What is Landfill?

Landfill sites are where rubbish ends up if it cannot be recycled, or hasn’t been properly sorted. The waste is compacted to maximise the amount that can fit in and then buried. It is generally considered to be the least eco-friendly way to dispose of waste and can have harmful effects on the surrounding area, including being responsible for the release of methane and contaminating groundwater.

In recent years the UK has been one of the worst European nations for landfill sites, in 2004/5 it sent over 20 million tonnes of rubbish to landfill, earning it a reputation as being the ‘dustbin of Europe.’ Lately, the UK has taken steps to amend this and was recently placed in the top 10 EU countries for efficient waste management.

Landfill isn’t not all bad though. 3,000 tonnes of rubbish is dumped daily at a landfill in Essex, yet this has attracted wildlife including seagulls, foxes and badgers. As a result, the site will be closed and reopen as an RSPB Nature reserve.

Landfill mining is also a growing industry. This involves digging up landfill to uncover waste that can be recycled or converted into renewable energy.

What are the alternatives?

Unfortunately Fly-tipping is still common, this is simply dumping waste at the side of the road or in a deserted area. It is dangerous, an eyesore and costs the taxpayer a lot to clear up. Incineration is also an option, but although it greatly reduces the volume of waste going to landfill and sometimes can be used to generate electricity, it is widely criticised for the substantial pollution it causes.

The cutting-edge technology in waste disposal is the use of Plasma which turns waste into a glass-like substance that can be used for building. It produces much less pollution than incineration, yet is expensive to get going.

Luckily there are several eco-friendly alternatives to landfill that are gaining ground. Composting is now practised on an industrial scale and is often praised as being a cost-effective way of converting organic material which would decompose into useful products.

The best alternative to landfill however, is to reduce the amount of waste that must be dumped by encouraging recycling as much as possible. This is possible both in industry and the home, many skip hire and waste disposal firms now have custom built recycling stations, while councils enable recycling for their residents through dedicated facilities, promotional campaigns and hefty fines for offenders.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers.

Some people claim that the greenest page of all is the page that never gets printed at all. However, there is a noble and comfortable quality to paper that makes us think that the future is more in print optimization than in abandoning printing altogether.

Companies today need to strive for a sustainable printing environment. The first concern is reducing print volumes, naturally, but then, recycling paper, optimizing the use of the printed page and utilizing eco-friendly systems and paper for printing are none the less important.

Paper does not only consume trees. The paper industry is one of the largest consumers of water and energy worldwide, thus the environmental impact of printing is more dramatic than it may seem at first-hand.

Education

In the US, the average student is said to generate more than a hundred pounds of paper waste every year. The recycling of this waste is of the essence, but improving practices in order to generate less waste is equally important.

Schools and colleges rely heavily on printing, but they are also the places where kids and young people can learn good eco-printing practices, a paradox that the modern world needs to resolve, in order to achieve a more sustainable existence.

Best Practices

Double-sided printing is one of the simplest ways to conserve paper. Assessing the real impact and the environmental footprint of our printing activities is also key, especially in the case of companies and organizations.

The quality and kind of printing products and practices you use are important as well. For example, limiting in-house printing and hiring an eco-friendly printing company to take care of your essentials is a good idea, if you don´t have the infrastructure to ensure that all your practices and products are 100% green. Likewise, printing with soy ink on recycled paper is much less harmful for the environment than using oil-based inks. In fact, several printer manufacturers such as Samsung, are putting out eco-friendly printers more often every day.

On the one hand, you need to make sure that all of your equipment meets eco-label criteria, and on the other hand, you can always buy green recycled paper instead of white paper that requires thousands of trees to be cut off to achieve that perfect whiteness we have become so used to.

Prioritizing is one of the key aspects of going green when it comes to printing. For example, when you absolutely must print something, it is always a good idea to do so in a way that you know your printed paper will have another use next.

Last but not least, paper is so flexible and colourful sometimes that it can be used to create awesome crafts and decorations, mutating into all kinds of beautiful/useful objects. Check out cheapideas.com´s Recycled paper section for some fabulous paper craft ideas.

Adopting more eco-friendly printing practices is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do to contribute to the sustainability of our planet´s ecosystems.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers.

Plastic is one of the most widely and frequently used materials.  Certain plastics, such as PET plastic, are recyclable, which makes the path for plastic products very sustainable.

The Environmental Protection Agency claims that two-thirds less energy is needed to manufacture products made out of recyclable plastic.  Though some consumers are skeptical at the prospect of “second-hand” material, studies have proved that consumers cannot tell the difference between products made from recycled material and products made from scratch.

A huge range of goods can be made from recycled plastic.  Blankets, belts, shoes, insulation and car parts can all be manufactured from recovered material, and the list doesn’t end here.

Though much confidence is placed in using glass material, plastic has many situational and complicated benefits that are frequently overlooked.

Firstly, glass is much heavier than plastic.  This makes transportation much more costly, burning more fuel than the transportation of plastic.  If the products are local, this isn’t a problem, but if they need to be shipped any significant distance, plastic takes about half the fuel as glass.

Also, new “green chemistry” has the capacity to break down the polymers of plastic and rebuild them, which makes the plastic almost infinitely useable.  Even after it’s no longer recyclable, plastic can be cleanly combusted in modern waste to energy facilities. Whereas glass is frequently ground up for pavement additive and landfill cover because it is so difficult to transport.

Compared to other products, recyclable plastic actually takes a very small toll on the environment.  In the process of recycling plastic, only a third of the sulphur dioxide and half of the nitrous oxide are reproduced.  Water usage is reduced by close to 90 percent, and the generation of carbon dioxide is reduced by two and a half times.

Plastic is one of the most useful and beneficial materials used in production, especially for the packaging of liquid and beverages.  As a consumer it is important to recognize the kind of plastic bottles and containers are made out of.  On every manufactured plastic product, a number displayed in the center of the recycling symbol indicated if the plastic is safe or not.  These numbers range from one to seven and each number has a different general meaning.

Plastic #1 is PET plastic.  It is usually clear, and packages most beverages.  PET plastic is both safe and recyclable.

Plastic #2 is HDPE, which means high density polyethylene.  This plastic is used for things like laundry detergent and toiletry bottles.  It is picked up by most recycling programs and is considered safe.

Plastic #3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  Used for food wraps and cooking oils, this plastic is tough but not safe to have near food when cooking.  Most of the time, Plastic #3 is not accepted by recycling programs.

Plastic #4 represents LDPE plastic, or low density polyethylene.  This plastic makes products like grocery bags.  It is safe, but not usually recyclable.

Plastic #5 is polypropylene plastic, used for wide necked containers like yogurt cups and medicine bottles.  Recently, more and more recycling programs are accepting Plastic #5.  It is considered safe.

Plastic #6 is known as Styrofoam, or polystyrene.  Disposable containers, cups and plates are made from this.  Evidence suggests this plastic is toxic, and it is not accepted by recycling programs.

Finally, plastic #7 is essentially a mix of everything else, such as computer cases and baby bottles.  Because the content is unknown, using plastic #7 is risky.  Also, it is not accepted by curbside recycling programs.

The term “plastic” refers to a variety of material, so be smart when choosing.  Always make efforts to make choices that will benefit the environment and use recyclable plastic so we can sustain this vital resource

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers.

When people think of paper shredding, they think of an effective way in which they can prevent sensitive information from being robbed. What they do not realize is that paper shredding is also a great way to contribute to helping the environment.

Many shredding companies use a system that is environmentally friendly so that all shredded material is recycled. They will recycle the all paper they have shredded. This process allows for the paper to be used again instead of ending up as unusable trash.

By recycling the shredded paper, we can prevent destroying more of our forest. We need to protect the earth, trees and the atmosphere. That is why it is necessary that we highlight some facts and figures that can help you better understand our need to work on a sustainable relationship with the environment.

The impact that shredding paper has on the environment is huge. Saving forest land is just one benefit that recycling has on the environment. The entire process to produce paper from tress uses a great amount of energy and water. This process also adds many pollutants into our atmosphere. Consider the following. Recycling just one ton of paper saves about 7,000 gallons of water and 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity. Recycling one ton of paper we save approximately fourteen trees, and we avoid destroying two cubic meters of forest mass. This process protects thousands of acres of forest each year. Recycled paper requires about 65% less energy, 50% less water and causes 72% less pollution than paper products made from virgin forest.

Why is shredding and recycling paper better than throwing paper in the trash bin? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when you throw just one piece of paper into the trash bin, that piece of paper becomes approximately 33% of the municipal solid waste stream (MSW), making it the largest portion of MSW. Imagine how quickly this adds up when you consider the average work office. The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper per year. By shredding and recycling that paper, it goes a long way in saving our environment.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers.

Being a parent you might want to give your child every comfort there on earth. However, you might not know that even the most luxurious bedding that you selected for your kid may not be a healthy place to sleep. As infants and small kids spend a lot of time sleeping or playing on the bed, thus resting set-up and bedding arrangement holds a crucial place in this matter. Hypoallergenic bedding is the most preferred choice of parents as it provides several benefits to the children sleeping on it.

If your kid is suffering from allergies frequently, you must not give any second thought to it, opt for hypoallergenic bedding. Allergies are mainly troublesome at night because of dust mites and tiny insects that like to cling to our sheets, blankets, mattresses and pillows. Hypoallergenic bedding is organic and chemical free, and is smart choice for kids not just for those who have chemical sensitivities or allergies.

Why to choose hypoallergenic organic bedding over other options?

Organic hypoallergenic bedding is made using natural material like silk and bamboo that have the inbuilt qualities to keep allergy causing insects and microorganisms away from your child, while sleeping. On the other hand, the other manufactured bedding options available in the market, might have dyes and other unsafe material used in its making that can cause harm to your kid’s delicate skin.

Other reasons to select hypoallergenic bedding for your kid:

Hypoallergenic: These organic bedding protects your child from various allergens while sleeping. The elimination of dust mites, bed bugs and other harmful microbes diminish your kid’s chances of coughing, wheezing, sneezing, chest congestion, itching and obtaining watery eyes all through the night. All such symptoms may keep your little one disturbed whole night, keeping him/her irritable the following day.

Healthy breathing: As organic bedding is made up of natural fibers, it helps kids to breathe properly while sleeping and save the kid from developing any breathing problem in the future.

Warmth of nature: The softness, warmth and the coziness of your lap can be offered to your child by organic bedding made with 100% sustainable bamboo and silk. This also makes them environmentally friendly!

Moisture wicking: Besides being hungry or wet, babies or small kids can at times wake at night due to feeling too warm or too cold. The new bamboo and silk bedding have the special moisture wicking qualities that give warmth in winter and coolness in the summer. The bamboo or silk fiber combats symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular body temperature.

Safe: Organic bedding has special anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-mold properties giving your child a complete protection.

Durable: As children bedding gets soiled and dirty soon, these organic hypoallergenic beddings are most durable and easily washable giving your baby a healthy sleep for long.

Here are a few tips that you must keep in mind while buying bedding for your kid:

• Kids bedding like comforter, bed sheet, pillow covers, etc. must be made up of 100% organic cotton or bamboo and should be hypoallergenic.
• A thread count of 180 or more is said perfect for children.
• Limit your choices to bedding that you will use yourself as it would be unwise to select something extremely fancy for your kid that you yourself not comfortable using.
• Avoid synthetic fibers that cause irritation to kids.

So, do not let your little one toss and turn anymore, get hypoallergenic organic bedding!

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers..

I love shopping second hand, for many reasons.  The thrill of hunting through boxes of tat to find an interesting item, the history imbued in a well-thumbed vintage paperback or antique map that lends the item a substance and gravitas that new items just don’t have, and, they’re good for the environment.

How so?  Well, mass produced items are a serious drain on resources, often using kilowatts of non-renewable power at a worrying rate per hour.  And sophisticated items seem to be inbuilt with a shelf-life that means they’ll stop working within a couple of years.  I’d rather a tattered book than a conked out Kindle anyday.

Kindle’s are meant to be saving the trees, but they need power, which uses energy which is less renewable than wood, which isn’t being used up when the books you buy are second-hand anyway.  Have you seen the covers on the old Penguin books?  They’re design classics.  I’d happily frame one of them over any of the mass-produced chintzy art-lite in Ikea.

When you buy second-hand, you’re supporting a charity, or if it’s a business it’s usually a small one.  Small businesses are having a hard time and it’s good to support these endeavours.  Plus, they pick the best stuff out for you.  The stock in vintage shops is the cream of the charity shop crop.  It’s the best stuff all in one place, thanks to the keen eye and dedication of an individual’s personal quest to salvage beautiful and classic designs from the wastebin.  For every vintage shirt you invest in, you’re not buying a bit of temporal tat from a high-street sweatshop outlet.

There’s nothing like an old record.  MP3s just don’t cut the mustard, in terms of experience or warmth.  The ritual of sticking a record on is a special one that shouldn’t be lost.  And an original mint vinyl on a good turntable sounds a thousand times better than through your shoddy white headphones that are probably dented.  Dealers do the same as vintage clothes retailers, using their taste and knowledge to navigate through piles of James Last and Tijuana Brass records to find that rare Rolling Stones single or Syd Barrett LP.  And all of this saves on the production of new CDs and temperamental MP3 devices that will just be expensive paperweights in a couple of years.  Your tape player lasted ten times longer probably.

Things just used to be made better, it seems.  You can get a Saville Row suit second hand for the price of one from TopBloke or whatever, and it will last your whole life.  Leather soled shoes will look good forever too, and quality items can be repaired rather than replaced, allowing less waste and the support of traditional industries such as cobblers.  It’s a matter of taste, but the ‘make do and mend’ approach is beginning to look much wiser than the ‘get bored and chuck’ philosophy that appears to be a hangover from the consumerist ethos of the Eighties.

There are entrepreneurial sorts about who are renovating bikes for resale, taking old and busted up bicycles and turning them back into shining glorious specimens.  They are using their skills and expertise to make good something that would have been thrown out, and the results are more pleasing than the factory made models in Halfords.  They have character, and I know I’d rather a hand reconditioned road-bike that a robot-fashioned version any day of the week.

It’s rare that something has so many plus points and so few drawbacks.  If you like your life with a bit of history in it, a bit of quirky individuality and some resale value, then shopping second-hand might be just the ticket.  It helps that you’re looking after the planet’s diminishing resources too.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers..

Parents can preach to their children about going green and saving the environment until they’re blue in the face, but the best way to teach is to lead by example. When kids see green products being used in the home and a concentrated effort to find alternative solutions they internalize the importance of the Green Revolution. There is no better place to use green products than on the playground, where children spend a large portion of their time.

Rubber mulch is the latest fad in playground equipment, and it is gaining acclaim for more reasons than one. Made out of recycled rubber tires, playground rubber mulch is extremely eco-friendly, saving lots of space in landfills. In fact, some manufacturers even try to employ green manufacturing processes, such as powering their warehouses and machinery with solar energy. The recycled rubber is ground into chips and the scrap metal removed to be used for a safe, kid-friendly surface. As awareness grows, more and more mechanics and major tire retailers are offering customers the option of having their tires recycled rather than disposed of. Many also have large bins outside of their stores where drivers can drop off old tires for recycling.

Rubber mulch comes in place of wood mulch, which has been used in recent years as surfacing for playgrounds. Wood mulch poses the potential for deforestation, as manufacturers require huge quantities of clean, good quality wood that will pass inspection with the CSPC and ADA. Some manufacturers of wood mulch advertise their product as eco-friendly by way of recycling wood, but consumers must dig deeper to ascertain whether the mulch is actually made from recycled wood. With rubber mulch there is no doubt that the rubber is recycled.

Rubber mulch is also being hailed as the safest playground surface on the market. The shock absorbency inherent to rubber helps prevent injuries and cushion children’s falls. Aside for rubber chips, rubber mulch comes in many forms, including poured rubber bond and rubber wear mats that are placed in areas of high impact. The bond is created by spreading a thick layer of loose rubber mulch covered by an additional layer of rubber that is combined with a polyurethane bond. The result is playground flooring that retains the nature of rubber, but looks as smooth and clean as blacktop.

Many commercial playground use bulk rubber mulch, with rubber wear mats as landing pads under slides. Even Michelle Obama has endorsed rubber mulch, installing it in the White House playground, lauding both its safety and green nature.

Playground rubber mulch comes in a variety of colors, to fit with design preferences, but it is advisable for consumers to check that the manufacturer uses responsible dying methods. Colored and natural rubber mulch retain their color for years, and don’t leave dirty residue on kids’ clothes.

There is nowhere more important to use clean, eco-friendly products than on the playground, home to children. Rubber mulch playground flooring is bringing the standards of happy, healthy, outdoor play to a whole new level.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers..

Recycling is no longer viewed as a service for the environment. It’s now a necessary practice to preserve the world for future generations. The items recycled by families around the world prevent millions of tons of garbage from being deposited into landfills each year. Items including clothing, paper goods and even unexpected appliances like water filters can be recycled for reuse and repurposing. But some items are better off not being recycled. Next time you’re heading to the recycling bin, check this list first to make sure you don’t include items that are dangerous, unacceptable or can be reused.

Sometimes Recycling Isn’t the Best Idea

• Aluminum Aerosol Cans. We’ve all been taught to recycle aluminum soda cans, but aluminum aerosol cans are a different story. Aerosol sprays contain harmful chemicals and contaminants that are dangerous for the soil and environment. Rather than dropping these in the recycling bin, they should be thrown away in the trash. Most city governments consider aerosol cans to be hazardous materials and many can be flammable.
• Biohazardous Material. If anyone in your family uses needles or other medical supplies to treat health conditions, such as diabetes, these should be disposed of in appropriate biohazard bins. It’s not safe to recycle any items that come in contact with bodily fluids. Medical facilities must follow strict biohazard disposal procedures to ensure safety. Create your own biohazard disposal bin at home and then dispose of these items in the trash, not the recycling bin.
• Chemical Containers. Paint containers and fluids for the car are items that shouldn’t go anywhere near a recycling bin. Many automotive stores can help you find an appropriate place to recycle or dispose of empty oil or antifreeze containers. Check with your local hardware store for eco-friendly options for paint can disposal.
• Diapers. Dirty diapers are similar in nature to medical waste items. Placing them in the recycling container puts others at risk. Although diapers contain paper and plastic components, the cost of separating the recyclable parts from the parts that must be thrown away is too high. Since dirty diapers aren’t good for the environment, you can use cloth diapers if you want to be more environmentally friendly.
• Batteries. The small batteries in your television remote, the car battery that keeps your car running and all batteries in between should not be placed in recycling bins. Car batteries can often be recycled at automotive stores or garages. Small batteries can typically be disposed of in the trash unless your city has a special place for disposal.
• Greasy Food Containers. Paper and cardboard containers are recyclable until they become coated with grease from food. These items cause a lot of confusion because most people have learned to be conscientious about recycling paper goods. Unfortunately, greasy pizza or takeout containers often can’t be reused because the oils soak through the paper, rendering them useless.
• Used Kitchen Paper Products. The same concepts are true for paper napkins and towels. Once they become covered with food stains, they’re no longer suitable for recycling. It’s simple to solve this recycling quandary – use washable products instead of paper ones. If you’re too busy to wash napkins and towels, cut down on your use by using paper towels that allow you to tear off half a towel instead of a whole one.

Image courtesy of Canton Public Library

Looking Toward the Future of the Environment

As you learn more about the items you should avoid recycling, you can be more mindful about not purchasing them. Replace paper napkins and towels with cloth napkins and towels. Use refillable drink bottles instead of buying water bottles at the store. Make the process of becoming greener at home an easy one for your family by creating a list of items that can be recycled and items that should not be put in the recycling bin. The small efforts made at home add up to become big, positive impacts on today’s environment.

This post was contributed by a guest writer. If you’d like to guest post for Naturally Earth Friendly please check out our Become An Author page for details on how YOU can share your tips with our readers..

Ultimate Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Dads

• 6 Best Father’s Day Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Dad
• Earth Friendly DIY Dad
• Sporty ans Sustainable Dad
• Outdoorsy Dad
• Stylish Dad with Green Flavor
• Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts

Magno Wooden Radio

Handcrafted from sustainable forest resources this wooden radio ($225-$300) features AM/FM with the capability of connecting an external audio source, like mp4 players and the iPod. :: Available at Amazon

USB EcoStrip 2.0

This power strip is perfect for dad to charge all his eco-gadgets. The USB EcoStrip 2.0 (about $40) received the Gold Standard Award for eliminating the “vampire” drain of electronics. :: Available at EcoStrip

From EcoStrip:EcoStrip 2.0 was presented with the “Gold Standard Award” for eliminating standby power and is widely recognized today as the best new energy saving product. EcoStrip 2.0 is an energy saving power strip with surge protection designed with corporate sustainability in mind.

Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger

One of the more popular solar chargers on the market the Solio universal solar charger (about $88) works by absorbing electrical power from direct sunlight or wall socket. All dad needs to do is spread out the fan blades for maximum surface area to collect the solar energy. :: Available at Amazon

Mac Related Gift Ideas

If your dad loves Apple and Mac, then why not give the gift of a Mac accessory this Father’s Day. Here are a few eco-friendly gadget gifts for the Mac lover.

Wooden Alarm Dock

Made from sustainably harvested Beech wood, this alarm dock by Areaware ($31.99) provides a dual purpose docking station for your dad’s iPhone or iPod Touch. :: Available at Amazon

SUBSTRATA wood cases for iPAD and iPAD 2

Handcrafted and sustainable, these iPAD (starting at $175) and iPAD 2 (starting at $95) wood cases offer stylish protection with exotic woods. And SUBSTRATA is all about sustainability so the exotic woods are only harvested from mature trees from sawmills that practice sustainable forestry practices. This includes several sawmills over 80 years old. :: Available at SUBSTRATA (shipping in 3-5 weeks)

i-Ecko Cardboard Speakers

Made from recycled materials and sustainable natural fibers these cardboard speakers ($13.99) are compact and easy for dad to bring on any trip. Easy to assemble and stores flat for easy portability, they are compatible with iPods, the iPhone 3G and other mp3 players. :: Available at Amazon

You might also be interested in:

• 6 Best Father’s Day Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Dad

Ultimate Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Dads

• 6 Best Father’s Day Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Dad
• Eco-Gadget Techy Dad
• Sporty ans Sustainable Dad
• Outdoorsy Dad
• Stylish Dad with Green Flavor
• Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts

Nailed It Desk Organizer

This desktop organizer ($58) is quirky and fun for any desk. If your dad loves doing things himself he’ll appreciate this handmade desk organizer from salvaged tool parts and recycled steel. :: Available at Amazon

Perched Parrot

Help dad make a DIY statement with this handmade parrot ($98). Created in Utah designer Fred Conlon uses recycled materials, including an adjustable wrench for the body, a crest of nails for feathers, and cut steel wings. :: Available at Amazon

Rapid Battery Charger

Energy Star qualified this rapid battery charger by Makita ($160) charges Li-Ion batteries in about 30 minutes with the fast charge. :: Available at Amazon

You might also be interested in:

• 6 Best Father’s Day Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Dad