What Low Oil Prices’ Mean to Recycling and Recyclers

Everyday consumers rejoice at the sound of low oil prices. It gets them gas on the cheap and lets them save a little extra. Low oil prices also help businesses and sometimes in a very big way. The amount of electricity and gas required to run some facilities, including in manufacturing and construction, is absurdly high! Those of us in the recycling industry though have a bit of a different relationship to low oil prices. In many ways, it’s a big negative. 

Before we get into all the jibber jabber on low oil prices and what they mean to recycling, it’s important to understand how oil pricing works. Depending on supply and demand, oil prices rise and fall according to the market. When less oil is produced but the same amount of people or more want the same amount of oil, it becomes more valuable and the price increases. When more oil is produced than what the population wants, there is more supply and so the price falls. Since 2014, the world has seen the oil supply increase overall. Nations such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and North Africa continue to push out significant numbers. Also, Canada and the United States have begun exploiting their own resources to find oil. At the same time that this supply has been rising, global demand has been slowly falling. The result is the lowest oil prices in almost fifteen years!

How this all affects recycling has to do with how plastic is valued alongside how oil is priced. Plastics are a direct by-product of petroleum and oil processing, meaning that as oil prices fall, so does plastic accordingly. Today, oil prices are so low in some areas of the world that it is less expensive to buy virgin plastic than to purchase recycled plastic. For recycling, this means a supply of recycled plastic that is no longer economically advantageous.

So the domestic and global demand for recycled products is shrinking. Recycled plastic, paper, and metal have all seen drops in value, weakening alongside oil pricing. The recycling market is at a crucial moment where how we respond is going to determine how many companies like ours survive.

Know that we can’t change oil pricing or the relationship that recycling has to low oil prices. There’s no way to get around that. The best approach to low oil prices is in finding ways to reduce the cost of recycling. A big part of this is eliminating contamination. Consumers need better education on what contamination is and how it affects recycling. Significant value in recycling is lost due to contamination. Beyond this, the benefits of recycling in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment needs to be emphasized.

The present landscape of recycling is being threatened by low oil prices and there is a sufficient need to compensate on pockets of the marketplace that are rejecting recycled products. The environmental benefits are well-established and its cost-effectiveness needs to be maintained.

Building a sustainable future together is going to rest on being able to recycle efficiently with regards to all types of waste products, household and commercial alike. Recycling’s future should not depend on high oil prices. Instead, it needs to be focused on efficient processing and product distribution. That’s how recycling can defeat low oil prices and continue to make its mark!

Source : http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/497-what-low-oil-prices-mean-to-recycling-and-recyclers.html

How to Manage your Waste when your Dumpster Rental Arrives

For everyday homeowners, dumpster rentals have become a key part of managing waste on a property undergoing renovations or construction. For novices though, if you don’t know what to do with your dumpster rental when it arrives at your property, you may not get the most out of the experience. 

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The best way to manage a dumpster rental is in first ensuring that you’ve chosen the right dumpster rental company to partner with. From there, you want to identify and prepare the location on which the dumpster is expected to sit. Consider where you want to put your rental carefully. The wrong position can be a huge inconvenience to you or even your neighbors. Ensure the driver can easily access the location and ensure you don’t need to get any special permits to host it, such as if you intend to have it on the street.

It’s always recommended to have a dumpster on soft ground. This is because they are heavy and can end up doing major damage to a solid surface if it’s not properly supported. A grassy area or somewhere that is not an asphalt driveway is best.

After the dumpster rental has arrived and it is set up in its temporary location on your property, be aware of the volume limits of the container. For many dumpster rental companies, they may not accept a container it is overflowing with garbage or even if it’s filled to the brim. When it’s filled to the top, it may create issues with covering it in transit. In general, we recommend filling up a dumpster only to 75 percent of its height.

It also bears keeping in mind that though it is a dumpster, certain materials may not be accepted as waste. Depending on the dumpster you rent and from what company, they may have rules on what can be included in your waste and what cannot. Breaking these rules can lead to fines and penalties, something you don’t need! Always consult before renting any dumpster with the company you intend to rent from on what is expected. Among the items that dumpster rental companies do not permit are hazardous materials, chemicals, agriculture-related garbage, or electronics.

Follow these points to effectively manage waste with your dumpster rental. By doing so appropriately, you will avoid additional fees and help keep costs where they need to be. All things considered, a dumpster rental is not that expensive when weighing against the service provided. To keep costs reasonable though, you need to know where the fees and fines are. It is also imperative that you choose the right size dumpster rental for your project.

Dumpster rentals are becoming the popular go-to for DIY home renovators. The convenience of having your own dumpster ready to accept any unwanted items is a massive benefit and one that no homeowner would want to go without.

For those that are working on larger home renovation or construction build projects, what no one tells you is how to properly dispose of waste. Attempting to do it yourself can lead to headaches and high costs. Instead, save yourself a little time by contacting a local dumpster rental company to help. This way, you also get all the inside knowledge on waste disposal and ideally will receive the best advice for the job!

Source : http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/496-how-to-manage-your-waste-when-your-dumpster-rental-arrives.html

8 Guiding Principles on How to Clean your Kitchen

Any kitchen can end up a real dump if a homeowner is not regularly cleaning the bacteria and residue that naturally accumulates here. Don’t let kitchen bacteria bring you down. There’s a number of ways to clean your kitchen from top to bottom, ridding it of any evil bacteria looking to make prey of you! Here are our eight guiding principles on how to clean your kitchen.

Begin by reducing clutter on counters

By eliminating clutter on your kitchen counters, you make your job easy. Anything that is not required to the kitchen, remove it and consider returning after you’ve cleaned – only if you deem it necessary.

Apply an all-purpose cleaner to countertops

All-purpose natural cleaners produce amazing results in the kitchen and should be among the first steps you take in tidying up surfaces. Also, ensure that you are using a new sponge to clean all countertops as an old one can end up spreading bacteria that you don’t ever want to find!

When cleaning, start from the ceiling down

Don’t ignore any part of your kitchen and begin by cleaning from the ceiling down. Use a duster to clear off the walls and corners. Check for any water leaks and ensure those are addressed before continuing. Find a quality rage to wipe down cabinet doors and any handles anywhere in the kitchen.

Empty the sink

After you’ve emptied your sink, fill it up with hot water and a little soap. Throughout your cleaning, you may need this to soak items such as a microwave turning plate.

Clean the inside of your fridge

To thoroughly tackle the kitchen, this must involve emptying the fridge and cleaning the insides with a sponge. Any removable shelves should be taken out, soaked, and dried, and the inside walls should be cleaned extensively. Again, start from the top and work your way towards the bottom.

Clean both inside and outside of your microwave

We may not think of the microwave as a particularly dirty part of the kitchen but it can be. Don’t just wipe down the inside. Sometimes, the outside can be just as dirty!

Wipe down the sink

Every once in a while, you want to wipe down the inside of the sink just to clean any residue that may be sticking to the side or in the troublesome corners. With the way that some countertops are built, the corners of a sink can act as bacteria traps. Imagine all that disgusting bacteria getting on your food. Ew! This is precisely why a sink should be cleaned regularly.

Mop down the floor

Sweep and mop down the floor, and wipe down the inside of your household garbage cans. After all garbage containers have been wiped, you should have quite the kitchen on your hands!

Yes, sometimes, it’s tempting to let garbage sit in the kitchen but that’s not always the best move. Bacterial infections happen every day in kitchens across North America and you don’t want that to happen to you or your family. If you regularly handle raw chicken, meat, and produce, there are several bacteria in these that can cause illnesses and make us sick. Kitchens need to be cleaned regularly.

There’s no ifs, ands, or buts around it. We hope that this guide provides some step-by-step assistance, walking you through the guiding tenants on how to properly clean a kitchen.

Source : http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/495-8-guiding-principles-on-how-to-clean-your-kitchen.html

Police Find Ditch-Littering Mississauga Couple

A Nottawasaga resident reported the vehicle build and license plate number to the OPP of two people who were disposing of their household garbage in a ditch next to a main roadway.

One police officer was sent to the location, a side-road of Adjala-Tosorontio Township, and discovered the full garbage bags after a few minutes of searching.

The people responsible have been identified as a couple from Mississauga and charged for disobeying the rules of the Environmental Protection Act and the Highway Traffic Act. The two offenders will go to court later this year.

If any residents of the area see anyone else recklessly dumping garbage, they are urged to call the authorities as soon as possible to help protect the environment and have those responsible for harming it, face the appropriate consequences. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/406-police-find-ditch-littering-mississauga-couple.html

Smart Waste Bins to be used in Pittsburgh

While everything around us has become “smart” and tech-focused such as our cars, phones, etc, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing this same phenomenon being applied to waste collection. Pittsburgh will soon spend upwards of $580,000 on hundreds of “smart” waste bins - disposal cans that send an alert to employees at Public Works when they’ve reached maximum capacity.

These new waste bins are expected to reduce the hours of work employees are assigned to check on the amount of waste in bins all over the city, after receiving the go-ahead from City Council from a 5 to 2 vote. The aim is to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of overflowing litter.

Some city leaders can’t get behind the new rule, insisting the cost for such a small change is too high. Other are optimistic that these smart cans will have a significant impact on working hours.

The smart waste bins are to be arranged by this summer, and the city will begin to observe and analyze the effects they have.

What are your thoughts on “smart bins” and do you think Toronto would benefit from something similar?

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/405-smart-waste-bins-to-be-used-in-pittsburgh.html

Eliminating Highrise Building Carbon Emissions

Canada’s biggest cities need a construction adjustment if they wish to be kinder to the environment. Right now, Toronto’s apartment buildings contribute to half of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Montreal and Vancouver are much like Toronto in terms of architecture, putting them at risk as well.

Of course, Toronto still comes out on top in the skyscraper count, accounting for three of every ten domiciles. Surprisingly, highrise buildings give off fewer harmful gases than traditional houses do, so the solution isn’t a simple one.

London, Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec City all have more apartment buildings than individual houses, and while that number continues to grow, skyscraper designers are slowly moving towards an emissions-free approach. Canada’s federal government would like this plan to be achieved by 2030 with a $182 million minimum.

Toronto is already on the right track, having decreased their greenhouse gas emissions by almost a quarter since the nineties. But these environmental gains aren’t the result of fixing the construction of dwellings, and the city will fail to meet its 2050 goal of an 8.7 million ton reduction unless buildings are dealt with soon, seeing as building worldwide create 17% of the country’s emissions.

In the future, it will be extremely important for builders to think long and hard about how heating and ventilation is put together, and to avoid carbon lock-in, a design that allows the building to release carbon until the feature is adjusted. One possible solution is to create an aeration system for an area with a handful of dwellings, heating and cooling several buildings simultaneously.

Big Canadian cities need effective remedies fast if they wish to prevent inflicting more harm on the country and the earth itself. Putting goals into place and analyzing feasible solutions is a solid starting point. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/404-eliminating-highrise-building-carbon-emissions.html

Coca-Cola’s Plastic Bottles aren’t the only thing Hurting the Planet

Coca-Cola managed to pump out over 100 billion plastic bottles in 2016 alone, a clear indication of its large contribution to the ocean’s pollution. But it also consumes more caffeine and sugar cane than any other single company in the world. Due to its shockingly large environmental impact, green organizations have flocked to Coca-Cola every year.

The food firm was against the possibility of introducing additional fees to soft drinks that would be reimbursed when the empty containers were returned, but in the seventies, the industry opted for aluminum cans that were easier for buyers to return, better to recycle, and didn’t require an extra vehicle to transport to a factory.

Coca-Cola and other big name brands fought against this principle and won, claiming the extra fees tacked onto the drinks would reduce sales. The traditional return system was substituted with recycling bins distributed to each home paid for by the government. This method was implemented almost nationwide by the eighties.

While companies benefitted from the lack of additional fees, the environment suffered. Coca-Cola’s plastic bottles are indeed recyclable, but are not being collected properly. Although soft drink companies were warned that return systems were best for the earth, they stubbornly refused to listen.

The return systems in 1929 were used by four-fifths of Coca-Cola plants and were able to complete many cycles of reuse to get the most out of the material. For comparison, researchers looked at other options and decided that glass bottles were the most environmentally-friendly. Because this was a rare method, the company went with plastic.

Would additional fees for packaging have affected Coca-Cola’s sales? Perhaps. But the omission of these fees has hurt the planet, causing recycling in which less than one-third of plastic bottles were reused. Fortunately, the firm is looking into bringing back the return system, which is expected to improve recycling.

This new system is a clear win for Coca-Cola, but they may always struggle to defend the sugar-laden liquid within their containers that is often linked to poor health and obesity. The introduction of Coca-Cola Life, a stevia-sweetened version of the beverage packaged in aluminum cans, is a step in the right direction for the health of both people and the environment.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/403-coca-cola-s-plastic-bottles-aren-t-the-only-thing-hurting-the-planet.html

Garbage Bins will no longer be used in Korean Public Washrooms

After years of having people throw used toilet paper into garbage bins, Korea will be removing these said bins and offering easy breakdown toilet paper to combat sanitation problems at the beginning of 2018.

The unpleasant smell and lack of hygiene produced by the garbage bins became a serious issue recently, leading to the writing and passing of a new bill for the abolishment of the system. To accommodate the needs of women, one feminine hygiene box will be placed in each stall.

Changing the disposal system of the country’s public washrooms will also offer easier utilization and added comfort, especially for foreigners who are unfamiliar with the nation’s current method. Frequent subway users are expected to benefit the most.

In addition to the waste bin removal, cleaning staff will need to put up a sign when in the opposite sex’s washroom, and panels will be placed between urinals in the men’s facility.

The government hopes to restore cleanliness and comfort to its restrooms by putting these new rules into place.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/402-garbage-bins-will-no-longer-be-used-in-korean-public-washrooms.html

Researchers locate Five-century-old Shipwrecked Anchor in Caribbean

Image: Fox News

An anchor dating back nearly five centuries has been found by experts off the coast of the Caicos and Turks islands, but this anchor isn’t just ancient - it’s suspected to have been used by Christopher Columbus himself.

The anchor weighs in at around 545 kg and was reportedly used between 1492 and 1550. The size, weight, and make of the anchor all point towards its use for one of Columbus’ ships. Experts were able to locate the site with extensive research, an astronomical treasure map, and a magnetometer for diving and investigating the shipwreck.

Research shows the clear connection between the shipwreck and the Pinzon brothers, who captained the two of the famous Columbus ships, the Nina and the Pinta. The former of the two ships was taken down by a hurricane in 1500 while stabilized in close to the islands by which it was recently found.

The anchor wasn’t the only thing discovered among the Nina’s waterlogged remains. Pottery shards, iron spikes, and grappling hooks were examined by archaeologists. All of these items perfectly fit the time period of the Columbus expeditions.

Although the recovered artifacts are fascinating, what’s more important is how the shipwreck site was found - mainly through the use of the astronomical map. This map could lead experts to even greater discoveries, making it invaluable to professionals. Let’s hope we can expose more of the past in the near future.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/401-researchers-locate-five-century-old-shipwrecked-anchor-in-caribbean.html

The Benefits of Hiring a Garbage Bin Rental Company

Garbage bin rental services are often used by large construction and renovation companies to facilitate the demolition or waste collection portion of a project. These bins come in various sizes however and can be used by businesses, construction companies and even individuals depending on the specific need.

When renovating your home, you'll probably require one place to keep all of the debris and garbage accumulated during your renovation. You'll most likely be dealing with a variety of materials such as floor tile, wallpaper, cabinetry, counter tops, old hardware and maybe even some hazardous materials. Employing the services of a disposal bin rental company will take care of all your waste collection needs.

Getting help from a garbage bin rental company is the right choice, especially when hosting an event such as a big outdoor party, where you may end up with loads of garbage. A reputable disposal bin rental company will provide you with a stress-free experience while taking care of all the waste-related details so you can focus on planning an awesome party! Did we mention you won't have any clean-up to do after the party?

When it comes to renovations, using a garbage bin rental service will ensure you have a neat atmosphere around your house after remodelling your space. A garbage bin rental company will discard all the waste that has accumulated during the renovation process.

A professional garbage bin rental service will provide you with a dumpster. They should not only ensure the presence of a dumpster, but they should also dispose of the waste for you. Hiring a professional and capable garbage bin rental service will ensure you have less to cope with after your construction project or event as they will sort out any issue relating to waste disposal for you.

A reputable garbage bin rental service will also provide you with different containers of various sizes to collect trash according to your specific needs. They can arrange and schedule delivery times as well as dispose of your waste in an ecological manner.

For all your garbage bin rental needs in Toronto, contact Core Mini Bins for services such as junk removal, excavation services, waste removal services, demolition services, garbage removal services, licensed disposal services, etc.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/399-the-benefits-of-hiring-a-garbage-bin-rental-company.html

The Swachh Bharat Mission has Bill Gates’ Seal of Approval

Image: Gates Notes

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received a bright review from Bill Gates for the implementation of Swachh Bharat in 2014. The mission aims to stop public defecation and clean the country’s streets for the health and safety of its citizens. Both Gates and the Indian public have praised Modi for his efforts and given him support throughout his journey to complete the mission.

Gates brought to light the fact that Modi took India’s sanitation problem very seriously and was bold enough to look for a solution despite the issue being sensitive, something very few leaders have attempted. Constructing 75 million new toilets across the country will save $106 billion or more every year.

Two and a half years after Swachh Bharat was put into place, the number of citizens with adequate sanitation tools rose from forty-two percent to sixty-three percent, and the project is expected to come to a close by October 2019. Each state has its own tracking system to determine whether it meets sanitation requirements or not.

Furthermore, nearly one-third of India’s total villages have abolished public defecation, compared to 2015’s one-tenth. Gates mentioned an app that helps citizens overcome their discomfort with the idea of toilets, as well as how impressed he was that Modi recruited Bollywood actors to speak openly about the issue.

Looking at the results and Bill Gates’ praise, it’s clear that Prime Minister Modi is taking steps in the right direction to give India a cleaner and brighter future.

To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/400-the-swachh-bharat-mission-has-bill-gates-seal-of-approval.html

Scientists Plan to Mimic Plastic-loving Caterpillar’s Abilities

The world’s plastic build-up could be gone within the next few decades thanks to a species of caterpillar that eats plastic bags. This caterpillar - the moth Galleria mellonella’s initial form - is known to eat beeswax from hives, and the creature’s molecular synthesis of this material works just as well for polyethylene, the thin, flexible plastic that makes up grocery bags.

Polyethylene is constructed at a shocking rate of eighty million tonnes per year, and effectively disposing of it has been a long-time problem. Although the material is biodegradable, the process lasts hundreds of years. Fortunately, plastic-eating caterpillars take less than sixty minutes to create holes in polyethylene bags, making them more susceptible to rapid breakdown.

The science behind this caterpillar’s plastic-destroying ability is still a mystery, but researchers plan to investigate and form a concrete solution for excess polyethylene. Some suspect that the insect’s microbes play a significant part in the deterioration process, which could be mimicked and applied to areas with plastic overload.

Of course, reducing the amount of products made with plastic will have a significant positive effect on the problem. However, the material cannot be eliminated completely without society suffering serious consequences.

If this study produces a remedy to our plastic build-up problem, we could be one step closer to restoring the planet’s health.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/398-scientists-plan-to-mimic-plastic-loving-caterpillar-s-abilities.html

Waterloo Encounters a Green Bin Shortage while Garbage Rules Change

Waterloo Region has recently changed its policy on urban waste collection, and they’ve encountered a problem. The day after the new policy was put into place, the demand for green bins surpassed the supply by a shocking amount.

Over 20,000 green bins were given out last year alone, compared to the annual norm of around 6,000. And now, only four months into this year, over 11,000 more have been distributed. Despite those somewhat frightening statistics, the situation is by no means unfixable.

The heightened demand for green bins in the city indicates that its citizens are dedicated to the cause, and already were before the waste program had even changed. When the new rules became valid, an unmanageable amount of bins was needed, and staff is working hard to produce more.

Waste management began creating and delivering green bins to houses seven years ago, and demand has been inconsistent since then. Although the backup green bin supply has been used up, the stockpile should be full again by the end of the month.

Waterloo Region reportedly still has some blue boxes up for grabs. Homeowners should keep a close eye on their district’s website for relevant updates.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/397-waterloo-encounters-a-green-bin-shortage-while-garbage-rules-change.html

Waste Bin Removal Test in New York Ends After Five Years

In an attempt to decrease garbage littered in its underground train system, New York took away its waste bins and watched citizens react. Instead of people discarding their garbage elsewhere, however, the volume of litter in the stations increased with the absence of the waste bins, causing the city to scrap the idea.

The experiment began in 2011, implemented in only two stations at first. By 2014, the number had grown to thirty-nine, but the test came to a close in 2016 after a surplus of waste and track fires were detected. With over 450 underground train stations in the city, excess litter quickly became a health and safety hazard that could not be tolerated.

The test’s organizers admit that their hope for not only littered waste, but waste in general, to decrease was somewhat unrealistic. The major American city is looking into better options to clean up litter on the tracks and prevent it from getting there at all.

Although the original test had adverse effects, it was a valiant effort nonetheless.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/396-waste-bin-removal-test-in-new-york-ends-after-five-years.html

Longtime Nurse Turns Hospital’s Trash into Treasure

Treehugger.com

Ever wonder what happens to the many plastic parts used to maintain hospital tools when they’re no longer needed? For one healthcare employee, they become a work of art.

Tilda Shalof was an ICU nurse at Toronto General Hospital for nearly three decades, and in that time, she collected hundreds of lids, levers, screws, and connectors of various colours. Why? Because none of them were true biomedical waste.

Having been removed from their tools before use and otherwise untouched, Shalof decided to bring the pieces home and put them to use again. With the help of two experienced artists, she created a thirty-six square foot mosaic of reds, blues, greens, yellows, purples, and oranges. The finished product has been mounted on the wall of Shalof’s old workplace.

The nurse-turned-radiologist even took the time to describe what the parts were all for. Everything from blood culture case lids to adrenaline injection tops make up the mosaic, all colour coded differently. The artwork, according to Shalof, is a sort of farewell to the many patients she tended to at Toronto General Hospital.

Shalof’s new radiology career is at a different hospital, and though she keeps on collecting pieces, she writes books in her spare time, too. In more ways than one, she has managed to turn waste into wonder and keep her creativity flowing. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/393-longtime-nurse-turns-hospital-s-trash-into-treasure.html

Ohio Inmates Construct Computers out of Trash to Obtain Internet Connection

Hacker News

A 2015 incident has been released to the public about two prisoners in an Ohio jail who created personal computers from discarded electronic parts. The inmates were able to conceal the computers in the training room ceiling and hook the devices up to the internet through the prison network.

This occurrence came to light after a year of collecting evidence in a recent fifty page report, written by the state’s Office of the Inspector. The parts recovered by inmates were part of a program in the correctional facility to reuse pieces of old electronics, reducing the building’s waste.

The two prisoners quickly secured a network connection to their devices and began looking through the digital files of their peers. Furthering their legal offence, they found ways to create imitation passes for restricted areas, fraudulent credit cards, and fatal weaponry. It was also determined that pornography sites, online chat rooms, forged signature certificates, and other related media were accessed.

Although only two inmates executed the entirety of the plan, they were aided by three others along the way, all of whom had some kind of involvement with the correctional facility’s rehabilitation programs. Each of the five prisoners is now in a new building.

Ohio’s prison staff will put preventative measures into place for the future, being sure to maintain programs that will allow behaved inmates to grow.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/395-ohio-inmates-construct-computers-out-of-trash-to-obtain-internet-connection.html

How One NGO is Using Recycled ‘Mata Ki Chunni’ to Make Wedding Dresses for the Under-Privileged

An Indian wedding is a big event in just about all possible ways. But it’s also expensive for many family, especially those with less money to spend on the event.

That’s why an NGO called Goonj, based in Delhi, has made it their mission to make sure people with limited financial resources to have all they desire out of their wedding. Goonj goes about this by obtaining wedding dresses that have been worn from people in wealthier cities, redesigning them and then distributing them through local panchayats to people in rural areas.

How? By reusing and recycling ‘mata ki chunni’ (which is often used in large amounts in religious ceremonies) to manufacture lehengas for women getting married. Since many dispose of their chunnis into the river or simply give them away to others, Goonj is asking for people to donate these items to make wedding kits.

With a touch of innovation and skill, this shimmery cloth makes can be used to make stunning apparel. Then there are the kits, which come with an assortment of items like purses, footwear, clothing, cosmetics and other makeup. Because of this, much of the expense for the bride’s and bridegroom’s kin is gone and now the wedding can be had for much less.

Since being founded, Goonj has been able to send 100s of kits to people in various regions, making so many lives better. Those who receive these kits talk about how they exceed their expectations and allow them to experience a bit of luxury that they would otherwise never have.

A standard Wedding Kit comes with wedding dresses for both the bridegroom and the bride, footwear, a purse, jewelry, general clothing, bed sheets, a set of utensils etc.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/392-how-one-ngo-is-using-recycled-mata-ki-chunni-to-make-wedding-dresses-for-the-under-privileged.html

The First Ever Thrift Mall has Opened in Sweden

If you enjoy hunting for good deals and being eco-friendly, you’ll love the new mall in Eskilstuna, Sweden, that exclusively houses secondhand products in both original and repaired condition.

The shopping center, dubbed ReTuna Återbruksgalleria, allows shoppers to recycle their old items and take home new ones in a single trip. Donated items are cleaned and repaired as needed before being set up into smaller individual shops that each cater to a theme, including textiles, electronics, and outdoor equipment.

For hungry customers, ReTuna Återbruksgalleria offers an organic restaurant, and for those wanting to learn more about being kinder to the earth, there exists a specialized education program for recycling studies within the walls of the center.

Not only has this revolutionary new mall prevented garbage buildup by more than a margin, it has also provided fifty stable jobs for Swedish entrepreneurs and repair workers. These employment and waste reduction benefits are nothing to scoff at, and in fact set an example for other developed countries.

This new facility has produced nothing but positive results. The nation’s people can participate proudly, knowing they have contributed to the preservation of the planet and saved money while doing it. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/391-the-first-ever-thrift-mall-has-opened-in-sweden.html

Got Garbage? Get a Fire-Breathing Drone

There could be no need for dumps or days dedicated to street cleaning in the future thanks to a utility company located in the Chinese city of Xiangyang. Their newest and perhaps most useful creation is a remote controlled fire-breathing drone that incinerates waste with just a few powerful blasts.

It was the constant garbage pileup on local power lines that prompted the development of this unconventional product. Currently, a cherry picker equipped with several technicians travels to the pileup points and manually cleans the lines. It’s a fine fix for the time being, but it’s too dangerous and time-consuming to continue indefinitely.

By bringing fire-breathing drones into the picture, the job becomes effortless, and technicians can focus on more important tasks. The clean-up team is swapped out with one drone managed by a pair of workers, who control the drone to set the garbage aflame from the safety of the ground below.

A project as specific as this one will need time before it’s perfect and readily available. The firestarter drone isn’t, however, the first of its kind. Last year, the US formally tested flame-equipped drones approved by the FAA and NASA to spark fires that remained tame. Additionally, university researchers at the Homestead National Monument of America, located in Nebraska, experimented with a different drone that serves the same purpose. This drone releases flammable pellets that ignite upon impact, and it managed to spread fire across twenty-six acres of long grass.

Even more bizarre is the possibility of drone-cooking, which uses a firestarter drone to torch raw food into a hot meal. So far, only a turkey has been tested on. As long as they serve a good purpose, drones are sure to be part of our future.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/390-got-garbage-get-a-fire-breathing-drone.html

Bottle Deposits to End Plastic Ocean Pollution

How? By introducing a small and refundable deposit on all cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles to help promote recycling for the 16 million plastic bottles that are thrown in the trash every day.
 

Why does this matter?
 

In the United Kingdom for example, over 38.5 million single-use plastic bottles and 58 million cans are used by consumers every day. Worse, only half of these wind up recycle, so it’s not surprising that so many wind up in our oceans and our beaches.
 

Plastic bottles also take about 450 years to fully break down, which can kill ocean life, harm ecosystems and harm our beaches.
 

By putting a small deposit on all cans and plastic bottles, we could hugely increase the amount recycled, thereby reducing marine plastic pollution.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/389-bottle-deposits-to-end-plastic-ocean-pollution.html

Volvo’s First Electric Car is Coming Fast

The company’s first electric car is expected by 2019 and costs $40,000. More details have been revealed by Volvo about the car it plans to bring to market in 2019.

The company told automotive news that the car’s range will be 250 miles and it will cost between $35,000-$40,000 for a starter model.
 

This is the latest development in a market battle among the automotive giants. They want to compete with companies like GM by producing long-range electric vehicles that can be mass marketed and outdo previous versions.
 

The Chevy Bolt by GM starts at $36,620 and comes with a 238-mile range. Tesla is also upping its game with a new Model 3 Sedan, expected to cost $35,000 and come with a range of 215, by the end of the year.
 

However, Volvo has yet to provide details on the specific kind of electric vehicle it will bring to market in 2019. The Swedish car giant entered the electric vehicle space in August 2015 by releasing a plug-in hybrid version of its XC90 SUV. By 2025, the company is hoping to put one million electric vehicles on the road worldwide.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/388-volvo-s-first-electric-car-is-coming-fast.html

Exercise Clothes, Yoga Pants may be #1 Cause of Sea Pollution

According to scientists and researchers from the Gulf Coast, comfy clothes are a major culprit when it comes to the plastic that's being found in oceans and perhaps even getting into seafood. A 2-year long study has begun to examine microscopic plastics in the Texas and Florida Keys waters.

The initiative, headed by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium will also look into the fact that an alarming amount of microfibers — even tinier than microbeads — were found trickling down faucets and drains.

Yoga bottoms, fleece-lined coats, sweat-resistant athletic gear and other clothing produced from synthetic material sheds microscopic plastic fibers — also known as "microfibers" — when laundered. Wastewater systems flush the microfibers into natural waterways, eventually reaching the sea. Marine animals can even ingest these harmful microfibers.

Scientists at first expected to mainly find microbeads — those infamous tiny plastic balls that United States banned from all cosmetic products 2 years ago due to the hazardous affect on the environment and wildlife.

What we need is an improvement in washing machine technology and also in waste water treatment plants so that we can perhaps begin to filter out these fibres. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/386-exercise-clothes-yoga-pants-may-be-1-cause-of-sea-pollution.html

Here is Your Daily Reminder to Just Hang in There!

A real-life motivation poster appeared on Friday, when a commuter noticed a raccoon hanging onto the back of a garbage truck as both vehicles were moving along the streets of Arlington, Virginia. The commuter was naturally taken aback by the sight of a raccoon hanging onto the garbage truck for dear life.


After spotting the animal in the Rosslyn neighborhood, a reporter from Politico let the garbage truck driver know what was going on. Three police officers eventually made their way to the scene with catch poles, only to discover that the raccoon was now inside the truck container. Once the raccoon was safely captured, it was returned to a nearby park. Animal Disposal Services later reported that the animal had been safely removed from the situation and that it was now safely back in its natural surroundings.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/383-here-is-your-daily-reminder-to-just-hang-in-there.html

Imperfect Vegetables Need Love Too!

Are you a picky eater? How do you feel about the way your food “looks”? Many of us have foods that we like and dislike. However, an alarming number of people base their prejudices with food on not just how the food tastes, but on how the food looks. When it comes to fruits and veggies in particular, some have the following train of thought - “If it looks weird, or even gross, then it’s probably going to make me sick in some form or fashion.”


This is a terrible way to think about food, particularly items like fruits and vegetables. It amounts to a great deal of waste. This is waste that damages our planet, hurts your wallet, and destroys food that is largely no different from anything that “looks” fine.


More specifically, it is waste that we can do something about.


An Easy Way To Prevent Food Waste?
 

For a while now, overseas markets throughout the North America and Europe have been selling fruits and veggies at a discounted price, and the only qualification is that the fruit has to be “ugly.” New Zealand has also recently started a similar initiative.


Created by Countdown Supermarket, The Odd Bunch has been created as a means of selling produce with minor imperfections at a discounted price. The idea is to give a new lease on life to fruits and vegetables that are otherwise fine, beyond a few minor visual problems, while also offering consumers the chance to get fantastic produce at a discounted price.


The endeavor is working from humble beginnings, at least for now. Half-damaged stone fruit and carrots will be made available at the start, and you can expect more fruits and veggies to make their way to shelves through this initiative over the coming months.


Remember while shopping that just because something looks a little beat-up, it doesn’t mean that it is actually bad. Soft tomatoes can make for a great sauce. Floury apples can be used in a variety of different recipes. You can even cut the bruised bits away from pieces of stone fruit. 

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/382-imperfect-vegetables-need-love-too.html

Tips to Stop Wasting Food

Most of us don’t set out to waste food. We do our best, but there are still times when we have to justify throwing something out. This could be some bread that we didn’t get around to finishing, some yogurt, fruit, or even some neglected leftovers. We’re of course not thrilled to be throwing these things away. Most of us understand the various short-term and long-term consequences of wasting food, to both ourselves, and to the world at large.

Concerns About Wasting Food 

Food waste can create methane gases in landfills, which is one of the major contributors to climate change. For these reasons alone, not to mention the fact that wasted resources could have been used to theoretically feed more people, are all things to keep in mind. It compels us to face the reality that if anything is going to change for the better in terms of wasting food, then all of us will need to reevaluate our behavior.

Unfortunately, making changes in this arena can prove to be easier said than done. To be fair, people have a lot of questions about food in terms of saving, preserving it, and expiration dates. There are also naturally concerns related to cleanliness and health. After all, no one wants to get sick from eating something that’s gone bad.

The good news is that there are several things you can do in order to lessen food wastage. These are things you can do that will not put your health at risk and better yet, they’re super simple!

How To Stop Wasting Food

• Keep a diary: For one week, keep a diary of all the food that you throw out. If possible, figure out how much you throw out in a given day, how much money you’re wasting each day, and why you threw the items out in the first place. At the end of the week, you should have a clear idea of your behavior. At this point, you can likely spot and make a number of simple changes on your own.

• Make a list: Before you go shopping, make sure you have a list that is as specific as possible. This can prevent you from buying stuff you don’t need or buying too much of something.

• Storage: Make sure you are storing things correctly, including fruit like apples and oranges.

• Ask around: There are groups on Facebook and elsewhere that are dedicated to helping people reduce the amount of food they waste. Don’t be afraid to explore these resources for yourself.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/381-tips-to-stop-wasting-food.html

Garbage Disposal Care Tips

One of the great things about garbage disposals is that they’re fairly low maintenance. There are however, a few simple tips to keep in mind in order to avoid damaging your disposal:

• Avoid Fibrous Foods: This list includes banana skins, broccoli, celery, corn husks, and potato peels. These can get tangled up in the blades, stopping them altogether.
• Bones and Eggshells: These can cause damage to the blades over time.
• When Retrieving an Item from your Disposal: The first thing you are going to want to do is make sure the disposal has been switched off. Even when it is, you don’t want to use your hands to get anything out. Tongs are a smarter tool. If you have to remove items that are tangled in the disposal, make sure to use the wrench that came with your garbage disposal.
• Bad Odours: You can eliminate awful odours by adding cut up lemons to your disposal, turning it on, and adding warm water. Avoid hot water, as it can actually worsen the clog.
• Cleaning: Ice cubes and 1 cup of rock salt can accomplish a lot. Run it for a few seconds, but don’t use things like bleach or commercial drain cleaner.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/380-garbage-disposal-care-tips.html

Tory Abandons Own Waste Collection Privatization Plans

Opting to avoid being associated with a failure, Mayor Tory has taken leave of his plan to contract out garbage. A recent staff report on the issue has been sent back for additional study and it would seem that at least for the time being, the issue has been closed.

The Death of a 2014 Campaign Promise 

When the possibility of defeat on a 2014 campaign promise to further privatize waste collection became increasingly apparent, Mayor John Tory did what might have been the only sensible thing that could be done. He now says that additional facts are going to be needed on this issue, which has divided council to a significant degree in recent times.

Critics of the plan point to the fact that Mayor Tory has struggled to generate necessary support for the measure. Had Mayor Tory continued on with his initial plan and 2014 campaign promise, he may have found himself staring down the barrel of his most significant defeat before council in recent memory.

A vote of 40-4 was passed in favor of tabling the measure for additional research and discussion.

CUPE Local 416 members were in attendance for the decision. Their reaction to the news was one of celebration. The Local 416 President in particular celebrated the announcement, while making it clear that this decision clearly favored the people of Toronto. Lobbying by anti-privatization groups throughout the area were extremely vocal during the debate on the measure.

To be sure, Tory and his supporters tried on repeated occasions to create a positive image of their intentions. Tory went so far as to pose for a photograph with a West End family, which has been enjoying a number of cost-saving benefits since implementing private waste collection measures over twenty years ago. However, a meeting held by the public works committee indicated that it actually costs less per household to have municipal employees handle picking up trash in one area, as opposed to the cost-saving benefits enjoyed by another area.

Where does the Measure go from Here 

The Toronto Environmental Alliance also weighed in on the issue. They said that diversion rates for waste are lower west of Yonge Street served through private collectors, as opposed to Scarborough. TEA has also demanded more information on this complex issue.

When will the issue come up again? There is a good deal of debate on the subject. Opponents are confident that this issue will not return prior to the next municipal election. City council has been praised for making the decision to wait for more information to come through. We can be certain that this additional information is going to come at some point in the near future. What this information is going to reveal is currently a matter of debate. For now, opponents are confident that they are not going to have to worry about this issue for a long time to come. Tory himself has been praised for handling the situation in a way that allows for both sides to take a break, gather more information, and return at some point to resume the conversation. It is believed that an action such as this one will keep the city of Toronto from descending into needless, destructive bickering.

At the same time, the decision is being praised as a clear way to avoid a rash decision. Opponents of privatizing waste management believe that Toronto residents have earned a respite from an issue that became very serious, very quickly.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/378-tory-abandons-own-waste-collection-privatization-plans.html

Sweden to Import Trash from Other Countries

Sweden is once again creating effective solutions for waste management in perhaps the most globally impactful way yet. Waste management is not a new problem and remains a rapidly growing problem that worsens year after year, lacking the resolutions/advancement necessary to handle the issue.

"There is no end in sight to this trend. Public waste systems in cities cannot keep pace with urban expansion.” the U.N. agency notes.

And while many countries have failed to efficiently resolve their waste management issues, Sweden is capitalizing on them. The frigid country that prides itself as being environmentally advanced, has created a waste management system that turns the energy produced from waste into recyclable power that is used to heat the country throughout the harsh winters.

The revolutionary recycling system is so efficient that the country has begun to run out of enough waste to consistently heat the nation properly and so has created innovative measures that will benefit multiple nations.

Sweden, taking note that other countries are still not capitalizing off of the power that is generated from waste management, has reached out to neighboring countries such as England and Norway to actually import their trash to recycle for its energy producing qualities.

The neighboring countries that are participating now have the opportunity to dispose of their waste in a beneficial manner which makes the Swedish recycling system one of the most globally impactful in the world to date. By assisting in the resolution of waste management in multiple nations, the recycling system the Scandinavian country has implemented should have waste powerhouses such as the U.S. and Japan taking note.

Not only does Sweden benefit from the heat that they will produce from the recyclable waste, but they’re also being paid to take on the international trash.

With over half of the world’s population lacking access to proper waste management facilities and systems, this could be the answer everyone has been looking for.

Source: http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/377-sweden-to-import-trash-from-other-countries.html