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America’s quest to reduce its fuel consumption and dependence on foreign oil may lead it to look for energy sources in new places — like the bottom of a trash barrel.
JBI, Inc. (OTCBB:JBII), a global technology company, has developed a process, called Plastic2Oil (P2O), that converts raw, unwashed, unsorted plastic waste into a fuel similar to biofuel. In April 2010, an independent laboratory, Islechem, validated the P2O process through extensive chemical, analytical and process engineering testing.
Islechem tested the process over 40 times using multicolored, mixed plastics. The laboratory determined that the P20 process is repeatable and can be done on a large scale. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the hydrocarbon composition in the feedstock is converted into a “near diesel” fuel, while about 8 percent is converted to a usable off gas much like natural gas. In addition, only 1 percent of the plastic becomes residue, and that residue does not contain any highly toxic elements and is safe for landfill disposal. Even better, more energy is produced than consumed by the process. Early data suggest that the process creates twice as much energy as it uses.
“It takes energy to produce energy. The key is to get more energy from the final product than it takes to make it,” said JBI, Inc. CEO John Bordynuik. “Our process has a high positive energy balance of 2.0, while gasoline from crude has a negative energy balance of 0.81.”
The fuel produced by the P20 process has another major advantage over gasoline from crude oil — its production, including labor, costs only about $10 a barrel.
Gasoline from crude oil uses more energy than it produces and currently costs between $75 and $85 a barrel — and yet gasoline companies yield high profits. A process like P20 could revolutionize the market by creating high-quality fuel at much lower costs, while also helping to reduce the amount of plastic that becomes pollution or ends up in landfills.
JBI, Inc. is currently in talks to create P20 processing facilities in Europe, Florida, New York, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio. The company is also looking for waste disposal or recycling companies, and people with under-utilized facilities to convert into P2O factories. For more information, visit www.plastic2oil.com
Don’t let those fields of green confuse you – most farming isn’t environmentally friendly. From animal waste to pesticides and fertilizers to plastic trash, farms take their toll on Mother Earth. But some companies are looking to help farms clean up – and green up – their act.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the total amount of plastics in municipal solid waste in the U.S. was almost 31 million tons, or 12.1 percent of total municipal solid waste generation in 2007. Farms are a major contributor. Farm waste includes plastic barrels and silage bags, many of which end up in landfills. The greenhouse sector, while often considered a clean industry, uses plastic in the form of nursery pots, plastic trays and polyethylene film. Some growers are looking to biodegradable plastic alternatives, such as peat moss or coconut, bamboo, rice, straw or corn fibers. But none of the available alternatives completely solves the problem — some materials are visually unattractive, while others are prone to cracking or mold growth. And many come in plastic packaging.
Farmers can do one of three things with their plastic farm waste. They can reuse it, though most do not, due to health concerns. Farmers can also recycle some of their plastic, but collecting and transporting the plastic to a recycling center can prove problematic. And now, farmers can turn their agricultural waste plastic into fuel similar to diesel fuel.
JBI Inc., a global technology company trading on the OTC market with the stock symbol JBII, has developed a way to break down plastic molecules into an oil similar to diesel fuel. The process, called Plastic 2 Oil (P2O), extracts about a liter of oil for each kilogram of plastic processed, and each P2O facility will be able to process up to 20 tons of scrap plastic per day. Even better, a gas byproduct created by the P2O process provides all of the energy needed to convert plastics into oil, eliminating energy costs.
JBI is looking for people with manufacturing and farming facilities not running at full capacity to convert into P2O factories. Americans allowing P2O factories to run on their property will receive enough extra fuel from the P2O process to run their household or any on-site business operations.
“Paper or plastic?” That is the major question that shoppers usually face as they check out at the supermarket. However, both options take a major toll on the environment. It’s estimated that somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are used each year throughout the world — many of them winding up in landfills, where it can take hundreds or thousands of years for them to decompose. And about 14 million trees are cut down each year to make paper grocery bags.
Increasingly, both by personal choice and by law, consumers worldwide are moving away from using paper or plastic bags. And they’re choosing reusable grocery bags as a convenient and environmentally friendly option.
California Innovations has leveraged their knowledge of insulated technology to develop a quality line of durable, reusable grocery totes. Their 45 Can Freezer Tote features high-density thermal insulation plus Therma-Flect Radiant Barrier, so groceries stay cold for hours. The interior is easy to wipe clean and has Microban, which helps protect the lining from bacteria that cause odors and stains. All of these grocery totes carry the Ultra Safe designation, which means that the interior of the bags is PVC free and lead and phthalate safe.
California Innovations’ innovative grocery totes help protect the environment because they can be used over and over — unlike both paper and plastic bags, which are often used once and discarded. Aside from the environmental benefits, reusable tote bags are far more durable, carry more groceries, and can easily double as a beach or picnic tote.
Practical, environmentally friendly and insulated to keep food cold — seems like an easy choice for consumers.
A combination of legislation and activism is inspiring companies to consider the “green” side to their business.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows environmentally related occupations are projected to grow 38 percent more than all other occupations combined by 2016. The report, “Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy,” predicts the highest growth of green jobs will be in renewable power generation, retrofitting residential and commercial areas and in renewable transportation fuels. As a result, universities are increasingly integrating economic, environmental and social issues into their curriculum.
One of these institutions, DeVry University, has created several green-focused specializations to build on the school’s core degree programs – including business administration with a specialization in sustainability management, and electronics engineering technology with a specialization in renewable energy .
“Education needs to reflect this trend for the future leaders who will build economic and technological capital while considering the impact on social and natural resources,” said Jesus Fernandez, associate provost for curriculum at DeVry University. “DeVry University’s green curriculum adds focus on sustainability and environmental impact to the core business and electronics engineering technology degree programs.”
Fernandez offers three main growth areas:
Sustainability Management. An emerging area for leadership involves resource conservation, pollution prevention and the regulation and enforcement for process and procedure to be made more efficient and with greater sustainability. Those interested in sustainability management should explore coursework that provides a sound foundation of business and management principles while emphasizing green considerations, technologies and economic factors.
Renewable Energy. Relating to the production, transmission and storage of sustainable energy sources – wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power – many of the skills needed in engineering, design, planning or project management for renewable sources of energy are similar to those needed in traditional energy fields.
A strong engineering technology and electronics foundation, like DeVry University’s Renewable Energy specialization, provides an emphasis on alternative power sources and the economics of green engineering.
“Changing Skill” Occupations. With the increasing cultural shift toward environmental stewardship, there is a substantial need for employees of all levels to understand the green process. Students now have the opportunity to add desirable green skills to their existing area of expertise – be it marketing, operations, finance or management.
Green job growth won’t slow down anytime soon – it is currently outpacing even total job growth. Between 1998 and 2007, U.S. green jobs increased by 9.1 percent with little government investment – almost 150 percent more than total job growth of 3.7 percent for the same period. Moving forward, companies will require employees to understand “green,” and it will be essential for graduates to prepare themselves for this changing environment.
Imagine a romantic weekend in an exquisite Fiji resort — sleeping in an enchanting villa, snorkeling in turquoise waters and dining on gourmet meals under a blanket of stars.
Sound like vacational bliss? The producers of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” thought so too — for this “perfect date” scenario aired on the July 25 episode of the hit reality TV show.
Fiji’s Koro Sun Resort and Rainforest Spa hosted the newest bachelorette, Ashley Hebert, and her date for a secluded and exotic getaway. The resort is located in lush Savusavu on 150 acres containing a coconut plantation, lavish rainforests and a private lagoon.
The resort created a deluxe couples’ package to wow their ABC stars. The “Passion Under the Palms” package features a five-night stay in the Fantasy Suite, three gourmet meals a day, a candlelit dinner in the rainforest, a snorkeling excursion, spa treatments, a private beach picnic, a waterfall tour and more.
This made-for-TV deal is now offered to all patrons to guarantee a magical vacation. If that package doesn’t suit your needs, consider a variety of others available such as the Adventure package for the thrill seeker in you. Additional recreational activities included are kayaking, biking, tennis, hiking and golf.
Koro Sun Resort prides itself on their extremely hospitable Friendly Fijian Staff. Conde Naste recognized them as the friendliest and most welcoming in the world. Another highlight of the “Passion Under the Palms” package is a special reception–the resort staff welcomes guests with a coconut milk foot soak and massage and freshly chilled coconut beverage.
Just like Hebert’s experience, guests are ushered into the resort with singing and meticulous personalized attention. Staff treat guests to private tours of botanical gardens, island caves, rainforests and waterfalls as if they were family.
Bachelorette Hebert used Koro Sun Resort to take her one step closer to finding her soulmate. She enjoyed tropical luxury at its finest and exposed Fiji’s hidden paradise.
The impossibly blue waters will make any guest feel like a star. Dining options include succulent seafood, fresh, local produce and tender fish fillets.
Polar bears are loved by people of all ages, all around the world. These magnificent, powerful animals live nowhere else except the Arctic, and they need our help.
Coca-Cola and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are joining forces to help protect the polar bear’s Arctic habitat. Together they are raising awareness and funds for conservation efforts to create a safe haven for the polar bear. The program is called “Arctic Home.”
To call attention to the cause, for the first time ever, Coca-Cola is turning its iconic red Coke cans white. Shoppers will find these limited-edition cans on store shelves this holiday season. Bottle caps of many other Coke products will also be white.
Don’t wait until there’s nothing left between you and the rain-slick pavement to check your tires. The likelihood of accidents skyrockets when combining wet, seasonal weather and poor tire maintenance.Proper tire and pressure maintenance can prevent all kinds of road accidents, but drivers must be aware of the warning signs and ongoing maintenance needs to ensure driving safety. For example, an underinflated tire might not “look” flat to the eye. A tire can lose up to 50 percent of its air before it begins to show visually. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire pressure literally changes the way the rubber meets the road, affecting traction, handling, steering, stability and braking. Similarly, NHTSA estimates that nearly 250,000 accidents occur in the U.S. per year due to low tire pressure.Statistics like these remind drivers how quickly collisions occur under preventable circumstances. Schrader, a global manufacturer of sensing and valve solutions that protect and perform, recommends the following advice to keep your tires road-ready in all conditions:* Check your tire pressure regularly, especially before any long trips. Inflation pressure changes depending on the temperature. Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degrees F drop in ambient temperature. Additionally, tires can lose as much as 1.5 psi per month as air escapes the tire and rim naturally. It’s best to check tire pressure when the car is off and tires are coolest.* Heed the TPMS warning symbol. All passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the U.S. from 2008 onward have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) system installed. If the TPMS warning symbol lights up on your dashboard, one or more of your tires is 25 percent or more underinflated — a significant loss in pressure. Take caution, and do not ignore the TPMS warning symbol.* Find a safe place to pull out of traffic to stop and check your tires. If you are not having a blowout, use a tire gauge to check the pressure of each tire against your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure level. Inflate tires to correct pressure at the nearest service station or repair facility. The recommended pressure level can be found on the tire placard, a label located just inside the driver’s side door.* Don’t forget the spare. Before long drives, always check your spare for any injuries or punctures.For more tips on how TPMS ensures driver safety