A two-year contract extension signed between Veolia and Hunter Water is set to secure more than just high-quality water services for the region. As the country’s leading water experts, Veolia will deploy solutions involving innovative technology to deliver against enhanced wastewater targets and generate the highest-quality water the Lower Hunter has seen. While nurturing the next generation of water engineers, and driving low-carbon outputs, the contract will make new headway in combating climate change.

Hunter Water serves the needs of over 600,000 people living and working in the region. Veolia, Australia’s leader in ecological transformation and Hunter Water’s operation and maintenance contractor, delivers safe, high-quality drinking water, and treats millions of litres of wastewater across the region every day. Following almost eight successful years delivering water services, Veolia has now secured a two-year extension on its contract.

The extension will see new heights reached in water quality and wastewater treatment for the region. Working closely with Hunter Water, Veolia has already identified eight ways to enhance drinking water standards and a further 46 ways to improve its sewage treatment activities. These will ensure continued excellent water quality for the community and help to better preserve biodiversity.

In addition, new Energy Tracking (e-Tracking) technology developed by Veolia will monitor the energy performance of the treatment plants, delivering consumption efficiencies that reduce its carbon footprint. The e-Tracking system will also assess operational conditions and deliver real-time alerts to operators on energy performance, facilitating prompt action where necessary.

Led by a team of 20 water engineers and technical experts, Veolia will have trained nine graduate engineers, eight cadet engineers and eight electrical and mechanical apprentices by the end of its 10-year tenure.

Daniel Spiller, Chief Operating Officer for Veolia ANZ said:

“Veolia works with the brightest minds and uses the best technology available to meet the water needs of the Lower Hunter community, whilst protecting the waterways and wildlife that surround our operations. We’ve worked hard over the past seven years to innovate so that water quality standards continue to improve, whilst finding solutions that achieve decarbonisation — we call this ecological transformation.

“Our extended contract with Hunter Water will allow us to continue putting people and the environment at the heart of what we do. This remains a priority, as does our investment in young people through cadetships and apprenticeships, as they will be the next generation of water workers for the region.”

Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Clint Thomson from Hunter Water said:

“We’re pleased to award a contract extension to Veolia, who share in our vision for the future of water in the Lower Hunter. As custodians of the water cycle for our customers and communities, it is critical that we maintain safe, high-quality and efficient water services, protect our environment, and develop the next generation of water professionals. Building on the achievements of the partnership so far, we have clear service delivery targets and continuous improvement objectives, and we’re working hard to achieve our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

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Date: 2021-09-21T14:00:00+0000

Curtin University researchers claim to have identified a new, cheaper and more efficient electrocatalyst to make green hydrogen from water that could one day open new avenues for large-scale clean energy production.

Typically, scientists have been using precious metal catalysts, such as platinum, to accelerate the reaction to break water into hydrogen and oxygen. The Curtin researchers found that adding nickel and cobalt to cheaper, previously ineffective catalysts enhances their performance, which lowers the energy required to split the water and increases the yield of hydrogen.

“Our research essentially saw us take two-dimensional iron–sulfur nanocrystals, which don’t usually work as catalysts for the electricity-driven reaction that gets hydrogen from water, and add small amounts of nickel and cobalt ions,” said lead researcher Dr Guohua Jia. “When we did this, it completely transformed the poor-performing iron–sulfur into a viable and efficient catalyst.”

Dr Jia said this discovery, described in the journal Nano Energy, could have far-reaching implications for sustainable green fuel generation in the future.

“Using these more abundant materials is cheaper and more efficient than the current benchmark material, ruthenium oxide, which is derived from ruthenium element and is expensive,” he said.

“Our findings not only broaden the existing ‘palette’ of possible particle combinations, but also introduce a new, efficient catalyst that may be useful in other applications.

“It also opens new avenues for future research in the energy sector, putting Australia at the forefront of renewable and clean energy research and applications.”

Dr Jia said the next steps would be to expand and test the team’s work on a larger scale to test its commercial viability.

“Only 21% of energy is produced from renewables in the national energy market, which clearly indicates more efforts are required from Australia to make a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy,” he said.

“But this shift is only possible when the knowledge from the research sector gets translated into real-world solutions and applications in the energy sector.”

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Date: 2021-09-19T14:00:00+0000

 

Shades of Green Uses A Strict Evaluation System Before Adding Any Products to Their Sustainable Marketplace

While I’ve featured several stores on this blog with high standards for sustainable goods, I don’t think any place does it quite like Shades of Green. Their guidelines cover every aspect of a product’s life, so you can feel completely confident you are receiving a quality, lasting product that is kind to the planet and its people. 

A Little History of Shades of Green

Founded by Angela Wade, Shades of Green was created to bring design sensibility and brand trust to the sustainable marketplace. Starting at a young age, Angela has approached life from a holistic perspective after facing some health challenges. Her holistic lifestyle prompted the opening of Shades of Green with a proprietary Product Evaluation System. This system was her way to educate consumers who were shopping for sustainable products while helping support healthier lifestyles.

Aesthetics is Never Compromised for a Sustainable Product

An unfortunate stigma sustainable products have received a lot in the past is that they aren’t as beautiful as conventional products. These notions were a big reason I started Sustainably Chic. I wanted to show others sustainability & aesthetics can effortlessly intertwine. So naturally, it was very easy for me to gravitate towards Shades of Green. Not only are their products healthy and eco-friendly, but they are beautiful, too. Just a few seconds on their website, you can already tell how much thought is behind their curations. Presenting sustainability in this type of light makes it much more inviting. 

What is their Product Evaluation System? 

I keep mentioning their Product Evaluation System, but I want to break it down for you so you can understand the complete picture. This system feels like the gold standard for allowing a product in a sustainable marketplace. 

Each product is evaluated on a scale from 1-5, with 1 being ‘healthier and greener than most mainstream products’ and a 5 ‘exceptional eco-friendly products that meet all our evaluation criteria and epitomize earth-friendly design, materials, manufacturing, and performance’. So know that all of their products are already very conscious and sustainable, and that sustainability is then scaled.

They created this system because they understand most consumers don’t have time to do research when purchasing a new product for their home. As someone who has written about sustainable brands for over seven years, I can tell you it truly does take a lot of work to figure out what brands are actually sustainable and which ones are greenwashing. You can read more about the topic of greenwashing and why it can make shopping so complicated. This is where online stores like Shades of Green come in handy. They do all the work for you and are as transparent as they can possibly be with the shopper. 

The 5 Life Stages of a Product

Have you ever thought about the life stages of a product you’ve bought? The life stages start at the very beginning from when a product is created to the end of its life. 

These stages are 1) Sourcing, 2) Manufacturing, 3) Shipping, 4) Use & Performance, and 5) Lifecycle.I love how Shades of Green breaks down questions with each of these stages -

• Sourcing: Where do the materials come from? Are any of them toxic to humans or the planet? How?

• Manufacturing: Is the process for making the product safe for humans and the environment? Does the manufacturer have sustainable practices in place?

• Shipping: How far does the product have to travel to get to the consumer? What kind of materials are used to package the product?

• Use & Performance: Does the product perform as required or designed?Has it been designed for long-term use or simply one-time use?

• Lifecycle: Was the product designed for recyclability? Can the product or its parts be reused as something else?

These are all the stages Shades of Green looks at when adding a new product to their site. By understanding each of these stages, you can make a better-educated purchasing decision when shopping sustainably. 

Their Sustainable Product Categories 

Now that we have gone through their Product Evaluation System let’s talk about the actual products they have chosen to add to their marketplace. 

• Shades of Green is broken down into 6 categories:

• On the Go: Features zero-waste everyday items. 

• Home Decor: Features sustainable goods like blankets, throw pillows, baskets.

• Bed & Bath: Carries over from home decor but also features eco-friendly bed sheets. 

• Indoor & Outdoor Living: Features products you can easily move in and out of the home. Great for outdoor entertaining. 

• Kitchen & Dining: Features eco-friendly products like cookware, serving bowls & utensils, and dinnerware.

• Wedding Gift Ideas: Features products from their other categories that would make the perfect sustainable wedding gift. 

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Our Favorite Sustainable Products for the Home

Rechargeable Candle & Grill Lighter

I am all for adding as many zero-waste alternatives to our home as possible, and this rechargeable lighter is the perfect product for my candle-loving self. This lighter comes with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by simply hooking up a USB to the computer. You’ll know it is completely charged up and ready to go once the green light disappears. The lighter uses plasma lighting technology, so you don’t have to refill it. Plus, it’s meant to last forever, and they are shipped in recyclable packaging. 

Check it out

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Alpaca Indigo & Gold Throw

I love to get cozy on the couch with a super soft blanket, and this one looks luxurious! Alpaca is one of the best fibers to have in a blanket because they are hypoallergenic, smooth as silk, have moisture-wicking properties, and naturally insulating cores. This particular blanket is made from small batches of alpaca yarn sourced in the Highlands of Peru. They even repurpose yarns that are wasted during production!

Check it out

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Beeswax Candles

Are you looking for classic taper candles for your home? These Greentree Home Candles found at Shades of Green are hand-poured from 100% pure North American beeswax and individually finished in central New York state without any added fragrance! As someone who loves candelabras, tapers are a staple in our home, and I trust Shades of Green to find the best quality there is! You can also find beeswax votive & tealight candle sets.

Check it out

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Our Favorite Sustainable Products for Kitchen & Dining

Cast Iron Skillet

This is a gorgeous cast iron skillet made from 40% recycled cast iron!! This food-safe, 10-inch skillet from Kana Lifestyle is sustainably considered from manufacturing to the consumer. This brand offers several cookware options and participates in 1% for the planet, and is currently going through the application process to become a B-Corp brand (you can find more information on this sustainable certification here).

Check it out

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Palm Fiber Line Placemat

The aesthetic these placemats bring to the dinner table is just lovely. I love a natural-looking product because it feels like it brings nature into the home. These placemats are Handmade from Iraca palm fibers in Colombia, sourced locally by the artisans and families in the region. Myto (the brand who creates these placemats) combines cultural traditions and quality craftsmanship while creating local jobs and supporting the Colombian artisanal economy.

Check it out

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Live Edge Cutting Board

Years ago, I learned the plastic cutting boards I used for years were not ideal for kitchen use. We all know the toxicity of plastic, but it’s especially important to stay away from it in the kitchen. This cutting board is what you should be using! Made from 100% upcycled wood and natural oils, this cutting board by Spencer Peterman is made to last. Sometimes words like ‘recycled’ and ‘upcycled’ can feel like a product doesn’t have the best materials, but that is definitely not the case here. This brand sources wastewood from local woodworkers in their town of Gill, Massachusetts, and hand-craft a beautiful range of kitchen goods.

Check it out

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Shades of Green Also Offers Sustainable Design Services

Ellen Strickland is their LEED-accredited Chief Sustainability Officer and Co-Designer and is there to help you with your sustainable home designs. From just a simple update to a big home remodel, you can make an appointment - here - to start discussing your future plans!  

We look forward to chatting more with Shades of Green about sustainable interior design soon, and bringing back all the knowledge and great tips to you! 

The Rewards Program

Want to earn money to shop at Shades of Green? Click here to sign up to become a Rewards member. This program enables you to give your friends a $10 coupon to join Shades of Green Rewards. If they join and make a purchase, you'll get $10 added to your account for your next order! Such an easy way to save money on beautiful, sustainable products. 

Click - here - to shop Shades of Green's entire sustainable online marketplace and follow them on - Instagram - to stay up-to-date with beautiful new sustainable products.

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This post contains affiliate links.

As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved.

Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-09-18T14:00:00+0000

 

Affordable, Sustainable Gift IDeas

If you’re on a budget, have a lot of gifts to buy, or are looking for smaller gifts to use as stocking stuffers or send through the mail, this gift guide is for you. All of the eco-friendly and ethically-made gifts on this guide are under $100, and many of them are under $50. The joy of gift-giving doesn’t have to break the bank!

Why Affordability is Important to sustainability

Affordability and accessibility is a crucial part of true sustainability. If it’s not accessible to the majority, then “sustainability” is just another exclusive for the elites of our society. That’s why—while I also don’t believe that a $5 t-shirt can be truly sustainable either—I strive to recommend sustainable and ethical brands and products at lower price ranges as much as possible.

P.S. If you’re looking for more affordable and eco-friendly brand recommendations, check out our post on affordable sustainable clothing brands, or check out this article on the best places to buy and sell vintage and secondhand!

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sustainable gifts Under $100:

1) Undies Starter Set from Knickey

Price: $65

I absolutely love my Knickey’s undies and bralettes—they’re so comfortable but also cute.

With their Starter Set, you can try out all of their different styles, so you can get a range of rises and coverage. They’re all Fair Trade Certified and made out of 95% GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton, combined with 5% elastane for comfort and stretch. They come in a range of neutrals along with beautiful, limited-edition hues.

This Starter Set would pair great with Knickey’s bralettes!

Shop Knickey

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2) Self Care Gift Box from Om Matters

Price: $85-98

This is a perfect gift idea for someone in your life who needs a little help calming down and managing stress. This Self Care Gift Box comes with a Healing Crystal Kit, an OM Meditation Candle, and OM Matter’s signature 8 Limbs of Yoga + Meditation Practice Cards.

Together, all of these mindfulness tools help to inspire your loved one to cultivate inner peace, calmness, positive intentions, and happiness. You can read more about why I love OM Matters here and here!

Shop Om Matters

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3) All Dai Shoe from Munjoi

Price: $98

This is seriously one of the most versatile sustainable shoes I’ve discovered yet. It can be worn four different ways, as a sandal, sneaker, or slip-on.

It’s made from vegan and plant-based materials like sugar cane, bloom algae, hemp, and cotton. Plus, it’s gender-neutral, breathable, super lightweight, machine-washable, and carbon-neutral!

Shop Munjoi

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4) Striped Tote from Anchal

Price: $62

This canvas tote bag—which comes in bold yellow, blue, or red stripes—is as versatile as it is functional. Like all of Anchal’s products, it’s delicately hand-embroidered, yet incredibly durable, so it can hold up against daily errands to the grocery store, gym, school, picking the kids up, and more.

Made by an artisan in Ajmer, India, out of GOTS organic cotton, this bag is Fair Trade Verified and features a hand-stitched signature of the maker.

Shop Anchal

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5) Chalk Print Scarf from Obakki

Price: $72

This beautiful scarf from Obakki’s “Scarves for Water” collection benefits Mayual, South Sudan, a village of families that fled warfare. They now face extreme hunger and poverty as they struggle to create a new life from nothing, and a lack of water can stop progress before it starts. When Obakki sells 500 of these limited-edition scarves, 100% of net proceeds will go directly toward drilling a water well in Mayual, changing every life for the better. They have several different gorgeous patterns and bold colors to choose from!

You can read more about why I love Obakki here.

Shop Obakki

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6) Self Care & Growth Gift Box from Sam & Lance

Price: $95

This thoughtfully curated pre-made gift box is a great gift idea for your mom, BFF, or frontline worker friend. It comes with a Gratitude Journal, Apple Cinnamon Tea, Cocoa Oat Soak, Reusable Candle, and Organza Scrunchie.

This gift helps support women-owned businesses and a tree is planted with each purchase to help our Earth breathe easier.

To send as a personalized gift, just add your special message in the notes and it will be handwritten on a special card!

Shop Sam & Lance

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sustainable gifts Under $50:

7) Santorini Statement Roll-On® Bracelets from Aid Through Trade

Price: $45

Aid Through Trade (one of the founding members of the Fair Trade Federation!) is the original creator of the famous Roll-On® Bracelet. Now, the brand employs over 200 female artisans in Nepal.

All of their Roll-On® Bracelets are made with the highest quality glass beads and hand-dyed cotton thread and come with a lifetime guarantee. They fit most wrists and come in a variety of colors. I think this Santorini Statement Roll-On is perfect for a New Year’s celebration!

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC30 for 30% off

Shop Aid Through Trade

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8) Tushar (Frost) Socks from FAZL

Price: $24

These super cozy socks are hand-knit in the Himalayas of India using indigenous designs that have been passed down from mother to daughter.

Fair Trade and vegan, the socks are made from acrylic yarn which is super durable and long-lasting, and doesn’t come with the itch that a lot of winter socks do. Plus, every purchase gives back to an orphaned child in India.

code: CHIC15 for 15% off

Shop Fazl

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9) Organic Cotton T-shirt Hair Towels from Sunrise Bliss

Price: $20-38

Handmade from 100% GOTS certified organic knit cotton and low-impact dyes, these soft, absorbent t-shirt towels dry hair quickly while leaving you with less breakage, tangles, and frizz. They’re super lightweight, too, so they’re great for everyday use as well as travel. They come in three different sizes for various hair lengths.

You can read more about why I LOVE these towels here and here!

code: schic15 for 15% off, plus free shipping when you spend $35 or more

Shop Sunrise Bliss

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10) Heart Gold Threader Earrings from Astor & Orion

Price: $45

These unique threader earrings can be worn with the charm close to the lobe, as a long dangle, or even threaded through multiple piercings!

They’re super lightweight and sustainably cast from recycled sterling silver and then coated with 18k gold. They’re designed with love in Seattle, ethically made in Thailand.

Being that they’re so lightweight and easy to ship, these would be a great gift idea for someone who lives far away from you!

Shop Astor & Orion

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11) Infinity Scarf & Beret Gift Set from Maggie’s Organics

Price: $55

This luxuriously soft infinity scarf and slouchy beret gift set is the ideal cold-weather gift. It’s elegant, warm, cozy, and machine washable. Not only that, but it’s fully certified to both International Organic and Fair-Trade standards—just like most of Maggie’s Organics products!

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC15OFF for 15% off

Shop Maggie's Organics

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12) Variety 6-Pack of Lip Balm from Zambeezi

Price: $19

Zambeezi’s six organic and Fair Trade flavors will leave your loved one’s lips looking and feeling as luscious as ever!

The flavors include: gingery Lemongrass, tangy Tangerine, delightful Wild Rose, tantalizing Sweet Basil, naturally-protecting Suncare and moisturizing Honeybalm. Each purchase helps to regenerate communities and ecosystems.

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC15 for 15% off entire order (one use per customer)

Shop Zambeezi

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13) Superwhisk & Matcha Kit from Golde

Price: $45

Golde’s Pure Matcha is made with 100% pure, shade-grown green tea leaves from Uji, Japan. It’s great for lattes, smoothies, and more. This kit comes with a Superwhisk, which is a USB-rechargeable whisk that instantly froths your favorite superfood lattes to perfection. It’s handheld and rechargeable, so it’s perfect for your caffeinated friend on the go.

Shop Golde

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14) Champ Portable Charger from Shades of Green

This would be a great gift or stocking stuffer for your friend or family member who is always on their phone. Eco-friendly tech is still pretty difficult to find, so I’m always excited when I find tech accessories made from more sustainable materials.

This one from Shades of Green is made from recycled aluminum and plastic. It will work with both Apple and Android devices and you can get up to 80% charge in 30 minutes!

Price: $49.95

Shop Shades of Green

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15) Colorful Mini Porcelain Vase from Made Trade

Price: $22

How sweet are these vases?! These will add a cheery pop of color to a desk, windowsill, or countertop. They’re handcrafted by artisans in the ancient kiln city of Jingdezhen, China, out of clay porcelain. (Jingdezhen’s was a major kiln site in the 11th century — over 1,000 years ago!)

If you want a different size, color, or design, they carry an entire collection of gorgeous vases.

Shop Made Trade

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We are constantly updating blog posts to give you the best in sustainable fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored in part by Astor & Orion, Aid Through Trade, Fazl, Sunrise Bliss,, Maggie's Organics, Munjoi, OM Matters, SAM & LANCE, Knickey, Anchal, and Obakki

As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved.

Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

Shop the Sustainable Brand Directory

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-09-17T14:00:00+0000

The UNTHA ZR two shaft shredder is suitable for waste, wood and metal shredding. It has been engineered for multi-shift, continuous pre-shredding, even when handling difficult materials some would consider economically unshreddable.

The machine’s low speed, high torque drive means it can process severe-duty applications with ease, for a high level of plant availability. The modular, quick-change cutting table design presents versatility.

The ZR2400H, for example, has been engineered for the high throughput, rough shredding of bulky waste, C&I waste, waste wood, MSW, mattresses, carpets, railway sleepers, bales and rolled goods. Available as a static or mobile machine with crawler tracks, the goal for this model is volume reduction (90% <300mm), material breakdown for further treatment, and alternative fuel production. The cutting system is therefore suitable for cement plants, operators in the biomass and energy recovery industries, MRFs, sorting and waste disposal firms.

The ZR2400W is a metal scrap shredder that is also suitable for the processing of WEEE and large domestic appliances. Again, the goal is to achieve a rough material breakdown (90% <300mm) for downstream sorting, making this machine suitable for metal processors, recyclers and aluminium and metal manufacturers.

The ZR’s independent, bi-directional shaft rotation means the aggressive cutters grab, shear and liberate material in forward and reverse, for a machine action that always shreds.

Both pre-shredders are also supplied with the UNTHA Eco Power Drive with water-cooled synchronous motors — an energy-efficient concept which is designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 75%.

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Date: 2021-09-16T14:00:00+0000

The glittering golden jewel that crowns Billbergia’s 39-storey tower at Rhodes Central in Sydney’s Inner West is much more than an eye-catching architectural feature. The 27-m-high structure that crowns the building is a piece of world-leading technology that could place Australia firmly at the forefront of solar-related innovation.

The heliostat — from ‘helios’ meaning ‘sun’ in Greek and ‘stat’ as in stationary — has been designed and built for Rhodes to capture the sun’s light energy using a series of custom-made smart mirrors. Those mirrors or reflectors can autonomously shift and tilt towards the sun and then reflect the sunlight onto the previously overshadowed Union Square Plaza below.

While heliostat technology has been in existence for some time, it is mostly used to collect energy for solar electric power plants in remote places. Billbergia’s Rhodes Central heliostat is one of only two known structures in the world to sit atop a mixed-use, residential/retail development — the other is also in Sydney at One Central Park, built almost a decade ago.

“Traditionally you see heliostats in solar plants in the middle of the desert,” said Alex Lehmann, Research Scientist at Heliosystems and designer of the Rhodes Central heliostat.

“It’s only very recently that they’ve been adapted for this kind of architectural use, and we are only just beginning to understand what you can do with active and passive lighting in our cities.

“Buildings are getting taller and we have options as to where we can direct light to improve the amenity of public spaces on the ground. This latest generation technology heliostat showcases an exciting opportunity for developers to think about lighting in public spaces and to be more creative with how they use sunlight to change the urban environment.”

The Rhodes Central heliostat is made up of several complex parts. One key element is the large golden crown-like structure clearly visible on top of the building. Built to exacting standards, it uses high-quality structural steel that has been finished and wrapped in gold-coloured, solid aluminium panels.

The part invisible to passers-by is a network of sun-tracking motorised mirrors that follow the sun’s movement during the day. Sunlight is bounced from the mirrors on the roof of the building up to the second set of reflector mirrors in the golden crown that then direct the sunlight back down towards Union Square Plaza. Special plastic sheeting covers the reflective surface and filters out UV light so harmful UV rays are not directed into the Plaza below.

The heliostat is a collaboration between HeliostatSA, SJB Architecture, Inhabit Technical Design and Samaras Engineering.

“For us, the challenges were in solving the engineering details, such as how to make the optics work. To maximise the energy reflected down to the park, we worked hard to integrate a large heliostat collection area on the roof. However, the reflectors on the crown present a relatively smaller area, so we had to focus the sunlight slightly at the reflectors before it diverges again on the way down to the park,” Lehmann said.

“We’ve also installed a weather station on the roof that monitors wind and weather conditions, and the heliostat responds accordingly. The autonomous reflectors put themselves in a brace position if it’s windy and if it rains, they position themselves to get a wash. If it’s hailing, they tilt themselves into a position to minimise any hail damage.

“In designing this technology for Rhodes Central, there was also a level of integration to consider. We weren’t just kicking some stones away and putting a post in the desert sand. This heliostat has had to be integrated with other facilities in the building and it has to work well with other functions on the roof. All in all, coming up with the right design has been quite an intense process and a lot has been learned along the way.”

A set of internal stairs has been built into the structure that leads up to an external access platform to enable maintenance to be carried out as needed. Lehmann said periodic cleaning will ensure the optics keep working well.

The final touch to the Rhodes Central heliostat is a special ‘night glow’ feature that will showcase the structural design when the sun goes down.

“At night, the reflectors glow an interesting colour and people will see some interesting lighting displays happening,” Lehmann said.

“The heliostat is a feature of the Rhodes skyline now and as it becomes part of people’s living space, I hope they enjoy what it offers to the Rhodes community.”

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Date: 2021-09-16T14:00:00+0000

Veolia Northern Territory was looking for a low-maintenance, low-operator requirement, simple, cost-effective solution to provide a large amount of micro-sized air bubbles for the DAF system at its wastewater treatment facility at Berrimah, according to the company's Technical Services Engineer, Dion Meta.

The options

“An article by Sustainability Matters was published which outlined the benefits of the EDUR DAF pump. This then prompted me to look into the product as we needed something simple and reliable,” Meta said. In that article, Australian distributor for EDUR Pumps, Hydro Innovations, described how the single EDUR pump could replace not only the existing recycle pump, but also the air saturation vessel and the compressor.

How does the EDUR ‘multiphase’ pump work?

The EDUR multiphase pump has the unique ability to handle a gas/liquid mixture. This enables the pump to draw in atmospheric air when pumping recycled water from the DAF tank where it mixes the air with the water being simultaneously drawn from the DAF tank.

A discharge throttle valve puts the discharge air/water mix under pressure [approximately 6 bar], which ‘forces’ the air into solution with the water. When the solution reaches the DAF tank, the reduced pressure in the tank causes the air to come out of solution to form microscopic bubbles [30-70 microns] which then attach to fats, oils and grease, and floats them to the surface.

The results

“The results have been very good. We are producing a significant amount of dissolved air and our treatment results have improved (eg, reduction in sulphide, reduction in hydrocarbons),” Meta said.

Besides the simplicity of the system, asset owners can expect a reduction in running costs, according to Hydro Innovations. Although Veolia did not have a compressor previously, other DAF plant asset owners can cut the costs associated with running a compressor, cut the yearly certification costs of the air saturation vessel, and won’t need the more complicated control systems.

When asked what he expected from his new EDUR pump asset, Meta said “Long-term benefits are that our results continue to improve. I am also hopeful that the DAF pump will last a long period of time with little maintenance requirements.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/schankz

 

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Date: 2021-09-16T14:00:00+0000

Australia has a 74-million-tonne garbage problem and a whopping 40% ends up in landfill. At the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), a research team is developing a local solution to this $189 million problem.

Federal Minister for Education Alan Tudge has announced $2 million for the university-led ‘New Options for Waste and Saving the Environment’ (NO WASTE) precinct project, a Toowoomba- and Ipswich-based pilot to refresh recycling and upcycling processes. It will be funded through the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s $40 million Strategic University Reform Fund, designed to help universities find innovative solutions for local communities.

USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor John Bell said the team would establish a precinct to work with local industries, governments and communities.

“This is a great opportunity to grow general waste reduction initiatives and to cement these into a strong research grouping in the region,” Prof Bell said.

“Using a regional test case, the project will help reform current methods into a more efficient industry that is scalable and transferrable to other local communities nationally and globally.”

Co-project lead Dr Polly Burey said the team would create a circular economy model to deal with waste such as mixed plastics, glass, fibre, waxed cardboard/paper and rubber (including foams).

“We’re pinpointing the best way to work together to make commercial and residential recycling and upcycling profitable, maximising returns to incentivise widespread participation,” Dr Burey said.

“Our partners represent key parts of the value chain when it comes to a circular economy — local retail entities (Grand Central Shopping Centre), manufacturing industries, technical specialists and education providers.”

Co-lead researcher Dr Tristan Shelley said the collaboration would utilise localised micro-processing capability for converting challenging waste streams into novel products.

“We aim to drive innovation in the circular economy by extending our knowledge in the field of waste materials from processing to final product engineering,” he said.

“This team is well-placed given the university’s existing expertise in advanced manufacturing, civil engineering and construction, accelerated processing of polymeric materials, sustainable energy, chemical and materials engineering, sensor technology, and entrepreneurship.”

Image caption: Researchers Dr Polly Burey and Dr Tristan Shelley with Grand Central Shopping Centre Operations Manager Simon Wilkinson.

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Date: 2021-09-16T14:00:00+0000

 

The Best Zero Waste Gifts

Do you have someone in your life who strives to be zero waste or are you wanting to help your friends start their own zero waste journey? This gift guide was created to make the holidays more sustainable, while still being able to have fun with giving gifts.

WHAT IS ‘ZERO WASTE’?

The ultimate goal of a zero waste lifestyle is to avoid sending anything to the landfill. However, this is not realistic for the majority of people, but the principles of using what you have and lessening your waste as much as possible is a bit more doable.

What is a zero waste gift?

Zero waste gifts have a very low impact on the environment and usually help facilitate a zero waste lifestyle. For example, you could gift a bar of soap instead of soap in a plastic bottle OR you could gift a book that gives tips on how to live a zero waste life.

A zero waste gift could also be made from waste in order for a brand to not send anything to a landfill. For example, a handbag brand can take all their scrap pieces from their collection and create a new bag.

p.s. make sure to learn how to wrap your gifts zero waste, too!

Now, our top picks for zero waste gifts:

1) Natural Bar Soap Set from Obakki

These nourishing soaps are cold-pressed by hand in small batches using 100% all-natural and vegan ingredients. They don’t contain palm oils, artificial fragrances or colorants, parabens, sulfates, or animal products. Plus, each soap uses ingredients that create sustainable income for women entrepreneurs in Africa. The set comes packaged in compostable millboard boxes made from 100% recycled paper, so they're perfect for gifting. Read more about why I love Obakki here!

Shop Obakki

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2) 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg from EarthHero

Goodbye, Amazon — I only buy my books from small businesses like EarthHero! This one by my friend Kathryn Kellogg is a great book for beginner and intermediate zero wasters. It’s got SO many great tips for how to reduce the amount of waste in your home… and so many things I wouldn’t think of! And of course, it’s printed on FSC-Certified Paper and with soy-based inks.

Shop gifts like this and many more on EarthHero, an online marketplace for eco-friendly goods from over 200 brands. They even have a curated collection of zero waste goods.

code: Natalie10 for 10% off

Shop Earthhero

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3) Bamboo Trio Makeup Palette from GreenEcoDream

This refillable makeup palette made by Elate and available at Green Eco Dream allows you to carry your favorite pressed eyeshadows anywhere you go. It can be refilled over and over again, and then at the end of its life, the bamboo can be crushed and commercially composted and the aluminum can be recycled. This is a great idea for a stocking stuffer, or as a part of a larger gift set filled with zero-waste makeup. All of Elate’s makeup is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and fair trade.

Shop Green Eco Dream

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4) The Perfect Bag from Nena & Co.

Nena & Co’s Zero Waste Collection is made from fabric scraps that are leftover from their other bags in order to reduce waste. as much as possible! And just like all of their other artisan-made bags and accessories, these are created on a small-batch scale, ensuring attention to detail and quality of the highest standard. This helps to create a sustainable form of income for the Guatemalan artisans they work with (all of whom, of course, are paid a fair and living wage for their beautiful work!)

Shop Nena & Co.

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5) Rechargeable Candle Lighter from Shades of Green

Know someone who burns a lot of candles in their home? Here is a zero waste alternative to traditional butane lighters! This lighter comes with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by simply hooking up a USB to the computer. You’ll know it is completely charged up and ready to go once the green light disappears. The lighter uses plasma lighting technology, so you don’t have to refill it. Plus, it’s meant to last forever, and they are shipped in recyclable packaging.

Shop Shades of Green

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6) Colorful Reusable Bags from Stasher

Stasher bags are one of the most versatile reusable items you can have in your kitchen. These bags are made from platinum silicone and are completely free of BPA, BPS, lead, latex, and phthalates. They come in many different sizes, and tons of gorgeous colors! I think any zero waster in your life wouldn’t mind owning a few more Stasher bags.

Shop Stasher

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7) Zero Waste Cleaning Kit from EcoRoots

A perfect zero waste starter kit with plastic-free cleaning products for the home & kitchen! This zero waste cleaning kit comes with dish soap, bamboo soap dish, and wooden cleaning brush. Everything is made from sustainable materials, organic & vegan ingredients, and is biodegradable. It even ships in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.

Shop EcoRoots

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8) DIY Composting from SubPod

Say goodbye to kitchen waste with this backyard composting system from SubPod!

Subpod is a below-ground vermicomposting option that has dual chambers, smell-proof, pest-proof and effective at creating and maintaining the perfect compost. The Subpod mission is to make composting part of daily life with their easy to use system and of course, their packaging is home compostable!

Shop Subpod

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9) Green Onion Regrower from UncommonGoods

How cool is this kitchen gadget?

One trip to the grocery yields weeks of green onions!

It’s easy - all you have to do is insert each of the unused end pieces into this kit's growing lid. It is lined with naturally absorbent coconut fiber so just add water. Your onions will continue regrowing up to 3" per week.

Shop Uncommon Goods

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10) Zero Waste Starter Kit from EarthHero

Perfect for the zero waste beginners!

This box contains: Solid rePETe Produce Bags (2pk), Silicone Stasher Sandwich Bag, EarthHero Bamboo Utensil Set, Stainless Steel Straw and cleaning brush, and an Adult Bamboo Toothbrush!

code: Natalie10 for 10% off

Shop EarthHero

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We are constantly updating blog posts to give you the best in sustainable fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

This post contains affiliate links, and is sponsored in part by Nena & Co, GreenEcoDream, Obakki & Earthhero.

As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved.

Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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check out our other gift guides:

 

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-09-16T14:00:00+0000