GreenTechnology

 

 

Introduction to Green Technology What is Green Technology? Green Technology Topics Green Design  Green Industrial Design (Green Chemistry) Alternative Fuels Recycling Electronic Waste Viability and Education Group members Bibliography

 

Introduction to Green Technology

 

 

What is Green Technology?

 

Technology is defined as the application of knowledge in life and society, drawing upon subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science. (Dictionary.com 2008) Green Technology is technology developed and implemented with sustainability in mind.  Sustainability is an important word these days.  By attempting to meet the needs and wants of the current generation, without compromising future generations, we are securing our future on this planet. Sustainability requires that we take into account the natural resources we use, as well as the waste we produce. 

 

 

 

New technologies are developed daily; therefore, this is an ever-expanding subject. This video, posted on YouTube by Voice of America (VOA) news, is a report from the recent EPA Science Forum specifically on new green technology.

 

 

  Some examples of fields that have been affected by green technology goals are Building Design/Construction and Energy.  By designing buildings and industries with a "cradle to cradle" design instead of the historic "cradle to grave" design, we are both reducing the resources used as well as the waste produced.  Energy is the most urgent issue for green technology (Green Technology, 2006).  In order to continue a sustainable energy production, renewable and alternative sources of energy must be developed and implemented.  In addition to these fields, this project will look at the recycling industry and the viability/education for the future of green technology. 

 

 

 

Green Technology Topics

 

Green Design

 

 

Green building is one of the newer eco-friendly efforts to be applied in response to a more environmentally aware government, but what is a green building anyway? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website states green building as “Green, or sustainable, building is the practice of creating and using healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition.”(Green Building 2008) 

 

Some of the methods used to create green buildings are the efficient use and application of resources such as water, reduction of waste, and the impact on the environment. Another important feature of a green building is to be energy efficient. Many times in green construction recyclable material is used as much as possible. During the planning phase of a green building even the site is critically planned out to the most environment friendly location for both nature and humans. Another key feature is the sustainability of the structure.  The methods of construction involved in green building are interesting in and of themselves but why should we use them?

 

Although structural integrity is a key feature when building a home or business, traditional methods have also been proven to be permanent structures and wasteful in relation to energy conservation. Evaluate these alarming facts that were produced by the website of the U.S. Green Building Council  “In the United States alone, buildings account for:   70% of electricity consumption, 39% of energy use, 39% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 40% of raw materials use, 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and 12% of potable water consumption.” (Green Building Research 2008)  With the application of green building, a cleaner, safer, and more environmentally friendly way of life can emerge.

 

 

 

 

 Green Industrial Design (Green Chemistry)

 

 

 

According to the EPA, there are twelve major principles of Green Chemisty, i.e. Green Industrial Design.  These are (EPA 2008):

• Prevent waste
• Design safer products
• Design less hazardous syntheses
• Use renewable feedstocks

• Use catalysts instead of reagents
• Avoid chemical derivatives
• Maximize economy
• Use safer solvents
• Increase energy efficiency
• Design degradable products
• Analyze in real time
• Minimize potential for accidents

   

The main concepts to be learned from these twelve principles are to design industrial processes so that the amount of raw material in the end product is maximized (ie less waste up front), the process only uses non-toxic chemicals, the process is energy efficient, and to reduce end waste.   

 

     Some companies have been trying to achieve these goals for over 20 years.  Seventh Generation, a manufacturer of household cleansers, uses non-toxic chemicals and 100% recycled products.  Newer companies, such as Method, are striving towards the same goals.  These companies were built to achieve sustainable end products.  One of the top 10 trends in manufacturing is to design future plants to achieve the green design objectives. (Forbes.com 2007). 

 

     The larger problem that is being faced is upgrading existing facilities.   There are many simple things any industrial facility can do to move towards more efficient production.  Just by tightening connections around a plant, you can reduce small amounts of product and energy loss.  Not only does this increase the production, it also makes economic sense.  Another item that should be reviewed in on-going systems is the waste products.  Some industrial facilities create a pure waste product.  With minor testing, this product could very likely be used by another facility.  This will not only reduce waste but could create an additional source of income at the facility. 

 

 

 

Alternative Fuels

 

Alternative fuels are a rising topic on today’s political forefront. With the soaring cost of gasoline many individuals and companies are looking for alternatives.  In an effort to save money, and be more environmental friendly even the government is conducting research on alternative fuels. But what are alternative fuels exactly you might ask? In short alternative fuels are usually fuels that require little to no petroleum to operate an engine. 

 

In recent years several types have emerged with many more being developed each day. There are seven major types of alternative fuels currently on the market. The seven main types are Biodiesel, Electricity, Ethanol, Hydrogen, Methanol, Natural Gas, Propane (Alternative Fuels 2008). Biodiesel is fuel produced by a wide range of animal fats and vegetable oils, and can also be a blend of oils and petroleum. Electricity is an excellent short distance method because no emissions are produced. Hydrogen fuel is usually formed in fuel cells hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. 

 

Hydrogen cars have been two to three times more efficient than those that ran on traditional petroleum methods (Alternative Fuel 2008). Methanol was an option in the early 1990’s but since has been discontinued by all car manufactures. When inhaled methanol can be very harmful to humans, which is likely a big reason that it was discontinued. Natural gas is a mixture of many gases which when mixed, have a high octane rating that is excellent for combustion of engines. Most of natural gas is extracted from the ground.  Propane is a byproduct of natural gas and oil production.  It has been used for some time now on industrial vehicles such as forklifts. Many states have incentives for using propane as an alternative fuel, including Virginia which allows vehicles using propane to drive in the HOV lane regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. 

 

With the ever increasing cost of gasoline, alternative fuels will only grow in popularity. Most alternative fuels are cheaper, safer and healthier, so it would seem it is only a matter of time before it becomes a common method to fuel our cars and social life’s.

 

 

Recycling Electronic Waste

 

    Computers have become an integral part of global society.  Unfortunately, the production of computers is extremely resource consuming.  According to BBC correspondent Tim Hirsch, “a 24kg PC with monitor needs at least 240kg of fossil fuels to provide the energy, and 22kg of chemicals” plus 1.5 tons of water. (Hirsch) Currently, the vast majority of computers and other electronics that are broken or outdated are being packed into landfills. In 2005 alone, 1.36 million metric tons of electronic waste were thrown into landfills in the U.S. (Kahhat)

 

 

    Electronic waste contains a large portion of the toxic and carcinogenic waste produced in the US.  70% of overall toxic waste in landfills in the US is a result of electronic waste. (Slade) These hazardous wastes include, but are not limited to, chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, which are most often found in computer monitors. Unfortunately, the flame retardants meant to protect consumers are largely responsible for the difficulty in recycling these products. The following table outlines a more complete list of toxins and heavy metals contained in electronic waste. (Electronic waste, wikipedia)

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Toxins

  Epoxy resins

  Polychlorinated biphenyls

  Polyvinyl chlorides

Heavy Metals

  Lead

  Copper

  Silicon

  Beryllium

  Iron

  Tin

  Aluminum

  Antimony

  Arsenic

  Barium

  Lithium

  Nickel

  Selenium

  Cadmium

  Mercury

  Thallium

 

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     Heavy metal and chemical contamination in landfills creates potential hazards for the environment and for human health. These contaminants may leach into groundwater and then be consumed by people.  They can cause cancers or metal poisoning which may be fatal. Some of these like mercury and PCBs can bioaccumulate in the food chain, magnifying exposure.

 

    Computers aren’t the only waste that needs to be recycled. Other gadgets like cell phones should be recycled as well. Unfortunately this isn’t happening. Many people simply don't know where to take their gadgets to have them recycled, leaving many devices sitting in a drawer at home.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discarding phones create 65,000 tons of toxic waste each year. Sarah Reedy, author of “A Wireless Waste”, states that one mobile device contains hazardous materials including mercury, lead and antimony. (Reedy)

 

    Efforts are being made to recycle these devices. A variety of stores will take products like cell phones, however people forget or simply don’t know that they can drop them off at participating stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Researchers are working on the next generation recyclable personal technology. Recently, a team at the University of Warwick in England has developed compostible cell phone covers made from a biodegradebale polymer. (As Tech Trash, 2008)

 

 

    In today's society it doesn’t matter what you’re recycling, as long as you’re trying to make a difference.  Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us, therefore we must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time.

 

 

Viability and Education

 

Education is a key factor toward the growth and advancement of green technology in our world today.  Not only has it led green technology to where it is now, but it will lead it through the future generations to come. There are activities, programs, and classes teaching green technology to people of all ages. Some examples of these are; Earth Day, cartoons, computer games, Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, and Majors in Renewable Energy.

 

          A mother has posted on the internet a list of things she teaches her three year old twins that will help save the environment. The list includes; teaching them to turn off the lights when they leave the room, riding a bike to the park instead of taking a car, and teaching them the difference between garbage goods and recycled goods. (Teaching Children) Tamara S. Andrew Birch says to spend Earth Day in the schools computer lab. By practicing environmentally friendly computing of habit breaking and a little education can impact on both the environment and energy cost. An average PC uses around 100 watts of power while a computer in a lab at school uses 200 watts. If twenty computers in a lab, all sharing a printer, were turned off during the nights and weekends instead of left on, that would save the lab 900 dollars if the cost of a kWh is 8 cents. This would reduce the power used by the computer lab and the amount of electricity generated from the power source. Then the power source reduces carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. (Andrew)

 

          Colleges in Hawaii are offering classes and workshops to help educate the public on green technology. One class is a Sustainable Web Design Class that helps you learn how to use the web to be self-sustaining. Another class that is offered is a five part series on solar energy basics, safe water harvesting, off the grid power systems and sustainable living 101. (Attending a Green) Syracuse University is building a green building which they think will attract students. Ed Bogucz said, “A lot of public attention gets focused on fuel for cars, but 40 percent of all the energy that's consumed in the United States relates to the operation of buildings.”(College Emphasize 2008) Oregon Institute of Technology has developed the first undergraduate degree in renewable energy systems. The assistant professor said, “We're constantly getting phone calls from renewable energy companies who advertise jobs.”(Green Education)

 

          Education is a giant stepping stone toward green technology. Without the education, viability would not come into play. Viability is creating a bubble, as you might say, that holds the economies activity involving features of green technology. Jobs, products, and technology with the intention of are making the environment a healthier place are aspects of viability in route to green technology.

 

 

Group members

Roberta Niemietz: rjniemie@vt.edu

Rachel Methvin rmethvin@vt.edu

Dustin Phipps(dlp201@email.vccs.edu)

Wes Osborne wes_osborne@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

 "Why Recycle?" Recycling-guide.org. Updated 2003-2008. Accessed July 15, 2008. http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/importance.html

 

 

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