Hi all,

I have just added two more information articles on paper production and paper recycling.

Paper Production

Until the mid 19th century paper was produced mostly from recycled cotton cloth, linen or hemp fibers. With the increased demands of the Industrial Revolution and widespread desire for more books and writing materials, a cheaper alternative was sought for and found with wood pulp. A financially viable mechanical pulping machine was developed in Germany in the 1840’s and by the turn of the twentieth century various chemical means to pulp wood into paper fibers was developed. [...]

Benefits of Recycling Paper

Each year, the people of the United States uses no less than eighty-six million tons of paper, of which this country recycles only about nineteen million tons of this waste paper. If we were to recycle all of the remaining paper, we could recycle up to forty-six million tons. Recycling those forty-six million tons could save at least seven hundred eighty six million trees, or at least several forests worth. This would save the habitats of many endangered species.[...]

I wish it was not the case but I am certainly doing my bit for the environment tonight through not using the heating - not out of choice unfortunately as it is bloody freezing! Our central heating system has packed up and although I think I have isolated the issue I don’t have the materials to fix it, and even if I get them tomorrow I am not 100% sure it is going to work. Going to try it tomorrow anyway - don’t wnat an expensive service call out if it is a simple fix. If it does not work out it will be another cold night tomorrow!! Oh well a night of snuggling up and plenty of clothes (and I mean plenty!!!)

Hi all,

Just drawing your attention to two new articles I have posted on aluminium:

Aluminium Production:

As one of the lightest and most plentiful metals in the Earth’s surface, aluminum has become the premiere material for constructing beverage containers since its first use for this purpose in 1965. It is also one of the most environmentally and economically feasible products in use today for the purposes of recovering and recycling previously used aluminum containers and cans [...]

Recycling Alumimium:

It’s amazing just how much we could help clean up our environment if people would just recycle the aluminum cans they thoughtlessly throw into the trash a send to the landfills every single day. The American people throw away no less than thirty-five billion aluminum cans every single year! [...]

I welcome the news that Aberdeenshire Council are adopting an innovative approach to increasing recycling efforts through reverse vending machines at bus stations. Passengers gain points for every can and bottle they recycle. As the Park and Ride location they are using attracts 100,000+ users a year this could help reduce a significant number of bottles and cans from landfill. It is much easier to take your can and bottle on a trip you are making anyway than having to go out of your way to the recycling centre.

For every 50 green points (1 item = 1 point) that a passenger accumulates they receive a 20p bus travel voucher, and 100 points earns them a 50p travel discount. It maybe does not sound a lot but to be honest the amount you receive is not the determining factor, it is still a small incentive.  It is more about increasing accessibility.

Hopefully it will prove successful with “new recyclers” appearing and consequently the system is rolled out in other areas.

Sorry folks there have been no updates for a few days as I really have been snowed under with work and other activities and had limited time to get near the computer - probably not a bad thing!!!  Although withdrawl symptomns have got too much and I am back.

Planning a little micro-enviro activity for tonight/this weekend - I am going to try (with the assistance of my wife!) to make some Christmas crackers with the numerous toilet rolls I have saved up along with the other recycled material I have saved.  The only question now is what to put inside them.  Do I find some very poor jokes, do I put in little quotes, environmental messages, or simply nothing?  I might settle for a combination of the first three. 

I suppose I also have to come up with a cunning plan for the ‘bang’ element.  Mmmmm, plenty to ponder!