait, soit votre alimentation est compatible avec des pratiques durables, soit elle nuit à l’environnement. Compte tenu des préoccupations grandissantes suscitées par le réchauffement climatique, l’adoption d’un régime plus écologique est essentielle. Voici quelques manières stimulantes de changer vos repas pour le mieux.

Essayez des recettes à base de plantes

Les recettes à base de plantes constituent une stratégie particulièrement efficace. En plus d’être nutritifs, les plats végétaliens peuvent être un vrai délice. Avez-vous déjà goûté une bonne soupe aux lentilles ? Ou des pâtes aux noix de cajou bien crémeuses ? Ces plats savent satisfaire votre gourmandise et émettent généralement moins de carbone que les repas à base de viande.

  • Une fois par semaine, commencez par un « lundi sans viande ».
  • Tentez de nouvelles céréales, comme le quinoa, le farro ou l’orge.
  • Ouvrez-vous aux cuisines internationales (indienne ou méditerranéenne, par exemple) qui contiennent beaucoup de plats à base de plantes.

Il vous suffit de quelques changements minimes pour découvrir tout un univers de nouvelles saveurs, le tout en ménageant la planète. Partez à l’aventure avec de nouvelles recettes !

Renseignez-vous sur les fermes locales qui proposent des choix de viande éthique

Si vous optez pour la viande, pensez à vous fournir auprès des fermes locales qui adoptent des pratiques agricoles durables et éthiques. Cela implique de favoriser un élevage respectueux des animaux, sans utiliser des pratiques agricoles industrielles qui nuisent à la terre.

Invitez vos amis et votre famille à cuisiner de façon durable

La cuisine, c’est plus agréable à plusieurs ! Pourquoi ne pas inviter vos amis et votre famille à se joindre à votre mission alimentation durable ? Vous pourriez par exemple organiser une soirée cuisine, où chaque convive apporterait un repas durable à partager. C’est un excellent moyen de créer des liens tout en apprenant comment manger équilibré.

En plus de vous responsabiliser, vous prendrez goût à la cuisine ! Et puis, le travail d’équipe produit souvent de vrais délices en cuisine.

Le lien entre le régime et les émissions de carbone

Chaque repas préparé et ingéré contribue à votre empreinte carbone. L’industrie alimentaire contribue aux problématiques environnementales de façon significative, et vos choix pèsent dans la balance. Saviez-vous qu’augmenter votre consommation d’aliments à base de plantes peut considérablement réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre ?

Autre outil très efficace : la planification des repas. En planifiant vos repas, vous utilisez vos ingrédients de manière plus efficiente et générez donc moins de déchets. Vous aurez également moins tendance à acheter des plats à emporter, ce qui influe sur les déchets plastiques.

4. Faites des économies d’énergie : votre maison, votre impact

Les économies d’énergie, ce n’est pas juste un mot à la mode : c’est un mode de vie qui joue autant sur votre portefeuille que sur la planète. Saviez-vous que des habitudes toutes simples prises dès l’enfance peuvent influer sur votre consommation d’énergie actuelle ? Voici comment vous pouvez faire la différence depuis chez vous.

energy conservation guide

Attention à « l’énergie vampire »

L’énergie vampire, aussi appelée consommation d’électricité en mode veille, désigne l’énergie consommée par les appareils branchés mais éteints. Pensez par exemple à votre téléphone portable, votre télévision ou votre vieux micro-ondes. Mêmes éteints, ils consomment de l’énergie. C’est fou, non ?

  • Éteignez vos appareils :Prenez l’habitude d’éteindre et de débrancher les appareils que vous n’utilisez pas. Créez des rappels si nécessaire.
  • Utilisez des multiprises :Faites-en vos plus fidèles alliées ! Branchez plusieurs appareils sur une seule prise que vous éteindrez une fois que vous aurez fini.

Investissez dans des appareils écoénergétiques

Vous songez à remplacer l’un de vos vieux appareils ? Pensez à investir dans des modèles écoénergétiques. Le coût initial sera peut-être plus élevé, mais vous ferez des économies non négligeables sur le long terme.

Les appareils écoénergétiques sont dotés du label Energy Star. Ils consomment moins d’énergie et feront donc baisser la facture d’électricité. Voici quelques exemples d’appareils écoénergétiques courants :

  1. Réfrigérateurs :Les réfrigérateurs tournent en permanence, cela vaut donc la peine d’investir dans un modèle écoénergétique.
  2. Machines à laver :Elles consomment beaucoup moins d’eau et d’énergie que les modèles classiques.
  3. Ampoules :Les ampoules LED réduisent considérablement votre consommation d’énergie. Elles durent plus longtemps et consomment beaucoup moins de watts.

Intéressez-vous aux sources d’énergie renouvelable, telles que le soleil

Vous voulez passer au vert tout en faisant des économies ? Et si vous choisissiez l’énergie solaire ? Les panneaux solaires exploitent l’énergie solaire pour la convertir en électricité pour votre domicile.

Certes, l’installation initiale peut être coûteuse, mais voyez cela comme un investissement pour le futur. De nombreuses régions proposent même une fiscalité incitative pour compenser les coûts liés à l’installation.

Surveillez votre consommation énergétique

Le fait de surveiller votre consommation énergétique vous donnera une idée plus claire de la situation. Pensez à utiliser des compteurs intelligents ou des contrôleurs d’énergie. Ces outils vous fourniront des données en temps réel sur votre consommation.

En surveillant vos habitudes, vous pourrez repérer les points à améliorer. À quels moments observez-vous un pic de consommation ? En utilisant certains de vos appareils en-dehors de ces heures, vous pourriez faire des économies de coût et d’énergie.

Repérez les aspects à améliorer

Faites un tour chez vous. Identifiez les zones qui pourraient bénéficier de meilleures pratiques de conservation d’énergie. Vos fenêtres laissent-elles passer l’air ? Une meilleure isolation peut vous aider à conserver la chaleur sans abuser du chauffage. Vous réglez le thermostat trop haut en hiver ? Quelques degrés en moins peuvent faire toute la différence.

Quand vous adoptez des gestes pour économiser l’énergie, n’oubliez pas qu’il suffit parfois de petits changements pour obtenir de grands résultats. Apportez une contribution positive à vos finances et à l’environnement, un appareil débranché ou écoénergétique à la fois !

5. Réduisez votre consommation d’eau : Petit pas, bond de géant

L’eau est essentielle à la vie. Pourtant, nombre d’entre nous prennent cette ressource pour acquise. Vous ne le savez peut-être pas, mais vos habitudes quotidiennes gâchent peut-être plus d’eau que vous ne le croyez. Pas de panique ! Il suffit de petits ajustements pour faire une grande différence. Découvrez comment limiter votre consommation d’eau et conserver cette ressource inestimable.

Optez pour un système et une pomme de douche à débit réduit

Vous avez déjà pensé à votre pomme de douche ? Cette dernière consomme peut-être plus d’eau que vous ne le pensez. Vous pouvez faire baisser la quantité d’eau utilisée de façon considérable en choisissant un système à débit réduit. Ces systèmes sont conçus pour économiser l’eau sans pour autant sacrifier la pression. Vous pourrez donc vous rafraîchir tout en économisant plusieurs litres d’eau à chaque fois.

De plus, l’installation de robinets à débit réduit dans la cuisine et la salle de bain constitue un autre moyen efficace d’éviter le gaspillage d’eau. Ce changement très simple peut faire toute la différence.

Ne faites tourner que des machines pleines

ll vous arrive de faire tourner des machines à moitié vides quand vous faites la lessive ? Il est tentant d’utiliser la machine pour quelques vêtements uniquement, mais chaque lavage consomme une quantité d’eau significative. Essayez de toujours charger votre machine à pleine capacité non seulement pour économiser l’eau, mais aussi l’énergie, puisque le lave-linge tournera ainsi moins souvent.

Sensibilisez votre entourage à l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau

Voilà une idée amusante : pourquoi ne pas partager vos découvertes ? Discutez avec vos amis et votre famille de l’importance de faire des économies d’eau. Parfois, les gens ont seulement besoin d’être encouragés. Partagez vos expériences et même vos techniques pour économiser l’eau. Pourquoi ne pas organiser un atelier collectif ou proposer un défi amusant autour du thème de la conservation d’eau ?

Le fait de sensibiliser votre entourage entraînera un effet domino : ils auront peut-être envie de changer leurs habitudes aussi ! C’est comme planter un arbre : ce geste simple est susceptible de faire pousser toute une forêt d’efforts écologiques.

Objectif 2025

Accueillons cette nouvelle année avec de nouveaux défis, grâce à ces bonnes résolutions à la fois simples et efficaces. Et n’oubliez pas, c’est le progrès qui importe et non la perfection.

Commencez aujourd’hui. Adoptez ces bonnes résolutions durables et assistez à la transformation de vos habitudes. Vos actes comptent. Soyez fier de contribuer à un futur plus écologique. La planète vous remerciera!

Translator: Cécile Lamhene

Cécile Lamhene est une traductrice indépendante de l’anglais vers le français. Après un master en traduction juridique, économique et technique à l’université de Lille, elle se spécialise dans le développement durable dans la région MENA et s’intéresse entre autres à l’agriculture, à l’élevage, à l’ingénierie, à l’énergie et à la gestion de l’eau.

Note: The original English version of the article is available at this link.

رمضان والبيئة… تجربة الشارقة نموذجاً

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البيئة من القضايا المهمة في المناشط الرمضانية وتشكل محوراً رئيساً في الأنشطة المجتمعية والمؤسسية، وتكون في مقدمة أولويات الحوار الاجتماعي في المجالس الرمضانية والندوات الفكرية التي يجري تنظيمها ضمن الأنشطة في شهر رمضان، ويجسد ذلك التوجه الفهم المؤسس في تشخيص البعد الاستراتيجي للقضايا البيئية في واقع الحياة المعيشية وفي منظومة الخطط الاقتصادية والتنموية، وتؤكد موقعها المحوري في الاهتمام المجتمعي.

ويدلل الحوار الرمضاني البيئي أيضاً على مستوى الوعي المتصاعد بضرورة تفعيل جهود العمل الموجه لعملية التحديث المتواتر للاستراتيجيات البيئية التي تواكب المتطلبات العصرية في العلاقة مع النظم البيئية ومنهجيات العمل المؤسس لصون توازنها الطبيعي، والعمل أيضاً في تبني الخطط التنموية الرشيدة وغير الضارة بمكونات النظام البيئي، كما يشير ذلك التوجه إلى الوعي المجتمعي إلى ما يمكن أن تسببه الأنشطة والسلوك غير الرشيد في العلاقة مع النظام البيئي في إحداث المخاطر المخلة بالأمن البيئي لكوكب الأرض.

والمجالس الرمضانية تقليد حضاري وثقافة مجتمعية يحرص الناشطون والمهتمون بالشأن البيئي، على الاستفادة من فاعليتها في التأثير على صناعة القرار البيئي السديد والعمل في إطار أنشطتها على تنظيم حلقات الحوار الرمضانية النوعية في معالجة القضايا البيئية بمشاركة المختصين والمسئولين وصناع القرار أيضاً، إلى جانب نشطاء العمل التطوعي البيئي. ويجري في سياق منهجية الحوارات تبصر الحلول والمخارج المنهجية وتقديم المقترحات ذات الأهمية الاستراتيجية في بناء الخطط التنفيذية في الشأن البيئي، والتي تسهم في صناعة البرامج المؤسسة لتعديل السلوك البيئي وإحداث التحول النوعي في منظومة القانون والإدارة البيئية.

النشاط الرمضاني البيئي جهد مجتمعي ورسالة بيئية مهمة في مقوم تكوينها الاستراتيجي، يمكن أن تسهم في وضع أسس موجهة لصياغة ميثاق للعمل البيئي يرتكز على مقومات رصينة في العلاقة مع البيئة، من الطبيعي أن يشكل مرجعاً لمنهجية العمل البيئي، وإحداث التحول النوعي في القرار البيئي، وفي منظومة الخطط البيئية والتنموية، والارتقاء بآلية العمل الإداري والقانوني في الشأن البيئي.

ويمكن من خلال هذه الأنشطة أيضاً، إيصال المرئيات والمقترحات بشأن الطرق المنهجية في معالجة القضايا البيئية بطريقة ميسرة، إلى متخذي القرار البيئي الذين ندرك حرصهم ومتابعتهم لهكذا أنشطة لتبني القرار البيئي الذي يدعم النهج الايجابي للحد من التجاوزات والأنشطة غير الرشيدة، والحفاظ على معالم النظام البيئي وصون مقومات توازنها الطبيعي.

تجربة النشاط البيئي الرمضاني في الشارقة في الفترة من العام 2000 إلى العام 2011 من التجارب النوعية التي تزخر بها الدول الخليجية، ويحسن التوقف عندها وقراءة أسسها المنهجية في طرح ومعالجة القضايا البيئية وتبصر فوائدها في تحريك سواكن الفهم الاجتماعي البيئي، حيث أكّدت حضورها في الحراك البيئي منذ بدء نشاطها ضمن فعاليات القرية التراثية التي جرى تشييدها على بحيرة خالد العام 2000.

التجربة شهدت تطوراً ملموساً بإنشاء هيئة البيئة والمحميات الطبيعية في الشارقة قرية بيئية متداخلة الأنشطة والفعاليات الاجتماعية والثقافية والبيئية ضمن فعاليات مهرجان رمضان الشارقة، وكان للنهج الإداري المرن والممنهج الذي انتهجه رئيس الهيئة سابقاً (عبد العزيز عبدالله المدفع) أثره الفعلي في التفاعل المسئول لفريق عمل التوعية والتثقيف البيئي في بناء خطة نوعية متعددة المناشط الاجتماعية والبيئية. والقرية البيئية من الأنشطة الرمضانية المهمة التي حظيت باهتمام المجتمع وشمل برنامجها المعرض البيئي المتنوع في معارفه ورسائله البيئية والبرنامج الاجتماعي البيئي.

والبرنامج البيئي للمنتدى الفكري من المحاور المهمة والفعلية ضمن خطة مناشط القرية البيئية حيث جرى تنظيم حلقات حوار ناقشت قضايا المخدرات وأثرها على الأمن الاجتماعي، وترشيد الاستهلاك وحماية المستهلك مسئولية مشتركة، والإعلام وحماية المستهلك، والموارد الطبيعية وحقوق الأجيال، والتطوّع والبيئة، والتوعية والتثقيف الصحي، وتسجيل حلقة نموذجية حول الإعلام وقضايا حماية البيئة.

الندوات الفكرية في الشأن البيئي التي جرى تنظيمها تشكل هي الأخرى أحد معالم تجربة الشارقة للنشاط البيئي الرمضاني، وتركت تلك المناشط أثرها الإيجابي في منظومة العمل البيئي والاهتمام باعتماد أبجديات الإدارة البيئية ومواصفات الجودة البيئية التي دخلت ضمن عدد من المؤسسات الصناعية والإنتاجية. كما ترك ذلك الجهد أثره في الارتقاء بالنشاط المدرسي والمؤسسي البيئي.

الشراكة محور رئيس في إنجاز حلقات النقاش الفكري حيث شاركت في فعالياتها مؤسسات القطاع الحكومي والخاص والمجتمع المدني، كما شاركت في حوارات المنتدى الفكري مجموعة متميزة من المختصين في المجال البيئي، وأكاديميون وممثلو القطاع التعليمي والتربوي وكتاب ومثقفون وإعلاميون، إلى جانب نشطاء العمل التطوعي البيئي. وكان لذلك التنوع أثره في إثراء مخرجات الحوار البيئي وتبنّي الرؤى والمقترحات المنهجية الموجهة لبناء الخطط وآليات النشاط الإداري والقانوني والبحثي، وبرامج التوعية وبناء القدرات البيئية، وذلك محصل مهم ينبغي الاستفادة منه وتعميم فوائده في المناشط الرمضانية.

إن ذلك المنجز يتجسد في الرسائل الموجّهة لإحداث التحوّل النوعي في المراجعة البيئية ووضع أسس ممنهجة لبناء استراتيجية بيئية ترتكز على ثوابت الأسس الحديثة للمشروع الدولي البيئي.

Credit Cards For Bad Credit – Why Everybody Needs to Get One

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If уоu аrе оnе оf thоѕе реорlе whо саnnоt tаkе a brеаk wіth gооd credit ratings аnd аrе wіllіng tо restore аn оbѕсurеd ѕtаtе, thеn bad credit cards аrе rіght fоr уоu. Thеѕе аrе ѕресіаllу designed cards thаt tаrgеt реорlе tо help thеm overcome thе сhаllеngеѕ оf bаd сrеdіt.

credit cards for bad credit

Thе fаѕtеr уоu focus оn hоw tо rеvеrѕе thе ѕіtuаtіоn; It wоuld bе easier tо build thаt impressive сrеdіt аnd start getting gооd credit ѕсоrе ratings. It іѕ vеrу easy tо gеt thеѕе best credit cards for no credit thаt mоѕt mаjоr соmраnіеѕ аrе introducing nеw орtіоnѕ tо аѕѕіѕt wіth negative credit rаtіngѕ. If уоu’vе hеаrd оf “ѕаfе cards”, thіѕ іѕ thе соmmоn nаmе fоr thіѕ card. Whаt уоu wіll bе аѕkеd tо dо whеn уоu visit уоur ѕuррlіеr оr bаnk іѕ tо hаvе a fixed bаlаnсе thаt wоuld bе kept аѕ ѕесurіtу іn a nеw оr еxіѕtіng ѕаvіngѕ ассоunt.

Thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr wіll tell уоu thе аmоunt оf thе саѕh balance thаt wоuld bе nееdеd. Thіѕ bаlаnсе wоuld bе thе insurance fоr thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr іn thе еvеnt thаt іt іѕ nоt роѕѕіblе tо mаkе mоnthlу рауmеntѕ.

Thеrе аrе ѕоmе рrоblеmѕ уоu nееd tо knоw whеn уоu ѕеlесt іnсоrrесt credit cards:

  • Thе mіnіmum balance thаt thе bank rеԛuіrеѕ tо mаіntаіn
  • Thе amount fоr рауmеnt оf thе іntеrеѕt rаtе
  • Whаt уоu wіll ѕреnd оn tоtаl expenses
  • Thе acceptable сrеdіt lіmіt bаѕеd оn thе cash bаlаnсе

Yоu nееd tо lооk аt thе dіffеrеnt орtіоnѕ bеfоrе dесіdіng whеrе tо buy thіѕ card bесаuѕе ѕоmе соmраnіеѕ mау nоt рау іntеrеѕt. Dо уоur rеѕеаrсh аnd gеt аll thе rеlеvаnt іnfоrmаtіоn іf уоu don’t undеrѕtаnd hоw іt wоrkѕ bеѕt fоr уоu. If thе company allows уоu tо kеер a lоw bаlаnсе іn уоur ассоunt, thіѕ wіll bе rеflесtеd іn thе credit limit уоu wоuld bе allowed.

Thіѕ option іѕ аррrесіаtеd bу mоѕt реорlе аѕ іt рutѕ thеm іn a bеttеr position tо mоnіtоr аnd соntrоl hоw muсh thеу аrе spending; thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng tо fаll bасk оn financially. Thіѕ type оf саrd hаѕ аlѕо proved bеnеfісіаl tо реорlе аѕ thеу саn nоw еnjоу a роѕіtіvе сrеdіt роѕіtіоn. Sоmе people соnѕіdеr іt mоrе lіkе a dеbіt саrd аѕ іt dоеѕ nоt offer thеm thе ѕаmе credit card орtіоnѕ.

It dоеѕn’t tаkе lоng fоr ѕоmеоnе tо gеt a bad сrеdіt rаtіng аѕ іt саn ѕіmрlу ѕnеаk іn іf уоur іnсоmе іѕ consistently lоwеr thаn уоur expenses. Whеn thіѕ hарреnѕ, іt іѕ difficult tо obtain аррrоvаlѕ fоr lоаnѕ оr сrеdіt cards.

Sоmеthіng tо kеер іn mіnd аftеr асԛuіrіng thе wrоng credit саrdѕ:

  • Mаkе ѕurе уоu knоw аll thе committees involved
  • Mаkе ѕurе thаt thе соmраnу thаt registered wіth thе сrеdіt institutions rероrtѕ
  • Mаkе ѕurе рауmеntѕ аrе оn tіmе bесаuѕе tolerance periods саn bе complicated
  • Mаkе ѕurе thе саѕh bаlаnсе іѕ nоt hіghеr thаn whаt уоu аrе offered fоr уоur credit line.

Rеmеmbеr thаt уоu аrе looking fоr fаvоrаblе credit rаtіngѕ thаt уоu ѕhоuld definitely nоt add tо a bad оnе. Wіth ѕо mаnу vеndоrѕ аnd bankers оffеrіng thіѕ орtіоn, іt іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt tо gеt аll thе information bеfоrе соmmіttіng tо incorrect credit саrdѕ. Thеrеfоrе, іt іѕ essential tо choose this best credit cards for no credit ѕtаtе іn оrdеr nоt tо сrеаtе mоrе сhаllеngеѕ.

Thе fаѕtеr уоu focus оn hоw tо rеvеrѕе thе ѕіtuаtіоn; It wоuld bе easier tо build thаt impressive сrеdіt аnd start getting gооd credit ѕсоrе ratings. It іѕ vеrу easy tо gеt thеѕе best credit cards for no credit thаt mоѕt mаjоr соmраnіеѕ аrе introducing nеw орtіоnѕ tо аѕѕіѕt wіth negative credit rаtіngѕ. If уоu’vе hеаrd оf “ѕаfе cards”, thіѕ іѕ thе соmmоn nаmе fоr thіѕ card. Whаt уоu wіll bе аѕkеd tо dо whеn уоu visit уоur ѕuррlіеr оr bаnk іѕ tо hаvе a fixed bаlаnсе thаt wоuld bе kept аѕ ѕесurіtу іn a nеw оr еxіѕtіng ѕаvіngѕ ассоunt.

Thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr wіll tell уоu thе аmоunt оf thе саѕh balance thаt wоuld bе nееdеd. Thіѕ bаlаnсе wоuld bе thе insurance fоr thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr іn thе еvеnt thаt іt іѕ nоt роѕѕіblе tо mаkе mоnthlу рауmеntѕ.

Thеrе аrе ѕоmе рrоblеmѕ уоu nееd tо knоw whеn уоu ѕеlесt іnсоrrесt credit cards:

  • Thе mіnіmum balance thаt thе bank rеԛuіrеѕ tо mаіntаіn
  • Thе amount fоr рауmеnt оf thе іntеrеѕt rаtе
  • Whаt уоu wіll ѕреnd оn tоtаl expenses
  • Thе acceptable сrеdіt lіmіt bаѕеd оn thе cash bаlаnсе

Yоu nееd tо lооk аt thе dіffеrеnt орtіоnѕ bеfоrе dесіdіng whеrе tо buy thіѕ card bесаuѕе ѕоmе соmраnіеѕ mау nоt рау іntеrеѕt. Dо уоur rеѕеаrсh аnd gеt аll thе rеlеvаnt іnfоrmаtіоn іf уоu don’t undеrѕtаnd hоw іt wоrkѕ bеѕt fоr уоu. If thе company allows уоu tо kеер a lоw bаlаnсе іn уоur ассоunt, thіѕ wіll bе rеflесtеd іn thе credit limit уоu wоuld bе allowed.

Thіѕ option іѕ аррrесіаtеd bу mоѕt реорlе аѕ іt рutѕ thеm іn a bеttеr position tо mоnіtоr аnd соntrоl hоw muсh thеу аrе spending; thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng tо fаll bасk оn financially. Thіѕ type оf саrd hаѕ аlѕо proved bеnеfісіаl tо реорlе аѕ thеу саn nоw еnjоу a роѕіtіvе сrеdіt роѕіtіоn. Sоmе people соnѕіdеr іt mоrе lіkе a dеbіt саrd аѕ іt dоеѕ nоt offer thеm thе ѕаmе credit card орtіоnѕ.

How to use your credit card responsibly

It dоеѕn’t tаkе lоng fоr ѕоmеоnе tо gеt a bad сrеdіt rаtіng аѕ іt саn ѕіmрlу ѕnеаk іn іf уоur іnсоmе іѕ consistently lоwеr thаn уоur expenses. Whеn thіѕ hарреnѕ, іt іѕ difficult tо obtain аррrоvаlѕ fоr lоаnѕ оr сrеdіt cards.

Sоmеthіng tо kеер іn mіnd аftеr асԛuіrіng thе wrоng credit саrdѕ:

  • Mаkе ѕurе уоu knоw аll thе committees involved
  • Mаkе ѕurе thаt thе соmраnу thаt registered wіth thе сrеdіt institutions rероrtѕ
  • Mаkе ѕurе рауmеntѕ аrе оn tіmе bесаuѕе tolerance periods саn bе complicated
  • Mаkе ѕurе thе саѕh bаlаnсе іѕ nоt hіghеr thаn whаt уоu аrе offered fоr уоur credit line.

Rеmеmbеr thаt уоu аrе looking fоr fаvоrаblе credit rаtіngѕ thаt уоu ѕhоuld definitely nоt add tо a bad оnе. Wіth ѕо mаnу vеndоrѕ аnd bankers оffеrіng thіѕ орtіоn, іt іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt tо gеt аll thе information bеfоrе соmmіttіng tо incorrect credit саrdѕ. Thеrеfоrе, іt іѕ essential tо choose the best credit cards for no credit ѕtаtе іn оrdеr nоt tо сrеаtе mоrе сhаllеngеѕ.

Thriving Garden’s Potential: Aussie Garden Guide

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Ever stepped into your backyard, hoping for a relaxing escape, only to be confronted by a chaotic tangle of overgrown branches? It’s a common sight for many Aussie gardeners. Fruit trees, bred to bear plump, full harvests, can be an infuriating failure with scarce harvests if they don’t receive regular pruning.

While factors like sunlight and water are essential to the overall well-being of plants, the garden’s true potential is significantly stunted without professional tree pruning, especially when fruit is involved. This article emphasises the importance of mastering expert pruning techniques to unlock the full potential of any Aussie garden—not just for fruit trees, but for all types of trees—promoting healthier plants, more abundant fruit production, and more aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

gardening guide for australia

The benefits of expert tree pruning

Pruning is way beyond cleaning up your trees; it’s a vital practice that benefits your outdoor space’s health, productivity, and aesthetic appeal. From ensuring heavy yields to maintaining structural integrity, expert pruning is key to your outdoors.

  • Increased fruit production: Pruning encourages new wood growth, where fruits develop. The tree’s energy is redirected toward producing new fruiting wood by removing old, non-productive branches. This practice is particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance their yields.
  • Enhanced tree health: Pruning improves tree health by removing dead or diseased branches and allowing for better air circulation. However, even with proper pruning, issues like pests can still arise, impacting your garden’s overall health. Incorporating proactive pest control for your garden’s health ensures trees and plants thrive without unnecessary stress, creating a more vibrant outdoor space.
  • Improved tree structure and stability: Pruning leaves the tree firm and balanced. In Australia, trees tend to get blown over by huge gusts and storms. Well-pruned trees are less prone to breakage or toppling.
  • Aesthetic enhancement: A well-kept garden is not only an aesthetic delight but also increases the value of your property. Pruning can turn trees into aesthetically beautiful forms that enhance the general look of the garden.

Pruning different types of trees in Australia

Every garden and tree is different. They all have a specific growth habit, and there is a particular time of year to prune some trees. Without knowledge of these specifics, pruning cannot be adequately accomplished. Let’s look at some of the common garden trees found in Australia and what each needs.

  • Apple tree pruning: This should be done just before new shoots appear in the Australian garden in late winter or early spring. In this manner, the tree gets to heal, and most of its energy will go into new branch growth, etc.
  • Citrus tree pruning: Citrus trees are pruned in late winter or early spring, as frost isn’t a marked concern. Pruning allows good aeration and sunlight penetration through the tree, which is necessary for the fruit set. Consider a reliable citrus tree pruning service for expert care to achieve the best results.
  • Stone fruit tree pruning includes peach, plum, and cherry trees. The best time for pruning is in late summer, after harvest, which helps to avoid diseases such as bacterial canker in some regions.
  • Olive tree pruning: Olive trees are often pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning helps them preserve their shape, grow fruits, and provide correct airflow in the canopy.

When to seek professional tree pruning services

While keen home gardeners can easily manage most light pruning tasks, there are instances when a qualified arborist may be required. Knowing when to call in the professionals ensures people’s and property’s safety and guarantees the best possible care for your trees.

Here’s when professional help is generally recommended:

  • Large or hazardous trees: Large tree pruning is dangerous, especially near power lines or over buildings. Elevation, heavy branches, and using chainsaws require specific training and equipment. Hiring a certified arborist for such purposes should be done.
  • Complex pruning requirements: Different trees require different pruning to maintain health and form. Some methods can be very intricate, literally beyond the reach of the inexperienced. Professional arborists have the expertise and skills to carry out these specialised pruning tasks effectively.
  • Lack of experience or equipment: If you are unsure which method is best for pruning any kind of tree or are not equipped to do so, seek professional help. You will surely damage your trees if you try without the required knowledge or proper tools.

recycling the tree shavings

Essential pruning tools

Successful and safe pruning relies heavily on having the right tools for the job. Using appropriate equipment makes the task more efficient and minimises stress and potential damage to your trees. Here’s a rundown of essential pruning tools every gardener should consider:

  • Hand pruners (Secateurs): Hand pruners deliver efficient cuts on thin branches measuring up to 2 centimetres in size. Bypass pruners provide smooth cuts that help plants recover faster and better than any other tool.
  • Loppers: Loppers are designed to help you cut thicker branches between 5cm. Because of their extra leverage, they offer more power than hand pruners.
  • Pruning saw: You need a pruning saw for branches thicker than 5cm because standard tools cannot handle those dimensions. Buy a saw with specialised teeth built to cut green wood, which creates smooth cuts and safeguards your bark.
  • Pole pruner: Pole pruners make tree trimming easier because they reach branches that are above your standard height instead of making you climb a ladder. The equipment makes getting branches in large trees safer and more straightforward.
  • Safety gear: Your safety needs to be your top priority. Before work, use safety tools correctly by putting on safety glasses to shield your eyes, work gloves for hand safety, and protective gear. You should also wear a helmet while performing big pruning jobs that reach high up or deal with big branches.

tips to save water in your backyard

Maintaining your garden beyond pruning

While pruning is a cornerstone of good garden care, it’s most effective when combined with other essential maintenance practices. Here are some key elements to consider:

  • Mulching: Organic matter added to the soil base of plants has numerous advantages. The mulching system keeps the soil moist, so gardeners need to water their plants less. Mulching blocks weeds from growing saves work, and keeps plant roots cool during temperature extremes.
  • Weeding: It has to be cleared regularly to prevent the intrusion of unwanted vegetation that grabs water, nutrients, and sunlight. Continuous weeding leads to healthier and more vigorous growth.
  • Turf laying: Professional laying will yield a healthy, even, and cosmetically pleasing yard for people installing a new lawn or restoring deteriorated areas. Proper preparation and installation are essential for the success of long-term turf.
  • Landscaping and garden design: Proper garden layout planning maximises usage space, enhances aesthetics, and makes the outdoors more accessible and pleasant. The planning and design of outdoor space are key in connecting garden design to fruitful harvests.

A holistic approach incorporating key tree garden care practices ensures a thriving and healthy outdoor space.

Conclusion

Good garden health in Australia depends on your ability to prune plants correctly. Suitable tree pruning methods help make more fruit grow well in fruit trees and protect your entire tree from damage. Carefully choose your pruning tools and get professional arborists’ help when needed.

A well-pruned garden performs better alongside essential gardening solutions such as mulching, weeding, and landscape planning. When you focus on the whole space, your results strengthen, and your garden stands out. You can receive specialised gardening help from local horticultural experts who match their services to your garden conditions.

Overharvesting in Skin Care: Is Your Favorite Ingredient Driving Extinction?

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Natural skin care has been having a moment as consumers venture away from synthetic, processed and potentially harmful chemicals in commonplace products. From serums to masks, clean beauty is supposed to be safer for your face, body and the planet — but is it? Just because such skin care uses raw, Earth-derived ingredients like sandalwood and argan oils doesn’t mean it’s always sustainable or healthy.

unsustainable skincare ingredients

4 Natural Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid

Not all natural skin care ingredients are created equal. Although they might be safer for your skin, several ingredients are not safe for the planet. In fact, there are raw components driving the extinction of the trees themselves and the plants and animals that rely on them.

Here are four natural skin care ingredients to avoid.

1. Shea

Shea is a vitamin C and A-rich ingredient found in moisturizers, body creams and hair products, which help you achieve soft, hydrated skin. The trees grow from Uganda to Senegal — called the “shea belt” — typically in arid woodlands and savannahs.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, shea trees maintain a vulnerable conservation status on the IUCN Red List mainly due to extensive human activity and climate change pressures. These slow-growing trees are rarely farmed, as their juvenile period lasts 10-25 years — therefore, shea species are highly dependent on natural regeneration.

Shea trees are critical to Africa’s economy, particularly for women who earn a 44% profit margin, or $162 per metric ton of kernel. This isn’t without ethical issues, though. Because women and kids are the primary harvesters, collecting and extracting shea nuts and butter poses significant social challenges and child labor troubles.

2. Palm Oil

Palm oil is affordable, versatile, and used in various industries and goods like body oils and creams, makeup, and hair products. Grown in Southeast Asia, the demand for this commodity is at an all-time high. The global market is expected to have a 5.87% compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2032 — $69.31 billion to $109.39 billion.

Unfortunately, palm oil plantations have overtaken natural forests, negatively impacting local species. In Malaysia, deforestation from palm oil cultivation has affected critically endangered orangutans. Although over 230,000 orangutans existed a century ago, populations have dwindled. Today, there are only about 104,700 Bornean orangutans and 7,500 Sumatran orangutans left.

Irrigation requirements also make palm oil unsustainable for skin care products. Unlike many fruit trees — which need about 1-2 inches of water to reach the roots — palm oil trees need much more. According to one study, irrigated palms grow 56% higher than non-irrigated palms in Malaysia. However, many areas have limited water supplies, increasing water conservation risks.

3. Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a common ingredient in natural skin care products. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it often aids the treatment of acne, psoriasis, eczema and skin brightening. Due to its woody scent, you’ll usually find it in toners, soaps, body scrubs and aromatherapy.

Overharvesting sandalwood trees has led to deforestation, soil erosion, and habitat and biodiversity loss. The tree’s slow growth has made it especially difficult for the species to regenerate at the same rate as harvesting. It can take 25 years to produce enough heartwood for sandalwood oil extraction.

Hawaii has listed sandalwood as endangered among a long list of state plants. Meanwhile, South Australia classifies it as vulnerable after 175 years of commercial harvesting and overexploitation.

4. Argan

Morocco is home to argan trees, which produce argan oil. Due to its highly moisturizing effects, the oil has become a popular component of clean skin care products. However, the increasing demand has led to sustainability concerns for the tree population and deforestation, especially as it takes 50 years to grow fruit for harvesting. Today, Morocco’s argan trees are considered endemic.

Argan trees can withstand harsh arid and semiarid conditions and are critical to stabilizing soil, sustainable development — including shelter, food and wood — and mitigating climate change. In fact, argan forests can greatly improve soil fertility, sequester carbon dioxide, and improve adequate shade and shelter for other flora to thrive. This makes the potential for extinction dire.

sustainable skincare

Alternatives to Unsustainable Natural Skin Care Ingredients

It’s not enough to look for skin care products with more natural, safe ingredients. You must also consider their sustainability. Commit to brands prioritizing sustainable harvesting and extraction of natural resources for their products — this may require some research.

Don’t fret if shea butter is your go-to moisturizer. Cocoa butter is derived from cocoa beans and is a much more sustainable alternative for smooth, hydrated skin when sourced responsibly. Cedarwood is also a great alternative to sandalwood, as it has a similar woody aroma. It comes from cedar trees, which can grow several feet annually.

Jojoba and marula oils are also more sustainable than argan and palm oils. Both are highly nourishing for your skin, with marula oil having a high absorption rate. Jojoba plants, in particular, require little to no maintenance, needing only 3 inches of irrigation annually.

Achieve Healthier Skin With Sustainable Ingredients

Create a more sustainable skin care routine using products with the most environmentally friendly components. For every item promoting deforestation and driving extinction, there are several other natural and effective ingredients to choose from.

6 Things to Consider When Selecting a Crypto Exchange

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Choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange to get your cryptos can be a daunting task. You should consider many factors when deciding on the best place to purchase cryptocurrencies.

Some crypto exchange allow you to trade fiat for crypto while others only offer crypto-to-crypto trading; some exchanges require more identity verification than others; some exchanges charge higher fees while some offer traders maker/taker fee structures (so make sure you do your research there). Lastly, some crypto platforms make buying and selling cryptocurrencies more difficult than others.

We’ve done the homework for you and broken down all of these factors in detail below. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to choose the best crypto exchange for your needs.

choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange

Comparing Fiat-to-Crypto Exchanges with Crypto-to-Crypto Platforms

Since many cryptocurrencies can only be purchased with Bitcoin or Ether (and some other altcoins), any fiat-to-crypto exchange must offer reasonable fees and good service.

While most exchanges require more identity verification (KYC) than others, this requirement will vary by country; not all exchanges accept U.S. residents; government authorities regulate some cryptocurrency exchanges while others are unregulated — it’s best to check before signing up for an account with any specific exchange.

Also, make sure you note whether a given exchange charges a fee for wire transfers or purchases made with credit/debit cards.

Once you’ve established a fiat-to-crypto exchange platform for your needs, you can compare the fees these exchanges charge to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with other crypto-only exchanges.

In general, it’s often cheaper to purchase cryptocurrencies from fiat-to-crypto exchanges that have lower fees than from cryptocurrency-only platforms. However, this will depend on whether the given cryptocurrency is available at both types of exchanges.

As always, read each platform’s terms of service carefully before signing up – some cryptos aren’t listed on all individual exchanges due to their limited supply or popularity or any number of reasons. This means that they might only be available at a few major crypto exchange platforms with many buyers/sellers, so finding a fair market value or price can be more difficult.

Picking the Right Crypto Exchange Platform That’s Right for You

Remember: all exchanges offer slightly different services and fee structures, so it’s vital to carefully compare each platform before deciding which cryptocurrency exchange is right for you.

This means that you should do your research and read each exchange’s terms of service before buying or selling cryptocurrencies. In addition, use crypto friendly banking solutions to ensure the best returns on your investment.

Here are some other factors to consider:

1. Which Cryptocurrencies Does the Exchange Offer?

Make sure to compare cryptocurrency-only exchanges with fiat-to-crypto exchanges, so you know what sort of services and crypto pairs (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin) each platform offers; not all exchanges offer fiat, wire transfer purchases, or withdrawals; pay attention to which currencies a given platform accepts as well as those it doesn’t – this could save users caught by surprise (and possible losses).

2. How Much Emphasis Is Placed on Security?

Security is often considered paramount when dealing with cryptocurrencies — after all, these digital assets promise users (and traders) more control and privacy; if you don’t make an effort to protect your cryptocurrencies, chances are they’ll walk away.

Make sure the platform you choose offers two-factor authentication or security measures like a cold wallet system or offline wallets for storing your cryptocurrencies offline – this will keep them safe even in the event of a hack.

3. Does the Crypto Exchange Support Fiat Currencies?

If using fiat currencies is important to you, make sure the exchange offers this — some exchanges only support crypto-to-crypto trading but not fiat for cryptocurrency purchases/sales; other exchanges require verification with government agencies before allowing residents to use fiat on their platforms.

4. What Are the Fees?

Fees are significant when choosing your exchange platform because they can range significantly — exchanges should be upfront about what fees you’ll pay before purchasing cryptocurrencies, so it’s best to compare their fee structures carefully.

5. Does the Exchange Offer Cryptocurrency Wallets?

Some crypto exchanges provide wallets for storing digital assets – if this is an important feature or concern, then make sure that the platform provides this service and offers several wallet options (e.g., hot/cold storage).

6. Is Customer Service Available?

Finally, customer service should be a factor when selecting your cryptocurrency exchange – some companies offer 24/7 support while others might take days to answer your questions; make sure you get the level of customer service that best fits your needs.

When choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange for you, be sure to consider all these factors so you can maximize your trading profits and minimize your losses.

Exchanges change frequently, so it’s essential to keep up-to-date on which exchanges are offering the lowest fees or most currencies to trade; if you stick with reputable platforms, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve success from your crypto exchange ventures!

The Role of Recycling in 3D Printing

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The world of manufacturing and design is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly with the advent of 3D printing technology. As we delve deeper into this innovative realm, we face exciting prospects and pressing environmental challenges, especially concerning plastic waste.

This article will explore the intersection of 3D printing and plastic waste, highlight secondary plastic use, and underscore the efforts of Epitum in leading the charge toward sustainable practices.

recycling in 3d printing

Overview of 3D Printing Technology

Though often used interchangeably with additive manufacturing, 3D printing generally involves building objects from digital models by adding material in successive layers (with variations in certain processes). This technology is utilized across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and consumer goods, with applications ranging from prototyping to end-use part production. The versatility of 3D printing lies in its ability to produce complex geometries that are often impossible to achieve through traditional manufacturing methods.

Common materials used in 3D printing include thermoplastics such as PLA (Polylactic Acid), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). These materials are favored for their favorable mechanical properties and ease of use. However, the widespread use of these plastics inevitably leads to significant waste, posing numerous environmental challenges.

The Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste

Plastic waste has reached alarming proportions, with global production exceeding 400 million tons annually and a substantial percentage contributing to environmental pollution. According to recent statistics, nearly 80% of plastics produced end up in landfills or the natural environment, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

The significance of addressing plastic waste in the 3D printing sector cannot be overstated, as the rise in 3D printed applications has the potential to either exacerbate or alleviate this crisis, depending on how we manage material use and waste generation.

To combat this issue, the industry must embrace sustainability measures and explore the potential of secondary plastic usage in 3D printing.

Secondary Plastic Use in 3D Printing

The Concept of Recycled Plastics

Recycled plastics are materials that have been collected, processed, and reformed into new products. The benefits of using recycled materials are multifaceted: they can reduce the reliance on virgin plastics, decrease energy consumption, lower manufacturing costs, and diminish environmental impact. Current trends indicate a growing interest in incorporating recycled materials across various industries, highlighting a shift toward a circular economy.

As consumers become increasingly environmentally conscious, industries, including 3D printing, are responding by prioritizing the use of recycled plastic materials, thus fostering a more sustainable approach to production.

Waste Level Comparison: Epitum3D vs. Competitors

Current Waste Generation in 3D Printing

The waste generation in conventional 3D printing processes is considerable, with estimates indicating that traditional methods can generate up to 30% of waste by volume. Factors contributing to these high waste levels include excess support structures, failed prints, and the inefficiency of material used during the printing process. As the demand for 3D printing grows, it becomes increasingly critical to address these waste challenges.

Epitum’s Commitment to Minimizing Waste

Epitum, based in UAE, is dedicated to minimizing waste within the 3D printing industry through several strategic initiatives. Their practices include optimizing print designs to reduce material use, adopting advanced printing technologies that enhance precision, and implementing thorough quality checks to minimize failed prints.

A notable case study highlights the implementation of design-for-additive manufacturing (DfAM) techniques, which have reduced waste generation by over 25% in comparison to industry standards.

Comparing Epitum3D With Competitors

When benchmarking against others in the 3D printing sector, Epitum3D consistently demonstrates a commitment to waste reduction. Their compared waste levels show that while many competitors struggle with high levels of material redundancy, Epitum maintains a waste generation level that is significantly lower, reinforcing our position as an industry leader in sustainability.

3D printing sustainability

Future Prospects for Recycling in 3D Printing

Innovations on the Horizon

Emerging technologies present exciting opportunities for recycling plastics in 3D printing. Innovations such as chemical recycling processes, which break down plastics into their basic monomers for reintegration into new materials, offer a glimpse into a more sustainable future.

Additionally, advancements in bio-based filaments promise to enhance recyclability while maintaining performance specifications. The potential impact of these innovations is profound, as they could drastically reduce the environmental footprint of 3D printing operations.

Epitum’s Vision Moving Forward

Epitum envisions a future where sustainability is the norm, not the exception. By leveraging a 3D printing technology that significantly reduces plastic waste — far less waste than competing solutions — the company is committed to continually refining its processes to minimize its ecological footprint and set new standards for responsible manufacturing.

Epitum`s strategy includes deepening partnerships with recycling facilities, investing in new technologies, and continuously educating our team and clients about sustainable practices.

Conclusion

In summary, secondary plastic use is paramount in the 3D printing industry. As we face escalating challenges related to plastic waste, the responsibility falls on innovative companies to lead the path to sustainability.

The Progress of Solar PV Sector in Jordan in 2024

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In 2024, Jordan made significant advancements in its solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, reflecting its commitment to expanding renewable energy and achieving greater energy independence. Below is an overview of the key developments and milestones:

solar plant in Jordan

Installed Solar PV Capacity

According to annual reports by Jordan’s grid operators, the total installed on-grid solar PV capacity reached 2,073.86 MW by the end of 2024. This capacity is divided as follows:

  • Distribution System Operators (DSOs): 1,081.86 MW across 74,145 projects.
  • Transmission System Operator (TSO): 992 MW.

The largest DSO-managed installations were by:

  1. Jordan Electric Power Company (JEPCO): 591.44 MW (32,257 projects).
  2. Irbid Distribution Company (IDECO): 309.32 MW (28,588 projects).
  3. Electricity Distribution Company (EDCO): 181.10 MW (13,300 projects).

Market Dynamics

The global decline in solar PV system prices fueled strong demand for installations during the first half of 2024. However, regulatory changes led to a temporary halt in installations for three months until new grid connection mechanisms were finalized in September 2024.

installed solar capacity in Jordan

Policy and Regulatory Updates

  1. Revised Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law (Law (12), year 2024):
    • Issued in June 2024, this law introduced a transition from the Net Metering system to a new Net Billing system, tailored to sector-specific requirements.
    • New connection mechanisms were introduced under Bylaw (58), year 2024, enabling four distinct connection mechanisms for on-grid solar PV systems.
  2. Grid Connection Fees and Tariffs:
    • Electricity consumers below 300 kWh/month can install systems under the “Buy All-Sell All” mechanism without grid fees.
    • The commercial sector faces higher grid fees of 13 JD ($18.3 USD) per kWac/month, reducing the economic viability of installations.
  3. Removal of 1 MW Cap:
    • In September 2024, Jordan’s Council of Ministers lifted the cap on solar PV project sizes, enabling large-scale installations. A notable example is a 50 MW solar power plant financed by Cairo Amman Bank and currently under construction.
  4. Time of Use (ToU) Tariff:
    • Time of Use (ToU) Electricity Tariff: Starting 1st of July 2024, the Energy and Mineral Regulatory Commission (EMRC) issued a time of use tariff for six sectors. These sectors are; Water, Electric Vehicle charging stations, Electric Vehicle private meters, telecommunication, large industrial, mining industrial and small industrial. The electricity tariff for these sectors will change during the day with an off-peak tariff between 05:00 – 14:00, a partial peak tariff between 14:00 – 17:00 and 23:00 -05:00 and a peak tariff between 17:00 – 23:00. For example, the electric charging stations (without commission) electricity tariff during the peak period is 0.133 JD/KWh, and during the partial peak periods it is reduced by 15% to 0.133JD/KWh and during the off-peak period it is reduced by 23% to 0.103 JD/KWh. The main reason for implementing the ToU tariff is to change the behavior of the end consumer to use more electricity during the sun peak hours because more electricity is generated on grid from solar PV, and this driver will reduce the gap between the generated electricity and the demand to avoid the costly action of shutting down of the conventional power generating units.

Operational Highlights

  1. Improved Solar PV Efficiency:
    • The Energy and Mineral Regulatory Commission (EMRC) raised the average specific production to 1,800 kWh/kWp. The DC:AC ratio was standardized to 1.5:1 for single-phase systems and 1.2:1 for three-phase systems.
  2. O&M Sector Growth:
    • Since Jordan started the solar PV installation in 2012, the demand for solar PV operation and maintenance (O&M) services increased, driven by aging systems requiring inverter replacements (every 8-10 years) and system optimization.
    • Robotic cleaning for solar PV systems is gaining significant traction, driven by the increasing need to maximize electricity generation from existing plants and new installations. This trend is further supported by the declining capital costs (CAPEX) of solar PV systems, making efficient maintenance solutions like robotic cleaning more appealing and cost-effective.
  3. Government Support Initiatives:
    • JREEEF Subsidy Program: Continuing its 30% subsidy for residential single phase (up to 3.6KWac) rooftop systems, with around 10,000 systems approved to date.
    • Social Welfare Installations: Through the Fils-il-Reef program, MEMR supported families on social welfare and injured retired military personnel with free 2.7 KWac systems, reducing energy costs for 30 years.

Renewable Energy Milestones

  1. Increased Renewable Energy Share:
    • By the 3rd quarter of 2024, renewable energy contributed 28.2% to Jordan’s electricity generation mix. MEMR aims to raise this target to 50% by 2030, with updates showing in the national energy strategy expected by end 2025.
  2. Smart Grid Integration:
    • Approximately 50% of Jordan’s grid now operates with digital meters, enabling real-time monitoring and the implementation of ToU tariffs. It is expected to reach 100% by end 2025.
  3. Off-Grid Systems Expansion:
    • Cost reductions have increased the popularity of off-grid solar PV systems, particularly in rural areas, farms, and tourist sites relying on diesel generators.

Future Outlook

Jordan is poised to become a leader in renewable energy adoption, with significant policy reforms, growing private sector participation, and ambitious targets for 2030 and beyond. The upcoming Jordan Energy Strategy 2025–2035 will further solidify the country’s position as a renewable energy pioneer in the Middle East.

An Interesting Approach to Combat Climate Change in the South Pacific

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New Zealand initiative named “Climate Shift” is a three-tiered approach being proposed to combat local climate change and in turn contribute to the global reduction plan to help protect our entire global environment. It focuses on addressing environmental issues on three fronts.

climate action in new zealand

The obvious and essential first step is to tackle the actual emissions with significant reduction. The next front is to engage with and seek support from independent organizations and governmental bodies while reaching out to the people of the land to get more engage and take responsibility. The final front is working with nature itself ensuring the sustainability of the natural environment, restoring and rewilding areas cleared for capitalistic development with no consideration for the long-term biodiversity and protection of native species of both flora and fauna.

Let’s take a closer look a each of these fronts to see the types of approaches that are being proposed by interested environmental conservation organisations and community members. There will be proposals set before government to move away from our traditional energy from coal, oil and gas industries. Obviously, the country cannot simply close down our current energy producing industries. But there is much incentive to end oil, gas and coal exploration, not to initiate any new fields either on land or out at sea. The trend being to transition off fossil fuels and embrace more sustainable energy sources.

Pacific Ministers of Energy and Transport from southern Pacific nations drafts up the Port Vila Call to Action for a fossil fuel free Pacific and triggered an initiative for a regional ocean energy program. The aim is to achieve a fossil fuel-free Pacific.

To move toward such a goal, there is a push to move from government owned to public and locally owned, nature-friendly renewable electricity by providing grants-based and equitable finance to renewable projects. Urban development will be required to target higher density developments with overall lower emissions through more inclusive public transport infrastructure and transport systems.

Agricultural practices may undertake a make review and shift in how the land is used. This would entail a move away from the present intensive dairy farming to a more sustainable practice with much lower emissions. This would also consider phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, reduction in herd size, phase out imported feed stock and phase out the current large scale irrigation systems presently in operation. This would also require a harsh review of emission trading schemes already in place.

how climate change is impacting Kiribati

Other measures that need urgent attention relate to community development in flood-prone areas and coastal regions that are in close proximity to river mouths, etc. The island nations that tend to have very limited land elevation are being severely targeted with sea level rise. As these scenarios are not manageable by human intervention, communities need to be relocated to viable and acceptable new territories.

All the south Pacific communities whether small island nations or more substantial landmasses but still island based territory need to review methods of “restoring and rewilding” natural areas. Mangrove areas, marshlands, lagoons and other wetland areas need to be preserved and protected. These areas need to be restored to their historical size or expanse before settlement colonisation. These areas all help to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events. With the ever increasing air temperatures, the warmer atmosphere holders greater quantities of water and so rain events are more commonly destructive in nature due to the excess amounts of precipitation.

By protecting nature, the tendency will be to provide greater protection for the people in their respective communities whether expansive urban spreads or small isolated communities. Native forests are a natural means of protecting the environment as they are massive carbon storage reserve. Low-lying native grasslands and flaxes help to stabilise the land and reduce erosion and manage flooding more effectively. This does require the management of introduced species of bird and animal creatures as they end to over-populate and eradicate native species to near-extinction.

As the region is populated by islands rather than large landmasses, fisheries is a primary industry for all the south Pacific island countries. To preserve the natural balance in the great expansive oceans, it is proposed to adopt an ecosystem- based fisheries management approach to harvesting the fish stock. This would entail banning bottom trawling operations. As well as restoring mangrove areas between low and high tidal zones, the kelp forests that line the immediate deep water coastlines need to be protected and restored.

Overall, it is possible to mitigate climate change in the south Pacific region but it requires both harsh decision making and drastic change in current energy producing systems as well as needing prompt action following the prompt decision making. There is less and less time to deliberate as the time to act is now.

إمكانات توليد الطاقة من مخلفات النخيل

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يعد تمر النخيل احد المنتجات الزراعية الاساسية في المناطق الجافة و شبه الجافة في العالم خاصة في الشرق الأوسط و شمال افريقيا. يوجد اكثر من 120 مليون شجرة نخيل في العالم تنتج عدة ملايين من الاطنان من التمر كل عام، بالاضافة الي المنتجات الثانوية و التي تشمل عروق النخيل، الأوراق، السيقان، السعف و الليف. يمتلك العالم العربي اكثر من 84 مليون شجرة نخيل و اغلبها في مصر، العراق، المملكة العربية السعودية، ايران، الجزائر، المغرب، تونس و الإمارات العربية المتحدة.

date palm biomass

تعتبر مصر اكبر منتج في العالم للتمر حيث بلغ إنتاجها السنوي في عام 2012  1.47مليون طن من التمر و هو ما يمثل حوالي خمس الانتاج العالمي. تمتلك المملكة العربية السعودية اكثر من 23 مليون شجرة نخيل و التي تنتج حوالي مليون طن من التمر في العام. تدر أشجار النخيل كميات هائلة من المخلفات الزراعية في شكل أوراق جافة، سيقان، نوي التمر، بذور، الخ. يمكن لشجرة نخيل واحدة ان تنتج نمطيا ما يقرب من 20 كيلوجرام من الأوراق الجافة سنويا بينما يمثل نوي التمر غالبا 10% من ثمرة التمر. اثبتت بعض الدراسات ان المملكة العربية السعودية وحدها قادرة علي ان تنتج اكثر من 200,000 طن من الكتلة الحيوية لتمر النخيل كل عام. 

يعتبر تمر النخيل من مصادرالطاقة الطبيعية المتجددة لانه يمكن استبدالها في وقت قصير نسبيا. تستغرق شجرة النخيل من 4-8 سنوات حتي تثمر بعد زرعها، ومن 7-10 سنوات حتي يكون حصاد ثمرها اقتصاديا. يتم عادة حرق مخلفات تمر النخيل في مزارع او يتم التخلص منها في مقالب القمامة مما يسبب تلوث بيئي في مناطق انتاج التمر. في بلدان مثل العراق و مصر يستخدم جزء صغير من الكتلة الحيوية للنخيل في انتاج الأعلاف الحيوانية.

الكتلة الحيوية للنخيل تحتوي علي المكونات الاساسية الآتية سليولوز و هيميسليولوز و اللغنين. بالاضافة الي ذلك يحتوي النخيل علي نسبة عالية من المواد الصلبة المتطايرةو نسبة منخفضة من الرطوبة. و بفضل هذه العوامل و المكونات تكون الكتلة الحيوية للنخيل مصدرا ممتازا لإنتاج الطاقة من المخلفات في منطقة الشرق الأوسط و شمال افريقيا. يوجد نطاق واسع من تكنولوجيات حرارية و كيمياء حيوية تستخدم لتحويل الطاقة المختزنة في الكتلة الحيوية للنخيل الي عدة صور مفيدة من الطاقة. وجود نسبة رطوبة منخفضة في تمر النخيل تجعل مخلفاته مناسبة تماما لتكنولوجيا التحويل الحراري و الكيميائي مثل الإحراق و التحويل الي غاز و الانحلال الحراري.

علي الجانب الاخر، وجود نسبة عالية من المواد الصلبة المتطايرة في الكتلة الحيوية للنخيل تدل علي إمكانيتها لإنتاج غاز حيوي في مصانع التهضيم اللاهوائي، و من الممكن بواسطة التهضيم المشارك مع المخلفات الصلبة للصرف الصحي، المخلفات الحيوانية  و النفايات الغذائية. يمكن تحويل المحتوي السليولوزي في مخلفات النخيل الي وقود حيوي (إيثانول حيوي) عن طريق استخدام عملية التخمير. و بالتالي فان وجود أشجار النخيل بوفرة في بلدان مجلس التعاون الخليجي، و علي الأخص المملكة العربية السعودية، يحفز علي تطوير قطاعي الكتلة الحيوية و الوقود الحيوي في المنطقة. 

Translated by Maiy Latif and Katie Holland

مي لطيف مهندسة بترول تخرجت من جامعة كالجري الكندية و لها خبرة عالمية في مجال النفط و البيئة. تخصصت مي في تنمية مشروعات تتعلق بحماية البيئة  و السلامة و الصحة و الأمان في مجال النفط من خلال عمليات معالجة مخلفات و نفايات نفطية. تعمل مي في شركة هندسية كندية لها مشاريع في الولايات المتحدة، النرويج، الكويت، السعودية و اندونيسيا. 

Katie Holland graduated from Durham University in 2015 with a degree in Arabic and French, having also studied Persian. Currently working in London, she hopes to develop a career that uses her knowledge of Arabic and the Middle East, alongside pursuing her various interests in the arts. 

السماد الحيوي

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هو نوع من السماد الذي يحتوي على انواع معينه من ديدان الارض والتي تستخدم لتحسين تحويل الفضلات العضويه لانتاج مواد افضل . في وسط درجه حرارة معتدله هذة العلمية تجري باستخدام كائنات دقيقة و ديدان الارض . تتغذى ديدان الارض على الفضلات العضوية و تمر عبر النظام الهضمي لها و تنتج ما يشبه الشرنقه المطحونه و التي تعرف ب (السماد الحيوي ) ( vermicomposting )

ببساطه , السماد الحيوي هو فضلات الديدان , و يطلق عليها القالب ( الصب )casting  والتي تستطيع ان تحسن صفات التربه الفيزيائية و الكيميائية و البيولوجية , الافرازات الكيميائية للجهاز الهضمي لديدان الارض قادرة على تكسير المواد العضوية في التربه , و بالتالي فان القالب casting  يحتوي على عناصر غذائية اكثر من تلك الموجودة حالا للنباتات .

كيف ننتج السماد العضوي؟

هناك مجموعه واسعه من المخلفات العضوية و التي يمكن تحويلها الى سماد عضوي مثل القش , و سيقان الاشجار و الاعشاب و الاوراق وغيرها , وهناك خيارات اخرى لانتاج السماد العضوي مثل فضلات الماشية , و زبل الدواجن , مخلفات الالبان , و الفضلات الناتجه عن الصناعات الغذائية , و الجزء العضوي من فضلات محطات التنقية , و بقايا قصب السكر , والتي يتم هضمها في محطات الغاز الحيوي  و غيرها .

 ديدان الارض تستهلك المخلفات العضوية وتقلص حجمها بنسبة  40 – 60 %. كل دودة من ديدان الارض تزن 5. الى 6. جرام , تهضم نفايات مكافئة لحجمها و تنتج فضلات  cast  بما يعادل 50 % من النفايات التي تستهلكها يوميا . كمية الرطوبه في القوالب التي تنتجها الديدان تتراوح بين 32 و 66 % و ph  حول ال 7 . مستوى المغذيات في السماد للتربه تعتمد على مصدر المواد الاوليه وحسب نوع ديدان الارض .

هناك 3600 نوع من ديدان الارض و التي تنقسم الى نوعين burrowing  ) ديدان حفر الخنادق في الارض و النوع الاخر ديدان بدون خنادق , انواع الديدان الحمراء , مثل (ايسينيا فيوتيدا ) Eisenia Foetida   وهي الاكثر فعالية في انتاج السماد .

اما الديدان التي لا تحفر الخنادق مثل burrowing  non- ) تاكل ما نسبته 10% من التربه و 90% من النفايات العضويه , وهي الديدان التي تحول النفايات العضوية الى سماد عضوي اسرع من الديدان التي تحفر الخنادق , تستطيع ان تتحمل درجات الحرارة من 0 الى 40 درجه مئويه ,ولكن القدرة على التجديد تقع في حرارة 25 الى 30 درجه مئويه و برطوبه تقدر بنسبة  40-45 في الكومه .

تتميز ديدان الارض التي تحفر الخنادق بتحركها ليلا على سطح التربه , وهي تصنع فتحات في التربه تصل الى 3.5 متر و تنتج 5.6 كغم من  ( فضلات الديدان ) من خلال هضم ما نسبته 90 % من التربه و 10 % من الفضلات العضويه .

انواع السماد الحيوي تعتمد على كمية الانتاج و مكونات  السماد  , و مشاريع ذات مقاييس صغيرة يمكن موائمتها مع متطلبات الشخصية لبعض المزارعين يمكن ان تنتج من 5-10 طن من

السماد الحيوي سنويا , من ناحية اخرى , المشاريع التي تكون على نطاق واسع فان السماد الحيوي يتم عمله على نطاق تجاري من خلال اعادة التدوير لكميات كبيرة من الفضلات العضويه في محطات حديثه وتنتج مئات الاطنان من السماد الحيوي سنويا .

تطبيقات السماد الحيوي

ان فضلات الديدان تحتوي على كميات كل من كميات كبيرة  و مغذات دقيقة اكثر من سماد الحديقه , بعيدا عن المغذيات الاخرى , فضلات الديدان الدقيقة غنية ب NPK  وهي ( النيتروجين و الفسفور و البوتاسيوم ) وهي متوفرة بشكل جاهز ويتم توزيعها بعد شهر من التطبيق .

السماد الحيوي يحسن نمو النباتات , ويمنع انتشار الامراض بين النباتات , و تزيد من ازدهار النشاطات الميكروبية في التربه , وتحسن امتصاص التربه للماء و تهوية التربه .

السماد العضوي مفيدا من الناحية البيئية من خلال الاستغناء عن السماد الكيماوي ويقلل من كمية النفايات التي يتم ارسالها الى مكبات النفايات .

السماد الحيوي اصبح رائجا على مستوى العالم و انتشر اكثر في الدول الغربيه و دول الباسيفيك ومناطق جنوب غرب اسيا .

وهناك منتج خديد من السماد الحيوي ويسمى ( شاي ) السماد الحيوي وهو سائل ينتج من خلاصات المواد العضوية , و الديدان الدقيقه , و المغذيات من السماد الحيوي . وعلى خلاف السماد الحيوي و السماد الاخر , هذا السائل يمكن استخدامه مباشرة على اوراق الاشجار وذلك لتحسين مقاومة الاشجار للامراض , ويمكن استخدام سائل السماد الحيوي مع السماد لزيادة النشاطات البيولوجية للنباتات .

السماد الحيوي يمكن ان يباع بكميات كبيرة او يغلف في اكياس تحتوي كميات و انواع مختلفه من السماد و مزيج التربه . الاسواق التي تبيع الادوات الزراعية , ومتعهدي انشاء المساحات الطبيعية , البيوت الخضراء , وكل من يسوق للمواد الزراعيه و المهتمين فيها.

ترجمة: المهندسة رنا الحجايا

حاصله على الماجستير في هندسة مصادر المياه و البيئة ,و حاصله على الدبلوم المتخصص في العمل الاجتماعي للاجئين و المهاجرين من الجامعه الالمانية . مواليد الكرك عام 1977  وهي من المهتمين في المشاريع البيئية و خاصه مشاريع المياه , سبق ان عملت كرئيسة بلدية لدورتين و هي من الناشطات في المجال السياسي و البيئي , لها العديد من المقالات السياسية و الاجتماعية . و عملت كمستشارة لتنمية المجتمع المحلي و البيئة و كعضو ناشط في العديد من الجمعيات الخيرية.

The Menace of Plastic Water Bottles

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It is common to see people greatly misuse plastic water bottles considering it free, taking a bottle, sipping it half and throwing it away. These used and partially consumed water bottles are then collected and thrown away in municipal garbage bins from where  it is collected and transported to landfills and waste dumps. These water bottles thus have a high carbon footprint and represent enormous wastage of precious water source and misuse of our other fragile resources. In many cases, these water bottles are being littered around the commercial and religious places.

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Plastic water bottles are a common feature in our urban daily life. Bottled water is widely used by people from all walks of life and is considered to be convenient and safer than tap water. A person on an average drinks around 2.0 liters of water a day and may consume 4-6 plastic bottles per day. UAE is considered as the highest per capita consumer of bottled water worlwide.

We need to understand that plastic is made from petroleum.  24 million gallons of oil is needed to produce a billion plastic bottles. Plastic takes around 700 years to be degraded. 90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself. 80% of plastic bottles produced are not recycled.

Globally, plastic recycling rate is very low and major quantities of plastics are being disposed in the landfills, where they stay for hundreds of years not being naturally degraded. Recycling one ton of plastic saves 5.74 cubic meters of landfill space and save cost of collection and transportation.

Water bottles manufacturing, transportation, distribution and again collection and disposal after its use create enormous pollution in terms of trash generation, global warming and air pollution. The transportation of bottled water from its source to stores alone releases thousands of tons of carbon dioxide. In addition to the millions of gallons of water used in the plastic-making process, two gallons of water are wasted in the water purification process for every gallon that goes into the plastic bottles. Purified water from under sink reverse osmosis system is the best alternative of plastic bottled water.

The first step is that once you open a water bottle, you need to complete consume it to fully utilize the resource. Do not throw the plastic bottles as litter. The solution to the plastic bottles usage lies in its minimum use and safe disposal. Alternatively, a flask, thermos or reusable water bottle can be used which can be refilled as required. It is suggested that religious places, hotels and malls should have efficient water treatment plants to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.