Saving Money and Environment in the Drive-Thru Lane

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There’s nothing more classically American than the drive-thru. Today, these havens of greasy fries, delicious burgers, and fast service have spread throughout the globe, with an estimated half million locations worldwide! Drive-thrus are beloved for their cheap food, service that gets you in and out in record time, 24-hours access, and convenient locations near highways, making them the ideal stopping points for road trips.

The rise of the drive-thru has allowed drivers around the world to turn their cars into second homes. After all, many people spend hours commuting in their cars every day, and eating meals from the drive-thru as well. Some studies estimate that the average driver will spend nearly 1800 hours of their lives eating in the car!

Drive-thrus have a long history, almost as long as the automobile itself. Drive-thrus began in the United States as drive-ins in the 1920’s. Drive-ins were restaurants where drivers could park in the lot, and be greeted by “carhops” (taken from hotel bellhops). The carhops would take their orders back to the restaurant, and bring the bags of food out to the lot. Customers would then sit in their cars and eat in the restaurant parking lot. You may still see carhops today if you visit a Sonic restaurant, where they bustle around on rollerskates!

From there, it was a natural evolution for restaurants to install to-go windows for drivers to order from cashiers directly, thus saving the time it took for carhops to travel from the kitchen to the parking lot. The Pig Stand restaurant in Los Angeles, California was one of the first restaurants to adopt the to-go window model in 1931, but the first true drive-thru wasn’t established until 1948. This was the first In N Out location in Baldwin Park, California. This In N Out had a brand-new intercom system (a very snazzy technology in those days) and a lack of seating both inside and out, making it a true drive-thru.

Interestingly enough, the same factors that led to the rise of the drive-thru in the early 20th century are the factors that are still most important to drivers today. However, as there is now such a wide variety of drive-thrus to choose from, franchisees and store owners have to live up to very strict standards in order to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat visitors. Basically, drivers want the easiest and most convenient drive-thru experience possible, and there are a variety of factors that go into achieving this.

A few of the most important factors are outlined below. Drivers want large, easy-to-read menus that make ordering as simple as possible. Most menus feature the more expensive combo meals in the center (in order to entice drivers to spend more!) and cheaper, a la carte options on the sides. Drivers also value food items that are easy to eat on-the-go, orders that are delivered accurately, drive-thru lanes that are easy to access via car, and the fastest service possible.

Take a look at the graphic below to learn which franchises are currently succeeding, and which need to improve. There’s also a variety of fun drive-thru facts you probably didn’t know! More information can be found here.

 

Please include attribution to CarRentals.com with this graphic.

The History of Drive-Thrus

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Choosing the Right Leaf Blower for Your Large Yard

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Choosing the best leaf blower for your personal or business uses will vary. There are various types of leaf blowers including gas powered, electric powered, cordless, handheld, carry on backup, etc. There is no best leaf blower however there are lots of very high quality and excellent ones. Some popular and high quality brands include Toro, Worx, Husqvarna, Greenworks, Dewalt and Sun Jeo.

These are just some of the more common as well as popular brands that will come up in most people’s reviews. Whilst there are a lot of brands and different type of leaf blowers out there, we have decided to make everyone’s life easier and create our very own review. We spent hours of research and testing as well as asking professionals on their opinions on what the best leaf blowers are, to create this best leaf blower review post. We have created our reviews based around various factors including the model, the price, the durability, the power as well as many other important factors.

Types of Leaf Blower

With regards to power, you’ll want to get either a gas or electric powered leaf blower. There are many of these leaf blowers for sale. The reason being that they are all powered this way. Whilst they may be powerful, it comes with some disadvantages. One of them being that gas can be expensive and that it can add up over time, the gas can also be smelly. Along with the population it’ll cause which is another important factor to consider.

Electric powered leaf blower

Corded electric leaf blowers can also be really powerful, additionally they’ll maintain their power level until the leaf blower is shut off. This however is the opposite for cordless leaf blowers as their performance will drastically diminish when the battery goes into a low state. Battery can also drain quite quickly especially if you are using it for long periods of time. Thus, it may be required to purchase extra replacement batteries and carry them on hand.

Gas powered leaf blower

Backpack leaf blowers can also be a viable option as they are great for professional gardeners and for people that have to move a lot. They are called also gas leaf blower. A Backpack leaf blower is really convenient and can be used on a daily basis. They are also easy to carry as they distribute the weight amongst the body. In return this can also decrease stress on your body.

For large jobs, I would recommend a carry on leaf blower, on the other hand if you have a large yard or large areas to clean then a backpack leaf blower will be ideal for the job. For older individuals that want a leaf blower, then a lightweight model will be ideal for them. For industrial models, there are several you can buy at an affordable price.

Cordless leaf blower

This is the last and another choice, that is cordless leaf blower. This type blower is very light weight and comfortable for everyone. You can use it clean your small areas and home clean. This is very easy to carry that is really good for your hand.

Do you Need a Blower Vacuum?

This is probably the most common question I get and the answer depends on your situation. In short the vacuum function on most blowers is exactly that – an extra ‘function’ or a ‘bonus’.

To be completely honest not many yard blowers double as vacuums and do a fantastic job. If you only have a small area without too much dense leafage and debris.

Final Words

All are good but you carefully read this article again then you decide which one you need. if this article is helpful then share it and if you asking something then comment .

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Benefits of Having Plants at Your Work Station

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It is no great secret that human has always wanted to be constantly connected with nature. This is why more and more people are placing natural elements like plants near them – whether it may be in the living room or in an item of office furniture in the Philippines. If you are looking for reasons as to why you should start surrounding yourself with plants, here are some of the benefits of having it – most especially in your work station.

Reduced stress

One of the key benefits of having a plant in your work station is that it greatly reduces one’s stress levels. In fact, it does not only aid in minimizing stress, hence, it also lowers a person’s anxiety, tension, depression, dejection, anger, hostility, and fatigue.

The reason behind this is that the color green makes a person be more relaxed and calm, which in turn, will help decrease negative emotion levels. This only goes to show that surrounding yourself with plants while you are working will definitely lift your spirits, and at the same time, promote and enhance one’s well-being and performance at work.

A boost to creativity

Aside from the fact that having plants near you while working reduces stress and decreases negative emotions, it also helps in boosting your creativity. This is because having s glance or a view of nature or natural elements such as plants can certainly shift one’s brain into a different processing mode. As a result of this shift, it makes you be more relaxed which helps you to concentrate more at work.

Increasing productivity

Given that plants can boost your creativity, another benefit that it can give you is to help in increasing your work productivity. Whether you have your own plant in your work station or you are surrounded by home plants in the office, your work productivity will definitely increase as this greatly helps in improving your memory retention skill and score higher in various basic tests that you will encounter while you are at work.

Minimizing sickness and absences

Other than the work performance benefits that plants give you, being exposed to plants helps in improving your overall well-being. As a result, you are not prone to sickness – which in turn, will help you in being present at work consistently. This will not only assist you to be more proactive at work, hence, will also aid you to be on time or ahead of your workloads.

More attractive office

Having plants in your work station or in the office makes the place more attractive and inviting, not just with the employees, but with job applicants as well. Though this may be a minor factor as this falls under the aesthetic of a place, more and more job applicants tend to base their decision on this aspect.

One report said that most job applicants make the workplace design a basis as to whether they will join that company or not. For this reason, opting to have natural elements in your office is indeed the way to go if you want your current and future employees to help stay motivated and productive in the workplace.

Key Takeaway

Opting to let nature get into your work station or office entails a number of benefits – from the employees’ productivity to their overall well-being. For this reason, it is a must that you start to go green in order for you to see and experience the results yourself!

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How to Find the Best Car Battery

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Before you get a replacement car battery, ensure your old battery is admittedly out of whack and not simply discharged. Totally charge and test your current battery. Only if it now not passes the tests, it’s time to shop for a replacement car battery. If you’re glad about the recent battery performance, you’ll purchase an identical model all over again. Otherwise, scan on what qualities the most effective car battery possesses and the way to search out a model compatible with your car.

In general, the most effective car battery is the heaviest, freshest, with largest reserve capability (RC) and largest cold cranking amp performance (CCA). In cold climates, higher CCA performance is a lot of necessary than RC. In an exceedingly hot climate, higher RC is a lot of necessary than CCA. Some motor vehicle battery makers build specific “North” and “South” car battery versions for cold and hot climates to higher accommodate these necessities. In this article we’ve discussed solution of power the car battery and what things you should considers before choosing a car battery.

Car battery sizes

In North America, makers use Battery Council International (BCI) Group Size Number standard to specify car batteries. It includes the physical case size, terminal placement, sort and polarity. In Europe, European sort listing (ETN) normal is employed. AN ETN variety includes the voltage, amp hour capability, physical case size, case base hold down, sort and layout of terminals (poles), polarity and cold cranking current.

The number on the battery originally put in by the vehicle’s manufacturer may be a good starting place to determine the replacement car battery size. Among a size, the CCA and RC ratings, pledge and battery sort can vary among models of identical brand or from brand to brand. Probably, a physically larger battery with additional CCA or RC is often purchased than the battery being replaced. If you choose to buy a physically larger car battery, ensure that the new car battery can match, the cables will connect to the right terminals, which the terminals won’t touch metal surfaces like the hood once it’s closed.

Car battery types

Between standard (Sb/Sb), low maintenance (Sb/Ca) and maintenance free (Ca/Ca) automobile batteries, the upkeep free is that the best car battery because of less water loss, smaller self-discharge rate and fewer would like for maintenance. AGM [Absorbed Glass Mat] (Ca/Ca) batteries are more expensive, however, have longer service life (typically up to double as long). Gel Cell (Ca/Ca) batteries are even more expensive than AGM, however, give up to twenty a lot of life cycles. Disadvantages of Gel Cell batteries square measure lower capability in cold temperatures and fewer Cold Cranking Amps.

When choosing a battery type, it’s very necessary that you simply choose a battery which will match the voltage outputs of your charging system and application. The best way to accomplishing this can be to replace your battery with a similar or compatible form of battery that originally was originally in your vehicle or appliance. As an example, associate AGM (Ca/Ca) battery will ordinarily replace low maintenance (Sb/Ca) or maintenance free (Ca/Ca) battery, however occasional maintenance (Sb/Ca) battery ordinarily cannot replace associate AGM (Ca/Ca) battery while not adjusting the charging voltages.

Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) performance

The battery’s CCA performance rating ought to be best fitted to the coldest temperatures encountered in your climate. A car battery is measured at the CCA 0° F (-17.8° C).Don’t confuse it with different ratings like Cranking Amps (CA) measured at 32° F (0° C) and Hot Cranking Amps (HCA) measured at 80° F (26.7° C).

In hot climates, buying for car batteries with double or triple your vehicle’s cold cranking amp necessities may be a waste of cash as a result of the additional amps won’t be used. A starter can solely demand what it must operate. However, in extraordinarily cold climates a better CCA rating is higher, because of enlarged power needed to crank a sluggish engine and the inefficiency of a cold car battery: However, in extraordinarily cold climates a better CCA rating is higher, because of enlarged power needed to crank a sluggish engine and the inefficiency of a cold car battery:

Temperature, °F Temperature, °C Available power from battery Power required to crank engine
80 27 100% 100%
32 0 65% 155%
0 -18 40% 210%
-20 -29 25% 350%

Reserve Capacity (RC) and Amp Hour (AH) Capacity

For the car battery, Associate equally vital thought to CCA is that the Reserve capability (RC) and Amp Hour (AH) endurance ratings. Endurance is outlined by Eurobeat because the actual combination of the energy content hold on during a battery and also the rate that the battery is discharged over the lifetime. RC is that the range of minutes a totally charged battery at 80° F (26.7° C) may be discharged at a constant 25 amps until the voltage falls below 10.5 volts.

European and Asian automotive batteries are unit typically rated in Amp Hours (AH). A lot of RC (or AH) is best in each case. There’s additionally a relationship between the weight of the battery and also the quantity of RC (or AH). The heavier the battery, a lot of lead it’s and probably an extended service life.

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Ways You Can Give Your Home Natural Ventilation

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It is no great secret that using natural ventilation for your home instead of air conditioners and electric fans is one of the most practical and effective ways to sustain that a green living – whether you are in your family’s ancestral house in Laguna or in your condo in Tagaytay.  In addition, this also helps you reduce your monthly electrical costs, which in turn, also aids you to save more money for other important things. If you are looking for ways as to how you can give your home natural ventilation, here are some of the things that you may want to consider in doing to achieve that.

Opt to go for the old-fashioned way

One of the most underrated ways in which you can give your home natural ventilation is by going for the traditional way – opening the windows and doors and letting the fresh air come into every corner of your home. By doing this, you are allowing the air to freely flow in and out of your house. In addition, this will also help to get rid of the stale air outside of your home.

This technique is best done during the morning as the air outside is not that hot yet since the sun is still not in its peak. However, one thing you should remember is that this method immensely depends as to how your house is designed and how strong the breeze of the air is in your area.

Pay attention to your windows’ design and height

Another vital factor that most people don’t consider is the design and height of their windows. Keep in mind that wind does not naturally blow on the ground. With this in mind, placing your windows in a higher position will definitely have better chances of ensuring the wind will flow into your house. This is why you should make sure that your windows are designed in a way that the wind will easily go into your house.

Never underestimate the power of transitional spaces

Using your house’s transitional spaces such as atriums, balconies, courtyards, and other open places that are available in your home. Taking advantage of these transitional spaces will truly ensure that the flow of air from outside will go inside your house.

If the flow and breeze of air directly blow in the direction of your home’s transitional spaces, then you don’t have to worry about your home not having natural ventilation. This will definitely make your home more inviting, cozy, and comfortable.

Choose lighter furniture

Opting for lighter furniture for your home is another way to ensure that you give your home natural ventilation. This is why before you go shopping for your house’s furniture, make sure that you do your research first as to what pieces of furniture are best for giving you more chances of natural ventilation in your house.

Furniture that is made from wicker and bamboo materials are some of the best ones that you can choose since they don’t retain heat. In addition, opting for these furniture pieces are also practical and advantageous as they can be used either inside or outside of your home.

Key Takeaway

Taking advantage of fresh air as your home’s ventilation entails a lot of benefits. With these tips, you are one step closer to having a more cozier, inviting, and more comfortable home for your family.

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Across America in an Electric Vehicle: 4 Routes Mapped for a Sustainable Drive

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The American love affair with the open road is unlike anything else — dating back to the beginnings of the horseless carriage. Simply put, we love our vehicles. They’re an extension of who we are an individual’s and a testament to the ingenuity of mankind. But over the years we’ve had to rethink the way road trips, commuting and leisure driving impact the environment. More now than ever there’s a focus on zero emissions and the looming concern of global warming.

Currently, transportation and power generation each account for about 30% of US greenhouse gas emissions, so those sectors represent a prime target for cutting American carbon pollution. Specifically, light-duty (passenger) vehicles, which account for 60% of those emissions and medium-heavy-duty trucks accounting for a further 23%. These emissions can be significantly reduced by transitioning from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles (EVs).

Over the past couple years we’ve seen a significant uptick in the amount of EVs on the road. Electric cars have become a growing phenomenon throughout the United States, because they allow the opportunity to explore the country in comfort, in safety and without the guilt of creating a large carbon footprint. Of course, Teslas are a widely popular choice for those that can afford the high sticker price, but companies have realized that in order to move the needle on transportation emissions, it’s necessary to produce more cost affordable EVs. This is exactly why Elon Musk released Tesla patents for “good faith” use — stating “It is impossible for Tesla to build electric cars fast enough to address the carbon crisis.”

So what does that mean for the drivers interested in purchasing or renting an electric vehicle? While we’re seeing more and more EVs on the road each day, there are still about seven times more gas stations than electric charging stations nationwide. But, the electric car revolution is prompting a change in the transportation infrastructure. Charging stations number existed in the hundred during the early 2000s. Fast forward 10-20 years and those number have skyrocketed to over 50,000 stations in 2018. Not to mention, California’s Governor, Jerry Brown signed legislation in 2018 that would allow for 250,000 EV chargers in the ground by 2025.

While California is leading the way in EV technology, other states are beginning to follow suit. More now than ever, it’s becoming incredibly accessible to make an extensive road trip in an electric vehicle, especially with resources like like Plugshare and the U.S. Department of Energy, which can be helpful in locating charging stations of all types and levels in your area. To top that off CarRentals put together this guide that highlights some of the most iconic road trips in the U.S. and how you can actually make them in an EV. These maps the include anchor stops, points of interest along the way, charging stations and tips for road tripping in an EV, so you’ll never be left with low battery.

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Herbs and Supplements For Treating Diabetes Naturally

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Diabetes is one of the most prominent medical problem in the 21st century. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of patients who have diabetes in 2007 was 146 million, and by 2025, it will increase to 380 million, of which 90% are patients with type 2 diabetes. There are a wide array of herbs and organic supplements available to treat and control diabetes naturally. Let us have a close look at them:

Herbs for Treating Diabetes

Turnip-rooted cabbage is very useful for patients with sugar disease. This sort is not as widely spread as the standard white cabbage, but extremely useful and, importantly, stored well until the next harvest and very tasty!

Such plant as artichoke or earth apple deserves special attention, which is valuable because it contains insulin-like substances that contribute to the normalization of body metabolism.

A contagious disease can be the cause of pancreatic diabetes. In this case, we can recommend the collection of medicinal herbs to strengthen the immune system, as well as vitamin containing and conditioning. If to speak about medicinal herbs, first of all, it is worth paying attention to such ones as bottlebrush, Echinacea, willow herb, knotgrass, stinging nettle.

Medicinal plants cannot wholly replace diabetic drugs. You can combine medicinal plants with a diet used as monotherapy (adult diabetes, compensated only by food), physical exercise, as well as hypoglycemic drugs with constant medical supervision.

Supplements for Treating Diabetes Naturally

Individual studies suggest that zinc makes levels of glucose (glycemic control) of patients who have diabetes better. During diabetes, late complications can develop, such as nerve disorder, kidney damage, and eye-lesion. Besides, the risk of cardiovascular accidents, such as angina attacks and blood-strokes, increases.

Type 1 diabetes is a form of diabetes when the body can no longer produce insulin. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age, obesity, and, of course, lack of physical activity. It is characterized by the spreading inability of a body to use insulin well. Zinc plays a crucial part in insulin acting and, in theory; zinc supplemental of patients with insulin resistance can prevent the conditions of diabetes.

Chrome is famous as a cure for improving the control of diabetes. Although specific studies have shown a sound effect of chrome during diabetes, there are no recommendations for use in the treatment at the moment.

There were studies of magnesium for quite some time as a therapy to make blood glucose control for people who are sick better. Magnesium deficiency is redolent of pathologic insulin release and complications of diabetes.

Vanadium, arose from plants, has shown increased insulin resistance in several studies. However, there are still no recommendations for adding it to the treatment of sick people. Most of the products of plant origin are high-fiber, which helps to control levels of blood glucose.

There have been no clinical trials of great promise on other plants that may be good during diseases, such as redberry, nettle, ginger, hawthorn or garlic. If you are sick and you want to take some of the vegetable matters mentioned above, consult a physician first.

Preventive treatment

It is recommended to drink tea from 4 g of blueberry leaf and bean leaves, 3 g of rosehip and strawberry leaf, 1 g of yarrow herb each. Other collection: 4 g nettle leaf, hips, blueberries and the top of a flowering plant of oats, 3 g burdock root, 2 g dandelion root. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over any of the listed fees, heat for 20 minutes over low heat, let tea draw for 30 minutes and drink as tea when you have diabetes. You need to take a break for 5-10 days every 3-4 weeks of treatment.

People who went through emotional upset should immediately carry out a comprehensive sedative therapy; in particular, it is advisable to use soothing medicinal herbs. Some of them are:

1) Spirea —————————— 3 parts

Hops ———————————- 2 pieces

Creeping thyme ———————-3 parts

2) Yellow melilot——————– 3 parts

Sagebrush—————————- 3 parts

Greek valerian————————3 pieces

3) Common motherwort———— 3 parts

Valeriana officinalis—————– 2 parts

Rosebay willowherb—————– 2 pieces

You should make herbal tea according to the same scheme: pour boiling water on it, incubate in a water bath for 30 minutes, remove, wrap and let tea draw for another 1.5-2 hours: filter and chill. Have one glass a day for 3–4 doses per day.

If your work requires constant concentration of attention (drivers, surgeons, traffic controllers, and others), then it is better to take the restorative drink late in the afternoon, twice for 0.5 cups at 5-6 PM and the rest of the healthy drink 1.5 hours before bedtime.

The course of treatment is 1.5 months; if necessary, repeat the course with a break of no more than two weeks.

Replace sugar

Instead of sugar and its synthetic substitutes, it is better to use natural sweeteners of vegetable origin, for example, stevia (“honey grass”). Regular use of stevia reduces the level of glucose and cholesterol in the body, improves the functioning of the liver and pancreas glands.

What you need to think about before you begin to use herbal preparations in case of diabetes mellitus.

Many herbal practitioners believe that juice of some vegetables, fruits, and berries can reduce the level of glucose in blood: fresh leaves of white cabbage, roots of new potatoes, fresh wild strawberry, cornelian cherries, pears, European mountain ash, and black chokeberry.

Use of fresh juice of vegetables and fruits is useful for sick people; however, no reliable information extracts of any plants, nuts, and berries reduce the level of glucose in blood what is more regardless of carbohydrates amount.

About the Author

There is always a smile on Melisa Marzett`s face. She believes that a smile is better than a precious stone. She walks hand in hands with optimism and curiosity. Melissa works as a freelance writer at http://www.findwritingservice.com at this point and enjoys every moment of life. She knows how to use her time profitably and live in harmony.

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Environmental Impacts of Pest Prevention Strategies

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The increased amount and recurrence of chemical-based pesticides have presented a noteworthy challenge to the potential creepy crawlies making them either scatter to new living conditions. The adaptation of such creepy crawlies to the new living condition could be ascribed to the few components, for example, mutation, change in their growth rates, an increase in the number of generations. This has at last brought about expanded occurrence of rest appearance and resurgence of bug species that are impervious to pesticides.

Preferably a pesticide ought to be lethal for the targeted pests, yet not to non-target species, including human beings and pets. Alas, this is not the situation, so the debate of usage and misuse of pesticides has raised. The uncontrolled use of these synthetics, under the aphorism, “if little is great, much more will be better” has played ruin with human and other living organisms.

But you need to keep in mind that every class of the pesticides come with a set of environmental issues. Such effects have caused the pesticides to be banned, while their regulation and use has been limited. On the other hand, with technology on the rise, many advancements have been made in the pesticides sector too. Most of them are now generally more species-specific and less persistent, which eventually means that there would be a lower environmental footprint.

Below are discussed some of the negative and positive impacts on the environment because of pest removal services. Keep reading till the end to learn more about their impacts on targeted, non-targeted organisms and the environment itself.

Impact on Humans

Pesticides can enter the body while we inhale aerosol products, residue, and vapor that contain pesticides; through excess oral exposure by eating food or drinking water and even through the skin which is in direct contact with sunlight. Pesticides discharge into soils which can finish up in drinking water.

Kids are highly susceptible to pesticides since they are as yet developing and have a more fragile invulnerable immune system than grown-ups. Kids might be increasingly exposed because of their closer nearness to the ground and habit to put objects in their mouth. Hand to mouth contact relies upon the kid’s age, much like exposure to lead.

Pesticides often get tracked into the home from relatives increases the danger. Poisonous residue in food material may give to a child exposure. The synthetic substances can bio-mass in the body after some time.

Impact on Aquatic Life

Fish and other sea creatures might be harmed by contaminated water by pesticides. Pesticide overflow into streams and rivers can be exceptionally deadly to marine life, here and there murdering all the fish in the stream.

The usage of herbicides to rivers and streams can cause fish kills when the dead plants rot and expend the water’s oxygen, choking out the fish. Herbicides, for example, a copper sulfite that is connected to water to kill plants are poisonous to underwater creatures.

Rehashed exposure to sub-lethal parts of a few types of the pesticides can cause behavioral and physiological changes that reduce the fish population, for example, deserting of their nests and broods, diminished resistance to malady and diminished predator shirking

The quicker a given pesticide separates in nature, the less danger it postures to amphibian life. Bug sprays are ordinarily more harmful to amphibian life than herbicides and fungicides

Impact on Animals

Most species of the living creatures including the humans are harmed by pesticides, which has eventually led to numerous nations to control pesticide use through Biodiversity Action Plans.

Living organisms such as animals and humans might be harmed by pesticide development that remains on food, for instance when wild creatures enter spray fields or close-by territories soon after showering.

Pesticides can dispense with a few creatures’ basic food sources, making the creatures migrate from one place to another in the search of food, change their eating regimen or they might starve to death. The pesticide residue can go up the natural way of life; for instance, birds can be hurt when they eat bugs and worms that have expended pesticides.

Did you know that earthworms digest organic materials and increase nutrient content in the top layer of soil? They ought to secure human safety by ingesting disintegrating litter and filling in as bio-indicators of soil. Pesticides have affected the development and generation of worms. A few pesticides can bio-accumulate, or develop to dangerous dimensions in the collections of living beings that devour them after some time, a wonder that impacts animal groups high on the natural way of life particularly hard.

Conclusion

Numerous options are accessible to reduce the environmental impacts of pest prevention. Choices incorporate manual expulsion, applying heat, covering weeds with plastic, putting traps and baits, evacuating pest breeding. In the case of raccoons, wasp, termites, or mice control, always opt to hire professionals. Undertaking such ventures with little or no experience can harm you.

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Get Green Columbus Project – An Overview

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The Get Green Columbus initiative began on January 28, 2005.  Columbus mayor Michael B. Coleman issued a Green Memo that urged the city’s residents to live environmentally-friendly lives.  The memo discussed several policy frameworks that aimed to create healthier environments.

Since the Green Memo, the city of Columbus had made significant progress in becoming a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city in every area, from rehab to businesses.  For these efforts, the city has received awards and recognition.  These include a designation as the most improved city from SustainLane in 2008, the Environmental Public Servant Award from the Ohio Environmental Council in 2009, and recognition as the greenest fleet in the nation at the 2009 Green Fleet Conference’s 2009 Environmental Leadership Awards.

Collaborating with City Agencies & Community Leaders

One driving factor for the success of Get Green Columbus was Mayor Coleman’s Green Team.  This team was responsible for administering environmental policies, educating the community about the risks of not taking care of the environment, and identifying the necessary resources to implement Get Green Columbus initiatives.

Joining Mayor Coleman’s Green Team were the Environmental Steward Office (ESO), who collaborated with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).  The ESO functioned as an internal team of experts and green coordinators who represented each department and division within the city. On October 4, 2007, Mayor Coleman joined other elected officials in signing the Central Ohio Green Pact.  This pact aimed to

  • Produce greener public fleets
  • Create a stronger green economy
  • Collaborate with others to purchase more green products
  • Adopt sustainable land use policies
  • Build more green facilities to reduce energy consumption and waste
  • Educate and involve the community
  • Decrease emissions
  • Protect environments from climate change
  • Preserve green space and develop greenways
  • Expand and encourage mass transportation

 Implementing Recycling Strategies and Reducing Solid Waste

SWACO and the city of Columbus also initiated a recycling program that is now known as RecyColumbus.  The goal of this project was to make it easy for people to recycle their household goods. It allowed Columbus residents to place recyclable items on their curbs or drop off such items at recycling centers.  In 2009, the municipality recycled 15,126 tons of materials.

Different agencies also collaborated with the city of Columbus to recycle items and reduce waste.  Such partnerships are working together to recycle 66 percent of the waste that would otherwise go to local landfills.

Improving Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality

Another achievement of Mayor Coleman’s Get Green Columbus was the creation, adoption, and implementation of the City of Columbus Green Fleet Action Plan, a plan first issued on January 1, 2008.

The goals and targets of the Green Fleet Action Plan included:

  • Reducing fuel
  • Purchasing and using biodiesel and compressed natural gas
  • Obtaining green grants and Green Fleet Awards
  • Implementing green purchasing language

Protecting Water

Protecting water quality was another focus of Get Green Columbus.  The initiative focused on flood reduction, waterway quality, stream restoration, and several multi jurisdictional watershed planning efforts.

In 2005, the Columbus Division of Sewerage and Drainage launched Project Clean Rivers.  Several programs and services were part of this project.  All had the same goal: achieving clean water.  This project also included the Wet Weather Management Plan, a $2.5 billion strategy to eradicate sewer overflows.

Such water protections were attempts to ensure the safety of Columbus’s groundwater and its surface resources.  Also contributing to such water protection efforts were the city’s public health authorities, who annually permit and inspect sewage treatment systems on private properties.  The authorities inspected more than 300 systems in 2009 alone.

Promoting Green Businesses

Another green effort of Mayor Coleman was a program to recognize and award businesses that made efforts to become more environmentally responsible.  This program, called the GreenSpot Program, has been successful in serving as a public engagement model for the city of Columbus and other communities throughout Ohio and North America.

Fostering the Greening of Columbus

On February 22, 2007, Mayor Coleman agreed to the U.S. Council of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement as part of his contribution to the Get Green Columbus initiative.  Since then, the city of Columbus has conducted greenhouse gas emission inventories of its operations.

In 2005, the Columbus operation baseline emissions reported 317,926 metric tons of carbon dioxide.  The city of Columbus has aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 percent every year until the year 2030.

According to reports, the sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Columbus in 2005 are:

  • 31 percent from buildings
  • 37 percent from wastewater treatment
  • 18 percent from drinking water treatment
  • 12 percent from transportation

The 10-Year Action Plan

In another environmental development, on May 4, 2009, Mayor Coleman announced a 10-year action plan.  The plan contains a list of improvements as well as efficiencies to correct imbalances.  The summary report of the Get Green Columbus program discusses the

  • Continuation of green initiatives
  • Expansion of energy-saving measures
  • Creation of weatherization systems
  • Establishment of efficient lighting
  • Upgrades of HVAC systems

Other Green Memo suggestions called for the city of Columbus to plant more trees and to construct capital improvements to protect the environment.  The city succeeded in its goals to plant a total of 20,000 trees.  Reports stated that the city of Columbus planted a yearly average of 5,500 trees and lost 1,500 trees yearly, which meant that the city planted 4,000 trees every year.

Local partners worked with the city of Columbus to achieve most of the project’s goals.  One improvement was improving access to fresh and nutritious foods for residents who were in need.  Columbus Public Health organized community farmers markets throughout the city, an effort that provided fresh food to city residents.

Speaking of Columbus and plants, the city is the home of the American Community Garden Association.  It is also the location of the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which opened the unique Community Garden Campus.  These efforts educate people about the beauty and usefulness of plants and protecting them, issues important to Get Green Columbus as well.

Final Words

Get Green Columbus illustrate that teamwork and collaboration can make good things happen for a city and its residents.

Categories: Climate Change, Environment, Green, Sustainability Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

11 Advantages of Glass Furniture

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Nowadays, furniture is not a necessary household item only but also an interior detail. This is why making furniture takes lots of materials such as plastics, wood, metal and even glass. You will get to see more about the advantages of the furniture made out of the latter material.

It is quite unusual; its individuality is too much. Until quite recently glass was used for making furniture rarely enough. Glass is used for making shelves, glass ceiling and walls, coffee tables, interior doors, breakfast bars, counters, different wardrobes and their doors, storage units, drawers, arm-chairs, dressers, chairs, curtain walls.

We live in times of progress and use simple things in more and more different ways. Glass is not used for making windows only. There is an opportunity now to create solid heat-strengthened glass, transparent leaded glass etc. As a result, we are able to see some wonderful pieces of furniture made of glass, extraordinary at times, but comfortable for every day usage. Let us have a glance at 11 top advantages of glass furniture:

  1. Environmental friendliness

Glass furniture is an excellent decision for people who are allergic. The material is totally environment-oriented.

  1. Transparency of the glass

Furniture made of glass make a room look more light and easy. Furniture is almost invisible unlike drawer units made of wood and massive tables.

  1. Simplicity

A glass-made furniture brings some creativity and lightness into design of a room.

  1. Elegant

Even a usual standard looking table made of glass looks delicate and elegant in the interior. It fits in any interior regardless it to be a living room or an office.

  1. Reliability

Many people think that a slight move and the furniture made of glass is broken. Those are unfounded fears. A modern glass may be bullet-proof, laminated and heat-strengthened, which makes it to where the furniture is more reliable.

  1. Safety

The furniture is completely safe due to special technologies of the glass processing to be applied.

  1. Compatibility

Glass goes along well with other items. It is compatible with both turning legs made of wood and drop-forged base. Also it looks great with items made of leather. Glass furniture is going to be looking especially nicely with items made of gilt bronze.

  1. Broad expanse

Glass furniture makes a room looks bigger. The thing is that light rays bend on the cut glass and spread all over the surface expanding its boundaries.

  1. Humidity resistance

It explains its being popular for bathrooms. A transparent construction makes a weightlessness effect as if a table levitates.

  1. Easy maintenance

Special cleanser and soft duster will help to keep furniture clean.

  1. Continuing suitability

A task of furniture made of glass is to make living comfortable, to make people feel good. It is achieved through comfort, functionality, attractive appearance and up-to-date design solutions of furniture made out of the glass.

Final Words

You might have noticed yourself how popular furniture of the glass has become. For example, glass furniture makes one third of sales in Europe. No one is surprised to see a glass table or else.

Fashion, as everybody knows, is changeable. This is how fashion should be. Whimsical. Glass furniture is on the top of trends lately. Choosing furniture made of glass, you will understand how easy it is to be in fashion!

About the Author

Melisa Marzett who is currently working on the projects at Resume Perk Editing Services has completed many tasks on writing and blogging due to the fact of her being a splendid master of the writing craft.

Categories: Home Decor, Home Improvement, Lifestyle Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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