Greatly Increased Metal Recycling!

“Covanta has increased ferrous metal recycling from waste to bottom ash by upgrading its magnetic sorting systems” their waste energy facilities’ new method could potentially recover 7.5 million tons of metal each year.

Bottom ash is what results from burning mixed solid waste (Covanta burns this to generate energy), combustion and air pollution control take place and then, bottom ash is produced. The amount of metals in the ash is significant and magnets are then used to capture the metals from the ash which will then be recycled.

By updating their equipment they found that they were able to capture more ferrous and nonferrous metals from waste. The rare earth magnetic scrap drum is one such piece of equipment, as it has the power to attract more metals across its surface compared to other magnets.

Some weeks ago we posted some amazing articles about capturing precious resources and using magnets.

This article talks about a satellite equipped with a giant magnet in space that collects orbiting debris: https://wastetracking.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/japan-prepares-to-launch-giant-net-into-orbit-to-sweep-up-space-debris/

And these robots are designed to separate more debris from mixed construction and demolition debris: https://wastetracking.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/for-those-in-robotics-construction-and-waste-prepare-to-be-amazed-by-zenrobtics/

It turns out that magnets do a lot more than just deliver music to our ears.

Source: http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/2014/08/case-study-increased-metal-recycling-from-waste-to-energy-ash-with-rare-earth-magnet.html

 

 

Renewable Heat N.Y.

There are new incentives for homeowners and businesses to update old heating furnaces in New York in favor of more wood heating. Renewable Heat N.Y. is a $27 million initiative that will spread the use of sustainable, high-efficiency, low-emission wood heating in New York. This initiative will also develop a more clean technology manufacturing sector in New York, a skilled installer base and sustainably harvested wood fuels from forests.

This means that wood pellet stoves should increase in the state. The incentives for residencies are $1,000 or up to $1,500 for income-qualified homeowners. In addition, residential customers and small commercial customers are also able to receive a $4,000 incentive for the recycling of old outdoor/indoor wood boilers and an additional 20% of installed costs of up to $4,000. Small commercial customers can also receive an incentive of up to 25% of total installed, up to $100,000, for the installation of a large pellet boiler with thermal storage. Large commercial customers are eligible for up to 20% of the installed cost, up to $100,000 for the installation of a large pellet boiler with thermal storage. Large customers can receive an incentive of up to 25% of the installed cost, up to $150,000, for the installation of a tandem pellet boiler with thermal storage.

This energy and natural gas provider serves 40% of upstate New York, NYSEG are helping spread this initiative, and you can learn more about this story from their web resources here: http://www.lookupstateny.com/WhoWeAre/nysegsnewyork.html

Source: http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/10717/n-y-announces-biomass-thermal-incentives-rps-solicitation

 

 

For those in #robotics, #construction and #waste, prepare to be amazed by @zenrobtics

The ZenRobotics Recycler currently separates Metal, Wood and Stone from mixed construction and demolition debris. The separator received the Global Cleantech Cluster Association’s Later Stage Award for Best in Waste Management at the end of 2013 and ZenRobotics Ltd. is working on increasing the features of this product. Separating mixed construction and demolition debris is important because currently people perform their arduous task and their labor could be use very effectively elsewhere in waste facilities. Not only does this take a dangerous and tedious task off of the hands of waste facility employees, but this robot even improves recovery rates and sorting efficiency.

Jaakko Särelä, CEO of ZenRobotics, says that ““It is already clear that clean technology will develop to a globally significant business sector. What is now needed is a national strategy for the development of environmental technology”. The minimum amount of reclaimed debris that the sorter can reclaim annually is 12,000 tons with the potential to sort up to 60,000 tons. In addition, the sorter little energy, and only costs $1.36/hour to operate.

 

Source: https://mygreenhalo.wordpress.com/

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#Smart Table Has a Full Cycle #Design

This short (under 4 minute) film illustrates a full cycle, mixed use table that lets people cultivate, garden, cook, eat, wash dishes and repeat.

If you don’t have the time to watch the whole cycle unfold, then here’s the CliffsNotes, Wiki, or actually StudioGorm version of it:

 

Source: http://www.studiogorm.com/flow2.html

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“Japanese Demolition” Non-Disruptive and Incredibly #Eco-Friendly

This is a common way to demolish tall buildings

This is the before and after image of Taisei Corporation’s Ecologoligal Reproduction System (Tecorep)

A Japanese company has a revolutionary approach to demolishing tall buildings that reuses as much as possible, doesn’t disrupt the surroundings (in contract to the common demolishing method which involves blowing the building up), and is much more eco-friendly; this reduces the carbon footprint by 85%!

Taisei Corporation is the genius behind this method and it developed the Ecologoligal Reproduction System (Tecorep) that demolished the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in a quiet and eco-friendly way that was previously unheard of. Time lapse videos of this process shows: the hotel shrinking as a crane inside of the hotel places interior debris outside of the building meanwhile a temporary floor gets built so that the crane that recycles energy from lowering the debris can get lowered and the process can be repeated until the hotel is significantly lowered.

This video shows someone from Taisei Corporation standing in front of the hotel, there is footage inside of the demolition and footage from the quiet outside so that you can see the building shrink. This is definitely a must see if you haven’t yet. Please tell us what you think @wastetracking on Twitter.

The Eco-Friendly, #Digital Printing Solution for Textile Production

Kornit launched two awesome products in 2005 and the reason that they are so noteworthy is because they were the first printers to offer a direct to garment printing in a much more eco-friendly way than traditional textile production.

There are initiatives from groups such as Greenpeace’s Detox which look into the environmental ethicacy of fabrics and their production process. Kornit manufactures their own textile printing ink which is 100% non-toxic, organic, vegan-friendly and safe for infants and young children. Kornit’s system doesn’t require any pre-treatment of the fabrics like cotton, satin, leather, synthetic leather, linen, microfiber, silk and other fabrics that their technology can print on.

The traditional method of dying fabrics using a lot of water that gets contaminated and wasted as a result. Kornit’s technology prints on fabric in a dry process so that less water is wasted.

In this video you can see for yourself how awesome their digital prints turnout and it is also easy to imagine how much safer this work environment is for employees too!

 

Source: http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/07/15/israels-kornit-offers-green-fabric-printing/

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@harleydavidson Coveted #LiveWire Electric #Motorcycle Story

Harley-Davidson announced a new, super-fast, sleek electric motorcycle that is soon to go into production.

( Electric Engine on LiveWire )

Handmade demonstration models of Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, LiveWire, were shown in New York at an invitation-only event. Harley’s research facility is in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and it’s designed to go from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds.

( LiveWire on the road )

From a business perspective, it has been said that there is almost zero market for a full-sized electric bike, so one common thought is that Harley has the marketing power to create demand for full-sized electric bikes. Not only is Harley going to generate some demand, they will also work to lower costs, build charging stations, and to improve technology that will in-turn, help all of the players in the market. In 2012 Harley sold 260,000 bikes, and Zero Motorcycles, the top seller of full-sized, high-powered electric bikes sold only 2,400 electric bikes in 2013.

The President of Haley, Matt Levatich said that technology in regards to the electric bikes is expected to improve and that Harley is more interested in the long-term potential than immediate demand. With the increase in sustainability and environmental trends over the years, Levatich explains that these trends are part of the lifestyle and the requirements of riders. Harley’s decision really puts electric motorcycles on the map since no one can tell how big this industry will be or how significant it will be but Harley has the resources to make it humongous.

 

( Hand-built LiveWire )

( Source: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140707/LIFE02/407070303/-1/SITEMAP )

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@WholeFoods, Trader Joe’s and more than 2,000 U.S. stores promise not to sell genetically #engineered #seafood

“Whole Foods Market Inc, Trader Joe’s and other food retailers representing more than 2,000 U.S. stores have vowed not to sell genetically engineered seafood if it is approved in the United States…”

Reuters posted this announcement from the Campaign for Genetically Engineered-Free Seafood in an article by Lisa Baertlein since the U.S. F.D.A seems close to approving genetically engineered salmon from AquaBounty Technologies. A product that they call “AquAdvantage Salmon” would be the first genetically engineered animal for the US’s food supply and it is designed to grow to market size in half of the time that conventional salmon take to grow. This salmon is “essentially Atlantic salmon with a Pacific salmon gene for faster growth and a gene from the eel-like ocean pout that promotes year-round growth.

It’s true that many popular foods in the U.S. such as corn cereal, soy milk, and other veggie products are bioengineered but the debate about engineering animals is a hot one. Let us know what you think @wastetracking on Twitter or in the comments here!

(Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/20/us-usa-fish-gmo-idUSBRE92J04F20130320?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Fenvironment+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Environment%29)

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New @WholeFoods is super #efficient !

A new Whole Foods opened in Brooklyn, NY and it’s called “Third and 3^rd, Brooklyn” which has an awesome green parking lot. The parking lot roof has a lot of solar arrays, the streetlights are solar powered and wind-powered, and there are electric car charging stations as well

In addition to having one of the most efficient parking lots made so far, this Whole Foods offers:

Bike Repair and Parking: Bikes are beloved by Brooklynites and Whole Foods Market, so we want to support people’s ability to maintain and ride them. This form of alternative transportation contributes to a reduced carbon footprint and a healthier lifestyle.

Knife Sharpening: Knife sharpening services from Scott Jennings of X-Calibur Knife & Scissor Sharpening and Christopher Harth ofNYCutlery and products including knives and specially-made Third & 3^rd cutting boards.

Vinyl Records and Wrecords by Monkey: A vinyl venue featuring music as well as reclaimed vinyl jewelry and accessories fromWrecords by Monkey, a Brooklyn-based design and lifestyle brand

THE ROOF: Serving a variety of local and seasonal menu items from snacks to salads to entrees, including vegan and vegetarian offerings, as well as 16 beers on tap, The Roof, offers indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Gowanus Canal, surrounding neighborhoods, and the Manhattan skyline. Hours 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

YUJI RAMEN: Chef Yuji Haraguchi will serve his praised Japanese mazemen dishes with a twist; including Bacon & Egg, Salmon & Cheese, Miso Roasted Vegetables and Spicy Tuna. The takeout venue will be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

JUICE Etc.: a made-to-order juice bar, offering fresh-pressed fruit and veggie juices and smoothies.

Shopping at Whole Foods is a pleasure, if you can make it out to Brooklyn to see this one let us know what it’s like! You can tag this store with #thirdand3rd and don’t forget, we are @wastetracking on Twitter!

(Source: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/gowanus-whole-foods-opens-with-super-green-parking-lot-powered-by-urban-green-energy/

And

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/brooklyn )

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@BloombergNews Tiny Houses Big With U.S. Owners Seeking Economic Freedom

Bloomberg showed glimpses inside the tiny houses that are becoming big with U.S. owners. In this article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-09/tiny-houses-big-with-u-s-owners-seeking-economic-freedom.html Nina Glinski wrote about how good owners of tiny houses in the U.S. feel about making the decision to downsize their homes in favor of achieving economic freedom.

The article starts with Doug Immel who recently completed his custom-built dream home that has just 164 square feet of living space and saves him a lot of money which he invests for his retirement.

Aldo Lavaggi, a New York folk musician who lives in Hudson Valley built a 105 square foot home on a friend’s farmland in the Berkshires. His humble abode runs on energy from two solar panels and a car battery. Lavaggi “has money to splurge on artisanal break and gourmet cheeses from the local market” and pointed out that “there’s a fallacy of limited options” where people feel that they must have a full-time job, stellar credit or a lot of money to own a house.

This article looks at a lot of different angles regarding owning a house like the “biggest barrier”, zoning restrictions, and the freedom explained above. We hope that you enjoy, and please tell us what you think on Twitter @wastetracking or in the comments here!

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