Plastics that Melt Away

This is unlike the chocolates that melt away in your mouth.This is a dream come true.Imagine all the plastic bags from Giant, Tesco, Jusco, Carrefour and the takeaways you lug home are now soluble in water.

The Star reported that a team of researchers at the Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) has invented an award winning material called the Greenphylic Water-Soluble Degradable Plastic, a polymer similar to plastics but dissolves in water.

The project bagged the Gold Medal of the 19th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition on May 19.

It also won the Best Invention for Universities/Research Institutes category, World Intellectual Property Organisation Best Invention Award and KASS International (a Malaysian Intellectual Property firm)Best Invention Award.

UTP had earlier in November, 2008 won the Gold Medal at the Belgian and International Trade Fair for Technological Innovation in Brussels.

The project is led by Prof. Ramiah Jegatheesan of the Electrical and Elctronic Engineering faculty, UTP.

Winning the award has increased the potential of the new material being commercialised.

Plastics are a source of pollution to the environment and are still harmful even when they degrade. And once they have broken down into smaller molecules, they can contaminate the soil and water tables.

According to Prof Ramiah burnt plastics produce dangerous gases which can cause serious health problems. In addition, discarded plastics clog drains and sewerage pipes.

The new invention Eco Plast is a resin consisting of a synthetic polymer material made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, polyvinyl alcohol is a colourless, water-soluble, flammable resin belonging to the family of organic polymers. It is derived from a vinyl polymer.

The resin is used in sizing agents that offer resistance to oil and grease upon paper and textiles; to make films resistant to attack by solvents or oxygen; as a component of adhesives and emulsifiers; and as a starting material for the preparation of other resins.

“Polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble synthetic polymer which has excellent film forming, emulsifying and adhesive properties. It is odourless and non-toxic, has high tensile strength and flexibility as well as high oxygen and aroma barrier.

However, these properties depend on the ambient relative humidity. With higher humidity, more water is absorbed. The water, which acts as a plasticiser, will then reduce its tensile strength, but increase its elongation and tear strength,” explained Prof Ramiah.

Eco Plast dissolves in water at normal room temperatures of between 25°C and 35°C. If the water is heated, the dissolving time reduces considerably.

In normal thickness, Eco Plast dissolves in water within 60 minutes at a water temperature of around 25°C. It will dissolve in 15 minutes if the water temperature is 40°C. If the water temperature is increased to 50°C, the dissolving time will take only five minutes.

According to Prof Ramiah, the resulting water that is used to dissolve the Eco Plast does not contain any toxic elements and thus there will be no harmful effect to living beings or the environment. This water can be disposed off into the kitchen sink as normal waste water.

Eco Plast can be used to manufacture carrier bags that are useful for grocery items, to pack medical pills, produce gloves and for packaging of other substances.

At present, Eco Plast is two to three times costlier to produce compared to plastic.Once it is commercialised and manufactured on a large scale, the cost will reduce substantially. Furthermore, there is no cost involved in disposing of this material.

UTP have filed for patent and are currently in the process of commerciali­sing the product.

Rich Man's Daughter goes Green

It is fortunate to go into business if you have a rich Dad to provide the resources.



Saturday's Star newspaper article by Thean Lee Cheng on Dian Lee Cheng Ling's Bluwater property development project caught my attention. Dian Lee is the eldest daughter of property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew of Mines Resorts.




Clearwater Developments Sdn Bhd was set up by Dian and three partners in 2006 and their first project was serviced apartments, Clearwater Residences in Damansara Heights. Since then, she has added three brands to the group – Clearwater, Bluwater and The Heritage.


Bluwater Estate, to be sited on a 240 acre former mining land in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, is an eco-friendly development comprising of leasehold gated and guarded development. This is Dian's most ambitious project to date.Dian is now in New York’s Pratt Institute attending a seven-week course on Sustainable Designs.

It cost quite a sum to be enrolled in one of the premier design school for interior design and architecture in the United States but money is no problem for Dian. She has also brought along her toddler son Jedi and his nanny with her.

The Bluwater project will be focused on four aspects, according to Dian, 'water, energy, landscape and waste management'. Environmental Resources Management Ltd, a provider of environmental consulting services, has been appointed to help in designing Bluwater.

All the 1,000-odd households will have solar heaters. The use of bicycles and buggies to go to the clubhouse instead of cars will be encouraged.

Rainwater harvesting will also be a common feature for all owners. There are plans to keep the lake as clear and clean as possible for water sports.

“We will spend RM2mil on trees and a lot more on landscaping to make this place as green as we can. We will also encourage better waste management, essentially the reuse, recycle and reduce concept with different bins for different types of waste. Our sewage system will not be linked to the lake.” says Dian.

While I am still dreaming of an ideal and sustainable home, here is someone already going to built not one but more than a thousand.

Well,friends,don't forget to incorporate the ideal home characteristices when you design your new home.Let us all contribute to prolonging life on Earth.

Solar Air conditioners

One does no longer need to feel guilty using air conditioners to cool down during hot weather spells now that a local company has come out with a solar cooling air conditioners.

RACHAEL KAM's article in the Business section of Saturday Star is welcome news for people seeking to save on their electricity bills.

It was reported that Solar District Cooling Sdn Bhd (SDC) – has introduced an environmental-friendly and cost-saving solar cooling system.

Established six months ago, the company is eyeing Cyberjaya as its first location to build a solar district cooling plant to power the air-conditioners at the corporate offices and residential homes in the area.

SDC managing director Chan Jian Wen says the company spent about a year on research and development to come out with the system.

After Cyberjaya, the company is targeting hospitals, district councils, airports as well as the Iskandar region in Johor Baru to introduce the solar cooling system.

It is believed that SDC is the first company in Malaysia involved in the solar air-conditioner system business.

The new solar cooling system is initially targeted at corporate clients with roof top space. Next will housing developers.

It is reported that the absorption chiller being used in the solar cooling system only needs about 5% of the energy required for a normal chiller. A lot of electricity is saved by using the solar cooling system. As 60% of a normal office and home electricity consumption goes to air conditioning, the savings would be very substantial.

As I have commented in earlier posts, it only needs the public sector to show the way. Once the government accepts and uses solar technology on a large scale, the private sector will follow siut. Demand is thus created and the technology will be cheaper based on economies of scale.

I just hope that the SDC's technology really works. The future will be so much better for all of us if it does.

Property Players Go Green Too

Green is the way to go for industry players, was one of the headlines in the Star (business) on Saturday, 23rd May.

The Green Building Index (GBI), Malaysia’s very own certification scheme for sustainable buildings, was officially launched on Thursday. This is part of the efforts initiated to green the property industry.

The GBI, developed by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and Association of Consulting Engineers (ACEM), will encourage developers of housing and commercial projects to adopt environment-friendly features such as energy-efficient elements, rain harvesting and conservation of original land form and vegetation.

It is noted that although the cost of developing a green building may be more than that of a conventional building, maintaining and operating it would be cheaper in the long run.

If a building is constructed with the right green designs and features, energy costs could be reduced by 50%, which is a substantial saving as energy easily makes up 25% of a building’s operating cost. Together with other forms of savings, green buildings can cut operating costs by about 60%.

GREATER adoption and use of environment-friendly planning techniques, designs and “green” materials in property projects will go a long way towards promoting green practices in the country.

Rather than depending on legislation to make it mandatory for industry players to incorporate pro-environment design features in their projects, it will be more effective if industry players voluntarily adopt green and environment-friendly designs and concepts in their projects.

The Government’s initiative to ensure new government buildings feature energy-saving and other pro-environment measures is a good start to promote the green culture among property industry players.

It Rained but only Slightly

Today was a bit better. All praise to the Almighty for relieving us of the torturous heat.

After a loud clap of thunder and lightning this afternoon, I thought a thunderstorm was brewing.

But, alas, the rain was only a slight drizzle. But it was enough to cool the atmosphere.

Looking on the positive side, the hot weather is ideal for people who are renovating their homes. It is also good to wash your clothes as it will dry in the shortest time. Would you believe that in Mekah, a wet towel, hand washed, could dry in 10 minutes during the hot weather? Well, I experienced it during the hottest summer of 1987 while performing the Haj pilgrimage.

Anyway, we have to make the most of the situation. Drink plenty of plain water, filtered or boiled. Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day and eat less spicy food. Cold salads are great.

We only have ourselves to blame for the global warming phenomenon we are facing now. It needs a lot of education and change of attitude for the common man and a lot of political will for nations to combat this phenomenon.

It is HOT, really HOT

The past few nights have been really hot. My bedroom is like a hot oven. Normally, I could sleep with the fan switched to level one and got up in the morning with a leg cramp because it was too cold.

The noon temperature in downtown Kuala Lumpur was 40 degrees C. Just like Mekah or Madinah in Saudi Arabia! Our trip to PJ for lunch left us dehydrated and exhausted.

I am told that it is the South West Monsoon that is causing the heat wave. And it is expected to last until September.God help us.Our electric bill is going to escalate because we can no longer sleep without the air conditioners.

If our home which is normally cool is now hot, what about those people whose houses are normally hot? Perhaps it is time to design more environment friendly and cooler homes and not make more heat sinks. Time to read more on green buildings.

New Regulations for Garbage Disposal

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/4/29/central/3782260&sec=central

Beginning June, 1st 2009 the Kuala Lumpur City Hall will make it mandatory for all households in Kuala Lumpur to have 2 garbage bins. One for organic and the other for inorganic materials. This is very interesting. As my house in just a few metres away from the City Hall boundaries, it does not come under City Hall's purview. Thus, I am not directly affected.

I am happy to note that Alam Flora, the Solid Waste Management Company, will provide the 2 bins. It only needs a little initiative for you to separate your garbage. Failure to do so will result in your garbage being left uncollected. As Alam Flora only collects your garbage, it is up to City Hall to enforce the ruling. I can only imagine the wrath of the people when they discover that their garbage is not being collected and dogs and cats having a field day foraging through them.

In the meantime, it is up to City Hall to send fliers to educate City folks on the new ruling.

For those who are still in the dark on how to identify between organic and inorganic waste; here's some tips:

Organic wastes are those that rots and turns bad very fast naturally. In a normal household, it include kitchen wastes from food preparations:

• vegetable scraps; stalks and leaves
• fruit peelings (banana skins, potato skins, etc)
• onion peelings,
• egg shells

Inorganic Wastes are:

• styrofoam containers
• plastic materials
• disposable diapers
• aluminium tins
• steel cans
  
• leather shoes
• stockings
• clothes
• newspapers
  

Inorganics, except for styrofoams and certain plastics and used diapers and sanitary pads, can also be recycled if there are separated and sent to Alam Flora collection centres.

Once the new ruling sets in full swing, most of the garbage problem in Kuala Lumpur can be solved with every one's cooperation. Some cities in the US have made it compulsory for its citizens to separate their garbage. It is now up to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to lead the way in Malaysia so that other cities will follow soon.

For Kuala Lumpur, the scarcity of land for landfill within its borders is a serious problem. It cannot continue to rely on neighbouring States to provide land for it to dispose the garbage discarded by KLites.

City Hall already has a composting facility. Thus, the organic wastes from homes together with the city's garden wastes can be used as raw material feedstock for this facility. This is short of getting the city dwellers to make their own compost themselves.

I can hardly wait for Alam Flora to get the Selangor local government authorities to follow City Hall's initiative. Complying the separation of garbage ruling is no problem for me, as I am already selling my inorganics to Alam Flora and composting my organics. In fact, the local authority should give me a rebate for not contributing so much garbage to their landfill.

Green Technology

Now that Malaysia has a Ministry in charge of Green Technology, we need to understand what Green Technology is.

Wikipedia defines Green Technology as similar to Environment Technology or Clean Technology. This technology advocates sustainable development. As I have pointed before, the keyword to anything nowadays is sustainability. Sustainability involves the ability to maintain our natural resources so that they last forever, theoretically.

Sustainability is defined as the ability to meet the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources. In short, present needs are satisfied without compromising the ability of our children’s generations to meet their own needs.

Activities that can promote sustainability are:

Recycling

Water Purification

Sewage Treatment

Environmental Remediation

Effluent Gas Treatment

Solid Waste Management

Renewable energy

Basically we need technologies that conserve energy or change consumption patterns to help reduce consumption as well as reduce the amount of waste produced by human activities.

Renewable energy sources include wind energy and solar energy which are also clean, i.e. they do not pollute the atmosphere like coal and petroleum do.Renewable energy can also be harnessed from the waste generated from agricultural activities. This is also called biomass energy. Developed nations like Japan and Scandinavia are currently keen to help the Malaysian and Indonesian palm oil industry adopt the Clean Development Mechanism by converting the palm oil waste to biogas and compost. CDM activities provide additional sources of income for palm oil millers. The solid (empty fruit bunches) and liquid waste (effluent) both of which could be efficiently processed could lead to a sustainable development of various CDM projects in the mill.

Composting enables palm mills to achieve zero waste management as both the Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) are converted to useful income generating by-products. The resulting organic compost could one day prove to be a more environment friendly and effective substitute to petroleum based fertilizer in the plantations.

Converting Biomass to energy is another green technology.In countries like India, the biogas is utilized as cooking gas.

Thus Green Technology also include:

Energy from alternative fuels

The urgent development of alternative fuels, is needed as a new means of generating energy and energy efficiency.

A substantial reduction of greenhouse gases is also possible, by using unleaded gasoline, biodiesel, solar energy, and alternative fuel vehicles, including plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles.

Green building

Green building encompasses everything from the choice of building materials, energy conservation, and to the location of the building.

Environmentally preferred purchasing

The government should also encourage innovation that involves the search for products with contents and methods of production that have the smallest negative impact on the environment, and should, by regulation be preferred in use for government projects.

Green chemistry

All invention, design and application of chemical products and processes must reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances that is not environment friendly.

Green nanotechnology

Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the scale of the nanometer, one billionth of a meter. The adoption of nanotechnology will transform the way that everything in the world is manufactured.

“Green nanotechnology” is the application of green chemistry and green engineering principles to this field.

At Last The Government Goes Green too

At last a Ministry called The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is born in Malaysia.I don't know the specific areas being monitored by each ministry but I think the other Ministries; Science, Technology and Innovation, Natural Resources and Environment, and Plantation Industries and Commodities, all could do with adopting green technology themselves. The problem in our small country is often that the Ministries overlap each other in their functions. It could be good in the sense that no one is monopolising everything which leads to corrupt practices. It could also lead to confusion to the various government agencies and to the public at large as to whom to turn too when they face a problem. They may have to go to so many places before a solution is found.

Anyway, green is the way forward for a sustainable Malaysia. I can live with that.

Earth Hour Malaysia

It is great to see that many offices have adopted the Earth Hour as a regular habit .I walked into an office at lunch time yesterday and it was quite dark as most of the staff has gone out to lunch.

Everyone should learn that by a simple act of clicking off the switch,you not only save on your electric bill but do your small part to save the world as well.

The electricity company TNB (Tenaga Nasional Bhd) reported that electricity consumption dipped by 550MW during Earth Hour on Saturday.This was equivalent to 14 million 40-watt fluorescent bulbs. The equivalent in Ringgit was not indicated. TNB's short term loss is our gain.

Ironically, as soon as the Earth Hour was over, most people went back to their normal consumption patterns. It is back to switching on the air conditioners, fans and television and computer sets and watching football all night.

Perhaps Malaysians prefer regular campaigns to make green living a normalcy.Over to you....................Maya Karin, Reshmonu, and all the celebrities gang.