by Louise Longworth
There can be very few people on the planet who have not heard someone talking about carbon footprints and how the amount of energy that we use, particularly in the west, is damaging the planet. Nowadays, an increasing number of people are looking for ways to make their lives and their homes energy efficient, but those of us living in Hertfordshire still want to keep warm during the harsh UK winters.
One way of saving energy is to have double glazed windows and doors installed in your home. If you think it is time you had new windows then this is the ideal opportunity to choose an energy efficent option. An increasing number of people who live in the Hertfordshire area of England are opting for double rather than single glazed windows and doors.
You don't have to have PVCu windows if you don't want them as there is a choice of materials, colour and style of modern double glazed windows and doors. If you prefer wooden framed windows then you can have them instead of plastic or aluminium, so your Hertfordshire cottage's appearance isn't compromised.
You can choose the style and material of your windows so that it complements the existing style of your home or you can give your property a complete new look with rosewood coloured frames rather than simple white. You can choose from leaded pane windows, diamond or square.
Another benefit is that it will mute the sound of noise that is outside your home and make life a lot more pleasant. It helps keep the heat within your home and the wind and cold outside of it. Many people think that the initial cost is well worth the savings made in heating costs and in energy.
If you see yourself as an eco friendly person then why not make your home more eco friendly? Windows that are double glazed are virtually air tight, which means your home is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Less energy escapes into the atmosphere, so you use less and this in turn decreases your carbon footprint.
You may have thought the range of styles was limited, but you would be mistaken. There is a wide choice of styles and materials available and you can choose from traditionally styled windows to ultra modern themes. It is designed to last for years and can add to the value of your home as well as make it look a lot more attractive. So next time you decide that your property needs a thorough overhaul, consider the benefits of double glazed windows and doors in your home improvement plans.
Find out more about double glazing, Hertfordshire by visiting http://www.markwell-ltd.com/AboutUs/Articles/DoubleGlazingHertfordshire.aspx
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Computer Electronics Recycling - Why Not Just Toss It?
by Louise Longworth
No matter what kind of electronic device you own, when you are finished with it, whether it is broken or you just updated to a new model, you need to recycle your old one. In fact, there are new environmental laws that require computer electronics recycling, and you can incur fines if you just throw it away, as it is deemed hazardous waste.
So what can you do instead of throwing it away? There are actually many companies that will take just about anything you want to give them. This may include cell phones, IT devices, laptops, home and office computers, as well as DVD players, television sets, and just about anything else electronic.
There are also charities that would welcome home electronics, which they in turn give to individuals as well as families in need. Some of these may also be given to thrift stores, which will clean them up and sell them at a reduced cost. Some recycling centers may even give you money for recycling some of these products.
One of the questions often asked concerning items given to these companies is what happens to them. Obviously they are not put in landfills, but just where do they go?
Some businesses may also be concerned over the contents of IT products, namely sensitive documents and other important information. For businesses recycling office electronics, the first thing that happens is retrieval of these files, which are then returned to the company. All memory and mother boards are entirely erased.
Equipment that is in perfectly good condition may be donated to organisations that help the needy. For other products whether taken from companies or individuals, what can be fixed is, and what can not is taken apart. These parts are used in other products, and what just can't be used is broken down, or melted down if it is metal, and recycled into other products. Nothing is wasted. If you are a business, you can get a full report on where everything finally wound up, in case you need to report this information.
There are many reasons why it is important that these electronics don't wind up in local landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency deems these as hazardous waste, and this is very true. Laptops, I-Pods and other items contain batteries that are considered hazardous because of the chemical components, such as nickel cadmium, lithium and many others.
There are many other components that have different chemicals as well, like the mother boards, circuits, and even some that have old cathode ray tubes, and monitors. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause these to leak, leaching into the ground, contaminating underground water sources, and also ruining the soil. These items do not break down as normal. The metal casings, and plastic components can be there for many years.
It is important for businesses as well as individuals to do their part to prevent these from ruining the environment. This not only helps our planet, conserves our dwindling resources, but also helps those less fortunate than we are to have some of the electronic necessities that they could not otherwise afford.
Find out more about computer electronics recycling by visiting http://www.recyclingyourit.co.uk
No matter what kind of electronic device you own, when you are finished with it, whether it is broken or you just updated to a new model, you need to recycle your old one. In fact, there are new environmental laws that require computer electronics recycling, and you can incur fines if you just throw it away, as it is deemed hazardous waste.
So what can you do instead of throwing it away? There are actually many companies that will take just about anything you want to give them. This may include cell phones, IT devices, laptops, home and office computers, as well as DVD players, television sets, and just about anything else electronic.
There are also charities that would welcome home electronics, which they in turn give to individuals as well as families in need. Some of these may also be given to thrift stores, which will clean them up and sell them at a reduced cost. Some recycling centers may even give you money for recycling some of these products.
One of the questions often asked concerning items given to these companies is what happens to them. Obviously they are not put in landfills, but just where do they go?
Some businesses may also be concerned over the contents of IT products, namely sensitive documents and other important information. For businesses recycling office electronics, the first thing that happens is retrieval of these files, which are then returned to the company. All memory and mother boards are entirely erased.
Equipment that is in perfectly good condition may be donated to organisations that help the needy. For other products whether taken from companies or individuals, what can be fixed is, and what can not is taken apart. These parts are used in other products, and what just can't be used is broken down, or melted down if it is metal, and recycled into other products. Nothing is wasted. If you are a business, you can get a full report on where everything finally wound up, in case you need to report this information.
There are many reasons why it is important that these electronics don't wind up in local landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency deems these as hazardous waste, and this is very true. Laptops, I-Pods and other items contain batteries that are considered hazardous because of the chemical components, such as nickel cadmium, lithium and many others.
There are many other components that have different chemicals as well, like the mother boards, circuits, and even some that have old cathode ray tubes, and monitors. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause these to leak, leaching into the ground, contaminating underground water sources, and also ruining the soil. These items do not break down as normal. The metal casings, and plastic components can be there for many years.
It is important for businesses as well as individuals to do their part to prevent these from ruining the environment. This not only helps our planet, conserves our dwindling resources, but also helps those less fortunate than we are to have some of the electronic necessities that they could not otherwise afford.
Find out more about computer electronics recycling by visiting http://www.recyclingyourit.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)