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The problem lies often in cost-benefit analysis of rainwater collection systems compared to most potable water prices, which are still quite cheap in the U.S. Using a ten-year cost analysis for a rainy U.S. climate, the rainwater collected over the ten years would cost approximately $4.55 per hundred cubic feet (CCF), which is higher than average water rates in most U.S. cities (but not necessarily higher than the highest-tier rates). The system wouldn’t quite pay for itself just with water savings because the added cost of extra plumbing to convey the water to the points of use hampers overall cost-effectiveness. Although first-costs are higher than conventional systems, in new buildings rainwater collection systems could potentially eliminate expensive charges for storm-drain hookups, putting an owner “money ahead from Day One,” where the costs of savings are greater than the installation cost. In one project in which I was involved, just the cost of installing the storm drainage pipes to take water off the site and to connect to the town’s storm drains was greater than the cost of installing two 20,000-gallon tanks to hold runoff from the 100-year rainfall event and providing a treatment system that generates enough water for toilet flushing for a good part of the year. In addition, the use was for an academic building whose use pattern just about matched perfectly the annual rainfall cycle of the West Coast. If seasonal and annual rainfall continues to be more erratic, water rationing and higher prices will be likely, making rainwater harvesting a rational economic response especially for large users. I harvest a few thousand gallons a year of rainwater at my house in southern Arizona, and I can tell you that nothing could be easier (or more sustainably satisfying) than using recycled rainwater for plant irrigation in a dry climate. As vice president of global sustainability at Procter & Gamble, I’ve been lucky enough to work with NGOs, thought leaders and P&G employees throughout the world to implement sustainability initiatives across our vast organization. These experiences have shaped how I view sustainable innovation at P&G and how, as an organization, we can continue to improve our environmental performance. Here are some of the learnings I’ve picked up along the way. Continue reading 10 Things I’ve Learned About Making a Big Company a Green Giant The term “green business” is used in discussions of businesses and business practices which are viewed to be environmentally sound. In the early 21st century, many companies began capitalizing on growing consumer desire for sustainable business by “greening” their practices to make them more environmentally friendly, and a number of entrepreneurs sometimes known as ecopreneurs opened businesses with a green slant. Today, green business is an extremely profitable branch of the business world, and it hosts a range of companies, from prestigious multinational companies to small, locally based companies. In order to be considered a green business, a company must use practices which are viewed as sustainable and environmentally friendly. These practices might include the use of organic and natural products to build its factories, tighter protections against emissions, and environmentally responsible sourcing of supplies. For example, a green clothing business would seek out organic, fair-trade cotton to promote an environmentally friendly image, and it might have a factory with a living roof, or power gained from solar panels. Many green businesses are also concerned about human and animal exploitation, and they make an attempt to create cruelty free products and to pay their workers well in addition to providing them with benefits. The goal of a green business is to keep its environmental footprint small, reducing waste and reusing materials as much as possible. Many use innovative building techniques for their facilities which are designed to promote energy efficiency, along with building materials which are environmentally friendly like panels fabricated from recycled materials. These companies also encourage their workers to think about the environment when they generate printed material and think about new products. A green business can sell all sorts of things. Many car manufacturers, for example, have green model factories and offices to convince their target consumers that they are concerned about the environment. Many green businesses also offer green products, ranging from composting toilets to green architecture. When a company offers environmentally products, many consumers also assume that the company itself is environmentally responsible, as its products reflect a concern about the environment. The success of green business has shown that it is economically feasible and in fact very sensible to do business in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. It has also encouraged the growth of initiatives which are designed to benefit the environment, from carbon trading to tax breaks for people who make energy-efficient modifications to their homes. However, it has also given rise to “greenwashing,” a trend exhibited by companies which want to capitalize on the green revolution in business without actually doing the deed. When businesses market themselves aggressively as green, you may want to do some deeper research to ensure that they are not greenwashing in an attempt to win your dollars. IBM has created an industry alliance with key leaders in metering, monitoring, automation, data communications and software to provide smart solutions for energy, water, waste and greenhouse gas management. Charter members of the Green Sigma™ Coalition are Johnson Controls, Honeywell Building Solutions, ABB, Eaton, ESS, Cisco, Siemens Building Technologies Division, Schneider Electric and SAP. The coalition members will work with IBM to integrate their products and services with IBM’s Green Sigma™ solution. This will allow companies using these combined solutions to better understand energy and water usage, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions across their business operations and make changes to improve efficiency, reduce consumption and waste, and lower environmental impact. Buying a franchise can be a life-changing experience. There are many reasons why you should fulfill your dream of becoming your own boss and open a franchise. The following reasons to buy a franchise will help you to understand why it will be a great investment.
by Hari J. Krishna, Ph.D., P.E., P.H., ARCSA Founder & Past President In the 1980s and early 90s, most people, especially in urban areas were unaware of what rainwater harvesting (RWH) meant and why there would be a need to collect rainwater. It took an enormous amount of effort working with and speaking to local communities, organizations and state agencies to publicize the need for and benefits of RWH. Based on my experience with RWH during the past 20+ years, I offer the following strategies that can be utilized to promote the technology in your respective state or region. Continue reading Ten Strategies to Promote Rainwater Harvesting By:
Aisha Ismael
The games will kick-off in June and end in July with matches being played in different cities. And in true Cape Town style, the games will be full of colour. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the world. But Cape Town plans not only to showcase its natural beauty, but also to show the world that it can successfully host major events that will also leave a positive environmental legacy. To achieve this, the City is implementing Green Goal Action. It’s the official 2010 Fifa World Cup greening programme, which aims to make the event as environmentally friendly as possible, while at the same time, have good clean fun. And we all know when Cape Tonians have fun they become loud and proud. A Proven Business Strategy A big benefit of franchises is that they offer business owners a proven business strategy. While many new businesses struggle to develop a viable and profitable business plan, franchises have presumably already demonstrated that they are capable of profitability time and time again. Granted, you still need to do your own research to confirm the potential of the franchise you ultimately decide to purchase. However, in most cases franchise companies survive on their ability to ensure profitability for their franchisees. With supplies of fresh water from surface and groundwater sources dwindling, many people are looking for ways to save water when it comes to irrigating their lawns and gardens. Like many of our grandparents, they are collecting rainwater in cisterns or rain barrels and redirecting the greywater from sinks, washing machines and showers to the garden. The water commonly used to irrigate the yard is the same stuff we pour over ice in our kitchen. It has been treated to potable standards, which really isn’t necessary for the grass and plants. Continue reading Use Rainwater and Greywater to Conserve, Save Every day, untold billions of gallons of drinking water is used to water landscapes. In desert areas, where native and drought-adapted plants thrive, water is a precious commodity. That’s why rainwater harvesting makes sense. It makes use of “free” water to irrigate gardens and landscapes. Using this “free” water reduces the stress on surface drinking water supplies such as reservoirs and rivers. It also reduces the use of groundwater from aquifers and other underground supplies. |
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South Africans are getting ready to become the centre of the world albeit for only four weeks. And the locals are pulling out all stops to showcase the mother of all soccer games – the 2010 Fifa World Cup.