Earth – Towards sustainability

Apr, 2022

Waste Recovery: Taking Care Of The Planet And Its Wallet

The safeguarding of the planet is nowadays at the heart of all discussions. Indeed, several actions are carried out in this direction by the leaders in the world. These actions have led to the creation of innovative techniques whose role is to ensure the protection of the planet. This is the case of waste recovery. If, like many, you do not know what is the recovery of waste and its usefulness, no need to worry. Discover in this article some answers.

What is waste recovery?

The definition of this technique varies from one recycling specialist to another. Also known as waste reclamation, this technique is a set of processes aimed at transforming waste into another material usable by humans. Indeed, this waste can be changed into any type of material and energy product.

According to ADEME (Agency of Environment and Energy Management), the recovery of waste is subject to another definition. It considers a technique promoting the reuse and recycling of waste, reusable materials, and energy. For this agency, waste recovery is quite economical in raw materials and respects the environment.

The law that introduced waste recovery came into force on July 13, 1992. Since then, this method has been extremely successful. There are several reasons for this. The main one is that this method brings an added value to the waste by removing it from the collection and treatment circuits. Thus, the recovery of waste is totally opposed to its elimination.

What are the different types of waste recovery?

Over time, waste recovery has improved. Indeed, it knew some contributions and modifications. Today, this technique is declined in various forms. To be more precise, it exists under three types: material recovery, organic recovery, and energy recovery. In a few lines, here is a presentation of each of these varieties of waste recovery.

The material recovery

The material recovery takes into account partially or entirely a material (waste). This type of waste recovery inserts the said material into a new production process. For example, let’s take the example of used plastic bottles. These are melted down in order to be transformed into synthetic fibers. This waste is used for a different purpose.

Organic recovery

Organic recovery is a technique that works in a slightly different way. Indeed, it uses two methods, composting and methanization. The waste is transformed into compost and is used to regenerate the soil. This waste can also be transformed into methane. Methane can be used as natural gas.

Energy recovery

Like organic recovery, energetic recovery has a particular way of working. In this case, the waste is incinerated in specially designed furnaces. The heat from this combustion is used to supply heating systems. It can even be used to supply electricity to homes.

What is the purpose of waste recovery?

As you can already imagine, waste recovery has many advantages. To begin with, it allows us to protect the environment and save the planet on which we live. Indeed, this technique allows reducing the quantity of waste present on earth considerably. Some studies estimate its reduction rate at 70%.

The recovery of waste allows us to save the planet; it guarantees better health to its inhabitants. This technique is also economical. It allows reducing the amount of fuel bills since it produces fuel. In summary, we can say that waste recovery is a beneficial technique on various levels. Indeed, it takes care of the planet and its wallet.

Thrift

Second-hand does not have the bad image it had 20 years ago. The shame of wearing clothes already used by others is over, and this act has become trendy from a clothing point of view, ecological and political. Fed up with overconsumption, let’s change things!

You will find vintage stores everywhere that offer you nuggets at very (very) affordable prices. Go to second-hand bookstores, where you will find the latest Marc Levy, the first Balzac, and lost pockets that are just waiting for you to relive their stories. This is a trend that has been accelerated by the health crisis, as people are becoming more and more aware.

Spend an hour on online resale sites before going to the store to buy a new TV, there are probably people who are reselling theirs and will go buy another one, but with the one you’re taking back, that’s still one less in the garbage.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about being eco-friendly.

Mar, 2022

Top 5 Things Everyone Can Do To Save Our Planet

As far as we are concerned, there is only one planet with a livable atmosphere that can sustain human life, but we are out there acting like we have several options if this planet dies out. We only have one planet, and we need to start to act like it and start taking steps to be more ecologically friendly. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of the things that everyone can do to save other Earth.

1. Eat local and in season

It sounds silly when you say it like that, but eating oranges in July or strawberries in winter is not normal. So let’s stop trying to satisfy our desires with impunity and get back to a natural rhythm: let’s eat tangerines in December and strawberries in May (with whipped cream). You will have only benefits, both in terms of your health (fruits and vegetables will have more vitamins), your taste buds (more taste in foods that had seen the sun when they needed it), and your ecological conscience (no need to bring strawberries from Kenya and pollute the planet excessively).

2. Repair rather than throw away

Programmed obsolescence has changed the way we consume. If our grandfathers and grandmothers used to repair their socks with holes and their washing machines, today we throw away and buyback. The big companies have managed their business well and charge more for a repair part than for a new machine. Let’s unite against this obsolescence that pollutes everything, and let’s repair what we can.

Let’s relearn how to sew a button, a piece of sock. Let’s repair our bikes in the many cafés and workshops that offer them. Let’s take care of our stuff, so we don’t have to replace it every 6 months. Some major brands have understood that the overconsumption of fashion is starting to weigh on many customers. For example, to reduce waste, Nike will resell slightly used shoes.

3. Reduce waste

On average, 345 kg of food is wasted per year per person in Belgium! We are rarely aware of our waste, but it is a sad reality. It’s time to change things and put new habits in place. If you never finish your plates and half of the dish goes in the garbage, maybe you should reduce the quantities. Buying (glass) Tupperware to take your leftovers to work or school the next day is a good idea to avoid waste.

Waste doesn’t just happen at home; there’s also a lot of it in restaurants and supermarkets. The Too Good to Go app allows retailers and restaurant owners to offer last-minute resale products that are no longer available in stores/restaurants at a lower cost. You reserve a basket/meal and can pick it up once the merchant’s day is over. You can have delicious surprises and receive a basket of vegetables for a small fee!

4. Buy second hand

5. Reduce your consumption of meat and fish

Even if it will not solve the climate crisis, meat production remains one of the biggest sources of planetary pollution: huge use of water, surface (deforestation), energy, fuel. On top of that, animal abuse is sometimes unbearable (who hasn’t seen videos of chicks being crushed?) and tends to influence more and more people on the way they consume.

You don’t necessarily have to become vegan tomorrow, but you can reduce your meat and fish consumption while favoring organic and local sources; after some time of market adaptation, things will eventually change.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more ways in which you can save our planet.

Sep, 2021

Earth Overshoot Day: Humanity Has Already Exhausted the Planet’s Resources.

As of July 29, 2021, humanity is living on credit. The day of overshoot marks the symbolic date when human beings are supposed to have consumed all the renewable resources that the planet is capable of providing them in one year. From this day on, we are drawing irrevocably from the Earth’s natural reserves.

We are using 70 % more than the Earth can renew, but how long will we live above the set amount of resources? Just think about it as your savings; if you are living beyond your means and tapping into your savings each month…how long will it take before you run out of money?

We have been overshooting the planet’s resources since 1970. 1970 was the last year that the overshoot occurred in December. Since then, we have been running out during the first three quarters of the year.

How Much Earth Will We Need?

Earth, Planet, Space, World, Celestial Object — Will We Need More Earth?

It is also on the basis of a similar calculation that we can estimate the number of planet Earths that humanity would need to have to sustain its consumption of renewable resources in one year. Estimated at 1.7 in 2017, it could probably exceed two before the middle of the twenty-first century.

The exceedance day can also be calculated on a country scale. In France, the overshoot occurred this year on May 5. If a country’s overshoot day occurs earlier than the global exceedance day, it means that this country has a higher domestic consumption than the global average.

If all the world’s population consumed renewable resources like France, humanity would increase its ecological deficit. It would take 2.9 Earths to sustain humanity if everyone lived like the French.

According to the World Wildlife Fund’s yearly “Living Planet Report,” which assesses our ecological impact, we will require a second planet by 2030 and the equivalent of 2.8 planets by 2050 to fulfill our material requirements if things carry on in the same vein.

Why Are We Overshooting Earth?

Over-fishing.

Overfishing is commonly described as the tragedy of the commons, which occurs when a shared, restricted resource is depleted as a result of people acting in self-interest for short-term benefit. Fish do not belong to anybody or any country since they are not restricted to a certain location, such as inside national borders. Even if one country restricts its capture, others are likely to compensate.

Growing population.

The U.S. population multiplied from 130 million to more than 260 million during the past 60 years and is calculated to double again to 520 million throughout the next 60 years based on the current rate of increase of 1.1 percent per year.

Overpopulation has been seen through the significant rise in human activity—damming of rivers, rising water usage, expansion of agriculture, increasing use of irrigation and fertilizers, loss of forests, and more motor vehicles since World War 2. There has also been a dramatic increase in the usage of coal, oil, and gas, as well as a quick increase in the amount of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which are greenhouse gases produced by changes in land use and combustion of such fuels.

How Can You Reduce The Use Of Natural Resources?

Windmill, Trees, Sustainability, Wind Turbine, Nature — Try To Use Natural Renewable Energy Sources.

Save Water

We are new to this, and we are still repeating ourselves. We need water to survive, and the human body cannot go three days without water, which means that wasting water will be detrimental to humanity.

Some tips will be to take showers instead of a bath, of course, run shorter showers and turn off the faucet if you are not using water. Small actions will eventually add up for greater differences.

Energy Consumption

Try to look for environmentally friendly ways to consume energy; for example, opt for solar panels and wind energy.

The installation of renewable energy may cost a little more than gas but keep in mind that it is only the installation and you won’t have to pay as much each month if anything.

Recycle

Try to recycle items like plastic bottles or even cardboard. It will help in reusing the materials that you already have. You can also opt for reuse; for example, do not throw away the ice cream tubs and use them to conserve food.

Each one of us can make a difference. We need to realize the importance of preserving our natural resources. Let us know in the comments what you think of earth overshoot…

Tag Archives: Earth