Protecting Our Oceans

Posted by STN Admin on


As pollution becomes a growing concern, especially for the oceans, many families are looking for ways to reduce the pollutants and trash that they generate. And while many steps have been taken over the years, the growing population combined with greater use of disposable items has made protecting the oceans more difficult. 

You may think that there is little which can be done, at least by a single family. But when the efforts of one family are combined with many others, that can make a huge difference in protecting life in the ocean. All it takes is starting small and doing what you can to help sustain marine life. And it makes for a fun family project as well. 

With the recent celebration of World Ocean Day, here are a few tips you and your family can follow to help protect our oceans. 

Reduce Single Use Plastics 

One of the biggest pollutants in the oceans is single use plastic items. From water bottles to plastic bags, straws, and packaging, over eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year. By reducing the number of plastic products that we use, families can keep more of it from winding up in the ocean. 

Start by assessing how much plastic is being used in your home and then take steps to curb its use. Refillable bottles, not using straws, and properly disposing of plastic packaging can go a long way towards protecting our oceans. 

Respect Sea Life

The ocean was made for everyone to enjoy. But you and your family can help protect marine life by being respectful of nesting sea turtles, coral reef systems, and the like when on vacation. In addition, you can reduce the usage of materials from the ocean by not purchasing items made from coral, tortoise shells, or sharks which are common at seaside retail businesses. 

The less you purchase such items, the less in-demand they will be, the more such creatures will be left alone. 

Purchase Sustainable Seafood Products

Overfishing is one of the greatest concerns that many have with protecting ocean life. You can help contribute to protecting such life by purchasing seafood that came from fisheries and farms. It’s easy to tell by looking for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) labels.

By purchasing seafood from fisheries and farms, you can help reduce fishing in the oceans. This reduction will help protect marine life. 

Learn More about the Oceans

Perhaps the best way to initiate change is to learn more about life in the ocean and what effect we have on it. From watching videos and documentaries to visiting museums dedicated to ocean life to art exhibitions and more, there is much you can do to help educate your family on how we can protect the ocean and its inhabitants. 

There is much you and your family can do to protect marine life. By reducing the use of plastics, purchasing sustainable seafood products, and educating yourself more about the impact of pollutants, the more your family can contribute to protecting life under the sea.  

Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you.

Recycling After Home Renovations

Posted by STN Admin on

 

When you see home renovations occur and witness the large amount of demolition being taken away, you might believe that all the waste goes to the landfill. But you may be surprised that a large portion heads to recycling centers. 

But whether you are making improvements to stay in the home for a long time or simply house flipping to get the most out of your investment, there are things you need to know about recycling the demolition waste. 

What Items Can Be Recycled?

The answer is that many of the items being replaced can be recycled. A short list of the items that you can donate to recycling includes the following:

  • Appliances, Bathroom, Kitchen, and Lighting Fixtures, and Cabinets
  • Bricks, Ceiling Tiles, and Carpeting
  • Dimensional Lumber, Doors, and Ductwork
  • Flooring, Insulation, and Landscape 
  • Marble, Metal Frames, and Plywood
  • Paneling, Pipes, and Siding
  • Stone, Tile, and Trim along with Antique Molding
  • Toilets, Windows, Wood Beams & Posts, and More 

There are many basic items and materials that can also be recycled from the waste generated from the remodeling. This includes asphalt, concrete, drywall, metal, wood, window glass, and even dirt and vegetation. 

To Donate, Recycle, or Sell?

There is a difference between recycling used items and donating them. Typically, donated items are those that can still be used by other people with little to no repair needed. While the list of donated items can be large, the most typical for most home renovations include the following:

  • Bathtubs, Toilets, & Sinks
  • Cabinets, Doors, and Windows
  • Working Appliances, Lighting, & Handles 
  • Lumber, Tiles, and Wood Flooring

You can donate these items as part of your home renovation. Plus, any items that are intact and can be used again should be considered for donation purposes. 

If the items are valuable enough and in-demand, you can sell them directly. While you may not get as much as you paid for them originally, it can help reduce the cost of the home renovation. The most obvious online places to sell used items are Craigslist and eBay, but you may find online sites that sell locally for items that may be difficult to ship. 

Keep in mind that if it costs more to sell than to donate, you are better off donating. 

Where to Find Recycling & Donation Centers?

Everything starts with your local resources. Check out what recycling and donation centers are in your community. A few of the national organizations include the following. 

  • Building Materials Reuse Association
  • Construction & Demolition Recycling Association
  • Freecycle Network
  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores 

You can also check with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and your local and state governments for places to recycle or donate such items. 

Whether you engage in home renovations to stay in your residence for the rest of your life or are house flipping a property you just purchased, recycling the demolition and waste is necessary. Not only to protect the environment but to get the most out of your renovation efforts without spoiling the community where you live. 

Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you.

 

How to Properly Recycle Your Electronics

Posted by STN Admin on

E-waste has become one of the largest refuse issues in the world. With many containing toxic substances, it is imperative that you recycle such devices whenever possible. To properly recycle electronics, you will need to know what places accept electronic items.

If you have old electronic devices like outdated cell phones, chargers, and more, there are ways to safely recycle them, so they do not wind up in a landfill. Below are a few places to take such devices so either their parts or the entire item can be used again. 

Recycling Locations

Before you start the recycling process, remove any personal information. In addition, remove any batteries as they may need to be recycled separately. Plus, any broken parts should be put into bags so that any hazardous material inside does not leak. 

You should be able to find all recycling centers that accept e-waste through your local directory. You can also go online to places such as Call2Recycle which takes rechargeable batteries and cell phones across the US. 

Plus, if you go to Computer Technology Association and visit their recycling locator page or the recycling database at Earth911, you can enter your zip code and find any recycling centers that are near you. 

Donations

But what if you have devices that still work or perhaps could be made to work again? Then you can donate your items to a nonprofit or charity organization that accepts them. There are local organizations that cater to seniors and those who may not have the budget to purchase new devices that can use your old ones. 

Plus, you can get a receipt that can be used to deduct the taxes from next year’s income tax form, so you can benefit in that way. Places such as Dell Reconnect which works with Goodwill, eBay for Charity, and the World Computer Exchange are places that will accept donations of working items or items that need a little work to become operational again. 

Tech Companies 

Another option to recycle your electronic devices is to take them to a tech firm. There are many manufacturers along with retailers that will properly recycle electronics or refurbish them for other uses. 

You can also check with other large and local tech companies to see what type of recycling program they offer. Just remember that you have several options, so choose the one that best suits your needs. 

Understanding how to properly recycle electronics not only means a cleaner, safer world, but it also means that others will benefit from what you no longer need. Proper recycling means less e-waste which protects the environment while allowing others to enjoy the benefits of technology.  

Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you.

How to Properly Recycle When Spring Cleaning

Posted by STN Admin on

 


Spring cleaning is the time of year when you remove all the unwanted materials from your home. It is an annual house cleaning that coincides with the warming temperatures where people open their windows and let the fresh air in. But how can you combine spring cleaning with recycling to get the best of both worlds?

Instead of simply bagging up the trash and letting unwanted items pile up in closets and storage areas, you can employ a recycling system in your home. The result protects the environment and makes cleaning the home during the spring less taxing.

What Can Be Recycled?

There are many items around your home that can be recycled. The first step is locating all nearby recycling centers. Then take the items when ready and earn a little profit when you turn them in. 

  • Aluminum
  • Cardboard
  • Glass
  • Paper 
  • Plastics 
  • Steel & More 

You can rinse out and crush the cans so they can be put into large bags for recycling. Cardboard boxes if strong enough make for good moving boxes. But for those that are torn, thin, or compromised simply fold them up for storage until you take them to the recycling plant. 

Rinse out glass containers. However, you can leave the labels on since they will be removed by the recycling process. Store paper items such as magazines, newspapers, telephone books, and the like in smaller boxes or bags so they are easy to carry. 

Rinsing and crushing plastic bottles for storage saves space and doesn’t attract insects. Certain metals such as steel, copper, and those used in electronic items can be recycled as well. Find recycling centers that accept metal and electric devices after your home cleaning session. 

How Can You Employ Reusable Items?

You can cut down on waste and make your next spring cleaning far less taxing by relying more on reusable items. 

Rags, Sponges, & Towels: Instead of using paper towels, rely more on reusable items such as rags, sponges, and towels for cleanup. You can use a simple homemade cleaner such as one-part vinegar to seven parts water for quick cleaning while not filling up the trash with paper towels. 

Reusable Batteries: Disposable batteries can become quite expensive. Instead, purchase reusable batteries with a charger to save money over the long run. It also means less to throw out during spring cleaning. 

Reusable Bags: Instead of collecting or throwing away plastic bags, rely on reusable bags when you shop. They will hold up more, last far longer, and are washable so they can be reused repeatedly. 

Compost: For both food and yard waste, you can instead put more nutrients into the ground for your lawn or garden by learning to compost. This form of recycling can do wonders for your landscape or garden when properly employed. 

When you plan for your next spring cleaning, be sure to make a quick note of what recycling opportunities are available. Your next house cleaning can include recycling unwanted materials and purchasing goods that can be recycled or have a long life in your home.


Contact Brickley Environmental Today 

With numerous dangers facing your home or business, calling the professionals at Brickley Environmental is a good place to start. We offer our knowledge and experience along with the tools to detect and remove infestations of various types. The services provided by Brickley Environmental include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal 
  • Demolition 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal

If you are facing any of these issues, call Brickley Environmental today. Our friendly, courteous staff will take your call and answer your questions, so you can make the best-informed decision about what to do next. At Brickley Environmental, we are here to help you. 

The Effect of Electronic Waste on Children

Posted by STN Admin on

The advancement of digital devices has changed the world – mostly for the better. However, there is a growing issue of electronic waste or e-waste that is having a devastating effect, particularly on children. The buildup of e-waste over the past couple of decades has been enormous. The health effects are only now being fully seen, especially among children. 

What is Electronic Waste? 

E-waste is the term used to describe electronic products that are on the verge of no longer being useful or useable. This can include electronics such as TVs, smartphones, fax and printer machines, computers, etc. If any of these electronics break or become outdated, that is when they often become eligible for being refurbished or recycled. 

E-waste recycling is a massive market with facilities placed all around the world. It is estimated that more than 18 million children are engaged in e-waste recycling. Although recycling itself is a good thing, certain elements that can be found in electronics can also be harmful to humans, especially children, such as lead and mercury. Such exposure can hinder their mental development and create serious, long-term health issues. 

Electronic Waste Is A Growing Issue

The volume of e-waste around the world has grown by more than 20% just in the past five years. Today, it is estimated that the amount of e-waste created is the equivalent of filling up 350 cruise ships.

As the use of computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices continues to grow, so will the volume of electronic waste. With just over 17% being sent to proper recycling centers, the rest is dumped illegally. This exposes its harmful elements to adults and children. And while the effects on those living in third-world countries are the most apparent, cases of wrongful e-waste and contamination are growing in countries such as the United States and Europe as well. 

The effect on health is considerable. The effect that e-waste has on the environment is quite damaging. With more areas subject to illegal dumping, the underground market for e-waste materials continues to grow. That means more toxic chemicals being released into the environment making for a more dangerous world. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you have electronic or e-waste on your property, Brickley Environmental can help. We offer our knowledge, experience, and equipment that will identify and remove your waste. Our trained technicians understand how to safely remove waste from properties like yours. In addition, we offer several other services as well which include the following. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Demolition
  • Hazardous Waste Removal 
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation & More 

For additional information about e-waste, click here to view the EPA website.