BOTTLE CAPS: Cannot be recycled

Did you know that bottle caps in some places cannot be recycled?

Maybe most of us are not aware that bottle caps cannot be recycled. In some places in the U.S.A., they are taking steps to create bottle cap programs and others that do not accept caps for recycling.

Bottle caps are generally made out of a different type of plastic than the bottle themselves. On the bottom of the bottle, you will probably see a triangle with chasing arrows and a “1” on the inside. That means the bottle is polyethylene, a plastic generally accepted for recycling. On the other hand, the lid is composed of polypropylene, a type of plastic that is used to create strong plastics. It doesn’t have a number on it, or if it does, it’s a different number that some recyclers do not accept.

They cannot be recycled together as they have a difference in melting point of nearly 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If a cap gets mixed in with bottles, the entire consignment may be ruined because there is un-melted plastic in the mix. Even if you are able to recycle bottle caps, recycling is very inefficient and what you’re actually doing is downcycling or the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality.

Many people recycle bottle caps for DIY projects like creating soap bar holders, curtains and others. We can also do this to reduce chemical hazards and at the same time may improve our creativity and clean living.

Source:
http://blog.bayteccontainers.com/2012/04/weekly-trivia-on-plastic-plastic-bottle.html

http://eco18.com/what-is-one-to-do-with-plastic-bottle-caps/

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/plastic-bottle-cap-crafts.html

http://earth911.com/news/2009/01/07/want-to-know-where-to-recycle-your-bottle-caps/

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The Hazards of Open Burning

When you see scattered dried leaves in your backyard, what do you do? Do you burn it? Put it on a trash? Or you just ignore it?

In Philippines, most people, particularly in rural areas still do open burning. According to airdefenders.org, open burning is any open flame exposed to the environment where pollutants produced from the fire are emitted directly into the surrounding air. This includes the burning of leaves, wood and trash. Open burning is a very common, yet very unhealthy method of garbage disposal

Beside from unawareness of its consequences, open burning is a habit for most of us which came from our parents and grandparents that it becomes hardly to break. It brings a serious harm to public health and an environmental threat in both rural and urban communities as observed by the EcoWaste Coalition. Burning leaves emits carbon monoxide and benzopyrene that discharge particulate matter or very small particles of dust, soot and liquids suspended in air that travel to our body system and may cause headaches, eye irritation; impair respiratory functions and even cancers. It will not only bring harm to our own body but also to our neighbors who can forcedly breathe in the polluted air.

It is also against the law. In the R.A. 9003 – the prohibition of burning of wastes and requires ecological management of discards that will not harm the environment. Violators can be fined from Php300 to Php1000 or imprisoned from 1 to 15 days, or both.

Moreover, it can be prevented or avoided by doing alternative ways of disposing, emphasizing the need to consume responsibly. Fallen leaves and yard trimmings for instance, could be turned into compost to enhance soil fertility and health.

“For healthier neighborhoods, let us not litter, burn or dump any trash. Let us rekindle the bayanihan (communal spirit) to build Zero Waste communities” appealed by the EcoWaste Coalition.


Source:
http://www.airdefenders.org

http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com/2007/03/open-burning-endangers-public-health.html

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"Maliit na Basura, Ibulsa Muna"

Did you ever imagine that this kind of tiny thing can cause a big problem to people?

“Maliit na Basura Ibulsa Muna” – as I observably walk through the public places of Metro Manila, I always notice these filthy signage filled with vandals posted by MMDA in every part of the sidewalk. This is to remind every individual that we have some small responsibilities for our surroundings that we need to take in. But as I observed, it seems like it’s an enormous job to work on for some Filipinos that even a piece of candy wrapper cannot be properly disposed or at least keep it on their pocket to avoid scattered wastes in public places even on seaside that completely looks unpleasant.

Every year, we suffer from floods caused by typhoons and storms. Metro Manila is one of the heavily affected areas. Due to improper waste disposal, drains were clogged and water cannot flow properly that seems one of the reasons why Metro Manila is always flooded.

After flood, you can see the result of people’s irresponsibility and negligence to our environment. Tons of garbage welcomed the residents left by flood – an evidence that most Filipinos have not yet learn their lessons. We have the saying “What goes around, comes around” - Our nature is just sending back what people are giving.

There is no lack of laws, what we lack of is ENFORCEMENT, DISCIPLINE and most of all - CARE. In fact, MMDA has the ANTI-LITTERING LAW. It includes the prohibition of Littering, Illegal dumping, and Illegal disposal of garbage. But did you ever hear a man being penalized because of littering?

Small individual efforts together can build a big difference for every community. Learn to care for our environment even if there are no laws for it, do it in our own will as it will not only help our Mother Nature but also ourselves.

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The Independent goes online

DEMOCRACY, INDEPENDENCE and TRANSPARENCY – These are the ideals The Independence promotes and known for since 1986.

The Indy is one of the youngest national daily newspapers in United Kingdom who is independent and free spirited reporting. It is now publish in London by Independent Print Limited, a company owned by the Lebedev family. Other than that, readers can not only seek truth and information through print but now they can also go online. On 23 January 2008, they launched its online edition, www.independent.co.uk, for easier access and increase interaction with their readers.

The website introduced a new look, better access to the blog service, with an expanding range of galleries and graphics and additional areas of the site including art, architecture, fashion, gadgets and health that will keep you up-to-date. It also has section for students with relative information about news and trending issues, getting into a university, student life and even career planning. The site also carried short video news bulletins provided by the Al Jazeera English news channel.

(Click the photo for clearer view)

Every area of the site is clearly linked and easily accessible. There is a section where columnists and commentators come together to discuss various issues where readers can join in. It has search index which is updated throughout the day for deep searches including new articles. Crosswords, RSS feeds, Weather, Offers, Property and Music are also included. And moreover, this site is made to know the thoughts and ideas of the readers about the topics or issues they cover and be open for comments contributions and feedbacks.

"The technology and platform will create an environment which allows us to continue to improve content and functionality," Bill Swanson, general manager of The Independent said. In addition, NRS [National Readership Survey] research has shown that readers of The Independent are more likely to access the internet.

But as the use of internet for source of information rapidly grows, there were seemingly a decline on the circulation of newspapers. It shows in the ABC’s Circulation figures for UK national daily newspapers last 2012 that The Independent was the larger fall with -54.28% changes on the circulation of newspapers.

This is really a big change for journalism with the extent of the medium used and the emergence of technology. But this is also a good way to reach a wider audience and deliver information worldwide as Jimmy Leach, the editorial director for digital for the Independent, said: "This is a great way of delivering a global perspective both to our UK-based users and to our growing audience overseas.


Disclaimer: For academic purpose only


Source:http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/independent-titles-sold-to-lebedev-family-company-1927436.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/service/welcome-to-the-independents-new-website-771573.html

http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/independent-unveils-revamped-website/s2/a530956/

http://www.theguardian.com/media/table/2012/aug/17/abcs-national-newspapers?newsfeed=true

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One dead, three kids in critical condition in Manila Fire

One woman died while three children are still in critical due to a fire in Delta compound, near the City Park early this morning.

Deputy Fire Marshall Jose Waling of Fire Protection - Manila told that the fire started from a lit candle left by a father who's going to a night work to his wife and three kids.

The fire started at 1:16 A.M. and firefighters took about 4 hours and 20 minutes to extinguish the flames.

70 houses and 70 families were reportedly affected by the blaze. Three children are still in critical condition with first to two degree burn while the mother suffered third degree burn and was declared dead on arrival.

Two fire volunteers are being treated for smoke inhalation due to suffocation while other victims are being treated for sustained minor injuries according to spokeswoman of Laloma Hospital.

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