The Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) is a not-for-profit, non-government organization (NGO) registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, Foreign Contribution Registration Act and Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act at national level.

The organization established in 2001 with the support of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and comprised of a multi-faceted group of environmentally conscious individuals who are from the business, legislative, legal, engineering, finance, energy and environmental sectors. The diverse group of individuals allows IPCA to reach out to both the public and private sectors and to educate them the importance of incorporating issues such as, environmental considerations, and self-sustainability, into project or policy development for India. In the short span of our existence, we have…

Not all recycled food and beverage containers are recycled into traditional products like new containers. Case in point: The New Jersey Pine Barrens features a 56-foot-long bridge built completely from recycled plastic. Constructed by Axion International, the bridge can support 36 tons and has an anticipated lifespan of 40 years.

Plastic lumber is actually one of the more common products created from recycled PET, the material used for most plastic bottles. Axion was able to mold discarded plastic into beams that are flexible, lighter than wood lumber and require fewer fasteners to build structures.

Axion is currently building bridges for the U.S. Army, as the Army needs structures capable of supporting at least 70 tons, and current wood bridges provide only 6-ton support. Axion built its first Army bridge in 1998, which according to Army representatives “has had virtually no maintenance and still looked like new after nine years.”

Plastic is not the only recycled material that can be used in construction. Glass bottles and cardboard can also provide a sturdy, yet sustainable, design. In addition, most of the world’s steel is actually recycled content, and steel is among the most popular building materials.

One of the primary benefits in building with recycled content is that it significantly reduces the ecological footprint during construction. Energy use is typically much less in manufacturing a recycled material, and in the case of plastic, a disposable bottle can be molded into a beam that supports cars and people for 40 years.

Marc Green – Recycled Plastics Applicatiions in Construction – Sustainability Forum

Maine is the first state to pass a law requiring companies that manufacture compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to fund recycling programs. Known as Legislative Directive 973, the law also establishes standards for the amount of mercury present in each bulb.

Similar recycling legislation is currently being reviewed in California, Massachusetts and Vermont, while California already passed a law enforcing mercury content.

English local authorities are set to receive a share of a £3.5 million fund designed to help them introduce new separate food waste collections.

The photographer of these recycling containers in Portugal notes: “Most Portuguese don’t use recycle bins. On one hand, there aren’t many across the country. On the other hand, people don’t understand the need.” Sounds like it’s an issue of not knowing what is recyclable, as well as likely a shortage of facilities. However, it’s better to ship waste even to other countries for processing than let it go to the dump.

You can make a difference. The choices you make and the actions you take now will affect the way we live in the future. Whether you’re taking your first steps in sustainability or looking to shrink your impact even more, you’ll find help here.

Planet Ark works to show people and businesses the many ways they can reduce their day to day impact on the environment – at home, at work and in the community.

Planet Ark’s campaigns have been developed to address serious environmental issues in a practical and straight-forward way. We reach ordinary members of the public through the media, educational resources and through our partnerships with businesses, councils, community groups, schools and environmental groups, encouraging Australians to bring about environmental change in their everyday lives.

Each link below will provide you with recycling information for the City of Melbourne area. Using any of these services can help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and ensure you place the right thing in the right bin.

http://www.visy.com.au/index.php

Visy began manufacturing corrugated cardboard boxes in Melbourne, Australia, in 1948 and has grown to become one of the world’s leading privately owned packaging, paper and recycling companies