Eco-Friendly Corporate Promotional Items
September 29, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Global, Go Green
Proforma has been in the print and promotional items industry for over 30 years, being named #1 Promotional Item Distributor by Promo Marketing magazine and #1 Business to Business Supplier in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. Since 2005, John Simonetta, the owner of Proforma Simonetta Freelance, has focused on providing clients with creative eco-friendly promotional solutions, items like the NOT A PAPER CUP – http://3.ly/z44 – and E.C.O FLEECE JACKETS – http://3.ly/Vb4
For updates on sales and specials follow John at http://twitter.com/ProformaGreen
Save Water: Re-Cycle Your Bath Water
July 25, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Global
Imagine reusing your wasted water in the bathroom.
Designer Jun Yasumoto has created one, his mini-eco-system uses the principles of phyto-purification, a filtering process that recycles the water that is wasted.
Normally used in ecological purification systems, an organic system re-cycles the water from the shower and basin allowing it to be reused.
THE PHYTO PURIFICATION PROCESS:
- Rushes are planted in sand which allows the filtration of larger particles. The root system of the rushes contain various bacteria enabling the breakdown of these particles for absorption by the plant.
- Reeds are planted next to the rushes due to their ability to filter the heavy metals from the water.
- Floating water hyacinths are used due to their ability to draw some of the water borne particles through their roots.
- Lemnas (aquatic plants) bind to the remaining aquatic micro-organisms to complete the filtration process.
- The final step uses a carbon filter to absorb the remaining micro-particles.
Ok, so you may not like the idea of bathing again in this water (or it may take some getting used to), but the water could prove acceptable for many other household requirements thus reducing your carbon footprint and allowing you to become more green.
http://marquetteturner.com/eco-friendly-your-bathroom-can-be-an-eco-system/trackback/
How Green Are You? Calculate Your Ecological Footprint
July 20, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Facts
An Ecological Footprint is the measurement used to calculate how much human pressure we place on our planet.
You can now find out your own individual pressure – at first it may horrify you but so long as you do something about it, that can only help.
I have just taken a test to find out what my Ecological Footprint is. What a shock! I am horrified to learn how high it is as I thought I was living “green”.
Global Footprint Network stated that if everyone lived the lifestyle of the average American, we would need 5 planets. My results stated I would need 4.6 planets.
I encourage everyone to take this test here www.ecofoot.org
this article originally featured on the MarquetteTurner.com site
Australian Resources: Solar Power and Wind Power Must Be Used
July 10, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge
Given the location and size of Australia it is possible that we could lead the world in solar and wind technology. We live on the largest ssland in the World, have the 7th largest land mass of any country, we are surrounded by ocean and have a population of just over 21.84 million people. We have an abundance of land, plenty of ocean and enormous deserts.
Wind farms throughout the world are being set up with a few dozen to several hundred wind turbines. Some are being set up offshore to take advantage of strong winds over lakes or oceans. Germany currently has the largest wind generation capacity followed by USA, Spain, India and China. The United Kingdom plans to power all of its homes by wind power by 2020 through enormous offshore wind farms.
By ratifying the Kyoto protocol in 2007 Australia committed to producing 20% renewable power by 2020 – in other words we have just 11 years to improve our performance from just over 4% to the 20% target. Australia currently uses wind technology to produce just over 1% of our energy needs and a further 3% is harnessed through solar. Scotland is already using renewable sources to produce 19% of its energy needs.
Germany has 100 times more installed solar capacity than Australia. Australia has only 25,000 households with solar panels installed and solar installation is increasing at 15% per year compared with 30-40% globally. With so much capacity to produce energy through renewable sources the Australian Government must put policy in place to encourage installation of solar and wind facilities. There is no excuse for Australia to be anywhere but first place in the race to be green.
Watch a video to see how solar panel works HERE
Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170
this article first appeared on the Marquette Turner Luxury Homes site
How to Receive the Homeowner Insulation Rebate from the Australian Government
July 7, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge
Australian homeowners are able to receive financial assistance – the Homeowner Insulation Rebate – an incentive to eco renovate.
Why Use Insulation?
Quite simply, by insulating your home, you will utilise one of the simplest methods to make your home more energy efficient and regulate the air temperature.
Effective insulation keeps the heat in and keeps the cold out during the winter, and assists in regulating the cool air in your home during the summer, thus benefiting from reducing your requirements (and thus expenses) for artificial heating.
The Homeowner Insulation Rebate
This allows for zero up-front costs for insulation installations that generally cost in the realms of less $1600 for the majority of households.
In the specific case of landlords and tenants, there is a Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters, which qualifies investment/rental properties to receive assistance of up to $1000 for insulation installation. Given that the average cost for installing insulation is approximately $1200 per property, that means an outlay of around just $200.
Getting Your Insulation Installed
1. Find out if you are eligible. (there are a few limitations, notably for those household that are also considering solar hot water Federal Government rebates).
2. To find registered installers, search online on the Insulation Installers Register.
Begin your search HERE
3. To find out what options of installation are most appropriate for your home, discuss the possibilities with your registered installer. Your climate region and the heat flow in your home will dictate the best option for you.
Find out more about the Homeowner Insulation Rebate on the Federal Government website HERE
http://marquetteturner.com/how-to-receive-insulation-rebates-in-australia/trackback/
Designer Eco-Product: Recycled Glass
July 7, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips
I’m a huge fan of the myriad of designer glassware, so the news that Artecnica has created the environmentally friendly Transglass collection as part of their Design With a Conscience program is great news.
Whether you’re a fan of vases, jugs, carafes or drinking tumblers, and whether for practical or visual purposes, this collection which is created using recycled wine and beer bottles nicely mixes design aesthetics with eco ideals.
Hot Water Rebate
June 28, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge, Eco Tips
The hot water rebate is Australia’s first national and comprehensive site that will calculate how much you can receive in rebates.
You can learn more about environmentally-friendly hot water tanks, calculate your rebates instantly, and do it in one easy place.
All you have to do is enter your postcode HERE to calculate your rebate. It’s that easy.
Eco-Projects Around the World
June 16, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Global
There are some amazing minds that are coming up with some amazing, conceptual designs for environmentally sustainable living spaces.
In this article I’m showing some of my favorite eco-projects. Some are simply conceptual, and may never get off the drawing board, whereas others are full steam ahead, however, all great ideas come from somewhere!
Which are your favorites?
Co-Op Canyon, Dallas
This a conceptual design intended for Dallas, created by Standard Architects, and is inspired by the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians.
Designed as a sustainable, carbon neutral environment for 1000 habitants, the terraced dwellings overlook an urban canyon.
The Eco Oil Rig
Morris Architects, a Houston-based architecture and design firm, recently took top honors for two of their submissions in the Radical Innovation in Hospitality design competition.
Taking the concept of resort islands and over-water villas to a whole new level, the grand prize winner, the Oil Rig Platform Resort and Spa makes use of one of 4,000 oil rigs out in the Gulf of Mexico and transforms it into a luxurious eco-resort and spa.
The Super Tower
Based on the estimation that London will need to provide housing for 100,000 new people each year up until 2016, this building houses 100,000 in one hit and with the city being the only framework capable of handling burgeoning populations such responses are vital.
Zira Island in the Caspian Sea
Planned as a zero-energy project, the “resort and entertainment” creation will resemble the “seven peaks of Azerbaijan,” each “peak” being buildings covered in solar panels, which will house residential, retail and commercial space for the resort.
Sky-Terra Skyscrapers
San Francisco-based designer Joanna Borek-Clement has envisioned these eye-popping Sky-Terra skyscrapers – not just a single building, but a network of interconnected towers that are inspired by the shape of neuron cells.
To cope with the growing need for green urban space, as cities become increasingly congested and dense, the Sky-Terra super-structure seeks to give city dwellers back the ability to spend time outdoors, exercise and relax.
Environmentally Friendly Construction: The Bubble Deck
June 10, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge, Eco Tips
Designed and made in Australia, the Bubble Deck is an ingenious creation that will not only prove an environmentally friendly alternative to non-structural concrete, but also actually be a welcome addition in the construction industry.
The plastic bubbles are approximately the size of a football and are encased within a frame thus creating a “honeycomb” pattern.
The design means that there can be up to 50% longer spans between building columns and no beams. It will also allow for long cantilevers and open facades and ultimately proves that eco-friendly building doesn’t have to be more expensive.
“Villa Panorama”: Environmentally Friendly & Environmentally Flattering
May 20, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Projects, Global
Inspired by the broad horizontal lines of the Dutch landscape, Björn van Rheenen of Sponge Architects, has used these lines to create “Villa Panorama” which blends seamlessly into the environment.
Featuring a large glass façade and long small pond that cleverly appears to flow from the garden into the spacious living area, there is also a flat roof with a “lawn” atop, thus ensuring indoors and outdoors are perfectly merged.
Sustainability was a very important issue in the design process, meaning that environmentally-conscious techniques are highly evident in “Villa Panorama”
“Villa Panorama” is a project of Sponge Architects Amsterdam in cooperation with Scope Bouwmanagement BV., Almere.
The Harvest Green Project for 2030 Eco-Friendly Living
May 18, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Projects
The “Harvest Green Project’ by Romses Architects has been announced as the winner of “The 2030 Challenge” organized by the City of Vancouver “to address climate change plans and to guide greener and denser development, reducing carbon emissions for the future.”
The concept of ‘harvest’ is explored in the project through the vertical farming of vegetables, herbs, fruits, fish, egg laying chickens, and a boutique goat and sheep dairy facility.
The structure of the winning green design will harvest renewable energy using photovoltaic glazing and small and large-scale wind turbines to support the solar and wind-farm infrastructure.
Other features include:
- renewable energy will be harvested via green building design elements harnessing geothermal, wind and solar power;
- the buildings have photovoltaic glazing and incorporate small and large-scale wind turbines to turn the structure into solar and wind-farm infrastructure;
- using the concept of vertical farming potentially adds energy back to the grid via methane generation from composting non-edible parts of plants and animals;
- a large rainwater cistern terminates the top of the ‘harvest tower’ providing on-site irrigation for the numerous indoor and outdoor crops and roof gardens;
- the proposal purposefully incorporates program uses for residential, transit, a large farmers market and supermarket, office and agricultural research and educational facilities, and food related retail/hospitality.
Marquette Turner Luxury Homes
Cascade Green: The Beer That is Good for Everyone!
May 18, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Features, Go Green
Beer is often good at the best of times (to drink that is) – and of course in moderation – but the Tasmanian brewery Cascade has gone one better and brewed, full-flavored, preservative free, low-carb beer made from pure Tasmanian ingredients that is 100% carbon offset and certified Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly™.
The emissions that haven’t already been reduced have been offset through accredited offset programmes.
A beer that gives back – definitely worth trying.
Visit cascadegreen.com.au
Clear the Air
Library of Green Building Products
For architects and industrial designers, finding sustainable materials to use in building projects has long been a challenge, with providers and information scattered all across the web. Ecolect, which just launched last fall, aims to provide a single, central library of sustainable materials that makes it easier for designers to be “green.”
Rhode Island-based Ecolect, which was founded by two Rhode Island School of Design graduates, hopes to save designers time and money by answering three important questions: where to find sustainable materials, what makes them sustainable, and who else is using them and how. Toward that end, the site features materials with sustainable attributes—eco paints and bamboo flooring, for example—complemented by content that stimulates discussion about sustainability. Case studies illustrate the successful use of sustainable design, and users can contribute reviews and images of materials in use. The site’s blog, meanwhile, discusses how ecology affects the world. Ad-supported Ecolect is free for users.
“We saw a unique and unmet need in the marketplace,” explains Matt Grigsby, one of the site’s cofounders. “From there, we set out to not only create the world’s first free and accessible sustainable materials library, but also build a tight-knit global community, where individuals from around the world can go to learn and connect around the issue of sustainable design.”
Grigsby won last year’s Rhode Island Innovation Awards Rising Star Innovator title for his role in developing Ecolect, and the company itself has been named a finalist in the 2008 SXSW Web Awards, the winner of which will be named next month. The trend toward sustainability isn’t going away anytime soon, so the opportunities are many in supporting and informing those who make it happen. Since the distribution of building materials varies widely by country/region, this is definitely one to set up in your own neck of the woods. Or how about applying the concept to other industries?
Website: www.ecolect.net
Eco Mums
Numbering more than 82 million in the United States alone, there’s no denying that mothers are a significant force to be reckoned with, both economically and otherwise. The EcoMom Alliance aims to tap the power of that demographic for no lesser a goal than to help fight global warming.
Launched online a few weeks ago, the California-based EcoMom Alliance hopes to inspire mothers around the globe to make lifestyle changes that will reduce their carbon footprints. Through the EcoMom Challenge, it asks mothers to take its “10 First Steps for a Sustainable Future,” including swapping traditional light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones, driving less, and buying local, fair trade and organic products. Picking up on the Australian Conservation Foundation’s “Cool the Globe” initiative, the group’s One Night Off campaign encourages mothers to choose one night a week to turn off all lights, TVs, washers, dryers and other appliances. Also part of the group’s agenda are EcoMom Parties—a post-Inconvenient Truth version of the old Tupperware Parties through which members can connect, find support and share ideas. Other “edutainment” offerings from the group include blogs, podcasts and “Sustain Yourself” events for maxed-out EcoMoms.
The EcoMom Alliance is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization with about 9,000 members around the globe, including not just the United States but also Australia, Hungary, England, France and Brazil. It is reportedly in the process of training women to lead EcoMom events worldwide, as well as readying an official EcoMom seal of approval for commercial products.
US mothers alone control 85 percent of household spending, according to the Marketing to Moms Coalition, amounting to about USD 2.1 trillion annually. It’s hard to imagine a much better place to start enabling real change. (Related: Web community for greener living.)
Website: www.ecomomalliance.org
Simon Turner simon@marquetteturner.com.au
Home Loans With An Eco Rebate
February 28, 2008 by marquetteturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge, Eco Tips, Facts