Blazing Minds » Environment

Why You Should Recycle Your Old Ink Cartridges and How to Do It

Jon W — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:00:13 +0000

Two cartridges (one with black ink, one with colored inks) installed in an inkjet printer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When your printer ink cartridges run out, what do you do with the empties? If you’re like many people, you probably just toss the plastic cartridge in the trash, put the garbage out for the truck on Thursday and never think about it again.

And really, you’re not alone in thinking that it’s harmless just to throw away your ink cartridges when they are empty. Some studies indicate that more than a dozen cartridges are tossed every second in the U.S. alone. That’s millions of plastic cartridges being added to landfills every day – more than 75,000 pounds worth every year.

Harmful Effects of Tossing Ink Cartridges

The trouble is these plastic cartridges can take more than 1,000 years to decompose. They contribute to rapidly expanding landfills, which in turn leads communities to spend millions of dollars on landfill management costs. Not to mention, recycling cartridges leads to substantial savings in both production and management costs.

Consider this fact: creating a single plastic printer ink cartridge requires around 3.5 ounces of petroleum. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when it’s multiplied several million times, it’s a substantial amount of a valuable resource. Manufacturing cartridges also contributes a substantial amount of waste, as well as creates environmental pollutants, such as emissions from the manufacturing plant.

Recycling printer ink cartridges, on the other hand, uses up to 80 percent fewer resources than a new cartridge. Not only do the empty containers stay out of landfills, but also the materials are reused, limiting the amount of resources necessary to create the product. These savings are passed on to the consumer as well; recycled ink cartridges generally cost significantly less than new and work just as well.

How to Recycle Ink Cartridges

Because printer ink cartridges are so common, it’s become easy to recycle them. The simplest way is to return to the store where you purchased the cartridges. Many retailers offer cartridge-recycling bins where you can just drop off the empties. In fact, as an incentive to recycle, some stores offer a cash refund for the empty container, generally in the form of store coupons or discounts.

Before you toss the packaging for your new ink, look for recycling instructions. Some manufacturers operate recycling programs, providing free shipping and even envelopes for you to use to return the empty cartridge. If the package doesn’t include instructions, visit the manufacturer website. Most will include information about recycling.

Another option is to refill the cartridges with ink yourself. Some manufacturers offer refillable cartridges and kits so that you can add ink yourself when necessary. These kits can be messy if you don’t follow the instructions, but the environmental benefits and cost savings can outweigh that mess.

Reducing the Need for Ink Cartridges

Using your ink cartridges efficiently can reduce your ink usage and the number of empty container you have to recycle. Before hitting the print button, ask yourself whether you actually need to print the page. For example, instead of printing coupons for your favorite stores from your e-mail, find out if the store accepts coupons stored in your smart phone.

If you do need to print, set your printer to print in draft mode, and the printer will use slightly less ink. In addition, several studies have explored fonts that use the least amount of ink. According to a study at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, printing documents with the font Century Gothic uses 30 percent less ink than printing documents that use Arial.

When it comes time to purchase a new cartridge, return your empty one for recycling and choose a recycled replacement. Not only will you save yourself some cash, but you’ll be helping the environment as well. It’s not difficult to find recycled ink cartridges that are compatible with any printer manufacturer and model.

Recycling printer ink cartridges instead of throwing them away is just one way to reduce the amount of waste filling up our landfills. It’s a small change, though, and one that can have real benefits for both the environment and your financial bottom line. Saving money and saving the environment? Sounds like a win-win for everyone!

This post was written and provided by Scott Williams. Scott is an online consultant for www.cartridgediscount.co.uk and has over 10 years of experience in the computer and IT industry.

Getting Value for Money on Ink Cartridges with InkWarehouse

Why You Should Recycle Your Old Ink Cartridges and How to Do It is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Why Is Dubai An Oasis Of Green In The Desert?

BigDaddyCash — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:19:57 +0000

Some states in the Middle East have a terrible reputation for their carbon footprint and reliance on oil. States such as Qatar, for example, is incredibly wasteful of fresh water and gives free electricity to all citizens resulting in a personal carbon index that’s higher than anywhere else in the world.

A Green State IN Many Ways

On the other hand there are states, including Dubai, which take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to making sure future generations can enjoy a habitable environment. Dubai is interested in becoming a luxury destination for people from all over the world and they recognise that sustainability is a watchword for many people who are looking for an exclusive place to stay and relax without having to worry about the negative global impact of their travels.

The Dubai Department Of Tourism And Commerce Marketing (DTCM)is rolling out a number of environmentally sustainable tourist initiatives including encouraging hotels to do what they can to limit the amount of water and electricity they consume so that they can compete with other accommodations across the world which don’t have the inconvenience of being located in a desert with little naturally available fresh water.

Tourism: A Major Source Of Revenue

Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, Director of the Business Development and Media Relations Division, pointed out that tourism had been playing a greater part in the diverse revenue streams that Dubai enjoyed along with the five others which make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Speaking on the issue of environment and vacationing Rahman said: “several other GCC states have also started giving more focus to tourism. There have been reasonable concerns about the environmental issues due to the development of the tourism industry in our region.”

The World Tourism Organisation describes sustainable tourism as: “tourism which leads to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be filled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological progress, biological diversity and life support systems.”

In 2009 the DTCM inaugurated the Dubai Green Tourism Award to encourage all hotels with more than two stars to reduce their carbon emissions by 20%. This year the award was extended to include all hotels and holiday apartments. The criteria for the award includes environmental, economic and social issues including saving energy, conservation of the environment and involvement in their communities.

Greener Initiatives In The UAE

Meanwhile, in the UAE there is a Green Economy Initiative which includes six paths outlining a wide range of legislation, policy and projects. These include

*Promoting renewable energy

*Investment in the Green economies

*Planning the Green city, including planning, transport and clean air

*Climate change and carbon reduction

*Rationalise the use of water and energy consumption, encourage organic agriculture and protect biodiversity

*Innovative technology such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and producing energy from waste

So, if you’re planning on taking your holidays in Dubai, possibly via tropicalsky.ie and you were previously concerned about their green credentials, worry no more.

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Why Is Dubai An Oasis Of Green In The Desert? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Taking Care Of Yourself And Your Home During The Cold Snap

BigDaddyCash — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:53:42 +0000

It’s just possible that you haven’t noticed but we’re in the first few days which could last at least until the end of the week, probably longer.

What Could Happen If Your Pipes Burst

The elderly and infirm should get their winter warmth allowance which means that they’ll be ok, the young and spritely will be fine too, we’ll turn the heating up a notch, put an extra pair of sock on and see it through but we should all remember to take some precautions against the cold around the house.

Protecting your house against the winter isn’t just about lagging the loft and double glazing the windows. Frost and other effects of the cold can do terrible damage to your home and property, precautions are often simple yet effective and certainly cheaper than the cost of repairs once the damage is done.

During particularly cold spells pipes can freeze, this will lead to burst pipes once the weather warms up a little. The cost of repairing the pipes is not unsubstantial, the cost or repairing and replacing damaged belongings and fixing water damage after a flood is going to be considerably more. It’s particularly important if you’re going to go away from home while the weather is at its worst. Should a pip burst while you’re away the cost of repairing damage caused by flooding could run into thousands of pounds.

Leave A Light On, And A Little Heat Too

If you are leaving home, no matter for a few days or even weeks you should leave the heating on low. This will pipes from freezing and therefore minimise the risk of pipework inside the home from splitting. If you’re leaving for an extended period it might be wiser to drain the entire central heating system and leave it switched off.

Leaving interior doors open can help prevent pipes from bursting as they allow warm air from the sunny side of the house to circulate around. Leaving the doors to the cupboard under the sink will help prevent the pipes bursting there; this is where the pipes are at their coldest, having just left the out doors and running up against the inside of an exterior wall.

Lagging On The Outside

If there are any pipes that run up the outside of your house you should lag them with thick fabric or old blankets to prevent them from freezing up. If you discover that you have missed something and your pipes burst you should cut the supply off at the mains stopcock to prevent further damage. If your pipes have frozen but they’ve not yet burst the putting hot water bottles or towels on them is a much better way of thawing them out than applying heat from a blowtorch or electric paint stripper as the stresses caused by direct, extreme heat is likely to cause more damage than it will solve.

If your pipework is damaged or frozen already, don’t try to thaw it out by putting the heating on. The boiler won’t get enough water and is likely to overheat causing even more problems than you started with.

@DanCash is a blogger with very cold feet on the south coast. With all the shops that are standing empty these days estate management companies are going to have their work cut out dealing with all the commercial properties to let.

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Do We Wash Too Much?

Danielle — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:47:33 +0000

Given how easy it is to go green, you’re probably already doing your part for the planet by recycling, sacking your groceries in cloth bags, and perhaps even carpooling to work. You can also help out future generations by conserving water. Read on for a number of ways that you can get started.

Laundry wisdom

A washing machine is invaluable in the home, especially for items like bedding that need a good soapy soak and rinse. Smaller items, however, can often be hand-washed with relative ease. You can better dictate the amount of water you use and perhaps save yourself a trip to the laundromat, all while still seeing everything come out in the wash. When using the washer, do your best to run a full load of clothes. If you only have a few items to wash, adjust your machine’s water level accordingly so as not to use water needlessly.

Collect the rain

Especially nice for gardeners, a rain barrel is an excellent way to conserve water. Rather than endlessly watering the lawn (and sidewalk and street), use collected rainwater to get the job done. Some cities allow residents to flush toilets with rainwater (check with your local municipality to see if you’re one of the lucky ones). Additional uses include using it to clean your floors or wash your car.

Shower less often

Yes, seriously. You’ll live. We promise. Taking fewer showers is a great way to save water; an average 10-minute shower can use more than 40 gallons of water. You will also benefit from skipping a day between baths. Your skin is alive with good bacteria that keep you healthy. Daily showers wash this away and may compromise your immune system. Likewise, frequent bathing can make your skin and hair drier. If you haven’t been doing physical labor or killing it on the elliptical, you’re probably not that dirty. If giving up a daily shower is too big a step, consider taking a Navy shower.

Ditch the deluge

When you wash dishes, use a plastic tub to wash the plates and utensils from your meal and then rinse them in a separate tub. Don’t run the faucet while you’re standing there washing forks. Doing so will make gallons add up quickly and unnecessarily. Likewise, don’t leave the sink running while you brush your teeth or wash your hands. Sure, you’ll need to rinse away soapy handprints but that’s a preferable alternative to outright waste.

Just remember: It’s never too late to change your habits and help out the Earth. Start with these suggestions and see if your life can get just a bit greener.

Danielle, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, enjoys saving rainwater for her azaleas and making crafts out of recycled materials. Read her work at Eat Breathe Blog.

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Laptops May Be Getting Men Too Heated

Business.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:46:10 +0000

For guys who may be getting a little too cozy with their laptops, word comes that they may be damaging their relationships in more ways than one.

According to a recent report from the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, men who sit with a laptop on their laps may be impacting their sperm levels, something neither they nor their significant others are likely to want to hear.

The study took samples from 29 healthy male donors, and then placed a few drops of the samples beneath a laptop tied to the Internet through Wi-Fi. The Argentine researchers then hit download to see how the sperm would react.

According to the report, some four hours later, one-fourth of the sperm in close proximity to a laptop had stopped moving around, versus only 14 percent from semen samples which were kept at the same temperature a safe distance away from the computer. Nine percent of the sperm indicated DNA damage, leaving researchers to conclude that electromagnetic radiation occurring during wireless communication was an issue.

As written in their report, researchers noted, “Our data suggest that the use of a laptop computer wirelessly connected to the Internet and positioned near the male reproductive organs may decrease human sperm quality. At present we do not know whether this effect is induced by all laptop computers connected by Wi-Fi to the Internet or what use conditions heighten this effect.”

Meantime, the president of the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology commented to Reuters Health that he is skeptical of laptops in fact being a major reproductive health issue for men.

According to Dr. Robert Oates, “This is not real-life biology; this is a completely artificial setting. It is scientifically interesting, but to me it doesn’t have any human biological relevance.” Oates added that no research has examined whether or not laptop usage by women in close proximity to their bodies has any impact regarding fertility or pregnancy.

So, can we conclude that it is not a good idea for men to be balancing laptops on their laps for hours at a time and still hoping to become fathers?

As the scientists would likely conclude, much more research would be needed on this subject matter before any major health warnings could be issued.

As a 2004 American study pointed out, using a laptop for just 60 minutes increased the temperature of the scrotum by nearly three degrees, as heat has been known to impact sperm production and its quality.

While researchers will likely continue to study and debate the matter, one thing is more crystal clear. Men and women for that matter should be careful not to sit with a laptop on an exposed lap for hours and hours.

Laptop-induced dermatosis, first reported some seven years ago, is where the lap area skin has been exposed to prolonged low-level heating. While there have been no studies to indicate this can cause or lead to a higher risk of cancer, the discoloration can become permanent.

So, might it be time to whip out a pillow, laptop case or other item to place between one’s computer and their lap.

If for no other reason, it will save some expensive trips to the fertility clinic.

Photo credit: zurmat.com

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Laptops May Be Getting Men Too Heated is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Has PETA’s Latest Marketing Ploy Bitten off More than it Can Chew?

Business.com — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:00:34 +0000

I can’t say I’m ever really surprised with what PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) comes up with as far as campaigns to promote their cause. Their latest planned marketing pitch, however, may have bitten off a little too much for some people’s liking.

A new billboard PETA wants to display in Florida highlights a bloody leg hanging from a shark’s mouth, a message that struck a nerve with at least one Floridian.

As FoxNews.com reported, a Florida mother whose 21-year-old son needed some 800 stitches to survive a recent shark attack is bringing light to the group and its message.

Ella Wickersham told reporters that PETA’s latest proposed billboard – “Payback Is Hell, Go Vegan” – is not even worth dignifying, given the fact her son could have very easily died during his encounter with a bull shark. According to Wickersham, her son, C.J., was spear-fishing in the area of Florida’s Anna Marie Island, when he was attacked.

“I’m not even going to dignify them with a response,” Wickersham remarked to FoxNews.com. “It’s not even worth my response. They are over the top. If they don’t want to eat meat and fish, good for them; you can do whatever you want, and I’ll do what I want.”

A spokeswoman for PETA reports the group is looking to find a locale for the proposed billboard in Florida’s Manatee County after coming up dry in Anna Marie Island.

Taking Advantage of Potential Tragedy?

According to PETA, “With the shark attack in the news, we thought it’d be a good time to remind people that sharks are not the world’s biggest predator — we are. We hope the billboard will lead to Floridians choosing a healthy vegan diet.”

According to PETA, which remarked it is glad Wickersham’s son is going to be okay, Americans kill 12 billion fish each year for food.

“We hope that after this experience he (C.J. Wickersham) considers the pain and terror that fish feel when they are impaled and suffocated to death,” the spokeswoman added.

What is actually more terrorizing is a radical group trying to use its latest marketing gimmick on the shoulders of a man who could have easily died.

There is a right and a wrong way for organizations to market their messages – this latest PETA campaign is definitely all wet.

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Has PETA’s Latest Marketing Ploy Bitten off More than it Can Chew? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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It Will Soon Be Time To Pay For Plastic Carrier Bags In Wales

Karen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:31:42 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

It’s not long to go now before we will start getting charged for every one of those plastic carrier bags that we pick up when we go shopping here in Wales, so what does this mean and which bags will we be charged for?

The 5 pence price tag is for single use carrier bags, you know the ones that are given to you for free when you go shopping, but this isn’t just for the plastic carrier bags, this also goes for the paper bags as well, so this may make people take their own bags when it comes to shopping for food!

Hang On What About Take Away Food Carrier Bags Etc.

Well it seems that will have to pay for those as well, so now when you pop in to your local McDonalds or KFC you will have to pay 5p for the paper bag that your food is placed in to! Bizarre isn’t it!

This also means that if you buy something like bird seed for your pet budgie, you’ll also pay 5p for the bag the seed is in, so long story short, every disposable carrier bag you have will cost you 5p, a good time to remember to take your own when you go for that big food shop at the end of the week.

Raising Money By Charging 5p Per Bag

It has been mentioned that by having this charge in place for your “single-use” carrier bags will raise £2.6m, which in turn the shops and restaurants etc must give to Welsh charities (yeah I can see that happening), but if they are caught giving bags away for free then they will be fined up to £5,000!

Stock Up On Your Bags!

The 5p charge per bag goes in to force on the 1st October, so my advice is when you next go shopping, grab some extra bags and get them for free, also if you are going to start using those “Bag for Life” bags then get them now, most shops are giving them away for free or selling them at half the normal price.

I would rather pay 9p for a bag for life than 5p per bag every time I want few bags and with the big, stronger, bags you can usually pack the equivalent 3 – 4 bags in one.

So Remember The 1st October!

Put it in your diary and remember to take carrier bags with you when you go shopping or if you go to McDonalds, KFC or even Burger King, remember that they are going to charge you for the carrier bags.

Yes I know it’s only 5p, but it all soon mounts up

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It Will Soon Be Time To Pay For Plastic Carrier Bags In Wales is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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We Can Put Men on the Moon but Can’t Locate a Fallen Satellite?

Business.com — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:01:33 +0000

Space exploration is something that has wowed many of us for decades.

Whether it was putting a man on the Moon or constructing an international space station, man has done some amazing things beyond the planet Earth.

So, how then, could NASA lose track of where a fallen climate satellite finally came to rest this past weekend?

NASA’s Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) re-entered Earth’s atmosphere overnight last Friday officials believe somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Okay, we get it that the sea is extremely big, but too big to locate a satellite?

According to a NASA spokesman, officials may never know quite where the satellite, which was in the process of breaking up upon its descent, landed in the vast ocean. NASA officials point out that they and the U.S. Joint Space Operations Center at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base use ground-based radars and optical sensors at more than two dozen locations around the world to compile information regarding the whereabouts of dead satellites.

Remember Skylab?

This is not the first time an American space project has come back to Earth with fanfare. In 1979, America’s first space station, Skylab, fell to Earth, leaving a debris field over parts of Australia and in the Indian Ocean.

Space officials went on to note that given they have received no credible reports from witnesses on the ground in North America claiming to have seen the falling UARS satellite, they must reason that it fell somewhere over water. So can we conclude from this out of sight out of mind?

Launched some 20 years ago from the space shuttle Discovery to observe Earth’s ozone layer, the 6.5 ton satellite went out of commission six years ago. While much of it would have been ripped apart and burned up upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, officials say some two dozen or so pieces would have survived the fall.

As for the fear a person or persons would have been hit by the falling debris, NASA officials had put that risk at 1-in-3,200.

Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Lastly, should a piece have actually fallen on land or been located at sea, NASA informed the public that it was to contact the agency and not collect the material. As NASA sees it, the satellite is its property and that of the U.S. government, making it an unwise choice for someone to keep a piece for a souvenir.

While NASA says the satellite did not have any dangerous chemicals or radiological material on it, individuals who may find a piece of the debris could be injured in trying to retrieve it.

Given that the Earth is composed of 70 percent water, anyone up for a fishing trip?

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We Can Put Men on the Moon but Can’t Locate a Fallen Satellite? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Are Individuals Dialing Up Trouble Living, Working by Cell Phone Towers?

Business.com — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:54:02 +0000

Did you ever think that your cell phone and the means to use it could end up killing you?

According to a recent warning from a group of trade activists, residing in close proximity to cellphone towers could end up leading to such horrific outcomes as melting your brain, saddling you with cancer or even worse, neutering your reproductive organs. If that’s the case, are you ready to go back to a land line?

In an interview with FoxNews.com, Dr. Robin Bernhoft, president of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), warned that individuals living close to cell towers and antennas are in danger of becoming sick.

Whitney Seymour, a member of the activist Web site Citizens for Health, adds that the FCC standards regarding cell transmission antennas were structured on previous studies formed nearly 20 years ago using data even before that time.

So, is it time to ditch the cell phone and pack up the family if you’ve got a cell tower within eye sight of your home? Not so fast proclaim many in the cell phone industry.

They point out that scientific evidence for the most part does not provide a direct connection between cell phone towers and health issues, noting that the normal exposure level is thousands of time below safety standards.

According to a recent report in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, “Although there remains some uncertainty, the trend in the accumulating evidence is increasingly against the hypothesis that mobile phone use can cause brain tumors in adults.”

Despite that rather reassuring view, some towns across the nation have not waited for all the scientific evidence to be determined.

In the town of Hempstead, New York, a group of concerned mothers successfully lobbied town officials last year regarding where cell phone towers could be placed in relation to their kid’s schools. The mothers said they were taking a pro-active position, not wanting to find out when it was too late that the towers may pose a health risk.

An ordinance was passed that banned wireless companies from placing equipment closer than 1,500 feet to residences, day care centers, schools and buildings for worship, unless they provide compelling information that there is a definitive need.

While the mothers may have been taking a pro-active approach, a 2010 British study from London’s Imperial College reported that children born to mothers who resided close to cell phone towers when they were pregnant did not appear to be at a higher risk for cancer.

Despite the findings, researchers do point out that their research does not fully remove the chance that children may be at risk for other health problems down the road.

And lastly, a 2010 Canadian study published in The National Research Council Journal, states that living close to a cell phone tower can prove very harmful to one’s health.

According to the study, low-level microwave radiation from cell towers increases the risk of developing cancer and a number of other illnesses. Despite that warning, the illnesses among those living or working near cellular infrastructure were consistent with microwave exposure, and were well below the danger limits set by Health Canada.

So there you have it….it really all depends on who you talk to as to whether or not living and/or working near cell towers is a danger to your health.

With all the varying information out there, don’t be surprised if more and more cell phone users and those living by towers end up disconnecting from the debate.

In the meantime, I’ll stick to texting as my primary choice of communication!

Photo credit: mobile.huddler.com

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Are Individuals Dialing Up Trouble Living, Working by Cell Phone Towers? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Adding Too Much Value To Your Property Could Leave It Unsaleable, No Matter What The Market

BigDaddyCash — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:07:16 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Home-owners have been constantly told that if they can’t afford to move then making improvements around the home, renovating the kitchen, redesigning the garden and knocking down the wall separating the lounge from the dining room, as examples, are the way to add value and make the home a better place to live in. But is that true?

Thanks to the static housing market then the truism that “if you can’t move, improve” seems to make perfect sense but rushing into home improvements could actually see you wasting your money, not only that, do a bad enough job and you could end up devaluing your property even more than if you had done nothing.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) took a poll of estate agents throughout the UK and found that about half felt that homeowners were considering remodelling rather than moving thanks to the sluggish housing market. Clearly the notion of remodelling rather than relocating was held most firmly in areas where the market was at its worst: 75% of agents in Northern Ireland and 71% of agents in the West Midlands reported that householders were staying put.

The disinclination of building societies and other mortgage lenders to provide means that people are unable to progress up the property ladder whether or not they need more space or to relocate should they need to if they’re lucky enough to land a new job in another area. That’s not to say that those in areas where the housing market is still relatively buoyant, such as London, are able to move whenever they like, you’ll still find that many people are remodelling kitchens and bathrooms rather than moving. The problem where the market is moving is that people lower down the property ladder are being priced out of the market so the go for improvements to add a little more value.

That’s fine in theory but in practice the realities are some-what different. RICS warn that home improvement can enrich your environment when done properly by professionals and would never recommend taking on structural work as a DIYer but it doesn’t always increase the probability of your property to sell. In most areas there is an average house and an average house price; if everyone else on your street has a property worth £250,000 and your home improvements mean that you’re bumping £500,000 you live in a lovely property but it’s not likely to sell in any market. Most areas have a price ceiling, go above it at your peril.

RICS professional groups director David Balby says: “Many properties provide some potential for expansion and improvement, but we would advise people to think about how much they are investing and their key motivator before undertaking major projects.”

RICS observe that the trend is currently to add a new bedroom to the property to increase its value, the addition of a new kitchen or bathroom coming next on the list of improvements that can add value to your home. However, if you’re going to go through the upheaval of getting the builders in it’s important to get the work done to the utmost quality, even then, other factors still affect saleability, things like location and proximity to roads and rail links still hold a great deal of sway.

@DanCash is a feature writer living in the south of England. Investing in new integrated washing machines or integrated fridge freezer might be a better investment for your home than building that extension after all.

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Adding Too Much Value To Your Property Could Leave It Unsaleable, No Matter What The Market is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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How Polluted Is Your Local Ball Pool?

BigDaddyCash — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:39:30 +0000

When you take the kids out for a meal you want to give them something nutritious and wholesome, something that will fill them up with yummy yummy goodness providing for healthy development, both intellectually and physically. Funny then that all they seem to want is fried processed carbs, mechanically recovered meat and fizzy drinks on top!

So you visit one of the ubiquitous junk food restaurants where they can fill up on calories and starches and then burn them all off again as the fly around the ball pool screaming like banshees and having great larks and lorks a lordy. So there they are, happily fed and playing in a safe environment where you can leave them to duke it out by themselves for five minutes while you get to catch a glimpse of today’s paper.

But put that paper down for a moment and look at what your treasured mites are gadding about in. Dr Erin Carr-Jordan, who also happens to be a developmental psychologist did and she filmed what she saw. Not only that but after having not been able to get a response from the management she made it her pet project to investigate just how filthy the PlayPlaces and restrooms really were. (spoiler alert: VERY!) Erin’s research took her to more than 50 separate ball pools where she took samples which she then sent back to the lab to have analysed.

So, while the restaurants claim that the play equipment, including ball pools, tube slides and all every day it’s not hard to see that they don’t thoroughly disinfect, otherwise there wouldn’t be meningitis, gonorrhoea and coli which normally reside in an environment far more brown in the intestines of both humans and pigs. In 1999 a study by Davis, Corbitt et al already found that ball pools should be sanitized regularly due to the huge levels of bacteria that can be found on the surfaces. Things don’t seem to have improved much and if a public swimming pool had the same cocktail of bacteria and toxins it would be closed down. However, in a restaurant it seems to be a different story.

A spokesperson for the best known restaurant chain in the world, Danya Proud, (no, seriously) said that it was “unacceptable but not reflective of our business and our restaurants. As far as I’m concerned it was an isolated matter and we took immediate corrective action to thoroughly sanitize the PlayPlace.” Clearly hadn’t watched the video or read the complaint thoroughly then? Dr Carr-Jordan went to more than 50 play pits and found that the problem was endemic, not isolated!

Dr Carr-Jordan said: “One of the ultimate goals is to put regulations in place that would require cleaning these places once a week or month or whatever comes back as necessary. There is more potential for hand-to-mouth transmission… You often see kids go down the slide and immediately grab some food.”

Chicago’s department of public health explained that while they cannot cite a restaurant for having a filthy, unsanitary, graffiti riddled play area per se, they can issue a citation for rodent or insect infestations in these areas.

Dan Cash is a features writer in the UK. Rather than going to get contaminated at the ball pool himself, he gets food delivery in Ealing instead. There’s that Indian takeaway in Fulham, yummers!

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How Polluted Is Your Local Ball Pool? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Six Steps To Adopting A Green Lifestyle

Guest Author — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:55:24 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Are you an environment conscious individual, who is constantly looking for ways to make a positive change in whatever little way possible? Or are you somebody who wants to make a change but doesn’t know where to start from? Here is your chance to learn a few tips to make green living a part of your life.

1. Sustainable eating

Sustainable eating might sound like a hard and complicated term at first but it really isn’t. The most important thing you have to remember is when shopping in a supermarket, avoid the middle aisles. The side aisles always contain what you are looking for: whole foods and ingredients that allow you to cook healthy meals from scratch. You should only consider visiting the middle aisles when looking for cleaning supplies, organic soaps, detergents and shampoos and other green products. Also remember that producing meat is damaging to the environment just like consuming it is damaging to your health, so try to stay clear of it and adopt a plant based diet.

2. Use non-toxic chemicals for cleaning

Non-toxic cleaning chemicals have plenty of advantages over the nasty chemical loaded cleaners that always make your nose each or your eyes tear. For once they are just as effective and as cheap as their toxic counterparts. You will also love that they are friendly both to the environment, your water ways and your skin as well. It might take you a while to get used to them but once you start giving them a chance non-toxic chemicals will be the only ones you use.

3. Consume less, create less waste

Not all items are worth the storage space in your house, not to mention the money you pay for them. One good process to go through when seeing something you like in the supermarket is to just walk away from the item for a few minutes and afterwards ask yourself if you really need that item. If your answer is yes, sleep on it for a day and ask yourself that question again. If the answer is still yes then you can feel safe with your decision and buy it.

4. Eliminate baths and take shorter showers

Studies show that having a bath can consume as much as twice the water consumed during a shower so the recommendation is that you stop taking baths altogether. Once you’ve given up taking a bath you could also consider reducing the time you spend showering by a few minutes because even one extra minute in the shower is five gallons of wasted water.

5. Cut down on driving

Some trips can’t be avoided but others can be unnecessary or easily completed on foot or with a bike, but the fact is that you are too dependent on the car as the main mode of transportation. If you want to benefit both the environment and your health, then try walking or taking a bike to the local shop or cinema.

6. Save electricity, money and the environment with your washing machine

A good way to live a green lifestyle and also save some money is to use the washing machine with a 30°C or 40°C washing cycle instead of the regular 60°C. Don’t think your clothes will be dirtier, most washing powders are just as good at the lower temperatures. Be sure to only run the washing machine or even dishwasher when you have a full load and you will waste less power and water.

This article has been contributed by Aishwarya Vohra from Offshore Ally. She is apart of the company’s team of dedicated virtual assistant and link builders. Aishwarya is a nature lover and believes that everybody should adopt a green lifestyle. Connect with her via twitter.

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Living Green and Healthy: 5 Health Benefits from Going Green (livinggreenandsavingenergy.com)

Going Green: Do You Walk the Talk? (livinggreenandsavingenergy.com)

3 Tips for More Sustainable Living (greenlivingideas.com)

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Six Steps To Adopting A Green Lifestyle is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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Are You Recycling Your Christmas Wrapping?

Karen — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:07:28 +0000

Image by Blazing Minds via Flickr

It’s going to be that time of year again where we will be wrapping our Christmas presents ready for Father Christmas to deliver to our loved ones, but, are you helping the environment and your pockets, by recycling you wrapping paper etc?

Christmas wrapping paper doesn’t have to be thrown away, it can be recycled, not only by putting it in the recycling bins instead of a normal trash bin, but it can also be used for girt wrapping again!

Ok this does sound cheap and something Scrooge would do, but with the way money is tight these days, more and more people are finding that reusing stuff is a vital way of saving a few pennies, specially at this time year.

One way of using the left over wrapping paper is for drawing paper for the kids, on the other side of the Christmas wrapping paper is usually white, instead of throwing it away, let the kids use it to draw pictures. If you’ve got a big enough piece of paper then use it to line your make up draw or even your underwear draw, to keep things fresh.

Another great way of doing your part is instead of using wrapping paper is to use gift bags, these are great as everyone can re-use these and give gifts to others in the bags you have given and you can do the same by giving others people’s presents in bags you’ve received, also it’s great if you’re terrible at wrapping

So remember with the way the world is at the moment and the way he landfills are getting to bursting point, try to recycle as much as you can

Related articles

Wrap gifts with the planet in mind (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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Are You Recycling Your Christmas Wrapping? is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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November Snow! It Feels Likes Christmas Already!

Karen — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:41:53 +0000

Image by Blazing Minds via Flickr

Those readers of my blog living in the UK will know of the winter weather we have been getting and November was the start of the snow that has spread cross the UK.

When I was young I remember that every Christmas was white and the fun of knowing that Father Christmas was on his way with wonderful presents and cosy nights in front of the fire with my parents, waiting for the next day to come only to go out playing in the snow and making snowmen, oh hang on do we have to say “snowpeople” now?

With all the snow that we have had with the recent November snowfall it feels like Christmas already, that wonderful warmth as you walk through the front door after a day at work and the Christmas tree in the corner of the room, waiting for the presents to be placed gentle around the bottom of it under the glistening decorations, that have been passed down a few generations.

Glasses of mulled wine to keep us warm and wondering what to by those relatives that you never know what to get them each year, socks, jumper or even a gift voucher.

Now that it’s the first of December today, the question that is pondering on a lot of people’s thoughts is, “Will we get a white Christmas?”

It’s a question that I’m like to be yes, I know that there has been a lot of disruption through the end of November with the snow causing major problems in the North of the country and I dare say those that are living in Scotland and the surrounding areas are indeed sick of the snow, but remember how much you loved it when you were a child, don’t you think that children should have that same wonderful feeling as well

Ok, kids these days do seem to prefer to sit in the house and play on their games consoles or computers, but my message to them is, get out there and enjoy life, you’ll have plenty of time to sit in a chair in a room when you are old and frail, make the most of life before it passes you by.

And my message to those that have grown up too quickly is, find your inner child, believe me it keeps you young, mine loves to come out and play in the snow and have a laugh with life, we only get one chance at this wonderful life you know.

So come on everybody, let’s get in to the Christmas spirit and have a little fun with life

Related articles

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November Snow! It Feels Likes Christmas Already! is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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EDF ENERGY and EDF launches Energy TaskForce

Karen — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:03:52 +0000

EDF ENERGY and EDF launches “Energy TaskForce”, a serious game for young engineers who are passionate about energy!

“Energy TaskForce” is a serious game that will be played out over a 3-week period this coming January. If you’re an engineer, a student or a young graduate, and you think you know the various disciplines in the energy sector, you can already register in teams of 4 at http://energytaskforce.edf.com and visit the game’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/edf.energytaskforce.

Discover the trailer for this interactive adventure game that gets right to the heart of the economic and industrial issues facing EDF and the energy sector. Devising and producing tomorrow’s energy, and consuming it more efficiently – these are the Group’s aims, and your objectives within the game! Teams will get the chance to compare their skills and explore and solve puzzles, and each week they will tackle challenges designed to reflect the industrial issues tackled by EDF and the studies of the players. The game will provide them with the opportunity to develop their analytical capabilities, to apply their theoretical knowledge and to get to know the EDF Group better.

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The operation will be carried out on a grand scale across 6 European countries (France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium), the aim being to attract a wide range of skilled individuals with a game that is co-branded with the Group’s European subsidiaries: EDF Energy in the UK, Edison in Italy and EnBW in Germany.

The game will be played from 31 January to 19 February 2011. It’s well worth a shot: the winning team will enjoy a trip to Laos, including a visit to one of the largest dams in the world (Nam Theun).
So now’s the time to spread the word amongst your young engineer friends!

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EDF ENERGY and EDF launches Energy TaskForce is a post from Blazing Minds Copyright 2008-2012. Please link back when using this source material.

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