Entry #5: Drain Clogging

Look for long-term solutions, authorities urged

Source: thestar.com.my

Published on 9th May 2006

Nowadays rain come and go unpredictly. This is believed due to climate change. The article is about clogged drain during raining season. The location is at Taman Seri Serdang and UPM area, it is to be said that the problem is caused by the silt and grass that grew in the drain. As for me, i think the rubbish also contribute to the clogging because when i used that way, several fruit stalls can be seen at the side of the road. The fruit's sellers may have thrown rubbish in the drain and also there is a bus stop, people or students who were there must be throwing some rubbish.

Why is silt there? Since by the roadside is red soil so it is possible the soil was moved into the drain by air or people using the road.The silt problem, i think it just can be solved by removing the silt time by time. But the rubbish, it is the person's responsibility. So what i can say is, it is the mentality of the people where when they thow rubbish they will think other person ( rubbish collector) will collect it for them. This mentality is totally wrong because we must be responsible by our own rubbish. If everyone is responsible, the drain clogging caused by the rubbish will settle.

Entry #4 : Water Soluble Plastic Bag.

UTP Reseachers Produce Water Soluble Plastic Bag

Source: Utusan Malaysia Online (www.utusan.com.my)

Published 3rd September 2008

Another Malaysian product that can be proud of, Greenphylic, a soluble plastic bag. Invented by a group of researchers in Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). It will be patented soon and Petronas will take the lead to produce it replacing other plastic bags usage in the world. It ‘s main substance is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), which has excellent film forming, emulsifying and adhesive properties. It is also resistant to oil, grease and solvent. It is odorless and nontoxic. It has high tensile strength and flexibility, as well as high oxygen and aroma barrier properties. However these properties are dependent on humidity, in other words, with higher humidity more water is absorbed. The water, which acts as a plasticizer, will then reduce its tensile strength, but increase its elongation and tear strength. PVA is fully degradable and is a quick dissolver. PVA has a melting point of 230°C and 180–190°C for the fully hydrolysed and partially hydrolysed grades. It decomposes rapidly above 200°C as it can undergo pyrolysis at high temperatures. PVA is an atatic material but exhibits crystallinity as the hydroxyl groups are small enough to fit into the lattice without disrupting it. (Source: wikipedia.com)

From the article, the plastic bags will dissolved in water after some period so our waste will be less of plastics. The Greenphylic has been tested for melting point, stress and tension test and water solubility test. By using these plastic bags, we will save cost and time on waste management. In terms of environmental impact, there will be a reduce number in the animal death that cause by plastic bag choking. We often read the news, marine life for example turtles were dead because of choke by plastic bags, thrown by tourists at some places. Though the number is small but by saving their life will keep the population from decreasing. Drainage system also can be improved since the plastic bags will dissolve in water, there will be no more blockage, so the waste water or river water will not spill out and cause flood.

But as for me, recycle bag such as what Jaya Jusco supermarket do is more convenient because we can recycle the bag and can be use many times compare to this plastic bag. By using the recycle bag, more cost can be saved and obviously our environment can be saved as well.

Entry #3: Effects of Bottled Water

Article: The Bottled Water Industry and Its Effect on the Environment

Published: 27 November 2006

Bottled water can make our life easier but have we ever think the bad effects that they can cause to us and the environment. From the article and other articles I’ve read, I can conclude that bottled water cause more bad effects than good effects. Those effects are:

Effect to human.

· By reusing plastic bottles further compromises the quality of the water, due to the fact that more and more phthalate leaches its way into the water as the bottle gets older.

Effects to environment.

· One obvious harm is that of water usage. To make the plastic, it takes at least twice the final amount of water produced (so, for instance, three liters of fresh water are needed to produce one liter of bottled water). That probably adds little to overall fresh-water usage, but the effect on local water sources can be significant (especially depleting groundwater levels and decreasing the downstream water supply).

· The effects on pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, are decidedly harmful. Plastic is made from oil; an estimated 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide were generated in 2006 for the production of plastic for bottled water. Then, too, a significant amount fossil fuels and more carbon dioxide is generated in transporting the bottles to the water source, and then transporting the bottled water to stores—especially if the water is obtained overseas. And of course, this further increases our country’s demand for fossil fuels.


· Bottled water produces an incredible amount of solid waste. According to one estimate, nearly 90% of bottles are not recycled. And plastic does not biodegrade, ending up in increasingly over-burdened landfills.

In short, the effects of bottled water should really make us think about what we're putting into our bodies. Finally, for those who wish to become more environmentally friendly or to fight global warming, eliminating bottled-water use is a relatively easy way to shrink one’s “carbon footprint” and other damage to the environment.

p/s: To Dr Amran, sorry for the late entry, i forgot...;)

Entry #2: Cellphones Recycling

Article: Important to recycle unwanted cellphones

Source: The Star, Wednesday July 30, 2008

Great efforts by Nokia cellphone manufacturer. They are recycling unwanted cellphones in order to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases. They had done a survey in 13 countries, where only 3% have recycled their handphones, 74% have not even thought of doing so and 70% do not know where to. I'm in the 70% category. I didn't know where can i give my unwanted cellphones but now i know where. I wonder what people do with their unwanted cellphones since the cellphones are keep improving and many new cellphones have been produced. I agree as what have been said by the environmental affairs manager.

“If each of the three billion handphone users globally recycle one phone each, we can save 240,000 tonnes of raw material from being mined, produced and distributed. The amount of greenhouse gases saved would be equivalent to that of removing four million cars from the road.”

They had set up some kiosks for customers to give away the unwanted cellphones and the best part is, with each handphones will be rewarded one tree with the customer's name, the trees will be planted at Sebangau National Park in central Kalimantan. Just imagine if 100 customers give their unwanted cellphones, 100 trees will be planted, which will help to reduce the effect of greenhouse gases and global warming where the carbon dioxide will be consumed by the trees. I strongly support the idea of planting the trees.

But i don't think Nokia have campaign this matter widely to Malaysian and others. Why i say this because as for me, if it is not because of this blog assignment i wouldn't find the article or wouldn't read the news. After this don't be surprise if you find trees with my name on it. ;)

Entry #1 - Beijing's Air Pollution: It Isn't The Cars

Article:

Beijing`s air pollution: it isn`t the cars
Source: World Resources Institute WRI

Published Jul. 29, 2008

(...)

Comment by Ayu:

The article is about air pollution in Beijing, which was said it is not caused by cars. Beijing’s air still polluted though reduced number of cars due to the car regulation enforced by the China government. It is true that the industries contribute more to the polluted air in Beijing especially construction site for Olympic game buildings. This is because the trucks, factories those make construction materials released VOC which is the main cause of ozone problem. Other substances that contribute to the polluted air are the particulates from construction site, coal-fired power plants and also factory boilers. The industry do caused many effects to not only Beijing’s air, other countries also face the same problems. Beside of VOC released, the industries also caused greenhouse emissions. As we know, greenhouse emission is one of the main caused of global warming that we are facing now. We cannot avoid from having industries in our place to really reduce the air pollution, what we can do, as the author said, we can have a smart transport planning, strengthen the local enforcement of existing pollution and energy efficiency standards.