Waste Management

Prevention | Re-use | Recovery | Recycle | Sustainable | Waste Hierarchy

Waste Hierarchy: The Five Stages Of Waste Management
ByMildred Williams CEnv 21/01/202122/03/2021

Waste Hierarchy The Amended Waste Framework Directive (EU) 2018/851 put in place by the European Parliament establishes waste prevention and management legislation and policy. This directive includes the fiscal incentives for the application of the waste hierarchy. In this directive, ‘waste’ is defined as any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or…

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Ecology | Energy | Plastics | Prevention | Re-use | Recovery | Recycle | Reduce waste | Social Awareness | Sustainable | Zero Waste

7 Top Articles of 2020
ByMildred Williams CEnv 07/01/202114/02/2021

These top articles from Viable AlternativEnergy focus on sustainable, environmental and socially conscious projects, products and ideas. Please join us, as we recap our 7 top articles from 2020. 1. Cubo Modular Bamboo Housing This top article was a favourite with our readers from the Philippines. Cubo, created by Earl Patrick Forlales is a modern,…

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Energy | Farming | Recovery | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

Biogas, Untapped Transportation Fuel from Waste?
ByMildred Williams CEnv 14/12/202014/02/2021

In 2018, “What a Waste 2.0” the Urban Development Series produced by the World Bank gave a snapshot of global solid waste management until 2050. Organic waste comprised 56% of the total waste composition for low income countries, from an annual total waste volume of 93MT per year (million tonnes) or 5% of global waste…

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Ecology | Energy | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Sustainable Fashion – 3D Digital Design
ByMildred Williams CEnv 27/02/202013/06/2026

The fashion industry is globally one of the top 10 most polluting industries. Through water pollution during production, chemical addition and dyes, microfibres released during laundry and tumble drying. Furthermore, transportation of goods, insecticide and pesticides through cotton growth and soil degradation. Additionally, stockpiling of unsold and used/ unwanted garments. As well as the effects…

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Ecology | Farming | Sustainable

Rice Straw – Waste to Packaging
ByMildred Williams CEnv 20/02/202016/02/2021

Rice straw is a by-product of rice production. Globally, over 800 million tons of this straw is produced per year. With intensive rice farming models, farmers expect two to three crops per year. This quick turnaround is not conducive to the conditions required for the natural decomposition of rice straw. To Burn Or Not To…

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Ecology | Farming | Plastics | Recycle | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Chewing Gum – Sustainable Alternatives
ByMildred Williams CEnv 06/02/202015/02/2021

Chewing gum is consumed by millions of people every year. Over £14 billions spent on chewing gums globally. Like Marmite, you may love it or hate it. Singapore has banned its import since 1992. However, over £60 million was spent to clean up Britain’s streets of carelessly disposed of chewing gum in 2018. The mastication…

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Plastics | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

UBQ Materials Bio-based Thermoplastic
ByMildred Williams CEnv 23/01/202011/02/2021

UBQ is a thermoplastic that can substitute minerals, wood and plastic in thousands of applications. Globally every year, 2 billion tonnes of waste is produced. Approximately 80% of this waste goes to landfills. Food loss and waste contribute 7% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. UBQ Process When all the waste that can be composted,…

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Plastics | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

BioCellection – Chemical Recycling
ByMildred Williams CEnv 16/01/202016/02/2021

BioCellection is an advanced recycling technology company based in California. Globally, only 9% of plastics are recycled. The remaining 91% goes to landfills, incinerators, or ends up in the ocean because of poor waste management practices. There is a huge gap in the market for a company that could close the “plastic life cycle” by…

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Plastics | Recycle | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Precious Plastic Universe
ByMildred Williams CEnv 09/01/202014/02/2021

Precious Plastic Universe (Precious Plastic version 4) launched on Tuesday 7th January 2020. At Viable AlternativEnergy, we’ve been waiting anxiously for this new update since August 2019. With earlier versions of Precious Plastic (version 2 and 3), followers have primarily used the information shared as educational tools or for small-scale projects. A major limitation was…

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Ecology | Energy | Prevention | Re-use | Recovery | Recycle | Reduce waste | Social Awareness | Zero Waste

Viable AlternativEnergy – Recap top 7 Articles of 2019
ByMildred Williams CEnv 03/01/202016/02/2021

Viable AlternativEnergy posts focus on environmental and socially conscious projects, products and ideas. Please join us, as we recap our 7 top posts from 2019. 1. Kamikatsu – Japan’s Zero Waste Town The first municipality in Japan to promote a zero-waste policy. Residents sort waste into 45 categories. Kamikatsu municipality managed to recycle 81% of…

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Ecology | Marine | Plastics | Zero Waste

Plastic Alternative – Marinatex
ByMildred Williams CEnv 21/11/201909/02/2021

MarinaTex is an alternative to plastic film. It is made from agar from red algae and proteins from fish processing waste. MarinaTex is stronger than LDPE (commonly used in plastic bags) of the same thickness. It is 100% biodegradable in a soil environment and can be composted at home in less than 6 weeks. MarinaTex…

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Ecology | Farming | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Sustainable Alternatives to Leather
ByMildred Williams CEnv 14/11/201925/02/2021

There are now several plants-based sustainable alternatives to leather. We categorise many of these as vegan leather. However, vegan leather was first known as pleather. Furthermore, leather is plastic leather made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PU (polyurethane) or textile-polymer composite microfibres. Let us look at 5 sustainable types of leather. Comprising three products that originate…

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Ecology | Farming | Sustainable | Zero Waste

The Power of Compost Worms
ByMildred Williams CEnv 07/11/201901/12/2020

Compost worms primarily consist of red wiggler / tiger, African nightcrawler, Indian blue and Brandling. These worms are powerful allies to organic farmers. They assist farmers with various tasks. such as providing oxygen /aeration to roots of the plants through burrowing. Releasing helpful amino acids which can combat diseases in crops. Furthermore worm waste (vermicast/…

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Construction | Energy | Recovery | Reduce waste

Africa’s First Waste to Energy – Reppie, Ethiopia
ByMildred Williams CEnv 31/10/201914/02/2021

The Reppie Waste to Energy plant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is the first Waste to Energy plant in Africa, completed in February 2018. Reppie Waste-to-Energy Facility. Image: Stuartkribki | CC BY-SA 4.0. | Wikimedia. Reppie is locally known as Koshe (Amharic for dirty). The Koshe dump site in the southeastern part of Addis Ababa and is…

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Reduce waste | Sustainable

Environmentally Friendly Paints
ByMildred Williams CEnv 24/10/201909/02/2021

Three environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of producing paints. From recycling old latex paints, to the production of paints using windmills and linseed. Finally the paints made from food which is safe for children to use and is also edible. Rona Eco Paint recycling in Canada. Paints derived from flax by Rigo in The Netherlands….

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Ecology | Energy | Farming | Marine | Sustainable | Water

Algal Bloom to Algae as Fuel
ByMildred Williams CEnv 17/10/201901/12/2020

Algae is a term used to describe a wide variety of aquatic photosynthetic organisms. This includes both macroscopic, multicellular organisms (seaweed) and microscopic, unicellular organisms (cyanobacteria). Algae can survive almost any marine or land environment that has sufficient water, nutrients and sunlight. Run off from agricultural activities, causes excess nitrates and phosphates to enter aquatic…

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Plastics

The Hunt and Recovery of Microplastic
ByMildred Williams CEnv 05/09/201909/02/2021

Plastic particles that are 5 mm or less are described as microplastics. Microplastics often found in facial scrubs and shower gels as microbeads. The breakdown of larger plastics and machine washing of synthetic clothing also results in microplastics. These microplastics then make their way into waterways and are virtually impossible to remove through filtration. Microplastics…

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Plastics | Recycle | Reduce waste

Precious Plastic
ByMildred Williams CEnv 08/08/201914/02/2021

Precious Plastic is an open source platform that shares their findings on how to solve plastic pollution. This project was created by Dave Hakkens from the Netherlands in 2013. The video below gives you a background on this project via the version 3 launch. We are patiently awaiting the updates that will come with the…

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Recycle | Reduce waste

Reuse – Reduce Waste – Tyre Sculptors
ByMildred Williams CEnv 01/08/201915/02/2021

Tyres are complex products consisting of more than 200 raw materials. These different raw materials make it difficult for tyres to be recycled. Around the world several artists have been inspired by tyres and are very effective in sculpting old used tyres. Truly turning waste into art. A few artists from around the world include…

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Plastics | Recycle | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

Recycling – Ljubljana Slovenia
ByMildred Williams CEnv 04/07/201914/02/2021

In 2004, all waste generated in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital went to landfill. Presently, Ljubljana diverts 80% of its refuse from the landfill. Furthermore, 68% of this waste gets recycled. Ljubljana won the title of the 2016 European Green Capital award. This was a major win because Ljubljana was the only nominee out of the 5…

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Ecology | Health

App Detects Mosquito
ByMildred Williams CEnv 13/06/201911/12/2020

Over 700,000 people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes. Dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika are all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes. Malaria is the parasitic disease carried by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. However, every mosquito species has a signature buzzing sound. Two University research…

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Ecology | Energy | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Paper Made of …
ByMildred Williams CEnv 30/05/201901/12/2020

Imagine paper that is tear resistant, water resistant, bleach and acid free, bright white in colour and no trees were harmed to make this paper. The manufacturing process has a lower carbon footprint than with traditional paper. Well no need to imagine it. This paper is made from recycled stone.

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Ecology | Energy | Farming | Sustainable | Zero Waste

Songhai Centre – Port Novo, Benin
ByMildred Williams CEnv 23/05/201927/01/2021

Songhai Centre in Port Novo, Benin is the pinnacle of a zero waste agricultural site. Here they integrate vegetable production, aquaculture and animal husbandry to produce a large selection of produce. From food (cooking oils, fruit, baked goods, juices and livestock for consumption) to biogas, biomass, plastic recycling, fish feed, animal feed, composting, soap production…

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Ecology | Farming | Water

Zai Pit System
ByMildred Williams CEnv 02/05/201909/02/2021

Zai Pits are a longstanding and well-documented tradition in the Sahel region, specifically in the north of Burkina Faso. Zai Pit System are “planting pockets” and “small water harvesting pits”. Seeds are sown into the pits after filling them with one to three handfuls of organic material such as manure, compost, or dry plant biomass….

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Reduce waste | Zero Waste

Leaves – Biodegradable Plates
ByMildred Williams CEnv 25/04/201905/02/2021

Leaf republic has created a selection of packaging products. They make the transparent lids from bioplastic and recycled plastic. They make the plates and bowls from three-layers. The bottom and top layers are leaves. The middle layer comprises water-proof leaf-made paper. No synthetic additives, colouring or glue used in the production process. Furthermore, the bowl…

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Plastics | Recycle | Reduce waste | Social Awareness

Binners’ Project – Vancouver, Canada
ByMildred Williams CEnv 21/03/201914/02/2021

Binners’ Project supports the most marginalised people in urban areas. Helping them to create an income from the collection of redeemable containers and other things from bins. Enabling these groups of waste pickers to sustain their livelihood and to divert waste from landfills.

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Construction | Ecology | Energy | Reduce waste | Solar | Sustainable | Water | Zero Waste

Off Grid Living – Sustainable Homes
ByMildred Williams CEnv 14/03/201909/02/2021

This off-grid tiny home on wheels generates its own solar power. They collect and store rainwater. Solar water heating is also available. Composts from human waste. Other organic wastes generate biogas for cooking.

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Prevention | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

Bite Toothpaste
ByMildred Williams CEnv 07/03/201914/02/2021

Bite, brush and repeat. An environmentally friendly alternative to plastic toothpaste tubes. They make this toothpaste pill from natural ingredients. Additionally, all the packaging is recyclable, thus reducing waste to landfill.

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Ecology | Marine | Water

Hair for Oil Spills
ByMildred Williams CEnv 21/02/201904/05/2020

Hair, fur and fleece clippings donated to matteroftrust.org are used to soak up major oil spills. Also, help keep storm drains and waterways clean.

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Plastics | Zero Waste

The Rate of Decomposition of Waste
ByMildred Williams CEnv 24/01/201927/01/2021

What is the decomposition rate for items we send to landfill? From banana peels, to milk carton, cigarette butts, plastic bags and leather. How long does it take to for our discarded goods to decompse?

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Recycle | Reduce waste | Sustainable | Zero Waste

Kamikatsu – Japan’s Zero Waste Town
ByMildred Williams CEnv 17/01/201914/02/2021

Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture, was the first municipality in Japan to promote a Zero Waste policy. The residents sort waste into 45 types in 13 categories. The municipality managed to recycle 81% of all their refuse in 2016.

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Plastics | Prevention | Reduce waste | Sustainable

Plastic ban – San Pedro Laguna – Guatemala
ByMildred Williams CEnv 03/01/201914/02/2021

San Pedro La Laguna is the first community on Lake Atitlán. Also, the third municipality in Guatemala, to ban the use of plastic bags. The new provision is stringent. The provision outlaws plastic straws, Styrofoam containers and all packaging material made of polystyrene.

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Plastics | Recycle | Sustainable | Waste Hierarchy

Wecyclers – Recycling, Lagos Nigeria
ByMildred Williams CEnv 27/12/201814/02/2021

Wecyclers allows people in low-income communities to capture value from their waste. This Lagos based company provides a door to door collection service. Giving households a chance to generate value from waste. Also providing a reliable supply of raw material to the local recycling industry.

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