Pat Trainor asked:


Environmentally friendly homes are defined as having little impact on the planet during the planning, construction, and life of the home. This includes the energy required to manufacture and transport materials to the construction site. According to one study, our homes account for over 40% of carbon dioxide emissions, which is why it’s imperative that we all work to build more sustainable and earth-friendly residences.

Classic log homes are one type of property that has a much smaller carbon footprint than traditionally-built houses. One reason that log homes are an excellent choice for environmentally aware buyers is the fact that log homes are made out of a naturally renewable resource. If we require loggers to use responsible logging methods such as re-planting where they cut, then we will have a steady reserve of logs for the future, without damaging the environment.

Another benefit is that in many areas of the country, logs can be locally harvested unlike steel or concrete, which require transport. Delivering materials around the country can be very expensive, emits a high amount of carbon dioxide into the air, and uses up a great deal of oil and gas. By shopping locally, you can reduce the impact your home has on the environment -during all its stages of building.

Another benefit to wood structures is that unlike common building materials, log homes do not require manufacturing or substantial processing, which involves chemicals and energy expenditure. The chemicals that go into making popular building materials are emitted in your home, which can pose a serious health risk for your family. These volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s are breathed into our lungs and can get into our bloodstream. Studies are still being done to examine the long term effects of being surrounded by these toxins, but it’s a good idea to avoid them at all costs.

In addition to be a non-toxic choice, log homes are also an extremely energy efficient alternative to other building materials. Owners of log cabins have long known the benefits of these types of structures in terms of how cozy there are in the wintertime and cool in the summertime. Wood has a natural ability to absorb heat and then release it, which is what enables cabins to stay comfortable all year long.

Log homes are also biodegradable and recyclable -far more so than other building materials. Log cabins can be torn down, and the logs used for other structures. These logs have a long life cycle, as they can be reborn with each new project. And when the log is past its usefulness, it easily bio degrades back into the earth.

By being mindful of what we use to build our homes, we can have a huge impact on improving the health of this planet. In addition, we can lower our energy costs and reduce the amount of indoor toxins that our families breathe in. If we’re conscious of the choices we make and look into better alternatives like the log home, we’ll all benefit in the long run.



environmentally friendly
Sep
18
Simon Churchgate asked:


Let’s face it; eco-friendly printing is the way to go today. In spite of all the technological advancements and the promise of digital, paperless offices, printing services are still among the most sought after services. Even in this age of electronic communication and ubiquitous digital glory, mankind has not been able to fully shrug off the need for paper. Printing jobs are still in need and printing presses everywhere are keeping busy with a steady influx of orders everyday.

This is also an age where mankind has become more aware and responsible for his actions towards the environment. There is a conscious effort everywhere to go green, stop environmental pollution and save the planet we live in. This new heightened awareness has necessitated the need to take a fresh look into industries and commercial organizations, which have long been blamed, to varying extents, for polluting the environment and depleting the earth’s natural resources. We have also started to think how such harmful effects can be diminished and keep the planet green.

Like most production operations, printing houses also produce harmful wastes. Printing houses produce what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), caused by the use of petroleum-based inks, laminates, varnishes and adhesives. Studies have shown that these compounds, when inhaled, greatly increase the risk of asthma attacks. As a result, measures are being adopted by many printers worldwide to comply with existing regulations and adopt environment-friendly practices.

However, this is only half of what “eco-friendly printing services” are really all about. The issue of conservation is no less important than the need to stop polluting the environment. Eco-friendly printing is all about a successful merging of the two.

It is surprising to learn that the paper and printing industry ranks fourth among manufacturers in the amount of energy used. Producing paper and the electricity used for factory operations, as well as the actual printing process, demand lots of fossil fuels. Printers, thus, put a major strain on the planet, draining her natural resources in alarming magnitude.

A certified eco-friendly printing company keeps track of the total energy usage and implements strategies for offsetting the environmental impact of their businesses. Its goal is to be a “sustainable printer”, meaning the company will be carefully planning operations to minimize electricity use, put a lighter drain on natural resources and source paper from companies certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which is virtually synonymous with well-managed forests that adhere to strict environmental standards. It also means recycling and reusing paper and other supplies whenever possible. That’s what “green printing” is all about, and this constitutes the real essence of an eco-friendly printing company.

By choosing eco-friendly printing company for all our printing needs, we can show that we really care about our environment and act as responsible citizens of the planet. It’s always comforting to know that we’re doing our part to protect and conserve the environment. It’s also reassuring to know that our printing requirements will not endanger the earth by adding toxins and harmful pollutants, or by depleting natural resources. Everybody should insist on printing green. After all, we all owe it to the planet that we can call home in this vast universe. Sending all our printing jobs to a certified eco-friendly printing company can go a long way in helping conserve the environment and ensure a greener tomorrow for our children.



MAJOR