Environmentally-friendly design has become an even hotter trend in 2019. Architects and designers are shrugging off old impressions that recycled materials or eco-conscious designs are boring. More homeowners want homes that take sustainability seriously. They want their houses to incorporate green materials and contribute to global conservation. Kitchens are a key area of focus for environmentally-friendly remodels. They’re the highest energy consumers in a house, so focusing on energy efficiency there has the greatest payoff. Separating plastics isn’t the only option for homeowners who want an eco-friendly kitchen. Read on for 5 great ways to give your kitchen an environmentally-friendly upgrade.
1. Energy Efficient Windows
Increasing natural light access into kitchens is a great place to start. Energy efficient windows are larger, and they brighten a room by simply letting in more light. The increase in natural light makes it so owners don’t have to turn on the lights as much. Lower energy bills mean more money stays in your pocket and your home has a smaller carbon footprint.
You also get to enjoy the great view outside as you make dinner. In 2021, houses look great with countertop to ceiling windows instead of more of the same tilework. Energy efficient windows also reduce the amount of heat lost through windows, which helps regulate temperate and save on heating bills. They’re a great noise insulator, which is great for homes in close proximity or next to highways.
2. Eco Friendly Countertops
Marble tops will never go out of style, but eco-friendly countertops have so many new, fresh options that everyone should consider them. More homeowners are opting for recycled marble, aluminum or even paper to build their countertops with because it can be a money saver that still looks great.
Recycled glass countertops are unique way to give a kitchen remodel a distinct look. Colorful glass pieces are mixed with cement and a resin base that make smooth mosaic countertops. The glass is environmentally-friendly because it typically comes from demolition projects that would otherwise discard it.
Another great eco-friendly option for countertops are recycled bamboo or some other type of wood installed as a chopping block. Chopping blocks are a portion of a countertop that’s used as a built-in durable cutting board. Bamboo’s a great choice because it grows so fast it’s a renewable resource.
3. Appliances
All the cooking, cooling, freezing, cleaning, and mixing in a kitchen make it the highest energy-consuming room in the house. Appliances use a lot of energy, so upgrading to energy-efficient fridges, stoves, and dishwashers is a smart choice. Refrigerators alone account for up to 15 percent of a home’s total energy use. Luckily, the increasing popularity of low-energy appliances means that there are some great styles to select from too.
Energy-efficient refrigerators can beat government efficiency standards so owners know they’re making a difference. One thing that can really make an impact is not going with the biggest fridge possible. Using a refrigerator appropriate for a home’s need is the best way to reduce environmental impact. Side by side fridges use about 20 percent more electricity than up-down models.
Size also matters for ovens. Bigger ovens use more energy to heat up and cook food, so even though it may look nice, a large oven isn’t the eco-friendliest. The main consideration for choosing a range and oven is deciding between electric and gas. Generally, gas is less expensive and is the cleanest fossil fuel, but some people are nervous about cooking with gas. Just make sure you have a good exhaust installed as well. Electricity used to power electric stoves usually comes from burning coal, not the most environmentally-friendly item. Of course, if homeowners opt to power the stove with rooftop solar panels that’s a great workaround.
4. Find a Place for Cork
Cork flooring has become more popular in recent years, but it’s a good bet many homeowners still don’t know it’s an option. In 2019, more homes will be using cork floors in their kitchens as an environmentally-friendly alternative to tile and vinyl. Cork is great because it’s all-natural and renewable. It can be harvested around every eight years from the same tree.
Cork is extremely durable, even if something is dropped on the floor that makes a dent, it will self-repair over time. No liquid can get through its surface and the floors usually last around 40 years. It’s also extremely safe. Cork only melts at extremely high temperatures and, in the event of a fire, puts off much less toxins than other kinds of kitchen flooring. Finally, cork has a little bounce to it, so cork kitchen floors are comfortable and naturally reduce noise.
5. Recycled Fixtures
Somewhere along the line, reclaimed and recycled became synonymous with luxury. Decorating kitchen décor with recycled lighting fixtures, drawer handles, faucets and cabinetry really elevate kitchen décor, but it can also cost an arm and a leg. So many companies market items as reclaimed that it’s hard to discern whether it’s actually recycled.
Companies that really sell recycled fixtures should include, or be able to include, information about where the fixtures were purchased or repurposed. It’s important for many home owners to know that reclaimed lamp they bought was made in an eco-friendly manner. Of course, if you have the time, you can always DIY it. Thrift stores always have a variety of old furniture that can be dismantled and used for parts. Antique stores are another great place to look for reusable items. Putting in recycled fixtures helps a kitchen look unique, and not like something transferred straight from a furniture showroom.
Bottom Line
Environmentally-friendly kitchen design is in. Homeowners love bringing their kitchens in line with their personal beliefs about conservation efforts. An eco-friendly kitchen reduces energy bills and helps homeowners feel good about helping the environment. Eco-friendly design choices are far from bland. As the eco-friendly décor trend progresses, more and more options are out there for architects, builders, and DIYers to choose from. Start with these five options to plan your kitchen’s environmentally-friendly upgrade today.
All living beings – humans, birds, animals, insects etc – are worthy of consideration and respect. Islam has always viewed animals as a special part of God’s creation. Mankind is responsible for whatever it has at its disposal, including animals whose rights must be respected. The Holy Qur’an, the Hadith, and the history of Islamic civilization offer many examples of kindness, mercy, and compassion for animals. According to Islamic principles, animals have their own position in the creation hierarchy and humans are responsible for their well-being and food.
Islam strongly asks Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. The Holy Qur’an states that all creation praises God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) often chastised his Companions who mistreated animals, and spoke to them about the need for mercy and kindness.
Holy Quran and Animal Welfare
The Holy Quran contains many examples and directives about how Muslims should treat animals. The Quran describes that animals form communities, just as humans do:
“There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but they form communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end”(Quran 6:38).
The Quran further describes animals, and all living things, as Muslim – in the sense that they live in the way that Allah created them to live, and obey Allah’s laws in the natural world.
“Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praise all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise, and Allah knows well all that they do.”(Quran 24:41)
“And the earth, He has assigned it to all living creatures” (Quran 55:10).
Animals are living creatures with feelings and connections to the larger spiritual and physical world. We must consider their lives as worthwhile and cherished.
“And the earth, He has assigned it to all living creatures” (Quran 55:10).
These verses serve as a reminder to us that wildlife, like humans, are created with purpose. They have feelings and are part of the spiritual world. They too have a right to life, and protection from pain and suffering.
“Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment.”
“A good deed done to an animal is like a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as cruelty to a human being.”
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) once passed by a camel that was so emaciated that its back had almost reached its stomach. He said, “Fear Allah in these beasts who cannot speak.”(Abu Dawud)
Humans were created by Allah, the Almighty, to be custodians and guardians of the Earth. Killing without need- that is killing for fun- is not permissible.
The Companions said,”O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “There is a reward for serving any living being.” (Bukhari)
A group of Companions were once on a journey with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he left them for a while. During his absence, they saw a bird with its two young, and they took the young ones from the nest. The mother bird was circling above in the air, beating its wings in grief, when the Prophet came back. He said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her.”(Muslim)
In Islam, hunting for sport is prohibited. Muslims may only hunt as is needed to meet their requirements for food. This was common during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, and he condemned it at every opportunity.
Few Points to Ponder
We need to seriously ask ourselves – is the Muslim community upholding the rights of animal despite explicit orders from Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (SAW)? What should our role be, not only in the debate on such subjects, but in conservation and protection of animals and the environment as a whole? Have we disenfranchised wildlife? How do the laws of the country in which we live stand up to the Islamic principles? And finally, how does Islam help us to find solutions to the dilemmas we face?
It is not impossible to demand greater action and consideration for the natural world. Bolivia has gone as far as to legally grant nature equal rights with humans and has introduced the Law of Mother Earth which reportedly assigns 11 new rights to nature, including: ‘the right to life and to exist; the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration; the right to pure water and clean air; the right to balance; the right not to be polluted; and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered.’ Ecuador has also changed its constitution to give nature “the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution”.
These laws are considered radical, but what it enshrines does not ask for much, indeed only that animals, and nature are given equal respect and care- as much as is expected of us in Islam. Individuals and governments have an important role to play in educating the public animal welfare and establishing institutions to support animal well-being.
Vermicomposting is a type of composting in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of organic waste conversion and produce a better end-product. It is a mesophilic process utilizing microorganisms and earthworms. Earthworms feeds the organic waste materials and passes it through their digestive system and gives out in a granular form (cocoons) which is known as vermicompost.
Simply speaking, vermicompost is earthworm excrement, called castings, which can improve biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil. The chemical secretions in the earthworm’s digestive tract help break down soil and organic matter, so the castings contain more nutrients that are immediately available to plants.
How is Vermicompost Produced
A wide range of organic residues, such as straw, husk, leaves, stalks, weeds etc can be converted into vermicompost. Other potential feedstock for vermicompost production are livestock wastes, poultry litter, dairy wastes, food processing wastes, organic fraction of MSW, bagasse, digestate from biogas plants etc. Earthworms consume organic wastes and reduce the volume by 40–60 percent.
Each earthworm weighs about 0.5 to 0.6 gram, eats waste equivalent to its body weight and produces cast equivalent to about 50 percent of the waste it consumes in a day. The moisture content of castings ranges between 32 and 66 percent and the pH is around 7. The level of nutrients in compost depends upon the source of the raw material and the species of earthworm.
There are nearly 3600 types of earthworms which are divided into burrowing and non-burrowing types. Red earthworm species, like Eiseniafoetida, and are most efficient in compost making. The non-burrowing earthworms eat 10 percent soil and 90 percent organic waste materials; these convert the organic waste into vermicompost faster than the burrowing earthworms. They can tolerate temperatures ranging from 0 to 40°C but the regeneration capacity is more at 25 to 30°C and 40–45 percent moisture level in the pile.
The burrowing types of earthworms come onto the soil surface only at night. These make holes in the soil up to a depth of 3.5 m and produce 5.6 kg casts by ingesting 90 percent soil and 10 percent organic waste.
The types of vermicomposting depend upon the amount of production and composting structures. Small-scale vermicomposting is done to meet personal requirements and farmers/gardeners can harvest 5-10 tons of vermicompost annually. On the other hand, large-scale vermicomposting is done at commercial scale by recycling large quantities of organic waste in modern facilities with the production of more than hundreds of tons annually.
Applications of Vermicompost
The worm castings contain higher percentage of both macro and micronutrients than the garden compost. Apart from other nutrients, a fine worm cast is rich in NPK which are in readily available form and are released within a month of application. Vermicompost enhances plant growth, suppresses disease in plants, increases porosity and microbial activity in soil, and improves water retention and aeration.
Vermicompost also benefits the environment by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and decreasing the amount of waste going to landfills. Vermicompost production is trending up worldwide and it is finding increasing use especially in Western countries, Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia.
A relatively new product from vermicomposting is vermicompost tea which is a liquid produced by extracting organic matter, microorganisms, and nutrients from vermicompost. Unlike vermicompost and compost, this liquid organic fertilizer may be applied directly to plant foliage, reportedly to enhance disease suppression. Vermicompost tea also may be applied to the soil as a supplement between compost applications to increase biological activity.
Vermicompost may be sold in bulk or bagged with a variety of compost and soil blends. Markets include home improvement centers, nurseries, landscape contractors, greenhouses, garden supply stores, grocery chains, flower shops, discount houses, and the general public.
The theme of International Youth Day 2016 is ‘The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production’. Globally the governments and organizations are making efforts in involving the youth in environmental conservation and preservation and assisting them in improving the environmental situation and public health in their own areas, cities and countries.
The International Youth Day is also meant to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities. The involvement in environmental conservation and decision-making and in the implementation of programs is critical and crucial to the long-term success of a healthier world.
Brief Background
The world youth makes up one sixth of the total population of the world. The UN defines the youth as the age group between 15 and 24 years old. Majority of these young men and women live in developing countries and their numbers are expected to rise with time. In 1998 a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. That recommendation was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1999. International Youth Day was first observed worldwide on 12th August in 2000.
Towards Sustainable Consumption
Many global programs and initiatives are now involving and targeting the youth for bringing in the change. Sustainable consumption is an umbrella term that brings together a number of key issues, such as meeting needs, enhancing the quality of life, improving resource efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, minimizing waste, taking a life cycle perspective and taking into account the equity dimension.
Youth constitutes one-sixth of the world’s population
Sustainable consumption and production maximize business potential to transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities and provide a better deal for consumers. The challenge is to improve the overall environmental performance of products throughout their life-cycle, to boost the demand for better products and production technologies and to help consumers in making informed choices. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media, and development cooperation agencies, among others.
Youth constitutes one-sixth of the world’s population
Focus on Food Waste
The theme of International Youth Day 2016 is important for food, water and energy consumption as each year, an estimated one third of all food produced, equivalent to 1.3 billion tons’ worth around $1 trillion ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.
Almost 1 billion people go undernourished and another 1 billion hungry. Overconsumption of food is detrimental to our physical and mental health and the environment. 2 billion people globally are overweight or obese. Land degradation, declining soil fertility, unsustainable water use, overfishing and marine environment degradation are all reducing the ability of the natural resource base to supply food.
Need for Coordinated Action
Many activities and events that take place around the world on International Youth Day promote the benefits that young people bring into the world. Many countries participate in this global event, which may include youth conferences on issues such as environment, education and employment.
Other activities include promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements. The concerned authorities in the country give high priority to the youth and youth programs and involve them in planning and implementing activities that enhance their awareness on environmental issues and problems.
Many NGOs and community based organizations are working in enhancing the awareness on environmental subjects and problems. Local organizations are targeting not only towards sports, religion and charity but area cleaning and enhancing landscaping have also become a priority. Let the youth work on reducing the food waste, promote recycling and reuse, conserve electricity and water, cleaning and beautifying their areas and teaching others to take care of our planet.
Tens of millions of tons of old clothes are discarded worldwide each year. In affluent countries, around 5-6% of the municipal solid waste is comprised of used clothes. Americans discarded 14 million tons of textiles in 2018, out of which only 15 percent was recycled, while more than 11 million tons of textiles were dumped in landfills across the country. The situation is no different in the Middle East where huge amount of clothes and other fabrics gets accumulated in our homes each year.
When thrown in communal bins, textile wastes are transported to the landfill site, where it is dumped and buried taking a sizeable area of the landfill space and entailing cost of transportation and handling. Decomposing textiles releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to global warming. There are dyes and chemicals in fabric and other components of clothing that can leach into the soil, contaminating both surface and groundwater.
Rash purchases and impulse buying, especially in ‘discount sales,’ are the main reason for un-worn clothing pile up at our homes, which takes up a sizeable portion of our wardrobe storage areas. Another reason of not discarding the clothes is the guilt over wasting money which keeps us from throwing out unwanted clothes. Especially women hoard particular styles of clothes in the hope of a fashion revival.
According to https://insightclothing.co.uk/, The first task is to evaluate what we have been wearing and what we will use and what can be discarded. The second task is to see if these clothes can be altered and re-worn by us or our household members. Next task is to see if these clothes can be re-used or re-purposed for other draping like windows, covers, ventilators etc. Finally the option is to donate these textiles to poor people and charity organizations benefiting the community.
We should try to understand that over 70% of the world’s population uses second-hand clothes. Let these clothes find a new face and bring smile on the faces of less-privileged communities. This act of kindness is not only morally pleasing and religiously satisfying but will also depict that we care for waste, community and the environment.
Many local charities in the Middle East understand this situation and have placed containers and boxes for collection of used clothes from the community. Kindly look for these in your area or donate your used clothing to people who really need them and can wear them with pride during festivals and other occasions.
If the clothing is not wearable, it can be converted into wipes that can be used around the house to clean up spills, dusting, cleaning your car etc. Worn-out textiles can be collected and reprocessed as fibers which can be used as filler in vehicle seats, upholstery, insulation, wipe clothes and rest can go to the landfill.
The clothing materials could be reused, repurposed and upcycled into a wide range of items, such as cloth bags, hats, quilts, etc. based on your creativity and usage. The bottom line is to have a regular clearance of your clothes and check your wardrobe making sure that new purchases are thought out and calculated.
تظهر المعادن الثقيلة بشكل طبيعي في البيئة المحيطة بنا. لذا فهي ليست من المواد التي نريدها في أجسامنا. ينتج عن كل من المعادن الثقيلة الشائعة تفاعلات مختلفة داخل الجسم. في بعض الحالات قد تساهم بعض المعادن بالتسمم أو بعض الأمراض. إليكم ما نحتاج معرفته عن المعادن الثقيلة وكيفية تجنب شربها.
الأعراض التي تسببها المعادن الثقيلة إن وجدت في ماء الشرب
ليس من السهل دائمًا معرفة ما إذا كان لديكم معادن ثقيلة في مياه الشرب. تتراوح الأعراض المتعلقة بوجود كميات من المعادن الثقيلة من خفيفة إلى شديدة ، فهي تميل إلى التطور ببطء بمرور الوقت. تشمل بعض الأعراض الشائعة المرتبطة بالتعرض للمعادن الثقيلة ما يلي:
الإسهال والغثيان و / أو القيء
وجع البطن
ضيق في التنفس
ضعف عام
أشارت منظمة الصحة العالمية أن الولايات المتحدة هي واحدة من دول العالم التي تحتوي مياهها الجوفية بمستويات أعلى من مادة الزرنيخ. المعادن الثقيلة الشائعة الأخرى التي قد تكون في مياه منزلك تشتمل على كميات من النحاس والكادميوم والكروم والنيكل والرصاص. ترتبط بعض الأعراض بتناول كميات من المعادن الثقيلة.على سبيل المثال،التعرض بوجود كميات من الزئبقفيمياهالشربيؤديبالتسمم، أو مشاكل في الكلام والسمع أو تغيرات في الرؤية أو تلف الأعصاب في اليدين أو الوجه.
اختبار جودة المياه الخاصة بمنزلك
الخطوة الأولى التي يمكنك اتخاذها لتجنب شرب المعادن الثقيلة التي قد تكون موجودة الماء هي اختبار المياه للتأكد من خلو المعادن الثقيلة. ستحدد النتائج ما إذا كانت هناك كميات كبيرة من أي معادن ثقيلة شائعة في مياه منزلك. من المرجح أن تتجنب شرب المعادن الثقيلة إذا تواجدت في المياه القادمة إلى منزلك.
تجنب المأكولات البحرية التي تحتوي على مستويات عالية من الزئبق
إذا اتضح أنك تعرضت بتناول كميات أعلى من المعتاد من المعدن الثقيل في مياه الشرب او بعض المأكولات ، فإن اتخاذ خطوات إضافية لتجنب زيادة هذه الكميات قد يكون مفيدًا. المأكولات البحرية هي نقطة انطلاق جيدة. تعد أغلب المأكولات البحرية من المأكولات التي تحتوي على كميات قليلة بالمعادن الثقيلة. في الواقع ، تعد العديد من أنواع المأكولات البحرية مصدرًا موثوقًا للعناصر الغذائية المفيدة.
لكن ما من الأفضل تجنب تناول المأكولات البحرية التي تحتوي على مستوياتعاليةمنالزئبق. وهذا يعني على وجه التحديد تجنب الاستهلاك المفرط لما يلي:
سمكة السيف
سمك المارلين
تونة كبيرة العين و التونة ذو الزعنفة الصفراء
فحص الأنابيب واستبدالها (إذا لزم الأمر)
معظم المنازل التي شيدت قبل عام ١٩٨٠ استخدم لحام الرصاص لتأمين وصلات الأنابيب. تعاني بعض المنازل أيضًا من مشاكل في وجود كميات من الرصاص والنحاس في خطوطالتوصيلالمياه. لذا إذا أظهر الاختبار مستويات عالية من المعادن الثقيلة في مياه منزلك ، من الممكن أن تكون قد تسربت من خلال أنابيب المياه. يمكن أن يحدد فحص السباكة الشامل ما إذا كانت المشكلة من أنابيب المياه الخاصة بالمنزل. إذا كان الأمر كذلك، فتحديثات وتصليحات السباكة المناسبة سوق تكون الحل الأمثل لحل هذه المشكلة.
عدم استخدام الأطباق القديمة بشكل متكرر
قد تحتوي أواني السيراميك القديمة على الرصاص. إذا كنتم تستخدمون أطباق قديمة عادةً ، فمن الأفضل استخدامها للمناسبات الخاصة فقط. اختارو الألواح الغير السامة وأواني الطهي والتقديم المصنوعة من المواد التي لا خطر منها للاستخدام اليومي.
إستبدال موازين الحرارة الزئبقية بأخرى رقمية
قد يبدو من غير المحتمل أن ينكسر مقياس الحرارة الزئبقي القديم ويدخل إلى مياه الشرب المنزلية. ومع ذلك ، من الأفضل أن اتخاذ الحيطة و الحذر واستبدال موازين الحرارة الزئبقية المستخدمة في مطبخك أو منطقة تناول الطعام ، بأجهزة رقمية وحديثه
الحذر في استخدام مبيدات الأعشاب
إذا كنت تعمل بانتظام في حديقة منزلك ، فكن على دراية بأن بعض مبيدات الأعشاب تحتوي على معادن ثقيلة. خصص بعض الوقت لاختيار منتجات لا تحتوي على مستويات عالية من المعادن الثقيلة.
التحقق من محتوى الأدوية
قد يبدو الأمر من غير المحتمل أن يحدث، ولكن بعض الأدوية تحتوي على معادن ثقيلة كمكونات رئيسية. يفضل التحقق من المحتويات المحددة لأي أدوية تتناولون بشكل منتظم. إذا لاحظتم مستويات عالية بشكل غير عادي من المعادن الثقيلة ، فتحدثو إلى الطبيب حول إمكانية التغيير إلى أدوية أخرى تعالج مشاكلكم الصحية ولكن بمحتوى أقل بالمعادن الثقيلة
استبدال الطلاء القديم
من المرجح أن يكون الرصاص قد استخدم قي طلاا المنازل القديمة. وفقًا لوكالة حماية البيئة ، تم حظر استخدام المستهلك الطلاء المحتوي على الرصاص في عام ١٩٧٨. لذلك ، إذا كان لديك منزل أقدم من هذا ولم يتم تغيير الطلاء ، فهذه خطوة من يفضل القيام بها.
هناك طريقة أخرى لتجنب المعادن الثقيلة في مياه الشرب الخاصة بالمنزل وهي استخدام فلتر مياه موثوق. يمكن أن يوفر الفلتر عالي الجودة مياه منزلية أنظف وأكثر صحة وأمانًا للاستخدام للشرب بشكل منتظم. ، أنتم تستحقون مياه الشرب التي لن تؤثر سلبًا على صحتك وتعيش حياة أكثر سعادة. مع الاحتياطات المناسبة يمكنك تحقيق هذا الهدف والاستمتاع بصحة عالية.
ترجمة
محمد عدنان النخلي- مهندس كيميائي- مهتم في تفكك البوليميرات إلى موادها الأولية وتحويلها إلى مواد مفيدة، وتقليل المخلفات البلاستيكية في البيئة.
Connected vehicles technology is a wireless-based technology which enables vehicles (light as well as heavy) to instantly communicate with each other, through an onboard installed device that receives warning signals ahead of time about road closures, pile-ups and other potential hazards related to weather conditions. Connected vehicle aims to enable safe, inter-operable networked wireless communications among vehicles, the infrastructure, and passengers’ personal communications devices.
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) defines this revolutionary technology as achieving “cleaner air through smarter transportation.” DOT, in coordination with major automakers and other public and private sector innovators, has been working to advance vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications technology to help prevent traffic crashes before they happen.
The network captures real-time data from equipment located on-board vehicles (automobiles, trucks, and buses) and within the infrastructure. The data are transmitted wirelessly and are used by transportation managers in a wide range of dynamic, multi-modal applications to manage the transportation system for optimum performance.
Advantages of Connected Vehicles
An important role of this system is to mitigate environmental impacts of using roads and highways as it generate as well as capture environmentally relevant real-time transportation data and use this data to create actionable information to support and facilitate “green” transportation choices. The system focuses on improving air quality, reducing GHG emissions and decreasing fuel consumption. Connected vehicles technology is a good tool to mitigate climate change and achieve emissions reduction targets.
Through connected vehicles, drivers will have advance information about traffic congestion etc. which will enable people to reschedule, postpone, cancel or carpool their trip. Informed travelers may decide to avoid congested routes, take alternate routes, public transit, or reschedule their trip — all of which can make their trip more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly.
People can also shift to public transportation which will result in fewer GHG emissions caused by significant reduction in fuel consumption and less traffic congestion thus enhancing the air quality. The traffic agency can also introduce a fine “pricing policy” in heavy traffic areas. Connected vehicles technologies promote eco-driving by advising drivers to minimize fuel consumption or directly control engine brakes without requiring the driver’s intervention.
Potential in the Middle East
Connected vehicles have the potential to solve transportation woes and ease traffic mobility in major Middle East cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai which are plagued by heavy traffic volumes. Moreover, deployment of this technology will enable people to take a real-time situation decision and maintain sustainable traffic practices.
In addition, connected vehicles will be a handy and efficient tool to mitigate environmental impacts of the rapidly growing transport sector. Moreover, connected vehicles, ranging from cars to trucks can relay important safety and mobility information to one another which may help in saving lives, preventing injuries and easing traffic congestion.
The challenges posed by solid waste to governments and communities are many and varied. In the GCC region, where most countries have considerably high per capita waste generation values, the scale of the waste management challenge faced by civic authorities is even bigger. Fast-paced industrial growth, recent construction boom, increasing population, rapid urbanisation, and vastly improved lifestyle coupled with unsustainable consumption patterns have all contributed to the growing waste crisis in the GCC.
Among the GCC nations, United Arab Emirates has the highest municipal solid waste generation per capita of 2.2 kg (which is among the highest worldwide) followed closely by Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. The total urban waste generation in the GCC has been estimated to be around 150 million tons per annum, with MSW being the second largest stream after construction wastes.
Key Challenges
A look at the composition of municipal solid waste in GCC nations suggests that it is largely decomposable and recyclable. However, at present waste disposal into landfills/dumpsites remains the widely practiced method. In countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain where limited land is available, this doesn’t seem to be most prudent option. At present, waste management sector is facing multiple challenges in the form of:
Lack of clear reliable framework by which the solid waste sector is administered from the collection, transformation to disposing or treatment phases
Absence of effective and comprehensive legislative frameworks governing the solid waste sector and the inadequate enforcement mechanisms, which are no less important than the legislation themselves
Management activities of MSW are considered public services
which are directly controlled by governmental institutions. Such management arrangement is considered weak as it lacks market mechanisms, and in this case economical incentives cannot be used to improve and develop the MSW management services
Inadequate human and organizational capacities and capabilities
Scarcity of accurate and reliable background data and information on the status of solid waste such as rate of generation of different solid waste constituencies, assessment of natural resources and land-use, and transportation needs, scenarios of treatment, growth scenarios of solid waste which are linked to several driving forces. Needless to say, data and information are the crucial elements for developing MSW management system including the adequate monitoring of the sector.
Inadequate waste strategies/management infrastructure: In most GCC countries existing waste handling capacities are insufficient. Presently recyclable recovery rate is low. Further, in the absence of local recycling facilities, there is no alternative except to dump the otherwise recyclable material at landfills.
Waste recycling is expensive: Though recent years have seen an increase in the number of waste recycling facilities the economics of recycling is still not very favourable. In many cases recycling waste is expensive compared to buying the product which can be attributed to lack of recycling facilities.
Under developed market for recycled products: Insufficient demand for recycled products in the local market is another reason, which has hampered the growth of the waste recycling industry.
Public attitude: Economies in the GCC countries are oil dependent due to high reserves of fossil fuels. For several decades alternatives such as solar and wind were not considered and oil was the easier option. Recently and due to drop in oil prices more consideration is given to renewable sources. Similarly waste was mainly landfilled as it was the easier choice, yet due to known complication with such treatment, more suitable measures were considered. Therefore there is the need for an effective comprehensive “education and awareness” program in regards of these two issues
The Way Forward
GCC urgently requires an ambitious sustainable development agenda with waste management (minimisation, reuse and recycling) among its main priorities. Waste has a range of environmental impacts, on air, water, and land and also is a major economic drain, especially on city budgets. It is estimated that 50% of a city’s budget is spent on waste management.
The inefficient use of scarce resources reflected in materials discarded and abandoned as waste represents a huge economic and environmental cost borne by society as a whole.
GCC urgently requires more recycling facilities, like this MRF in Sharjah
Management of solid waste is a serious challenge faced by most modern societies. But waste is not only a challenge: it is also a largely untapped opportunity. Proper waste management presents an opportunity not only to avoid the detrimental impacts associated with waste, but also to recover resources, realise environmental, economic and social benefits and take a step on the road to a sustainable future.
The benefits arise when waste is treated as a resource, a resource that can be recovered and put to productive and profitable use. Products can be reused and the materials that make them up can be recovered and converted to other uses or recycled.
Lead-acid batteries are widely used on a mass-scale in all parts of the world. They act as power sources in a wide-range of equipment and appliances used by households, commerce and industry. Lead-acid batteries finds wide application in all modes of modern transport including cars, trucks, buses, boats, trains, rapid mass-transit systems, recreational vehicles etc.
During power-cuts, lead-acid batteries provide emergency power for critical operations such as air-traffic control towers, hospitals, railroad crossings, military installations, submarines, and weapons systems. All automotive batteries and 95 percent of industrial batteries are lead-acid secondary cells.
Harmful Impacts of Batteries
Lead-acid batteries contain sulphuric acid and large amounts of lead. The acid is extremely corrosive and is also a good carrier for soluble lead and lead particulate. Lead is a highly toxic metal that produces a range of adverse health effects particularly in young children.
Exposure to excessive levels of lead can cause damage to brain and kidney, impair hearing; and lead to numerous other associated problems. On average, each automobile manufactured contains approximately 12 kilograms of lead. Around 96% lead is used in the common lead-acid battery, while the remaining 4% in other applications including wheel balance weights, protective coatings and vibration dampers.
In the developing world, more than 3 million die each year due to lead contamination from processing of used lead-acid batteries, with South America, South Asia and Africa being the highest affected regions.
Collection Strategies
The most common and most efficient method for the collection of lead-acid batteries is through the battery retailer where a discount is given against the purchase price of a new battery provided the customer returns the used battery. In some countries a deposit has to be paid when a new battery is purchased and is only returned to the customer when the battery is returned to the retailer for recycling.
In several parts of the world, reconditioned lead-acid batteries are offered for sale. In the Caribbean islands there is a thriving second-hand auto trade and thousands of used Japanese cars are imported into the region every year to be broken up for spares. Many of these vehicles have a used lead acid battery, which is removed from the vehicle and shipped to Venezuela for recycling.
An informal collection mechanism is through rag-pickers who scavenge for discarded materials that can be reused or recycled. Rag-pickers scour waste dumps, strip abandoned vehicles and wrecks and even collect batteries that have been used for standby power in domestic houses.
Recycling Methods
Lead is highly toxic metal and once the battery becomes inoperative, it is necessary to ensure its proper collection and eco-friendly recycling. A single lead-acid battery disposed of incorrectly into a municipal solid waste collection system, and not removed prior to entering a resource recovery facility for mixed MSW, could contaminate 25 tonnes of MSW and prevent the recovery of the organic resources within this waste because of high lead level.
Recycling of used lead acid batteries is a complex process
Recycling of used lead-acid batteries, provided it is done in an environmentally sound manner, is important because it keeps the batteries out of the waste stream destined for final disposal. Lead from storage batteries placed in unlined landfills can even contaminate the groundwater. Recycling prevents the emission of lead into the environment and also avoids the energy usage associated with manufacturing lead from virgin resources.
Obtaining secondary lead from used lead-acid batteries can be economically attractive, depending upon the market price of lead. Recovery of lead from batteries is easier and requires significantly less energy than producing primary lead from ore. Recycling also reduces dispersal of lead in the environment and conserves mineral resources for the future when undertaken in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Parting Shot
It is to be noted that recycling of used lead acid batteries is not a simple process that can be undertaken in small scale enterprises. Infact lead-acid battery recycling is regarded as one of the worst polluting industries worldwide. Certain control measures should to be taken to prevent adverse impacts to people and the ecology. With exponential rise in consumption of lead-acid batteries, it is imperative on all Middle East nations to put together a viable strategy to tackle the problem of used lead-acid batteries.
Nature has always been a powerful source of inspiration and muse for artists throughout history.
With countless forms, colors, and textures available in the natural world, creative individuals have found various ways to express their appreciation. They’ve also managed to show their fascination by transforming their experiences into captivating works of art.
In this article, we’ll explore ten different types of art that allow for unique opportunities to celebrate nature, from painting beautiful landscapes to creating intricate botanical illustrations.
10 Types of Art That Celebrate Nature
Here are 10 incredible types of art that celebrate nature and encapsulate its unquestionable mystique. So let’s dive in and get inspired by the beauty that surrounds us every day!
1. Landscape Paintings
One popular way to celebrate nature is through landscape painting. This art form captures the beauty of the natural world from serene landscapes like mountains. You can either create your own masterpieces or purchase original artwork from talented artists from online art galleries like Singulart.
2. Botanical Illustrations
If you have an affinity for plants, botanical illustration might be the perfect choice for you. These detailed drawings and paintings focus on depicting various plant species in a scientifically accurate manner while highlighting their intricate details via accurate descriptions.
3. Wildlife Photography
For those who enjoy capturing moments in time, wildlife photography is an excellent way to celebrate nature’s inhabitants in their natural habitats. This artistic medium involves patience and skill but ultimately rewards with beautiful images of animals going about their daily lives.
4. Nature-Based Sculptures
Sculpture is another art form through which you can pay homage to nature. Nature-based sculptures may incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal or may depict elements of the natural world, like animals or abstract representations of organic shapes.
5. Environmental Art
Environmental art serves both as an artistic expression and a mode of activism, focusing on issues related to nature conservation or environmental issues such as pollution. Some environmental artists use ephemeral materials found in nature as part of their installations.
6. Eco-printing and Dyeing
A more hands-on approach to celebrating nature might involve eco-printing and dyeing textiles using natural pigments extracted from plants themselves! This method not only allows for creative expression but encourages sustainable practices by relying on renewable resources.
7. Floral Designs
By arranging flowers in a visually appealing manner, floral design offers an attractive and fragrant way to celebrate nature. Whether you’re creating bouquets or simply sprucing up your home, this art form allows for endless creativity and showcases the beauty of plants.
8. Nature Journaling
Combining doodling, sketching, writing, and more in a purposeful journal dedicated to observing nature allows you to explore the outdoors while documenting your experiences. This introspective practice can be therapeutic while fostering a deeper connection with nature.
9. Ceramics Inspired by Nature
Create functional items like mugs, bowls, or sculptures through ceramics that draw inspiration from natural forms such as plants or animals. Working with clay materials provides a tactile experience that connects the artist directly with Earth’s components and the natural world.
10. Bonsai Art
Bonsai art involves meticulously cultivating miniature trees through pruning and shaping techniques over time. The resulting miniature landscapes reflect a harmonious balance between human intervention and natural growth—an ultimate celebration of our relationship with nature.
Conclusion
There are endless ways to embrace and celebrate the beauty of nature through an array of artistic mediums. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking for new inspiration or a nature enthusiast eager to incorporate creativity into your daily life, the possibilities are boundless.
عطلة صيفية تظل عالقة في الأذهان هو كل ما نتمنى تحقيقه عند التخطيط للسفر بصحبة الأهل والأصدقاء! لذا نحن خططنا لك جولة سفر الى دولة الكويت التي لديها الكثير لاكتشافه وتجربته سواء من مواقع تاريخية أو مناظر طبيعية أو حتى مغامرات مثيرة لمحبي التشويق والاثارة. بالاضافة الى أنها تمتلك عدد من الفنادق الساحرة التي تأخذك إلى عالم آخر بكل ما تحمله الكلمة من معنى!عند حجز فنادق الكويت لقضاء إجازتك الصيفية القادمة ستشعر بالراحة والاسترخاء في غرفتك أو جناحك الشخصي المصمم بأجمل الديكورات والاثاث، ناهيك عن الخدمات والمرافق الترفيهية من حمامات سباحة رائعة وغرف ساونا وبخار للحصول على قسط من الاستجمام بعيدًا عن ضغوطات الحياة.
بالتأكيد هذا هو ما نحتاج إليه في عطلتنا الصيفية بعد فترة عمل طويلة مليئة بالضغوطات والتحديات المتعبة! عليك الاستراحة الآن والتخطيط لرحلتك إلى الكويت للاستمتاع بالإقامة في أحد فنادقها الفاخرة. اطلع فقط على مجموعة الفنادق التالية واختر الفندق الذي يحلو لك واحجزه على الفور لعطلة صيفية مذهلة.
فندق ومنتجع جميرا شاطئ المسيلة – الكويت
واحد من فنادق الكويت الساحرة التي ستتمنى الاقامة فيها حقًا! يتمتع مكان الاقامة هذا بتصنيف 5 نجوم، ويقع في منطقة شاطئ المسيلة، للاستمتاع بمنظر البحر الرائع والرمال البيضاء الناعمة، أما الغرف والاجنحة فأنها مزينة بالديكورات الخشبية الأنيقة والأثاث الراقي الفاخر.
الاضافة الى أنه يقع في قلب الكويت مما يجعله قريب من مواقع الجذب الشهيرة هناك مثل: حديقة حيوان الكويت وتبعد حوالي 13 كم عن الفندق، ومركز الكويت العلمي والاكواريوم ويبعد مسافة 9 كم عن الفندق، وبيت المرايا الذي يبعد 12 كم عن مكان الإقامة هذا، ومواقع سياحية أخرى تستحق الاكتشاف. هيا استعد لحجز غرفتك أو جناحك الشخصي في واحد من اجمل فنادق الكويت، لقضاء عطلة مذهلة تضمن لك الراحة والرفاهية في آنٍ واحد. وإليك فيما يلي مزايا وخدمات الفندق:
يوفر مجموعة من الغرف الفاخرة والمريحة.
وحدات الفندق جميعها مكيفة.
توفر بعض الغرف المواجه للشاطئ، إذا كنت ترغب في الاستيقاظ صباحًا على هذا المنظر البانورامي الساحر.
جميع الغرف تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة، وماكينة تحضير الشاي والقهوة، وخزنة، بالإضافة إلى حمام خاص مزود بلوازم استحمام فاخرة.
تحتوي شقق الفندق على مطبخ تم تجهيزه بالكامل مع غرف معيشة.
يوفر الفندق العديد من اختيارات الطعام للنزلاء ومن هذه الاختيارات: الأطباق الايطالية الشهية.
يوفر غرف ساونا وسبا.
مركز لياقة بدنية متكامل ومجهز بأجهزة حديثة.
يتيح للنزلاء الاستمتاع بالسباحة في مسبح الفندق في الهواء الطلق المنعش.
يوجد مكتب استقبال يعمل على مدار الساعة.
خدمات الانترنت المجاني متاحة في الغرف وفي جميع أركان الفندق.
خدمات توصيل النزلاء من وإلى المطار متاحة بالفندق.
يوجد موقف سيارات مجاني.
خدمة تحويل العملات متاحة بالفندق، وصراف آلي.
فندق سانت ريجيس الكويت
إذا كنت من عشاق الكلاسيكية والفخامة، احجز إقامتك في فندق سانت ريجيس المذهل خلال رحلتك في الكويت! واحد من الفنادق الملكية حقًا الذي يتمتع بتصنيف 5 نجوم في موقع استراتيجي نابض بالحياة!
غرف وأجنحة الفندق واسعة ومجهزة بأحدث وسائل الراحة، ومزينة بتصميمات وديكورات أنيقة ناعمة تجعلك تشعر بالاسترخاء والهدوء في غرفتك.
فضلًا عن قرب الفندق من بعض الأماكن السياحية الشهيرة في الكويت ومنها: متحف الكويت الوطني وبرج التحرير اللذان يبعدان مسافة 1.4 كم عن الفندق، وحديقة حيوان الكويت الممتعة لقضاء يوم عائلي مميز ويفضل بينها وبين الفندق حوالي 7 كم فقط وبيت المرايا والمركز العلمي وغيره.
مكان اقامة ساحر ومميز حقًا يستحق التجربة! انتهز رحلتك الى الكويت ولا تفوت حجز احدى غرف سانت ريجيس! تعرف على خدمات ومرافق الفندق في السطور القادمة:
يوفر غرف أنيقة وفاخرة لا يمكن مقاومتها.
وحدات مكيفة.
يوفر غرف عائلية مميزة.
جميع الغرف تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة وقنوات فضائية مختارة لتسليتك.
شاهد أجمل الإطلالات البانورامية الساحرة على المدينة من شرفة غرفتك.
قائمة اختيارات متنوعة من الطعام تقدم كل يوم للنزلاء.
يوفر حمام سباحة واسع في الهواء الطلق.
يوفر خدمات الساونا والجاكوزي لنزلاء.
يوفر مركز لياقة بدنية على أعلى مستوى.
يوفر قاعات للاجتماعات والحفلات.
استمتع بتصفح الانترنت من غرفتك أو من أي مكان بالفندق مجانًا.
فندق فور بوينتس باي شيراتون الكويت
فندق رائع ذو أجواء صيفية جميلة! يتمتع بتصنيف 4 نجوم ويقع في شارع فهد سالم في حي مدينة الكويت. يتميز بالديكورات الهادئة الناعمة مع لمسة عصرية أنيقة تراها في المفروشات والاثاث الراقي.
يوفر خدمة ممتازة من قبل جميع طاقم العمل لراحة النزلاء، بالإضافة إلى قضاء أوقات مليئة بالمتعة والتسلية في المرافق الترفيهية الرائعة لنزلاء الفندق.ومن أماكن الجذب التي تحيط بالفندق: متحف الكويت الوطني وبرج التحرير اللذان يبعدان مسافة 1.3 كم فقط عن الفندق، وحديقة الشهيد التي تبعد 3 كم عن الفندق، وبيت المرايا والمركز العلمي. وللتعرف أكثر على ما يوفره الفندق من خدمات ووسائل راحة، اقرأ الآتي:
غرف مريحة وأنيقة لراحة النزلاء.
وحدات الفندق مكيفة.
الغرف العائلية المميزة والمجهزة لجميع أفراد عائلتك في انتظارك.
جميع وحدات الفندق تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة مع قنوات فضائية حديثة، وخزانة، وآلة تحضير الشاي والقهوة، وحمام خاص مزود بلزازم استجمام فاخرة.
منتجع فاخر ذو تصنيف 5 نجوم مواجه للشاطئ، مناسب للعائلات نظرا لتوافر العديد من الأنشطة الترفيهية الممتعة. بالاضافة الى قرب فندق ومنتجع موفينبيك من سوق السالمية لقضاء وقت ممتع في التسوق والتنزه وشراء هدايا تذكارية رائعة بمناسبة احتفالات رأس السنة.
اليك مزايا الفندق الرائعة التي يوفرها للضيوف الكرام، كي يحظوا باقامة مثالية خلال عطلتهم:
جميع غرف الفندق أنيقة.
جميع وحدات الفندق مكيفة.
يضم الفندق أجنحة وشقق.
توفر الغرف اطلالة مذهلة على الشاطئ.
جميع الغرف تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة، وماكينة تحضير الشاي والقهوة.
يضم الفندق غرف عائلية.
يوفر الفندق قوائم طعام متنوعة للنزلاء.
يضم الفندق 5 مسابح خارجية في الهواء الطلق.
يضم منتجع صحي فاخر لضيوف.
يضم الفندق ملعب ونادي للأطفال.
يضم مركز لياقة بدنية مجهز بأجهزة رياضية حديثة.
توفير خدمات نقل من وإلى المطار مقابل تكلفة اضافية.
اتاحة خدمات الواي فاي المجانية في جميع أنحاء الفندق.
توفير موقف سيارات مجاني.
فنادق رائعة بكل المقاييس لن تجعلك تحتاج لشيئ آخر! استعد الآن لرحلتك الى الكويت للاقامة في أجمل فنادقها التي تضمن لك قضاء عطلة صيفية مليئة بالمرح والمتعة والاسترخاء أيضًا. هيا حجز تذكرتك وابدأ في حجز فنادق الكويت من القائمة السابقة لاجازة ولا أروع مع أحبائك.
Patagonia, an American company, has launched a program called “Worn Wear” to promote its sustainable approach. The initiative encourages customers to repair or reuse their clothing instead of buying new pieces, by providing spare parts for clothes that need repair. Additionally, the company offers a special program for customers through its website, where they can send in their used Patagonia clothing and exchange it for points that can be used to purchase new items. The company also provides important tips for caring for and repairing clothes, as well as offering some used products for sale.
Of course, there are several companies from various countries that follow the sustainable and recycling approach, aiming to reduce the use of resources and keep them in the manufacturing and usage cycle.
So what is the purpose of all this? It is the circular economy, which I tend to call “circular improvement”. This is different from the linear economy, which relies on the usual process from resource extraction to usage, and then disposal of products, which turn into waste and pollution. In the circular economy, the product cycle is extended, while reducing waste and emissions in the product or service journey. This is based on the three principles of using, reusing, and recycling.
With the increasing environmental awareness on one hand, and the negative consequences of the linear economy on the other, it has become necessary to stop the continuous production of waste and its catastrophic effects on the environmental balance, which directly or indirectly affects humans.
So how can companies enhance their presence as effective brands through the circular economy? And can this approach serve them in terms of presence, profitability, and innovation compared to companies that use the linear economy?
In this article, we try to shed light on the importance of the circular economy in shaping the identities of companies in a competitive market. While the circular economy may not be a prominent feature for many sectors, it has proven to be a crucial approach in achieving sustainability and mitigating environmental impacts.
Companies can benefit from the circular economy by:
Reducing costs by adopting more efficient production processes and reducing waste.
The potential to save on raw material costs and disposal, which leads to increased profitability.
Opportunities to increase revenue by designing products that can be reused, repaired, or recycled. These companies can also provide new sources of income by selling refurbished or recycled products.
This is what Patagonia did, as we mentioned earlier, and its practice contributed to reducing costs, reducing waste, and increasing its profitability at the same time.
Creating a unique positioning for the brand without competitors, making the distinction in this area prominent and ahead of others, especially for companies that rely heavily on the linear economy. The transition to the circular economy is an intelligent repositioning for the company, taking a new line that advances over the rest of the competitors.
Building customer loyalty through these environmental practices, which make their impact on the target audience, especially those who are concerned about the environment and are aware of the products they buy. This interest can be reflected in several environmental and social images to form sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR).
A space for innovation and collaboration by continuously communicating with suppliers, customers, and all parties involved in the product or service cycle. Companies can develop circular models in manufacturing, transportation, and delivery.
One of the notable models, for example, is Philips, where it developed lighting service models, where customers pay for using lighting instead of buying products directly! This trend will reduce waste and provide new revenue opportunities for the company.
Of course, considering understanding the purchasing behavior of the target audience and the importance of aligning the company’s goal with the possibility of changing consumer behavior through possible and practical human engineering.
Challenges facing the circular economy practice
If we look at the matter, although it seems beautiful and encouraging, and although it is possible for companies that want to make their own presence with the sustainability of their products and revenues, there are a number of challenges as there are opportunities, including:
The absence of qualified infrastructure for the circular economy. Therefore, everything we have is based on the linear economy. Hence, the matter needs to work in stages to smartly transition from the linear economy to the circular economy.
Among the possible measures are the implementation of extended responsibility programs for the product, support for the development of supply chains, and the study of time, distance, and the mechanism contributing to the carbon or water footprint of the product or service. Each product consumes a certain amount of energy, which results in carbon emissions, and this is the “carbon footprint,” as well as the amount of water used to provide a product or service, which is the “water footprint.”
Several companies are working to reduce water use during their product manufacturing, including Levi’s, Adidas, H&M, Stella McCartney, and Eileen Fisher.
The need to provide policies and legislation, by directing towards the circular economy gradually, through legislation that encourages reuse, recycling, and waste reduction. The direction towards supporting companies, institutions, and entities that partially adopt the circular economy. This will encourage others to follow suit, and there will be models that can be relied upon even if only partially. This is the starting point for expansion and benefiting from the best practices.
Working on creating public awareness, through continued smart and effective communication with the public through various digital and physical contact points, and demonstrating the mutual added value from the manufacturer of the product or service provider or even the consumer himself, in case of adopting the circular economy in the selection of products and services. It may be difficult for industries with complex supply chains, but there are still many areas where several industries can take their first steps in this direction.
Awareness is through choosing environmentally friendly products and services, promoting a culture of recycling and reuse, and educating individuals on the importance of reducing waste and carbon emissions.
A roadmap for business sustainability can be achieved by incorporating sustainability into various elements of the company’s core identity. These elements include the purpose, vision, mission, values, positioning, promise, and products/services. They can be abbreviated as 4P2VM, which stands for Purpose, Vision, Mission, Values, Positioning, Promise, and Products.
However, this cannot be accomplished in one fell swoop. It is part of a sustainability strategy that must be embraced by the company or organization. The low number of players in this economy is an opportunity to enter early and gain both material and spiritual benefits, as well as create change. There are challenges, but it is worth working on, and the following steps can help achieve it:
Study the product and service cycle, and examine the possibility of reducing waste from the first birth of the product until its end of life.
Identify areas where the product can move to be closer to the circular economy, such as the type of packaging used with the product, using recyclable or environmentally friendly materials.
Connect that area to one of the aforementioned strategic points, such as the purpose, vision, mission, etc., to make it part of the company’s policy rather than a luxury.
Examine the best practices and include them in the “optimized” product cycle, by studying the experiences of companies from different countries, and looking at the latest technologies and practices in this field.
Start with the initial model of the product or service and calculate the cost, while educating the target audience to be a parallel path, one in the product journey and the other in the customer experience.
Collect feedback from the product manufacturing cycle and from the customer experience and evaluate it.
Make recommendations for continuous improvement.
Expand the experience vertically in terms of supply chains and raw materials, and in terms of product logistics and quantity, while the focus remains on the customer experience and the impact on the environment.
Between environmental balance and innovation
The shift to a circular economy, as a qualitative leap for the economy, naturally presents challenges in transitioning from a linear economy inherited from the first industrial revolution to the present. However, it would be our best option if we want to maintain a healthy and civilized life simultaneously. This balance cannot be achieved with a linear and environmentally polluted economy, leaving heavy consequences of emissions. Rather, it can be achieved through a well-thought-out adoption of what we produce and what is wasted, and the journey between them.
The goal is to increase the lifespan of the product and reduce waste, thus improving the quality of life by providing job opportunities, promoting innovation and expanding the scope of use, and obtaining a better environment, resulting in fewer diseases and better restoration of the earth’s natural cycle.
Identity presence can be created by touching on these possible areas in the circular economy, if included in the strategies of governments and companies in a coordinated manner.
The distinctive presence will be through understanding the circular economy scenario and linking it to the organization’s strategy, with smart employment of available tools to enhance it, including “artificial intelligence,” which can play a role in planning, financial analysis, risk management, understanding the behavior engineering of the target audience, and all this through data analysis, predicting demand and identifying future opportunities.
Artificial intelligence can also analyze data related to product and service usage and design models to develop more efficient and sustainable methods of production and consumption.
Local Reading and the reality of the Circular Economy
In Bahrain, we produce about 1.2 million tons of solid waste annually, at a daily rate of more than 4,500 tons. This provides many opportunities not only to work on recycling waste at the end of the linear economy but also to work on the beginning, during, and after the product’s birth, and in this way, the process of transforming the linear economy with time into a circular economy can be accomplished.
It seems that there is an ambitious vision, given that the Bahraini government has launched a waste management strategy for the period 2020-2035. The goal is to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills to 60%. If we know that the landfill in Askar is expected to reach its maximum capacity in the coming years, this becomes crucial.
Based on the Economic Recovery Plan in Bahrain, the Kingdom plans to target investments of up to $30 billion in strategic projects, creating new investment opportunities in infrastructure and priority sectors across the Kingdom, including renewable energy sectors such as blue and green hydrogen.
Knowing the quantity and quality of waste and using data analysis, it is possible to determine the percentage of waste from residential, commercial, and industrial use. By providing this data to interested companies, universities, research centers, and institutions in and outside Bahrain, it is possible to work on reverse engineering and providing practical solutions to reduce the amount of waste and focus on transitioning from a linear to a circular economy.
All of this comes within the context of the clear vision of Bahrain’s 2030 economic vision, which talked about the importance of the need to change the current economic model according to sustainability, competitiveness, and justice. As stated in the vision, “Bahrain finds economic model that contributes to achieving sustainable development, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring social justice.”
To achieve these goals, Bahrain has launched various initiatives and strategies, such as the Waste Management Strategy and the Vision 2030, which aim to create a more sustainable and circular economy. This shift towards a circular economy not only helps to reduce waste and environmental degradation but also creates new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
In conclusion, the issue of solid waste management in Bahrain presents both a challenge and an opportunity to transition towards a circular economy. By leveraging data analysis and engineering, and by implementing various initiatives and strategies, Bahrain can reduce its waste output, create new investment opportunities, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
“Kaizen Day-to-Day”!
When we aim for continuous small changes, as the Japanese call it “Kaizen”, some products can contribute to providing a daily experience for the audience and practically enhance their awareness. Among the displayed products is this device that converts food waste into organic fertilizer that can be utilized! Check out www.Lomi.com.
There is also a Saudi product that provides a smart farm at home, which enables self-sufficiency for some vegetables, and it was discussed in the “Future of Food” episode on the program “Seen” by Ahmed Al-Shugairi. Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KC4XKEn10o.
These are images of converting the consumer into a “Prosumer”, i.e., a consumer and producer at the same time. This is a call for action in two directions: first, towards innovation to reduce the amount of waste we dispose of, whether it is food or other products. Second, through social engineering, which can be primarily done by governments, by legislations, laws, and incentives. The less you waste of what you consume, the more you can turn that into appreciation points that individuals can benefit from in different areas of life for products and services that interest them.
If we talk about a slightly larger circle in the industry sector, there are advanced technologies that can save a lot of waste, in addition to energy, by providing innovative and practical solutions. These technologies can balance between the environment, productivity, and quality. One of them is the Magic Fiber product from MTECHX, which is a tested Japanese innovation. It is a cotton piece treated with nano-technology and has unique advantages, such as its absorbency, which helps in treating oil leaks in water, as well as practical applications in factories.
Such technologies can be leveraged and employed to enhance sustainability on the one hand, and productivity and quality on the other hand. All of this can be achieved through the gateway of choosing sustainability as part of the government or company’s identity strategy.
Cycling in a circular economy!
What we need most is to pause for a moment, reflect, read the numbers on pollution, carbon emissions, and waste, and reverse engineer the compass of the economy to make it more circular rather than linear, even if gradually and in specific sectors at first.
This shift offers many opportunities to realign governments, companies, and institutions, with room for innovation and sustainable development, which would reflect positively on revenues, improvement, and growth.
Both factories and banks can play a crucial role in promoting the circular economy through the umbrella of social responsibility and innovation. This should be included in their sustainability strategy to achieve positive results in the environment, economy, and market.
Universities can also leave their mark in the research and development of this change, with the importance of sustainable partnerships between universities, the public and private sectors, banks, and financing.
The circular economy will not be an option in the near future but rather an essential path that governments, companies, and institutions must take. This is an opportunity for them to work on it, whether for sustainability or to create a unique identity.
Future challenges are not limited to energy consumption but rather in how we recycle it to make it last longer. As it has been said before, “we don’t spin in an empty circle” but rather we can “cycle in a productive circle”.
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