Wash Day Harms the Environment
Wash Day from Richard Kaloust Author: Janelle Elizabeth.

We are all becoming more and more aware of the damage we are causing the environment by everyday activities like doing the laundry. The list of potentially harmful chemicals that are contained in laundry detergents is alarming to say the least.

The world of complex ingredients lists and vague labels leave consumers unable to identify potential harmful products, and laundry detergents are no exception.

Specifically, there are certain toxins present in laundry detergents that take particular aim at the environment. Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) are more commonly listed as ‘anionic surfactants’ on detergent labels. They are one of the more common surfactants found in laundry detergents. They are a synthetic product.

As they are manufactured, cancer causing or carcinogenic toxins, as well as reproductive toxins are released into the environment. Benzene is one such toxin, and if this were not detrimental enough, these also biodegrade very slowly.

Another harmful chemical that is frequently found in laundry detergents are phosphates. Needed to remove minerals found in hard-water, and as method to prevent dirt settling back onto clothes while they are in the machine. Basically they are needed to make the laundry detergent more effective.

However, their negative impact on the environment is monumental. After their release into the environment, they can actually activate growth in marine plants. This can result in unbalanced ecosystems, forcing a lot of environmental changes that are not positive.

A lot of states have banned or limited the use of phosphates because of the problems they have been proven to cause. Some detergents even advertise their low or nonexistent phosphate level.

To put it succinctly, our environment needs us to start using safer alternatives. Laundry detergents that contain these harmful products need to be altered or perhaps a new method of washing clothes can be implemented.

Since much of these products do not openly delineate the kind of harmful ingredients it uses, it may be difficult for the consumer to know just how detrimental they are to them and the environment.

Avoiding such products that contain anionic surfactants or linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, and phosphates is a move in the right direction.

Quality alternatives are now here for those of us who are willing to step away from the old-fashioned way of washing clothes, and embrace newer, environmentally friendly methods. The cause for concern with laundry detergents and other chemically driven products like it is real, but becoming informed of the hazards can aid in making a change for the better.

How to Recycle a Computer Ink Cartridge

Richard Kaloust Computer Recycling By Robert A Hull.

Ink cartridge recycling is a process that involve refilling old cartridges and then selling it to the public. This is a movement being done to contribute in the environmental preservation and reduce health damage by continued disposal of cartridges. In addition to health and environment, you could potentially save tons of money in the process.

There is a major reduction in the amount of recycling done on these cartridges though, which is about 18 percent.

Benefits of Recycling

There are several reasons why you should seriously consider recycling your ink cartridge at home. It is both ideal for health and environmental sustainability.

Studies have shown that plastics used in inkjet printers take several centuries to decompose, which is why disposing it off into the garbage is alter the natural ecosystem since it harms the environment and other microorganisms present in nature.

Some of the acute health problems caused by the disposal of these cartridges include swelling, irritation, and skin redness, irritation in the eyes and respiratory tract, upset stomach, among others. Plus, the carbon black found in the cartridge is identified to be carcinogenic, thus expose one to the danger of acquiring cancer.

When producing new laser cartridge, about three quarts of oil is consumed. As for the production of an ink cartridge, up to three ounces are utilized. And by opting to recycle cartridges instead, one can save a great deal from the resources used for producing them. Within a 7-month period, one can potentially save up to over 11 million gallons of oil through recycling an ink cartridge.

Recycling Process

There are several recycling company that offer services for recycling and all you need to do is bring to them your empty inkjet cartridge. Then, the component materials of the cartridge is separated and recycled.

The Benefits of Recycling

The Richard Kaloust Benefits of Recycling By Michael Russell.

Recycling is a priority in the United States. In fact, the United States recycles more than 24 percent of its waste. This is the highest percentage in the industrialized world. This is only appropriate considering the United States also produces the most amount of waste in the industrialized world. Recycling can bring out about economic and environmental benefits.

The recycling industry has made a vital contribution to job creation and economic development in the United States. In 2000, the recycling industry was responsible for more than 1.1 million jobs and a yearly payroll of $37 billion. For every 10,000 tons of waste that is recycled, 36 new jobs are created. If you were to incinerate the 10,000 tons of waste instead, only one job would be created. In addition, for every employee there is collecting items that can be recycled, there are 26 employees that turn these items into new products. There are as many employees in the recycling industry as there are in the automobile and truck manufacturing industry. Also recycling industry employees make more money than employees in other industries.

Recycling helps prevent global climate changes by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions can result from the manufacturing, use and disposal of products. Greenhouse gas emissions are a part of nature and they help create climates that sustain life on earth. If greenhouse gas emissions reach dangerous concentration levels, then you might see rising global temperatures, sea level changes and other climate changes. Recycling can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the following ways:

Manufacturing paper, plastics, glass and metal from recycled materials requires less energy than manufacturing these products from virgin materials because the recycled materials have already been processed. Also if you were to use virgin materials, you would have to spend additional energy extracting and transporting the virgin materials. For example, recycling aluminum cans saves 95 percent of the energy required to make new aluminum from virgin materials. Recycling steel and plastics would require 60 percent and 70 percent less energy, respectively, than making these products from raw materials. Recycling nearly any material will require less energy than producing the material from virgin materials. In 2005, recycling saved over 900 trillion BTUs, which is the same amount of energy used in 9 million households annually. This energy conservation results in less fossil fuels being burned. This means that less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere. If 6 tons of glass and one ton of aluminum were recycled, then 1 ton and 13 tons of carbon dioxide, respectively, would not be released into the atmosphere.

Recycling also keeps materials out of landfills. This is important because materials in landfills can decompose and release methane gas. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that is 20 to 30 times more dangerous to the environment than carbon dioxide. Municipal solid waste landfills are responsible for 34 percent of methane gas emissions attributed to Americans.

Waste combustion from incinerators can release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Recycling can reduce these emissions by keeping materials out of incinerators. In 2003, recycling kept 72 million tons of material from incinerators and landfills.