Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Value of a Tree - worth $193,250

We all know how important trees are to mother nature. Some even consider it priceless, while others would simply place a commercial value on them. But have you ever wondered, How much a tree is really worth?.

In our recent trip to the City of Davao, Philippines. We visited one of their main tourist attraction, the Eden Nature Park & Resort. Our journey around the 80 hectares park, led us across a billboard, right on the side of a walkway, with the heading "A tree is worth $193,250".
 "Of concern to all! A tree is worth $193,250. According to Professor T.M.Das of the University of Calcutta. A tree living for 50 years will generate $31,250 worth of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, control soil erosion and increase soil fertility to the tune of $31,250. Recycle $37,500 worth of water and provide a home for animals worth $31,250. This figure does not include the value of fruits, lumber or beauty derived from trees. Just another sensible reason to take care of our forests."
It may not be an accurate calculation but it is just amazing how the tree's benefits were presented by that small billboard. It is a good reminder and a simple green solution that we could use onour way towards greener technology and solutions. Well, sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

McDonald's New Paper Cups To Replace Polystyrene Coffee Cups

The company has taken a major environmental initiative, by launching a pilot program to drop the use of polystyrene foam cups. Their previous initiative was phasing out Styrofoam for its food packaging, but hot beverages were still served on polystyrene cups.


The program is testing a double-walled paper cup as replacement for polystyrene cups. It will involve 2,000 of their restaurants in the U.S primarily on the West Coast, that represent 15 percent of their restaurants in the U.S.

Since it is still on a testing process, the pilot program will asses; Customer acceptance, Operational impact and Overall importance.

This is definitely a great news for the environment. Especially with a move from a large international company like McDonald's. They have done such move, in fact, in the past decade the company has reduced their waste by 30 percent, eliminated more than 300 million pounds of packaging, save $6 million per year, and is currently one of the largest purchasers of recycled paper for use in its food containers and napkin.

Having stated above that the company is making a major move "for the environment", I wondered why is still their a need for testing? And why the customer's acceptance are necessary? Well obviously, they are more focused on the company image or operation, rather than making it a move for healthier environment.

Let us just hope the tests goes well and the program is implemented across all their restaurants worldwide. And hopefully, other companies would follow on with environmental moves.

source: GreenBiz

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Philippines' first public e-Jeepney franchise, launched in Makati

TopGear.com.ph Philippine Car News - LTFRB issues Philippines’ first electric public utility jeep franchise
Philippines's first commercial Electronic Jeepney (left),
traditional Public utility jeepney (right)


Twenty one (21) e-jeepneys started running on the streets of Makati City on March 01, 2012. After the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued the country's first commercial electronic jeepney (e-jeepney) franchise last February 27, 2012.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Clean water out of humid air - Foreign help for CDO

A foreign company introduces green technology to provide clean water for the Typhoon Sendong damaged Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Philippines. G2 machines are said to produce clean drinkable water from humid air, plus, it will also be powered by solar energy.

Six G2 units (Generation 2 water humidifier) has been provided to the province as a much needed help for the typhoon victims. This cutting-edge product is an atmospheric water generator, that produces sterilized water out of humid air. It does not just produce water, but clean it produces clean, sterilized and drinkable water. The machine is suitable for use in disaster struck areas.


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greenTech finds blogging as a way of passing time. With the interest of bringing green technologies to the Philippines. He aims to gather and share as much information about these technology.