Hints & tips
Green Issues
Green Disposal of White Goods
Source: http://greenconsumerguide.com/domesticll.php?CLASSIFICATION=79
A massive 70% of the world's energy is used on home electrical products. The majority of this percentage is used by 'white goods', which include refrigerators, freezers and washing machines. The remaining percentage is taken up by products known as 'brown goods', which are entertainment items such as televisions, video recorders and audio equipment.
Two major environmental issues are raised by the increasing use of electrical goods power consumption and eventual disposal. Over-use of energy can be resolved by installing digital electronic control devices to motors, which reduce consumption and therefore raise efficiency.
The Typical lifespan of these products are (average age when discarded):
- Electric cookers = 12 years
- Refrigerators and freezers = 11 years
- Televisions = 10 years
- Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers = 9 years
- Hi-fi and stereo = 8 years
- Vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners = 8 years
- Microwave ovens = 7 years
- Video equipment/Home and garden tools/Radio, personal stereo and CD = 6 years
- Telephones, faxes, answer machines/Computers/Small work or personal care appliances = 4 years
- Mobile phones and pagers/Toys = 2 years
However the disposal of electrical products, especially white goods, poses a massive landfill problem. This issue rests upon increasing the lifespan of products, which the new EU directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) addresses.
Various schemes to reduce the amount of electrical waste are now active, one of which is Computer Aid International. This recycling company accepts unwanted computers from the UK and refurbishes them for use in less wealthy countries, where they are used in schools. Without this system, the unwanted computers would contribute to the landfill problem, damaging the environment.
NEWS - GREEN ISSUES
Source: http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/domesticll.php?news=3658&CLASSIFICATION=1
Monday 04 August 2008
Eco-town bids improving
Proposals for England's first 'eco-towns' have been improved following a series of recommendations on sustainability and maximising environmental standards, says a new report from the Eco-Town Challenge Panel. The recommendations were aimed at encouraging developments in the proposals on issues such as integrating with surroundings, using innovations to create 'groundbreaking' sustainable habitations.
While the bidders have raised their games accordingly, the Panel has expressed that further improvements are still required to the transport and employment strategies of the towns.
The progress made over the past few weeks demonstrates the willingness of the promoters to react to the expert advice they have been given, said Housing Minister Caroline Flint. But there are no done deals and only the best quality schemes with very high sustainability standards will qualify for eco-town status.
Top Tips for Greener Driving
- Change gear early
Change gear early, which saves revving the engine too hard, reducing emissions and fuel consumption. - Read the road
Anticipate obstacles so that you can avoid heavy braking - that wastes momentum and therefore fuel - and avoid unnecessarily sharp acceleration too. This will also help prevent accidents occurring. - Cut the air con
Use your car's air conditioning system sparingly - it's not often needed in the spring and autumn, and it can knock 1-3 mpg off your fuel consumption, reducing CO2 emissions too. Check that the heated rear window switch is not on unnecessarily too. - Get going quickly
Drive away as soon as possible once you have started the engine from cold - it warms up more quickly, reducing consumption, emissions and engine wear. But don't rev the car excessively when it's cold either it is bad for engine as well as consumption and emissions. - Don't ruin the aerodynamics
Always remove roof-racks, bicycle racks and ski-boxes when they're not in use - they increase drag considerably, especially at speed, increasing CO2 emissions and knocking fuel consumption. Driving with the car's windows and sunroof open also increases drag. - Avoid short journeys
Avoid trips of only a few miles - fuel consumption and emissions increase considerably during the warm-up period. - Cruise moderately
Consider your cruising speed on motorways - travelling at 65mph rather than 70mph can reduce consumption and emissions by as much as 25 percent. - Don't get lost
Plan your journey - going the long way round, getting lost and running into road works can increase your journey's emissions considerably. Buying a satellite navigation system (which can be relatively cheap) can help. - Check your tyres
Check your tyre pressures regularly. Running them under-inflated can increase fuel consumption and emissions by 3%. Apart from being dangerous - under-inflated tyres can overheat at speed, risking a blow-out. - Don't be an idler
If you're stuck in a traffic jam, switch the engine off it will save fuel; reduce CO2 output and other pollutants. - Remove unnecessary weight
Carrying 10 kilos worth of unnecessary weight will have an effect on your fuel consumption, especially in stop/start traffic - because you're repeatedly accelerating and decelerating a dead weight. - Don't coast in neutral
Modern fuel injection systems cut the fuel supply off altogether as you slow to a stop, saving a surprising amount, especially in stop/start driving. Coasting in neutral, or with the clutch depressed, is potentially dangerous too, because you have no engine braking, and can't suddenly accelerate out of danger.
NEWS - GREEN CARS
Source: http://www.insurancedaily.co.uk/2008/01/31/car-insurers-take-on-board-green-issues/
January 31, 2008
Car insurers take on board green issues
Research has been conducted by uSwitch.com, which reveals that the number of green cars purchased last year rose by 70%, up from 10,000 to 17,000.
However, the green cars still only account for less than 1% of all Britain's cars despite the fact that owning one could save the average motorist up to £300 per year.
Green cars emit one sixth less carbon dioxide than non-green vehicles, and are also more economical to run.
Because of their greater efficiency, fuel bills would, on average, be cut by £165 and road tax would be reduced by £125.
The relatively recent consensus on climate change and the ensuing agreement on the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have meant that the latest cars emit almost 10% less than their older models.
Car insurers have also been taking on board green issues, with new products that contribute towards developing environmentally friendly technology and putting money towards good causes.
The range of carbon neutrality for car insurance can be as high as 100%.
Ashton Berkhauer of uSwitch.com has described how, more recently, the green factor has become more important when buying a car, particularly given the ever rising cost of fuel. He went on to say that purchasing a greener car is not only good for the environment, but good for your wallet.