BEDDING — Inside the Home

Solid Sage

The Art of Green Manufacturing

Energy production is a primary contributor to the green-house effect and global warming. Nuclear energy and burning fossil fuels emit powerful chemicals and carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere which trap heat close to the earth’s surface. The rise in heat is contributing to major climate changes and is a very serious problem for the future unless action is taken presently.

Manufacturing plants for industrial purposes use large amounts of power to function. Not only does the massive amount of power used pollute the atmosphere and use precious fossil fuels, the factories use precious water to cool machinery, their waste water pollutes the surrounding water resources with hazardous waste and the manufacturing plants emit toxic chemicals into the environment.

Solutions to the Greenhouse Effect and Pollution
A solution to lessen the emission of chemicals and save the planet’s dying resources (such as water and coal) is more necessary now than ever before. Alternate energy resources are being used as an alternative to existing energy resources which are harming the environment. However, many manufacturers still rely on old technology for their energy needs as the change to ‘green’ manufacturing techniques and energy resources costs money in the short term.

Alternate energy resources can be defined as the various ways of creating and producing energy which are alternate to the existing methods which pollute because they do not cause damage or as much damage to the environment and utilise renewable (re-usable) resources. Alternate energy resources have the potential to lower green house gas emissions and consequently the rising world temperatures, save water, save fossil fuels and lower costs over a long period of time.

How it’s done – creating harm-free electricity
Types of alternative energy resources include solar power, hydro power, thermal power and bio fuels.

Solar power uses panels which absorb energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity. This is a very popular method for producing power and can be seen all over the world in homes, factories, businesses and some cars. Hydro power uses water to create electricity. Water flow moves underwater turbines or floating ‘salter ducks’ which convert the motion into electricity.

Thermal power uses the heat produced within the earth’s crust to generate power. Areas with high volcanic activity often have locations with extreme heat close to the earth’s surface which can be channelled through turbines, making them rotate to create energy. Bio fuels are solid, liquid and gas which are made from biological materials such as vegetable oil and methane gas. Burning these fuels to create energy emits a lower amount of chemicals into the environment.

An example of alternate energy resources and how they benefit
A major manufacturer located in Offenburg, Germany, has used alternate energy resources to power its manufacturing plant for 16 years. The company’s change to solar power using solar panels otherwise known as a photovoltaic generator reduces their carbon emissions by 100 tons of greenhouse gas each year. The electricity created per year by the solar panels could power 40 family homes.

The solar power system in the Offenberg factory uses a photovoltaic generator which then feeds electricity into a power grid which supplies electricity to meet all of the plant’s manufacturing needs. However, the eco-friendly manufacturing is not only a matter of solar power generation. The manufacturing plant recycles 85% of material wastes which would have been released into the environment and caused harm. The electro chemical processes allow for less contamination of water and air and use far less energy. The working temperature of machinery is up to 59 degrees Celsius lower than normal. The factory also recycles grey-water, saving drinking water and making use of reusable resources.

The manufacturer invested millions of Euros into finding manufacturing methods which do not harm the environment and personnel normally exposed to chemicals, yet reduces costs and increases product quality. Whilst many factory owners and industrial manufacturers fear investing money into alternate energy sources, the methods will eventually save them money.

If every manufacturer worldwide switched to a ‘green’ energy resource, the positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and pollution would be enormous. One manufacturing plant reduces 100 tons of greenhouse gas per year when solar power is used. Imagine how much gas would be reduced if all manufacturers followed their example.

About the Author

Hansgrohe South Africa are kitchen and bathroom fitting manufacturers and have created the Pontos Aquacycle, a water system which re-uses grey water and helps to save valuable drinking water.

taupe and black bathroom help?

My bathroom has dark grey counters/drawers and is painted a light taupe with a hint of sage. the floor tiles are speckled black and taupe. There are small darkish orange accent tiles (no I did not do this) - not the pretty coral that is in this season but like a dark orange coral. It's really busy but still very boring, so what can I do with towels/ shower curtains to make it pretty? I'm trying to avoid solid colors because it's so boring. Links with examples or products would be very helpful. Thank you.

You don't want too many busy patterns since you have a fair bit already.

Marshalls is where I find all my decorating stuff and for good price.

It is better to visit the store than their online since they have a lot of clearance.

Hope this helps,

Romona

Greg Sage - 07 - On the Run

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 8:22 pm and is filed under bedding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.