Industrial Water Filtration & Wash Water Recycling System

While digging around for Greywater solutions I came across Enviroblast. While working for a sustainability company we looked at the possible ROI on sales to companies of rainwater harvesting systems for equipment or vehicle clean up. The biggest issue we came across was that business could access water a cheap rates.

But “doing the right thing ” was why many of the businesses we spoke to purchased large water tank solutions.

Enviroblast designs, manufactures and is a distributor of commercial grade, environmentally compliant high pressure cleaning equipment. They manufacture and distribute a range of products providing solutions for equipment wash downs, decontamination and corrosion control. Systems are often purpose built and cost effective wash water solutions to suit the specific needs of any industry. Impressive list of clients this business should have a bright future.

These systems should be considered mandatory if you operate a fleet of any kind.

Greywater Solutions

There are far too many options to put in one post. I have provided a summary here and will look at the different solutions in upcoming posts.

This all came about because I need to install a grey water solution to keep my young garden going this summer. With the hottest November night on record last night my and high temperature today my backyard is going to look like outback in a month. So my mission is to find a cheap automated solution. I want to collect water from the show and the bath and run in to the lower area of my garden.

The domestic or household wastewater that comes from the laundry and bathroom is called ‘greywater’. Toilet water is termed ‘blackwater’ and although kitchen water is technically termed greywater, it is treated as blackwater.

Recycling household greywater for use on garden beds is an excellent way of saving water . Unlike rainwater, especially in Australia, which is seasonally available. Greywater is available every time you shower or wash. The average house creates up to 83,000 litres of greywater per year.

BTW – Waterlogs are working wonders on my cucumbers!

The Prius 45,000 seat facebook bus.

I thought I’d look into how to use the internet to push an environmental friendly vehicle such as the Prius.

I’ve had a lot of experience marketing cars online especially for Honda and Mazda here in Australia. But how do you market a car that has questionable environmental impact (due to battery production and shipping) and low quality driver experience?

I have now read a lot of reviews, which suggest for the same price and better fuel performance I would be better buying one of the new gen diesel vehicles. I must admit I do and because I wanted the performace and driving experience while reducing fuel consumption.

Hybrid cars are not a new concept with Ferdinand Porsche, in 1899 as a young engineer at Jacob Lohner & Co. created the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. It wasn’t until the 1980′s that the idea was brought back in to the light. Interestingly it was Audi in 1989 with the 100 Duo a plug-in parallel hybrid based on the Audi 100 Avant quattro. But no more than 10 were produced. Audi continued to work on the idea with a few releases. In 2010 they will release the A1 a sporting looking car with reasonable 110 kW (150 bhp) compared to the 57 kW (76 hp) in the Prius. But I digress… if you want to know more visit Hybrid Vehicle History website. http://www.hybrid-vehicle.org/

Green Cell Phone Towers

Driving past a few towers this morning I remembered a conversation I had a while ago. Why don’t they mount wind turbines or solar panels to the towers? Some of the new turbines are cheaper and quieter than before. Something like the Conenergy “Proven 15” which can generate enough power for 6 homes should make a big difference to the carbon footprint of an individual tower.

Most towers are in suburban areas and sound from turbines could be an issue. Some of the sub 6kW turbines 30-40m up a pole are not going to make too much noise. There will always be that one little old man who needs to write another complaint letter.

There are also new turbine designs like the Helix being  tested in the US which looks like a ripped-in-half colorbond water tanks. The trial of turbines in the progressive US state of California will be watched closely by network providers world wide (or should be). More information on the Helix test.

Selling Green with Social Networks

Social Network Marketing should be part of any Green business marketing strategy. Many marketers fail because the give up on the daily effort to grow and maintain a tribe-like following. Why would anybody follow a leader who doesn’t say anything? There are some basic rules and considerations to any SNM campaign the first being “frequency”. Yes that can be a tuff task – but honestly why can’t you spare 15 minutes with your morning coffee to make a post?

15 minutes will cover your Facebook and Twitter accounts. But in the grander scheme you may need to broaden your tool-kit by using Youtube, blogs, reviews, Linkedin, bookmark sharing sites and even eDM  ( and the list goes on and on). But a daily schedule that can be shared amongst staff will get you up and running very quickly.

Why should a green business use Social Network Marketing?

• 80% of internet users are using some form of SNM to interact with businesses.
• 60% of users think that they can use social media to influence business, improve products and services.
• 20% trust advertising, 60% trust editorials, and 80% trust reviews written by other consumers

Telstra aims to reduce Carbon footprint by 10%

Telstra chief executive officer David Thodey today announced a target to reduce the company’s carbon emissions intensity by at least 10 per cent by 2015.

The scary part is that in 2008/09 Telstra emitted 1.52 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, or 64 tonnes per million dollars of domestic revenue. Remember, an average Australian household generates around 14 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Telstra to reduce this to at least 58 tonnes per million dollars of domestic revenue by 2015.

Is this enough? Telstra cycle through their IT and carfleets on a regular basis. An ongoing replace and renewal program should see a greater decrease in their footprint.

Many corporations will plant trees in good faith. Credit to Telstra for their attempts to reuse, reduce and recycle. Let’s see how long it will take for them to start advertising and marketing green products or services.

We are watching!

Telstra’s Environmental Projects

Save my veggies Waterlog from another dry summer.

I look out side and see the grey cloud promising but not delivering on the rain. Like many of home owners in the area the hours of hard work in the garden is about to be wasted. Another year of low rains and Spring tempatures setting new records.

We only have limited rainwater harvesting until the renovations are complete. So looking for ideas especially for the veggie patch. The native garden is looked after by water from the shower which isn’t suitable for the veggie patch.

I have come across a new product which I’m hoping will save some of my new trees and even the veggie patch. So I’m running an experiment with Waterlog in part of the veggie garden and large pot with a tomato plant.

Each waterlog tube is equivalent to hundreds of litres of water used in traditional irrigation. Other benefits include:

• Waterlog replaces the need to use tap water or irrigation pipelines.
• There is no need to worry about increasing water costs or the availability of water if restrictions are in place.
• It decreases the evaporation and leakage of water and does not release any harmful bi-products or residue into the soil during degradation.
• Waterlog ensures a high plant survival rate, and maintains normal growth of plants.

Watch the video then get along to your nearest stockist a try the product.  Soon to be available online.

Folding away flat, Ripple water buckets

I came across these folding buckets from Ripple Water. Use them to collect shower water while you are waiting for it to warm up, and then collect excess water as you shower. Use this to water your garden then folding them away flat. Ripple water bucket set of 3 includes 4L, 6L and 9L sizes, which are made from EVA plastic.

Ripple is committed to product recycling and minimizing waste and offer a take-back service for end-of-life products. For more information visit their website.

http://www.rippleproducts.com/productdetail.asp?id=40&catid=6

Solar Monitoring – Sunny Portal from SMA

After spending the past year working on www.sunskool.com I have been amazed at the demand for this data. Sites like Sunskool  andoffer an educational resource to teachers and students are less common than generic offerings. I’ve been watching some of the competitors especially SMA and their Sunny Portal. This basic system is a generic setup more suited for commercial and residential market. I know here in Australia a large number of Schools with funding from NSSP use the SMA solution.

Now they have made their portal mobile check out the fully offering http://www.sunnyportal.com/sunnyportalmobile/index_en.htm

Hunting for Green FMCG

I spent 3hrs at Chadstone shopping centre a few days ago looking for “green” products. Many household shops hold a number of items made from recyclable or recycled plastics etc. Then I stumble across a store (not to be mentioned) that sold only “so-called” eco-friendly products.

First observation they had two product ranges. Firstly skin care and cosmetics and a wide selection. Most of these looked like they were imported and did not try to sell themselves as a eco-friendly product. Some made from honey so that must be eco-friendly right? Must be bees make it ; ) ok – shhhh don’t mention the other ingredients.

The biggest range of products were for babies and children. In todays parenting world where helicopter paranoid parents rule, surely they’re on a winner. They were singing the praises of 100% certified organic cotton, eco-friendly bottles, powders, dummies and so on. But I was taken by the quality of most of these products. The organic cotton clothing was extremely well made and beautiful to the touch. But why do we need to go to a specialist shop for these products?

If you have seen some loud and proud green  baby products let us know.