مقدمة عن زراعه الاسطح الخضراء

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green-roof-arabicتعتبر زراعه الاسطح من التكنولوجيا التي توفر مجموعة كبيرة من الفوائد الملموسه وغير الملموسه للمجتمعات المهتمة بتحسين وتعزيز بيئة جيدة.للأسقف الخضراء فوائد عديدة فهي تعمل على تنظيم حرارة المبنى ,فتقوم بتدفئته خلال الشتاء و تبريده خلال الصيف كما تساهم فى تقليل مياه الامطار المتسربة من الاسطح، ذلك لأنها تعمل كإسفنجة ماصة للمياه و في الوقت نفسه تستفيد النباتات من هذه المياه.

 كما تقوم الأسقف الخضراء على تقليل التلوث حيث تعمل كفلتر لتنقية الهواء. ومن فوائد الأسقف الخضراء قيامها  بدور هام فى تقليل الضوضاء و التى تعتبر من مشاكل العصر الحديث خاصة فى المدن. كما يجب ان لا  ننسى أن للأسقف الخضراء فوائد اقتصادية عديدة فهى تزيد من عمر المباني حيث تعمل كعازل حراري بحجبها أشعة الشمس عن أسطح المبانى كما تقلل من تكاليف تكييف الهواء خلال الصيف و التدفئة خلال الشتاء.

ما هي الاسطح الخضراء

النظم المستخدمة لزراعة أسطح المباني يجب ان تكون نظاماً خفيف الوزن لا يسبب حمولة زائدة علي المبني، كذلك يجب ان لا يحدث تسريب للمياه من النظام لسطح المبنى حتى يتم الحفاظ على المبنى بصورة جيدة ولفترة طويلة. و قد وجد أن الزراعة بدون تربة بأنظمتها المختلفة وأشكالها المتنوعة هي الاسلوب الامثل لزراعة السطح.

الاسطح الخضراء ممكن ان تتكون من اشجار, نباتات او شجيرات. وعمق وكثافه الطبقة المنبته للزراعه تنقسم الي نوعين مختلفين.

فالاسطح الخضراء ممكن ان تكون مكثفة او قليله الكثافة علي نطاق واسع. فالاسقف المكثفة تكون اكثر سمكا (اكثر من 15 سم عمق), وهي سماكة تسمح لنمو مجموعه متنوعه من النباتات والاشجار والشجيرات. ولكنها ثقيله علي السطح ومكلفه اكثر, وتتطلب المزيد من الصيانة والري.

والنوع الاخر يغطي طبقة خفيفة من الغطاء النباتي وذات سماكة اقل من 15 سم. وهي مخصصه للشجيرات والاعشاب التي لا تتطلب عمق كبير داخل التربة للنمو.

يستخدم نظام ترابيزات المراقد لانتاج المحاصيل التي لا تحتاج إلى حيز كبير لنمو جذور النباتات  مثل  المحاصيل  الورقية  كالجرجير،  الفجل،  البقدونس،  الكسبرة  والشبت.  كذلك يمكن باستخدام هذا النظام زراعة العديد من النباتات الطبية والعطرية والتي تستخدم في البيوت بكثرة كالنعناع، الزعتر، الريحان, وغيرهم.

والاسطح الخضراء علي مساحات واسعه وكثافه بسيطة يتم صيانتها مرتين سنويا عندما تحتاج التربه للترطيب والتسميد, فلها ميزة ان استدامتها ذاتية .

بيئة الزراعة المستخدمة

يجب ان تتوافر في بيئة الزراعة المستخدمة فوق الاسطح عدة مواصفات يمكن ان تلخص بما يلي :

1.      ان توفر البيئة الرطوبة اللازمة لنمو الجذور.

2.      ان توفر البيئة التهوية اللازمة لنمو الجذور.

3.      ان لا  تحتوي البيئة علي مواد ضارة او سامة.

4.      ان تكون البيئة خالية من المسببات المرضية.

5.      ان تكون البيئة خالية من الاملاح .

6.      ان تكون البيئة خالية من بذور الحشائش.

7.      أن تكون البيئة خفيفة الوزن.

8.      أن تتميز البيئة بسهوله تنظيفها و تعقيمها.

9.      سهوله توفر البيئة, مع سهوله عمليات النقل.

10.  ان تكون تكلفه البيئة معتدلة.

ويوجد العديد من المواد التي يمكن استخدامها كبيئة للزراعه فوق الاسطح. وتنقسم الي قسمين رئيسين هما: بيئات عضوية مثل بيئة سرس الارز. او البيئات غير العضوية مثل بيئة البرليت. ويمكن ان تسنخدم البيئات السابقة بصورة منفردة او تخلط معا للوصول الي افضل توليفه تلائم النباتات المزروعه.

اما بالنسبة للاشكال المختلفة لنظم مزارع البيئات فوق الاسطح, فهناك نظام الترابيزات المراقد وتستخدم للنباتات التي لا تحتاج الي حيز كبير لنمو الجذور. نظام ترابيزات الاصص وتسنخدم للنباتات التي تحتاج الي  حيز كبير نسبيا حتي تنمو الجذور مثل الطماطم. وهناك نظام لانتاج بعض اشجار الفاكهة فوق الاسطح مثل البراميل سعه 60 لتر لانتاج بعض الاشجار مثل الليمون.

بسبب الحمل المنشأ من استخدام الاسطح الخضراء الكثيفه فانها تستخدم بشكل اكبر في المباني التجاريه. حيث ان المباني التجارية اكثر تحمل لكونها اقوي من الناحية الخرسانيه, فانها تستطيع تحميل الاوزان الزائدة عنها في المباني السكنية.

بمجرد تجهيز التربة ووضع النباتات المطلوبة وترطيب تربتها, فان السطح المزروع ممكن ان يزن 150 بوند/القدم المربع. ويراعي لخلق جو اخضر وطبيعي للزائريين. ان ييكون هناك اماكن جلوس, مناضد, كراسي وممرات. الامر الذي يخلق بيئة من الطبيعه والهدوء.

والاسطح الكثيفة ذات الاشجار الاكبر حجما تساعد اكثر من النباتات علي الهدوء والاستراخاء, وخلق بيئة قريبة من المتنزهات والحدائق.

وعلي جانب اخر فان الاسطح الاكثر انتشارا والاقل كثافة تكون افضل للمباني السكنية و المدارس. فهي سهله التركيب والصيانة وممكن ان تضاف الي المبني بعد بدء الاسكان بدون تخوف من الاحمال الزائدة. ايا كان نوع النباتات او الشجيرات المستخدمة فانه يمكن اضافة وزن 10-35 بوند/القدم المربع, لاجمالي أحمال السطح. الحشائش والنباتات غير المستهلكة لكثير من الماء من الانواع التي تجد استحسان للزراعة فوق السطح وذلك نظرا لاستخدامها القليل للماء وجذورها القصيرة.

 ومن أهم فوائد الاسطح الخضراء انها صالحة للمباني القديمة والحديثة.

 والانظمة المستخدمة للزراعه يمكن ان تكون وحدات بطبقة صرف وطبقة فلترة من القماش وطبقة انبات بنوع معين, وشبكة ري وصرف متشابكة. والنباتات المستخدمة والتي تكون مسبقة التجهيز خارجيا, البوتقات المستخدمة التي تكون منفصله عن النظام او مركبة جزء منه. وهذا النظام يسمح بتكوين النظام بشكل منفصل.

green-roofs-middle-east

تختلق التقارير  التي توضح تكلفة النظام المتسع والاقل كثافه للتربه المستخدمة ليكن في المتوسط لزراعه النظام المتسع ما بين 8-20 دولار/ للقدم المربع. وبالنسبة للنظام الكثيف مابين 15-50 دولار/القدم المربع. وبالمقارنة للاسطح التقليدية المزروعه والتي تكون في المتوسط 16 دولار/القدم المربع وقد يعلو عن ذلك في التكلفة. ولكن بالرغم من ذلك فان ما توفره الاسطح الخضراء من فوائد بيئية وجمالية وصحية هي اكثر بكثير من التكلفه المتوقعه للتنفيذ.

فوائد الاسقف الخضراء

الاسطح الخضراء لديها القدرة علي خفض متطلبات الطاقة بطريقيتين:

امتصاص الحرارة واعتبارها عازل حراري للمبني. فاضافه طبقه من التربة والنباتات الي السطح يزيد طبقة العزل الحراري علي السطح. فالاسطح هي اكثر الامكان التي تفقد الحرارة الداخلية في الشتاء وتزيد سخونة المبني في الصيف. الاسطح الخضراء يمكن ان تقلل من كمية الطاقة اللازمة لتلطيف الحرارة داخل المبني وبالتالي الحد من متطلبات الطاقة والتي لها تاثير ايجابي علي نوعية الهواء وتخفيض نسبة تلوثه.

كما ان الاسطح الخضراء ممكن ان تقلل من انبعاثات غازات الاحتباس الحراري وثلوث الهواء المرتبطة بزيادة نسبة ثاني اكسيد الكربون في الجو. وتعتبر محطات الطاقة والمعروف انها مسببة لانبعاثات ثاني اكسيد الكربون تكون الاسطح الخضراء حلا ايجابيا علي تقليل هذه الانبعاثات عن طريق تحويله الي اكسجين مما يساعد علي تحسين نوعية الهواء في البيئة المحيطة.

ترجمه: هبة احمد مسلم- دكتور الهندسة البيئية. باحث في الشئون البيئية. معهد الدراسات والبحوث البيئية– جامعه عين شمس.

مدرس بالاكاديمية العربية للعلوم والتكنولوجيا والنقل البحري-  مصر.

التحكم في البيئة والطاقه داخل المباني.

هندسة الميكانيكة- وكيل محرك دويتس الالماني بمصر. 

للتواصل عبر hebamosalam2000@gmail.com

How Live Cell Imagers Support Sustainable Solutions in Energy and Agriculture

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The push for sustainable solutions has never been stronger. Researchers in labs around the world are chasing new ways to solve big issues in food and energy. They lean on powerful tools that help them watch and understand cells in real time.

One tool that has grown in importance is the live cell imager. It does more than capture pretty pictures. It opens a direct window into living systems that drive advances in both agriculture and renewable energy.

a scientist holding a green leaf plant

Image source

Watching Cells at Work

Traditional methods often froze moments in time. That left researchers guessing about what happened before or after. With live imaging, the story unfolds second by second. Scientists now track growth, division, and stress responses without stopping the natural process.

This level of detail allows faster testing of crops engineered for resilience. It also helps in exploring microbes designed to convert waste into usable fuel. The ability to observe living systems in action speeds up the journey from theory to real-world application.

Energy From Tiny Engines

The hunt for clean energy sources often points back to microbes. Certain strains of bacteria and algae hold the key to biofuels and new materials. By using advanced imaging, scientists watch how these cells perform under stress, or when pushed to their limits. Patterns emerge that were invisible before. This insight helps labs design strains that produce higher yields with less input. It is a step toward greener energy that reduces the need for fossil fuels. The progress is steady, and imaging continues to light the way.

The role of imaging also extends into testing renewable materials. Microbes can be trained to create plastics that break down faster. Scientists can monitor the stability of these organisms and track how they grow under different settings. The knowledge helps cut dependence on traditional plastics and moves industries toward cleaner choices.

Smarter Agriculture for a Growing World

Farming faces pressure from climate change, pests, and shifting soil conditions. Solutions need to be fast, precise, and reliable. Live imaging allows plant scientists to watch roots, leaves, and even tiny symbiotic partners. They learn how plants respond to drought or how fungi interact with crops. These findings point toward more resilient seeds and farming methods. As a result, growers gain tools that can cut waste, boost harvests, and reduce the heavy use of chemicals. The images reveal what is happening below the surface, where the human eye cannot see.

Researchers also use imaging to test how plants respond to changing light or soil nutrients. Subtle shifts in cell activity show up early on camera. That means scientists can predict problems before they grow into large-scale issues. Farmers benefit because the research leads to crops that thrive with less water and fewer fertilizers.

live cell imager

Reducing Trial and Error

Science used to involve many dead ends. Testing ideas meant long waits for results. Imaging tools cut down that time. Scientists can now see in real time if a new approach is working or failing. This reduces the cost of wasted trials and lowers resource use in labs. That matters in a world where sustainability must apply to research itself. Efficiency in discovery is as important as efficiency in production. Every step saved brings innovations closer to market.

The ability to shorten trial cycles also gives smaller labs a better chance to compete. Startups and universities can push new ideas forward without massive budgets. Imaging becomes an equalizer in a field that once favored only the largest institutions.

Bridging Disciplines

The impact of imaging does not stop in one field. Insights into energy often overlap with agriculture. For example, algae studied for fuel also have uses in soil improvement. Imaging reveals behavior that crosses industries. This shared knowledge builds a bridge between sectors that once worked apart. Collaboration becomes easier when the data is clear and visible. A farmer and a bioengineer can look at the same time-lapse video and reach common ground. That creates more unified efforts toward global sustainability.

This cross-pollination of ideas strengthens innovation. Energy projects borrow lessons from plant science. Agriculture benefits from microbial research done for clean fuel. The live cell imager becomes the common thread that ties everything together.

Closing Thoughts

The path toward sustainable energy and agriculture is full of challenges. Yet, tools like live cell imagers bring new hope. They empower researchers to see beyond static data and move into the world of living detail. The ability to watch cells respond and adapt helps turn bold ideas into working solutions. From greener fuel to stronger crops, imaging pushes progress forward. In the years ahead, the smallest of details could drive the biggest transformations.

Red Sea “Super Corals” – A Ray of Hope for Global Reef Survival

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Coral reefs often known as the rainforests of the seas are a critical part of our ecosystem due to its role in providing coastal stability, species habitat, and nutrient cycling. Corals are known to share a symbiotics relationship with algae which provide them with nutrient byproducts from photosynthesis and in return the algae have can live in the host coral giving it its colour. These natural barriers protecting us against storms and floods are in threat from global warming as even a slight increase in the local average maximum temperature can activate coral stress response which can lead to increased mortality. With recent heat surges in the MENA region the ability for coral reefs to thrive in this environment comes to question.

The Red Sea’s Unique Environment

The Red Sea located between north eastern African border and Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s border is a sea inlet of the Indian Ocean. It is considered to be one of the warmest seas in the world where sea surface temperatures can go up to 34°C. The Northern Red Sea especially in the Gulf of Aqaba the sea surface temperature can reach up to 34.5°C in marine heatwaves. The corals in the Gulf of Aqaba are the most researched corals in the Red Sea allowing us to analyse them further.

corals in the red sea

Map showing distribution of coral reefs in the Red Sea (Allen Coral Atlas, 2025)

The Science Behind Super Corals

Scientists use two main methods to target symbiotic diversity, PCR (Polymerease Chain Reaction) and Genetic Profiling. Both these methods target a region in the algal DNA called a genetic marker which is usually the ITS2 Region which is a segment in the DNA that evolves faster than other regions making it perfect to study adaptability. Strains of Cladocopium which is a genus of algae have known to have maximum success in having high adaptability to high heat stress and can survive past the regular coral sea surface temperature threshold.

A paper in 2020 explained how 86% of all corals in the five sites they chose to study held a symbiotic relationship with the  algae with Cladocopium genus, as well as five new strains of Cladocopium adapted for higher temperatures despite being in different latitudes and gradients (Osman et al, 2020). This suggests that the Red Sea is known to have high symbiotic specificity.

super corals

Styrophora Coral which contains algae with Cladocopium genus , causing vibrant colour.
Photography by: Dan Rigle, 2013

Under different PCR methods, Cladocopium is known to have good cell density stability even under heat stress and is able to perform basic tasks such as photosynthesis without depleting its energy. This allows the particular coral to have enough energy from the algae to prevent itself from bleaching.

Genetic traits are hard to pinpoint however, the KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) team found that there are other small microbial communities in the Red Sea corals that also contribute to heat tolerance. Single celled organisms and other bacteria in the corals can provide with recycled nitrates and phosphorus replenishing the corals energy in the case of algal mortality. This discovery has led to scientists producing probiotics filled with these microbial traits that can recover corals (Santoro et al., 2025).

Global Effects

These successes in finding adaptability traits in the Cladocopium and other few strains is not only for local restoration but can help with global restoration as well with global warming on the rise. Building on groundbreaking studies from institutions like KAUST, researchers are now applying advanced technologies to actively shape the future of reef ecosystems. These efforts are not just reactive—they’re strategic, forward-looking, and globally relevant.

coral reef restoration project

Coral Reef restoration efforts. Photography by: Indo-Pacific Films

Targeted Breeding Program

Using these studies, new technology advances have been made such as targeted breeding where heat resilient traits would be chosen to develop new corals in breeding tanks especially Acropora as it is the most abundant coral genus in the world.

Translocation Experiments

To test adaptability, corals from thermally stable regions like the Gulf of Aqaba are being relocated to warmer reef systems. These experiments help assess survival rates, symbiont stability, and ecological integration in new environments.

Genome Mapping

Genome mapping is another method where scientists are trying to identify more strains like the cladocopium to isolate the gene markers and use them on less resilient corals (McGarth, 2024).

Final Words

The science behind super corals is powerful—but it’s the people who make it unstoppable. Around the world, citizen science projects are bridging the gap between research and reality, turning everyday ocean lovers into reef guardians. From school-led reef surveys to community-driven restoration dives, these efforts are amplifying the reach of coral conservation like never before.

Red Sea ‘Super Corals’ are more than a scientific marvel — they’re nature’s blueprint for resilience. If we harness their genetic strengths and ecological adaptability, the possibilities for global reef survival are not just promising, they’re limitless.

References

  1. Physiological and Biogeochemical Responses of Super-Corals to Thermal Stress from the Northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea – (Andrea, 2017)
  2. Coral microbiome composition along the northern Red Sea suggests high plasticity of bacterial and specificity of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities – (Osman et al., 2020)
  3. Inherent differential microbial assemblages and functions associated with corals exhibiting different thermal phenotypes – (Santoro et al., 2025)
  4. Highlight: Genomic Insights May Provide a Blueprint for Coral Conservation – (McGarth, 2024)

Algae vs. Oil Spills and Climate Change: An Opportunity for Middle Eastern Seas

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Oil spills, marine pollution, and climate change have become global challenges, particularly acute in oil-producing regions. The Persian Gulf and coastal waters of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE are areas with heavy concentrations of petroleum infrastructure, where any incident could trigger an environmental disaster. Nature itself may hold the solution: marine algae can cleanse water of petroleum products and absorb carbon dioxide on a massive scale. This has been demonstrated by scientists in various parts of the world’s oceans.

marine forest

Seas under threat

The Persian Gulf serves as the heart of the global oil economy. Dozens of oil platforms, terminals, and ports are concentrated here, and the intensity of oil extraction and fuel exports makes the region’s ecosystem particularly vulnerable. Oil spills, wastewater discharges from drilling platforms, rising water temperatures, and marine ecosystem degradation have become systemic problems. Each new incident—from accidental oil spills to tanker disasters to deep sea mining—threatens not only the environment but also the economies of nations whose prosperity depends directly on stable oil and gas exports.

The situation is compounded by the region’s expanding petroleum infrastructure: new platforms, terminals, and extraction zones create constant pressure on marine flora and fauna. Scientists note that without timely prevention measures and biological protection, the Persian Gulf’s ecosystems will struggle to survive.

The experiment: 82% cleanup in one month

This spring, the KELP FARMS team (https://kelpfarms.global/), an international project registered in Georgia, with support from international company Greenway Global (https://greenwayglobal.com/), conducted a laboratory experiment using brown algae Cystoseira. Under conditions where heavy fuel oil M100 concentrations exceeded normal levels by tens of times, petroleum product content in seawater decreased by 82% in just 31 days.

“We were surprised by the results ourselves,” says Oksana Vyalova, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southern Seas Biology and PhD in Biological Sciences. “The algae not only precipitated oil pollution but also created an environment for bacteria that actively broke it down.”

The combination of algae and microorganisms forms a complete ecological complex capable of restoring the marine environment even after large-scale oil spills. The experimental results indicate that biosanitary algae farms could serve as an effective biological barrier in areas of chronic or emergency contamination. Such farms are particularly relevant for ports, oil platforms, and coastal terminals where the risk of petroleum spills is high.

How marine eco-farms work

Marine eco-farm technology is based on industrial-scale algae cultivation:

  • Seedling nets are anchored to ropes, with seedlings reaching operational size within 8 months.
  • Farm installation is possible along coastlines or near petroleum infrastructure using anchor systems.
  • Efficiency: Within a month, algae absorb pollutants at levels tens of times their own weight.

The key to such systems is prevention. During an emergency oil spill, the farm immediately absorbs contaminants and processes them over several weeks. The algae are then replaced with fresh seedlings, maintaining high cleanup efficiency year-round.

Marine biologists on the KELP FARMS team are prepared to develop projects for any region of the world’s oceans, selecting appropriate algae species and farm designs for specific conditions.

“Marine forests” and climate

The potential of algae extends far beyond local seawater cleanup. They could play a decisive role in combating global climate change.

“A hectare of marine forests absorbs up to 360 tons of CO₂ per year, while a hectare of terrestrial forest absorbs about 5 tons,” explains KELP FARMS founder Olga Lakustova. “This carbon can be sequestered, for example, in construction materials, or the algae can be processed into eco-friendly biofuel. We’re also working on creating biodegradable packaging from algae.”

Thus, marine eco-farms not only protect waters from oil but also become an effective decarbonization tool. For Middle Eastern countries, where sustainable development and carbon footprint reduction are becoming priorities, this opens new economic and environmental opportunities.

Economic benefits for oil-producing regions

Creating marine phytofarms is also financially advantageous:

  1. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Global demand is growing, and starting in 2025, airlines must use a minimum of 2% SAF as aircraft fuel. This creates a market worth millions of tons annually.
  2. Carbon credits: By recording CO₂ absorption by marine farms, countries and companies can sell carbon units on international exchange markets. This represents a new revenue stream actively pursued by global corporations.
  3. Agriculture: Algae processing by-products are converted into biochar—a fertilizer that increases agricultural land productivity.
  4. ESG metrics: Implementing environmental technologies enhances companies’ investment attractiveness, reduces tax and environmental risks, improves reputation, and creates better conditions for international cooperation.

Climate marine projects deliver an IRR of 5.4% to 17%, providing stable returns over extended periods, making them attractive to conservative investors. Even under conservative models, projects can pay for themselves within 1.5–3 years, depending on carbon credit price volatility. Parallel sales of SAF or algae feedstock for its production can increase company profitability by 1.5–2 times. For Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other regional countries investing in the “green economy” while seeking to maintain leadership in energy markets, such projects are becoming strategically vital.

marine ecofarms

Prospects for the Persian Gulf

Algae are more than just elements of marine ecosystems. They clean water of petroleum products, absorb carbon dioxide, help restore marine biodiversity and bioproductivity, and create new economic opportunities.

KELP FARMS is already implementing pilot projects in the Black Sea and Sea of Japan, and the technology is ready for scaling in the Persian Gulf. This region, which accounts for over 30% of global oil production, could gain an effective tool for protecting ecosystems from chronic spills while simultaneously creating a new revenue source. Marine eco-farms in the Middle East are becoming a symbol of the transition to sustainable development: from oil to “green” technologies.

To know more Kelp Farms, click this link.

Why Colleges Should Go for Online Education to Save the Environment

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Climate change has been established as an actual, factual event that is changing everyone’s lives, and not for the better. Polar caps are melting, the temperature of the entire Earth is rising, and our oceans are filling with garbage. People across the world are responding in different ways, including reusing products and recycling others, but what about colleges and universities? What can they do to help the environment?

There are several ways that colleges can make a positive impact on the environment, but one of the best ways is to move towards online education. Here’s why:

It Reduces Electricity Use

Electricity is the top service in demand today, along with the Internet. Without it, modern society would cease to function. It’s also what’s eating up an incredible amount of resources on a day-to-day basis.

In cases where the electricity is being provided by a clean fuel source, like hydro, wind, or nuclear power, there isn’t’ as much of an impact on the environment. Unfortunately, there are still many cities that still supply their power through fossil fuels and coal, both of which are incredibly damaging to the environment and only accelerate climate change.

Either way, using less electricity is good for the environment. Online classes mean that students aren’t traversing hallways and sitting in classes. They are, instead, accessing a custom made website from home. As a result, the lights are off in those rooms not in use. That means that the buildings on-campus are using less electricity than before, which is better for the environment.

Online Education Reduces the Use of Heat and Air Conditioning

It’s beyond question that this world is full of different climates ranging from freezing cold to hotter than an oft-mentioned netherworld. People like to stay within a comfortable zone, and so some regions have people turning up the heat while others are putting on their air conditioners. Click here to know the negative environmental effects of ACs.

College campuses know that they’ll be inundated with complaints if their buildings aren’t kept cool on hot days and warm on the cold ones. It’s these very systems that are also contributing to climate change, however, and the best way to take care of it is to be able to turn down those thermostats and turn off those air conditioners.

The best way to do that, without an uprising that is, is to not have students in those classrooms at all so that those thermostats can be turned down. Online classes allow for that to happen.

It Uses Less Paper

The biggest issue affecting climate change is the clearcutting of forests in countries like Brazil for paper production and land for farming. This is something that contributes to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Why? Because we’re cutting down the one thing that absorbs carbon dioxide and emits oxygen: trees.

Paperless offices are the best approach to reducing the number of trees fallen every year, like the one PaidPaper, the website that provides truthful reviews of the best writing services, has, but many schools require handouts and other materials to be given out, and paper is the default method for their delivery. This situation also means that reviews, an essay, or any other kind of writing usually ends up on paper.

Online classes, however, make using paper almost impossible as all of the materials that students need have to be accessible online. It won’t affect ideas like students need to think like scientists, at all. Essays and tests are done electronically, rather than in person. Online classes mean a paperless class for an essay, reviews, or just to do the best writing they can, and that will save dozens, if not hundreds, of trees every year.

Online Classes Mean No Cars and Buses

Staff and at least some students tend to live off-campus and usually away from the college. For them to get to work and class, they have to have some form of transport.

Yes, some do use bicycles to get to work, but most use another form of transit like a car or a city bus. Both use fossil fuels, and both contribute to negative environmental effects on the world. The best way to negate the effects of fossil fuels is to stop using them.

Again, the best way to accomplish this is to ensure that those students don’t have to get into a car or bus in the first place. Online classes make sure that they can stay at home and save on gas.

It’s Cheaper

What do all of these reductions in electricity, heating, air conditioning, and paper use add up to? Lower budget costs and happier board members, which makes any college administrator smile. The only thing that’s still needed is electronic media and technology, which the university would purchase, anyway.

Those additional funds can be put towards a higher profit margin, or they can be diverted back into the university in ways that save even more money, like improving the insulation in older buildings and the installation of heat-efficient windows.

In conclusion, the benefits of going online for both the college and the environment are many, the disadvantages few. That’s why many universities are getting on board with the idea of online classes.

CAFE Standards: Saudi Arabia’s Road to Fuel Economy

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Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest per capita fuel consumption in the transportation sector. This is primarily due to lack of efficient public transportation and current fuel subsidy policy. The country is witnessing an escalating demand on its domestic energy needs and it is imperative on policymakers to devise policies for conservation of energy resources and reduction of GHGs emissions in the transportation sector. Adapting fuel efficiency standards will help Saudi Arabia country to bridge the gap with the developed countries. The enforcement mechanism for the establishment of Saudi fuel economy standards will lead to achievement of strategic energy conservation objectives.

fuel-efficient cars

Energy intensity in Saudi Arabia has set high records reflecting the growth of the economy and the increasing demand on fossil energy in the domestic use and heavy industries operations. Energy intensity in the Kingdom was twice the world average and with unbalanced growth between energy use and economy, this should rang the bell for the Saudi government to adapt a bundle of energy policies that curtail the increasing growth of energy demand domestically.

CAFE Standards

Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standard was first enacted after the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 in the USA. That policy was due to energy security concerns and environmental objectives. The USA current standard is 27.5 mpg for passenger’s vehicle and 20.7 mpg for light trucks. Similarly to the USA CAFE objectives, the Kingdom approach is to reduce gasoline consumption and induce conservation and increasing efficiency of the light-duty vehicles (LDV).

The proposed standard mandates require that all new and used passenger vehicles and light trucks either imported or locally manufacture should comply with new fuel standards. The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) and other entities including the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Saudi Customs, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry have been asked to monitor the implementation of the CAFE standards.

The purpose of the fuel standards is to commit the light-duty vehicle manufactures sell their cars in the kingdom and comply with the Saudi CAFE. This standard has a double dividends from the automobile manufacturer side its incentivize them to introduce the up-to-date efficiency technologies and cut the supply the low-efficient technologies to the Saudi market. The Saudi CAFE standard targets an improving in the overall fuel economy with an average of 4% annually. This would lift up the Kingdom’s fuel economy LDVs from its current level of 12 km per liter to 19 km per liter by 2025.

transportation in saudi arabia

The Saudi CAFE standard shows a focused strategy to setting long-term standards over the course of a given time frame and its committed efforts to manage both newly imported or used LDVs. According to Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud, the Saudi transportation sector consumes about 23 percent of the total energy in the kingdom and about 12 million vehicles consume about 811,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel per day. Moreover, there are 7 LDVs entering the market every year with a forecast to reach 20 million by 2030.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s CAFE standard is a means to stimulate energy efficiency and encourage resource conservation and contribute to the environment. This will enable consumers to save money, reduce fossil fuel consumption and strengthen the Kingdom’s role in the fight against climate change.

السياسات المناخية في تونس : ناجعة رغم ضعف الإمكانيات

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أصبح التغير المناخي حقيقة واقعة في تونس التي تعاني الأمرين  لمجابهة مشاكل  التصحر وندرة المياه وتدهور الموارد الطبيعية. وبالرغم من إسهامها المحدود في انبعاثات غازات الدفيئة على مستوى العالم، إلا أن أخطار التغير المناخي الواقعة عليها قد تكون عالية التأثير و هو ما يسيل الكثير من الحبر حول مدى نجاعة السياسات المناخية بتونس.

وضعت تونس، وهي رابع دولة عربية قدّمت مساهماتها المعتزمة المحددة وطنيا في مجال خفض الإنبعاثات من الغازات الدفيئة ، تغيّر المناخ في مرتبة متقدّمة على جدول أعمالها السياسي والاقتصادي باعتبارها  البلد الأول في المنطقة الذي ضمّن دستوره الوطني الجديد إقرارا بتغيّر المناخ تفرض من خلاله الدولة  الحق في “بيئة سليمة ومتوازنة والمساهمة في سلامة المناخ بكافة السبل المتاحة”. كما  كانت تونس من أوائل الدول التي صادقت على اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة بشأن تغير المناخ (UNFCCC) في سنة 1993 وبروتوكول كيوتو في سنة 2002. من ناحية أخرى ، إستفادت وزارة البيئة التونسيّة من تواجد فروع لمنظمات  تعنى بالجانب البيئي على أراضيها على غرار المنظمة الألمانية للتعاون الدولي (GIZ) و منظمة فريدريش إيبرت (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) لإنشاء استراتيجية وطنية بشأن تغير المناخ (SNCC)، تأخذ في الاعتبار التحديات والاتجاهات الجديدة لتونس ما بعد الثورة.

كما تبدي تونس  نيّتها العمل بجد  لخفض كثافة انبعاثاتها الكربونية بنسبة 13 في المئة بحلول سنة 2030. هذا ومن المنتظر أن تزداد حصّة الطاقة المتجدّدة في إنتاج الكهرباء لديها إلى 14 في المئة بحلول سنة 2020، و30 في المئة بحلول سنة 2030. هذه المؤشرات الطموحة عزّزها تأكيد رئيس الحكومة يوسف الشاهد  خلال افتتاحه لندوة “تسريع تنفيذ برامج النجاعة الطاقية” يوم الخامس من أبريل نيسان الجاري بأن تونس مطالبة أكثر من أي وقت مضى بتنفيذ إستراتيجيات ناجعة للإنتقال الطاقي قائم على الطاقات المتجددة لبلوغ الأهداف الطاقية والمناخية المرسومة .

في سياق متصل، شرعت تونس منذ عدة سنوات في عملية حقيقية تقليص الاقتصاد القائم على الكربون في خطوة التخفيف من انبعاثات غازات الدفيئة . هذا الأمر تطلب حزمة من الإجراءات الاستباقية طويلة المدى في مجال التحكم في استخدام الطاقة ومع ذلك، هذه العملية تحتاج لمزيد التوطيد و التعزيز.

إلا أن عديد الإشكاليات تطفو على السطح  قد تهدد استدامة هذا التوجه، إذ تفتقر تونس للتمويل اللازم لتغيير نظم إنتاج الطاقة علاوة على غياب واضح للتوعية والإعلام والترشيد سواء لدى العامة أو لدى اصحاب القرار.

هذا الأمر، يجب أن يقابل بتطوير الخطاب الإتصالي للمنظمات البيئية المحلية والعالمية لاتخاذ إجراءات أكثر جرأة على هذا الصعيد. إن نشر المعلومة بشكل مبسط و سلس وتكوين الأطراف ذات الصلة بالشأن البيئي   تعتبر من الثوابت الرئيسية لتنفيذ استراتيجية طويلة المدى. لهذا الغرض، يجب أن تستهدف هذه الإجراءات أساسا  الجهات الفاعلة في الدولة ناهيك عن عامة الناس، أعضاء المجتمع المدني، وسائل الإعلام، الأكاديميين والباحثين وغيرهم وإنشاء قواعد بيانات كاملة عن البحوث والدراسات التي تجرى في تونس أو عنها في الخارج حول قضية تغير المناخ يتم تحديثها باستمرار. في هذا الإطار ، يجب إيلاء عناية خاصة بتوظيف الحلول الطبيعية سهلة التطبيق على غرار القيام بحملات تشجير بالمناطق الصحراوية و حماية التربة من الانجراف و حسن ادارة النفايات. خصوصا مع عدم آمتلاك تونس  للتقنية اللازمة لتطبيق الهندسة الجيولوجية ذات التكلفة العالية والنتائج غير المضمونة.

يُرتقَب أن يشكّل اتفاق باريس الأخير، مع مختلف الفرص المالية والتقنية التي يُتيحها، حافزا مهما لتونس كي تعزّز جهودها في مجابهة التغير المناخي  وهو ما يتطلب آلتفاف جميع الأطراف و تقديم خارطة طريق للتقليل من الانبعاثات وتزيد من مجهودات التكيف لأن إرساء منوال تنموي مستدام ينطلق من هناك.

Securing Every Drop: The Role of Butterfly Valves in MENA Water Systems

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Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Rapid population growth, urban expansion, and climate change are putting unprecedented pressure on an already fragile water infrastructure. According to the World Resources Institute, 12 of the world’s 17 most water-stressed countries are located in the MENA region.

Against this backdrop, many countries have had to rely on energy-intensive seawater desalination. Yet every drop of desalinated water comes with significant economic and environmental costs. This makes conserving and using existing water resources more efficiently just as strategically important as developing new sources.

A large pipe featuring butterfly, indicating a plumbing or industrial setting.

In this battle to safeguard the future of water, a technology often overlooked is playing a vital role: high-performance butterfly valves. Once seen as simple on-off devices, they have evolved into “precision guardians” at the heart of modern water management systems.

The Invisible Waste: Leakage as the Hidden Killer of Water Resources

Before discussing solutions, we must first face the core of the problem: Non-Revenue Water (NRW). NRW refers to water that has been produced and fed into the distribution system but fails to generate revenue due to pipe leaks, bursts, metering inaccuracies, or even theft. In some aging networks across the MENA region, NRW rates can reach as high as 30%—in some cases even 50%.

This means that already scarce freshwater—especially water produced through costly desalination—can be lost before it ever reaches end users. Such losses represent not only a tremendous waste of a precious resource but also a direct drain on the energy and funds invested in desalination and pumping. Valve performance, particularly sealing reliability, serves as the first line of defense in controlling NRW levels.

3 Water-Saving Advantages of Butterfly Valves

1. Superior Sealing to Eliminate Leakage

Traditional valves are prone to wear and corrosion over long periods of operation, often leading to poor sealing and medium leakage. High-performance butterfly valves, however, use premium elastomers such as EPDM or NBR, or PTFE seats, enabling a bi-directional bubble-tight seal.

This means that whether in a fully closed position or under high differential pressure, the valve effectively prevents leakage. In desalinated water or drinking water networks, such sealing performance directly reduces Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and ensures more efficient use of limited water resources.

2. Precise Regulation for “On-Demand Supply”

The 90° rotational design of butterfly valves is suitable not only for on/off control but also for relatively linear flow regulation—an important feature for water-saving applications.

Agricultural irrigation

In the MENA region, agriculture accounts for nearly 85% of freshwater withdrawals, with inefficient irrigation methods wasting up to 60% of that water. In countries like Egypt, where agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy, traditional flood irrigation continues to deplete Nile River resources. Without modernization, agriculture will keep intensifying water scarcity, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.

By integrating butterfly valves into automated irrigation systems, water delivery can be precisely adjusted based on crop demand, soil moisture, and climate conditions. This prevents over-irrigation and significantly improves water-use efficiency.

butterfly valve

District Metering and Pressure Control

In urban water supply networks, aging infrastructure and unbalanced system pressure are the main causes of high leakage rates and frequent pipe bursts. In many MENA cities, the proportion of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reaches as high as 30%–50%, which not only worsens the already critical water crisis but also places a heavy financial burden on utilities. In countries like Jordan, where water resources are extremely scarce, hidden leaks in the distribution network are continuously draining limited supply capacity.

By strategically deploying butterfly valves, networks can be divided into DMAs (District Metered Areas). Leveraging the precise regulating capability of these valves, operators can maintain optimal pressure levels in each zone. This proactive and targeted approach allows water utilities to reduce background leakage, minimize pipe bursts, and significantly improve overall supply efficiency. Ultimately, it provides an effective pathway to conserve water resources and strengthen system resilience.

3. Durable Materials to Reduce Lifecycle Costs

Water in the MENA region is often highly saline or corrosive, posing serious challenges to infrastructure durability. In Gulf countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, desalination plants and pipelines carrying high-salinity circulating water face particularly harsh conditions. Conventional carbon steel valves may fail within just 2–3 years due to severe corrosion, leading to frequent shutdowns, costly replacements, and significant water losses.

High-performance butterfly valves are built with materials such as duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel, or advanced anti-corrosion coatings. These provide outstanding resistance to both corrosion and cavitation. Such design not only extends the service life of the valves but also significantly lowers total lifecycle operation and maintenance costs. At the same time, it enhances the overall reliability of the system, translating directly into substantial long-term benefits across the full service life.

Conclusion: Safeguarding the Future Through Details

The challenge of water security in the MENA region is highly complex, with no single solution capable of providing a permanent fix. What is needed is a multidimensional strategy—one that expands water supply sources (such as desalination and reuse) while also reducing system losses. Within this framework, high-performance and intelligent butterfly valves represent a crucial yet often underestimated element in tackling waste.

Choosing advanced butterfly valve solutions is not merely a procurement decision; it is a strategic investment in infrastructure resilience, water security, and energy efficiency. Their value extends across multiple dimensions: reducing Non-Revenue Water, lowering energy consumption, extending system lifespan, and enhancing operational reliability—delivering returns throughout the entire lifecycle.

For water utilities, engineers, policymakers, and investors, paying attention to the performance and efficiency of each component is a practical step toward building a sustainable future. In the long battle against water scarcity, technological innovation will help us preserve every drop of precious water. And often, it all begins with the right choice of valve.

Gas Vs Electric Mowers: Are You Ready to Go Green?

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There are many factors to take into account when deciding whether to purchase an electric-powered lawn mower or a gas-powered lawn mower. Today there are more options than ever due to advances in technology in both gas motors and batteries. As you weigh your options you should consider the size of your lawn and how you wish to mow it.

compare electric vs gas lawn mower

Gas-powered mowers

Gas-powered motors have traditional gas engines that use gas tanks and oil reservoirs. When operating they produce carbon monoxide, also known as combustion exhaust, which is detrimental to the environment. Also, you have to make sure you have enough gas on hand and that it is the correct grade.

Electric-powered mowers

Electric mowers operate using the same concepts as gas mowers; however, their motors operate using batteries that are charged by connecting them to typical garage outlets, a process which is greener and cleaner. While this does give them many eco-friendly benefits, there are many other factors to consider.

Noise Pollution

Environmental pollution isn’t the only pollution to be considered when comparing gas-powered mowers to electric-powered mowers. There is also the matter of noise pollution to consider. Gas-powered lawn mowers are loud. Electric-powered mowers, on the other hand, purr like kittens by comparison.

You might want to take into account how close you are to your neighbors; or you might want to consider whether you or your neighbors have small children or pets that might be frightened by the sounds of a loud gas-motor. Check out Sydney lawn mowing if you are looking for a reputed lawn care professional.

Maintenance

While the battery used to operate an electric mower is a quieter and cleaner source of power, it does need maintenance. The battery’s posts need to be cleaned from time to time and the battery itself needs to be charged regularly, regardless of how often it is used.

Still, this is much less than the maintenance required for a gas-powered gardening equipment that needs to have spark plugs, filters, oil and other components regularly replaced.

Battery life vs Gas-power

How long will an electric-powered mower’s battery hold a charge if it is well maintained? For about an hour, which should be more than enough time to mow a small or mid-sized lawn. If you have a lawn that is larger than an acre, you might want to consider purchasing a riding lawn mower. At this time an electric-powered lawn mower will cost around twenty percent more than a gas-powered lawn mower of similar size, so for an electric-powered riding lawn mower you may be looking at several hundred dollars more than its gas-powered equivalent.

It is up to you, based on the size of your lawn and how often it needs mowed and the current price of gasoline, to do the math in order to determine whether an electric riding lawn mower is cost-effective.

Raw Power

Another point to take into account when considering gas vs electric mowers is that a battery’s charge will drain and so will the mowers power right along with it. In other words, a mower with a fully charged battery will be able to cut thicker grass than it will at a half or a quarter charge; whereas, a gas-powered mower will cut grass with consistent force whether it is fully gassed or it is running on fumes.

If the weight of the machine is an issue, you should know that electric-powered mowers are much lighter than their gas-powered counterparts. This is due to the fact that gas-powered engines need metallic parts in order to function properly; while electrical engines can work just as well if certain metal parts are replaced with plastic parts. A lighter mower will be easier to push through well maintained lawns, yet harder to push through overgrown lawns.

Safety

Finally, there is the issue of safety. It takes a great amount of force to bust open a battery. All batteries, from the AAA you use in your television’s remote control to the car battery that can withstand a head-on collision, are designed to stay intact. As long as they do, they are completely safe.

Gas-powered engines, however, require gasoline and oil which are both flammable and combustible, not to mention toxic if inhaled or swallowed (again thinking of small children and pets).

Bottom Line

In conclusion, there are pros and cons to switching to electric and it is up to you to evaluate your individual needs and their requirements as to whether or not the switch is warranted. Remember, for smaller or mid-sized lawns electric mowers are an eco-friendly option; while commercial lawn mowing may benefit more from the power of a gas-powered mower. Whichever you choose, keep in mind that, due to technological advancements, both options offer an efficiency and an ease of use that surpasses mowers of yesterday.

The Concept of Generalised Extended Producer Responsibility

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The notion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been part of the waste policy for a long time, particularly within the OECD countries. According to the OECD, EPR “aims to make producers responsible for the environmental impacts of their products throughout the product chain, from design to the post-consumer phase” [1]. EPR alleviates the burden of Public Administrations for managing end-of-life products, while -if properly designed- incentivising waste prevention and recycling.

Current Limitations of EPR

After years of implementation it can be argued that Extended Producer Responsibility has not in fact been so extended. Several limitations are common: a) producer responsibility organisations (PRO) managing the EPR do not assume the entire cost of managing the corresponding waste flows, and therefore Public Administrations (through taxes) continue to sustain part of the costs that should be borne by producers (and transferred into prices paid by consumers); b) Through their tariffs, PRO do not sufficiently incentivise recyclability and eco-design amongst individual producers; c) Insufficient transparency makes it difficult for Public Administrations to assess compliance; amongst others. [2]

However, a crucial limitation of EPR (even where this has been most developed) is that it is reduced to a very limited number of products. For example, within the European Union (EU), the application of EPR has only been made compulsory for waste from electric and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, and end-of-life vehicles. For other waste streams, EU legislation includes a specific mention to the option for Member States (MS) to promote EPR, such as for packaging waste, and oils, but ultimately the adoption of EPR depends on national legislation. [3]

For most products, EPR simply does not exist. Producers are allowed to put any product on the market, no matter how difficult and costly to manage it is when it turns into waste. This is truly unacceptable.

In some cases, products without EPR are a significant percentage of waste generation, such as for the case of graphic paper, furniture or textiles. In some other cases, these products are not so relevant in weight, but very environmentally problematic and/or very costly to manage, such as: disposable nappies, sanitary pads, cleaning wipes, paint pots, chewing gum, mattresses, cigarette butts, etc. The list could be much longer.

Of course, one could favour the idea of extending EPR specifically to other waste streams, but it seems unlikely that a product-by-product approach manages to cover a broad range of products. In the EU, for example, the Circular Economy Package, which is the most comprehensive effort to update the EU waste legislation in years, includes provisions for the improvement of EPR, but no plans for its extension to additional waste streams.

The idea of this article is to suggest the implementation of the concept of Generalised Extended Producer Responsibility (GEPR), whereby ALL products put into the market -all of them likely to become waste at some point- would be subject to extended producer responsibility.

The Concept of Generalised EPR

Whereas in traditional EPR, there is one or more PRO for each specific waste stream, and producers have to contribute to these PRO, in Generalised Extended Producer Responsibility (GEPR), specific EPR schemes could continue to exist, and maybe a few more would be created, but there would be also general PRO for all those products with no specific EPR schemes:

Public administrations would need to define how the different products contribute to collection and treatment costs (including street cleaning, littering prevention and clean-ups, etc.), and allocate the costs to the different EPR/GEPR schemes. Ultimately only costs related to biowaste –as they derive from endosomatic consumption of energy– should be borne by public administrations and transferred to taxpayers; all other costs should be borne by PRO and transferred to producers, and from them to consumers.

Many details would need to be discussed (links among existing EPR and new GEPR schemes and the corresponding PRO, legal nature, compatibility with other existing or potential economic incentives, etc.).

Of course, implementation of GEPR would entail more paperwork and the need of additional data on impact and cost of the different waste streams. However, this would be less burdensome, faster and cheaper to regulate and monitor than the never ending process of creating one new EPR scheme after another. This would also ensure a consistent application of EPR across a range of different products, which is lacking amongst the different existing EPR schemes.

This approach would be useful in places where application of EPR schemes is already halfway (like in most OECD countries), but also in other geographical contexts, where EPR is not applied or only at a very initial stage.

All in all, GEPR could generalise incentives towards recyclability and cleaner production, particularly if some lessons are learned from past initiatives; and would suppose a much fairer distribution of costs, shifting them from Public Administrations to producers, and ultimately from taxpayers to consumers.

Note: The article has been adapted from https://ent.cat/cap-a-la-generalitzacio-de-la-responsabilitat-ampliada-del-productor-grap/?lang=en

References

[1] OECD (2006), Extended Producer Responsibility: Updated Guidance for Efficient Waste Management, OECD Publishing, Paris. DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264256385-en

[2] Based on own experience, and on OECD (2016), Extended Producer Responsibility: Updated Guidance for Efficient Waste Management, OECD Publishing, Paris; and Zero Waste Europe –Fundació per a la Prevenció de Residus i el Consum Responsable (2015) Redesigning Producer Responsibility. A new EPR is needed for a circular economy.

https://www.zerowasteeurope.eu/downloads/redesigning-producer-responsibility-a-new-epr-is-needed-for-a-circular-economy

[3] Development of Guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Final Report. European Commission – DG Environment. 2014.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/target_review/Guidance%20on%20EPR%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf

Tips to Make the Most of Your Scrap Metal Recycling Business

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Scrap metal is a valuable commodity in high demand by small and large corporations. This is why many people have become interested in recycling scrap metal. It can be good for the environment because when the metals are recycled, they’re less likely to end up in landfills, thereby reducing environmental pollution.

Moreover, recycling scrap metal can help conserve energy used in manufacturing. Instead of making new metals from scratch, people and businesses can use recycled ones, reducing energy consumption and reliance on new resources.

Yet aside from the ones mentioned, scrap metal collection can be a great way to earn extra money, but the amount you can make will depend on the strategies you implement.

If you want to venture into the scrap metal recycling business, you can do a few things to increase your earnings.

scrap metal recycling tips

1. Know what kind of metal to collect

Knowing what types of metals are most valuable for scrap metal dealers like langleyrecyclingkc.com is the first step in scrap metal recycling. For example, ferrous metals, such as iron and steel, are typically worth less than non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass. Therefore, to get the most out of your scrap metal recycling efforts, focus on collecting non-ferrous metals.

2. Sort your metal by type and grade

Once you’ve collected a large amount of scrap metal, it’s time to sort it by type and grade. Most scrap yards will pay a higher price for metals sorted by type and grade because it saves them time and money. So, take the time to sort it into different piles according to type and grade.

3. Remove contaminants

Another tip for recycling scrap metal is to remove any contaminants before taking it to the scrapyard. Contaminants can include things like paint, oil, or dirt. These can decrease the value of your scrap metal, so it’s essential to remove them before taking it to be recycled.

Also, the selling process will be much easier and faster if you prepare and separate your scrap metals before going to the scrapyard.

4. Use a magnet to test metals

Using a magnet is one easy way to test whether a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous. If the metal is attracted to the magnet, it’s likely a ferrous metal and not as valuable. If the metal isn’t attracted to the magnet, it’s likely a non-ferrous metal and more valuable.

5. Know the scrap prices

Before taking your scrap metal to the scrapyard, it’s essential to know the current scrap prices. Scrap prices can fluctuate, so you’ll want to make sure you understand the current price of the metal you have before taking it to be recycled. You can find scrap prices online or by calling scrapyards in your area.

6. Find a reputable scrapyard

Finding a reputable scrapyard is crucial when you’re ready to recycle your scrap metal. Unfortunately, many scrapyards will try to lowball you on the price of your scrap metal. Some of them may not provide a clear answer to your questions. For example, they may not give you transparent responses about how they purchase scrap metals and the separation processes they require.

So, it’s vital to find a scrapyard that has a good reputation to avoid selling your scraps at an unreasonably low price. You can find reviews of scrapyards online or by asking people you know who have experience with scrap metal recycling. Check out their pricing to know how much they’ll buy your scrap metals. But you should understand too that the scrap prices shouldn’t be the only criteria for choosing a company specializing in scrap metal recycling. Consider other factors, such as their customer service and valuable years of experience in the market.

Lastly, a reliable scrapyard will not take advantage of you. Instead, they’ll appreciate your business and help you make the most money from the scrap metals you’re willing to sell. That’s why it’s important to wisely choose the one you want to work with.

scrap-metal-recycling

7. Get paid

Once you’ve negotiated a price for your scrap metal, it’s time to get paid. Most scrapyards will pay in cash, but some may also offer checks or other forms of payment.

Final thoughts

The recycling of scrap metal can be a great way to earn extra cash. Furthermore, recycling metal helps to conserve natural resources and energy as mentioned earlier. To boot, extracting and refining metals is energy-intensive, so recycling scrap metal can help reduce environmental pollution. Finally, it’s satisfying to know you’re doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.

Hybrid Cars vs Petrol Cars: Which One Is Right for You?

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You’re weighing up fuel savings against upfront costs, environmental perks against driving habits, and long-term maintenance against daily convenience.

Deciding between a hybrid and a traditional petrol car isn’t straightforward, but breaking the choice into real-world factors can clear the fog.

Maybe you’ve even glanced at a used or 2nd hand hybrid car online, wondering if the lower price tips the scales. Let’s unpack the details together in this article.

a petrol car with a hybrid car

Fuel Efficiency Faceoff

Fuel prices keep climbing, so squeezing extra miles from every gallon suddenly matters more than horsepower bragging rights. Comparing hybrid and petrol siblings quickly shows where savings hide.

  • City commutes: Stop-and-go traffic lets a hybrid shut the engine off, relying on its motor. You burn almost no fuel while neighbours idle away dollars.
  • Highway cruising: Petrol Corollas hold their own at steady speed, yet the Corolla Hybrid still posts an impressive 47 mpg combined.
  • Tank-to-plug flexibility: A hybrid’s small battery charges itself; you never hunt chargers. Petrol models, however, refill fast anywhere, a perk for constant road-trippers.
  • Seasonal swings: Cold weather lowers any car’s economy. Hybrids mitigate losses with heat-pump tech, whereas petrol engines idle longer to warm, wasting fuel you already paid for.
  • Future proofing: Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets tighten yearly. Owning a hybrid today cushions you against tomorrow’s pump pain and possible congestion charges.

Factor those points into your routine, and the hybrid usually triumphs unless you log interstate miles exclusively, where the petrol variant narrows the gap but seldom overtakes it.

Maintenance And Longevity

Long-term ownership costs often hide in service bays, not showrooms. Let’s unpack what really happens after warranty expiration when hybrid and petrol cars age side by side.

Brake component life

Regenerative braking converts momentum into battery charge, sparing pads and rotors. Expect replacements at 100,000 miles rather than the petrol car’s typical 40,000-mile interval.

Oil changes and fluids

Hybrid engines run fewer hours, stretching oil service windows to 10,000 miles or longer. Conventional engines still demand 5,000-mile changes, doubling visits and downtime.

Battery durability myths

Crown Toyota notes warranty coverage often spans eight years and batteries routinely outlast it. Failure rates rival alternators in petrol cars, so fear is largely outdated.

Independent repair network

Special tools once restricted hybrids to dealerships, yet today many ASE technicians handle high-voltage safely. Labour rates mirror conventional work, easing lifetime budgeting.

Resale and depreciation

Strong demand for efficient cars means hybrids hold value better. Petrol models may depreciate faster as electrification incentives grow and fuel-economy regulations tighten further.

Driving Experience Compared

You might assume efficiency sacrifices fun. In reality, the two powertrains deliver different personalities that suit distinct lifestyles and road preferences.

Acceleration feel

Instant electric torque gives hybrids a punchy launch around town. Petrol engines build power linearly, rewarding high-rev enthusiasts but feeling sluggish off the light.

Noise and vibration

Electric operation is whisper-quiet, lowering cabin fatigue on errands. At highway speed both cars equalize, although hybrids cycle engines on and off imperceptibly.

Handling dynamics

The hybrid’s battery sits low in the chassis, dropping the center of gravity for flatter cornering. Petrol models weigh less, offering slightly sharper steering feedback.

Long-distance comfort

Because fuel stops are fewer, hybrids cover more miles between breaks. Petrol cars refill faster, so cross-country haulers might still prefer their established rhythm.

Adventure readiness

All-wheel-drive options now appear on some hybrids, closing the capability gap once dominated by petrol-only trims, helpful if winter or gravel tracks beckon.

Environmental Cost Factors

Tailpipe figures tell only half the story; the real eco-impact spans mine sites, factories, and power plants. Let’s examine emissions beyond the pump.

Manufacturing footprint

Hybrid batteries add upfront carbon, yet their smaller size versus full EVs keeps production emissions moderate. Petrol cars start cleaner but spend life emitting exhaust.

Lifecycle emissions

MIT analyses show hybrids can beat EVs in coal-heavy grids, but as renewables grow, hybrids still outperform petrol vehicles, shrinking total greenhouse output substantially.

Resource extraction

Nickel and lithium mining raises concerns, though recycling rates improve yearly. Oil extraction, however, continues indefinitely for petrol cars, compounding habitat disruption and spills.

Local air quality

Electric driving eliminates urban smog contributors such as NOx. Hybrids operate emissions-free in traffic pockets where pedestrians and cyclists breathe directly beside tailpipes.

Policy alignment

Cities introducing low-emission zones increasingly treat hybrids favorably, whereas petrol cars face higher fees or outright bans during pollution alerts.

Hybrid Pros and Cons

A balanced view highlights strengths and drawbacks, ensuring you pick technology matching priorities rather than trends. Consider these decisive factors before signing paperwork.

  • Lower fuel spend: Hybrids routinely double urban mileage, delivering monthly savings that quickly offset higher sticker prices if you rack up many city miles.
  • Quiet refinement: Near-silent starts feel luxurious, and neighbours appreciate reduced driveway noise during early departures or late-night arrivals.
  • Higher upfront cost: Advanced components add about two to three thousand dollars, potentially stretching budgets for first-time buyers.
  • Battery replacement anxiety: Though rare, a pack can cost four figures without warranty. Comprehensive coverage mitigates risk but remains worth budgeting.
  • Still uses gasoline: Hybrids cut but don’t eliminate fossil fuel reliance, so you’ll continue visiting pumps—just less frequently.

Stack these pros and cons against your commute length, fuel prices, and environmental goals to decide whether hybrid ownership yields meaningful daily benefits.

Petrol Pros and Cons

Traditional engines aren’t obsolete; they simply cater to different needs. Understanding where they excel helps clarify whether sticking with gasoline power makes practical sense.

  • Purchase simplicity: Petrol cars cost less, avoid complex electronics, and often carry stronger incentives, appealing if budget dictates choice above all else.
  • Refuel speed: Five minutes at any corner station gets you another 400 miles, ideal for sales reps, rural residents, or spontaneous cross-country adventurers.
  • Mechanical familiarity: Every workshop knows the layout, and parts stock is abundant, which can shorten repair times compared with rare hybrid components.
  • Performance variants: High-output turbo and sports trims still rely on petrol for visceral soundtracks and track-day endurance without thermal battery limits.
  • Environmental downside: Continuous CO? and NOx emissions, plus sensitivity to volatile fuel pricing, present ongoing financial and ecological liabilities.

If those advantages resonate more than the efficiency penalties, a modern petrol car could remain the smarter, stress-free option for your particular lifestyle.

Total Ownership Costs

Sticker price is just chapter one. Insurance, taxes, depreciation, fuel, and service combine into a decade-long novel you’ll either enjoy or regret reading.

Depreciation curves

Demand for efficient vehicles keeps hybrid resale robust. Petrol cars may lose value quicker as carbon regulations tighten, according to analysts at Edmunds and CBT News.

Fuel outlay projection

Use conservative forecasts: $4 per gallon and 12,000 annual miles. A 50 mpg hybrid spends roughly $960 yearly; a 32 mpg petrol sibling burns $1,500 instead.

Insurance premiums

Rates often tie to repair cost and theft statistics. Modern hybrids attract only marginal surcharges, making overall policy differences negligible for most drivers.

Incentives and rebates

Federal or state credits can shave thousands off hybrids, narrowing up-front gaps dramatically. Petrol models rarely qualify for comparable financial carrots.

Unexpected repairs

Research shows hybrid owners actually pay 5% less in unscheduled maintenance over ten years because regenerative systems preserve brakes and engines endure less stress.

Future Fuel Trend Impact

Energy landscapes shift fast. Your next car might survive two political cycles, four software updates, and countless pump price swings, so perspective matters.

Grid decarbonization

With renewables climbing to 40% U.S. generation by 2030, electricity’s carbon intensity drops, meaning hybrids grow cleaner automatically while petrol cars remain static.

Biofuel possibilities

Advanced synthetic fuels could lower gasoline emissions yet raise prices. Hybrids hedge bets by cutting consumption, whereas petrol cars would still require full volumes.

Regulatory momentum

Many states plan zero-emission sales mandates by 2035. Owning a hybrid keeps you compliant longer and eases eventual transition toward plug-in or full electric models.

Charging infrastructure rise

Every new DC fast-charger announcement benefits plug-in hybrids first, removing range anxiety altogether. Conventional petrol vehicles gain nothing from this expanding network.

Consumer sentiment shifts

Public perception increasingly favours sustainable choices. A hybrid in your driveway could boost neighbourhood cachet and future resale value more than a petrol counterpart.

Decide and Drive

Balancing savings, upkeep, and conscience ultimately comes down to how, where, and why you drive. Urban stop-start routes favour hybrids; long motorway stretches still reward efficient petrol units. If you lean hybrid, schedule specialised hybrid car servicing to safeguard batteries and electronics. Whichever choice, review costs as technology rapidly evolves.