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Henry Finch

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Think Big, Shop Small

Small businesses are the engine that drives the local economy. They employ people from the surrounding community. These people can then buy goods and services, saving more money locally. More money supply allows municipalities to maintain vital infrastructure. Local non-profit organizations also benefit and contribute to improving the quality of life for everyone. Learn more about the impact of shopping small and local with the following resource:

 

This infographic was created by House of Webster, shop corporate food gifts

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Florida’s Largest Utility Donated and Conspired Against Solar Power

It has been revealed that Florida’s largest utility conspired to stop Florida’s solar power. Tampa Bay Times reports Florida Power & Light, the nation’s largest utility company, has been working with state legislators to stop the growth of the solar industry.

What Is the Bill?

Net metering allows Florida solar users to return excess solar energy to the utility at full retail electricity rates. This has been possible since 2008.

This bill aims to change that. Net metering is no longer possible. It would severely penalize solar users. This would limit the growth of Florida’s solar industry, which is one of our shining stars.

Why Are Utilities So Scared?

  • Clean and solar energy is the future. Utility companies are quickly learning this fact.
  • Utilities make their money by building things, such as large power plants or power lines. Solar power from homeowners’ roofs is not a source of income for utilities, and that’s a problem.
  • They are also learning quickly that they must adapt to cleaner energy sources.
  • Florida’s net metering program allows properties producing less than 2 megawatts of solar power to sell their excess energy back to the utility, for a credit of 11 cents per kWh.
  • According to the U.S Energy Information Administration, Florida’s solar sector grew by 57 percent in 2020.
  • Florida is home to the 2nd largest solar workforce in America, with more than 11,000 direct jobs and 31,000 indirect jobs.

Expert Solar Installations in Florida

Contact us today if you are interested in solar investment, upgrading an existing system, or have any other questions about solar power in FL! ESD Solar is Sunshine State’s leading solar power company and would love to save you thousands of dollars in 2022 through solar tax credits and financing.

This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the top solar panel companies in Florida! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!

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Best Lawn and Irrigation Pumps

There’s a pump for any job and the best way to get water where you need it, in an outdoor area, is to use lawn & irrigation pumps that you can use quickly and easily without a large monetary investment. These pumps are made to move the water over large distances and irrigate any type of terrain that you happen to have in front of you.

These pumps are typically smaller than other pumps and easier to both install and use when you have to hydrate a large area of land. They’re engineered to work simply and that’s going to increase their life expectancy so they last as long as you need to use them. It’s the best decision that you can make for a lawn or irrigation job.

Types of Irrigation Pumps

There are a few different types of irrigation pumps that you can check out to make sure that you’re getting the best one to suit your specific needs and environment. The most common type is an above-ground centrifugal pump that you can set up anywhere. There are also deep-well turbines when your water is coming from a below-ground source that you have to bring to the surface.

Another great option is to use a submersible pump that will move water, no matter how deep it happens to be or where it is. Simply submerse your water pump in the water source you have and it will move the water to the areas where you want it to go. It doesn’t get any easier than that and you never have to worry about the pump failing because it’s too deep in the source.

Irrigation is Always Necessary

Irrigation has been a constant human need since the species learned to cultivate crops and it’s never going to disappear from the planet. The best thing that you can do is find an easy way to make it happen that doesn’t break the bank for you. You can move any amount of water without investing in a massive water pump that gives you the power you simply don’t need.

Whether it’s commercial irrigation or simple lawn care, a lawn & irrigation pump is the way for you to go. They’re simple to use and are engineered to keep the water flowing. Don’t get taken in by the salesmen who try to sell you on a piece of equipment that you’ll never have to use to its fullest potential.

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Environment

Your Shopping Choices and The Environment

Are you aware of the impact your shopping choices may have on the environment? Here’s a closer look at this issue.

Agriculture is responsible for around half of the world’s habitable land. Wild ecosystems have been replaced by farmland during the last few hundred years as humans have turned to agriculture to provide the food needed to sustain human life. Livestock requires even more land than crops grown for human consumption. Switching to a meat-less diet can help alleviate the demand for livestock dedicated lands.

To learn more about what you can do to help protect the environment, check out the accompanying resource.

The Impact of Groceries from Green Rabbit, a cold chain solutions service
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Why Magnesium Sulphate is Important for Plants

Magnesium sulphate is a by product of magnesium and sulphur. Commonly found in most farming households with the name of Epsom salts, this nutrient is extremely beneficial for the health of plants. Being rich in magnesium, it not only helps in accelerating plants’ growth but also keeping a check on pest infection.

Magnesium sulphate is also important for keeping the soil in good fertile conditions and for the successful cultivation of plants. It also helps inthe growth of plants andtheir cell wall construction. A strong cell wall of plants helps to repel the pests and nematode worms from the plants. Apart from this, magnesium sulphate also takes charge of curing the yellowing of leaves of plants, helping the plant to bear fruits and flowers well.

Why Do We Require Magnesium Sulphate?

A lack of nutrients in soil results in plants getting infected with various diseases. This lack of nutrients in the soil can be fulfilled with the enrichment of primary elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and secondary elements like magnesium sulphate. The primary element, nitrogen, helps in accelerating plant growth, phosphorus helps in the growth of roots of plants and potassium helps in the flowering of plants. The secondary element magnesium helps in photosynthesis while sulphur activates plants’ enzymes.

Being rich in magnesium, magnesium sulphate helps to protect the plants from slug and snails’ damage. Also, adding a teaspoon of magnesium sulphate to the roots of plants will help the plant to produce more flowers and fruits. Yellowing and curling of the leaves of plants can also be cured by this salt, by spraying a mixture of water and magnesium sulphate on the leaves. In order to resist the leaves from turning yellow, it’s important to use magnesium sulphate on plants once a month. For agricultural farming, it’s important to test the magnesium levels of soil beforehand.

How to Observe Magnesium Deficiency in Plants?

Magnesium deficiency is common in high tunnel crops like tomatoes and fruit-bearing plants. It can also be seen in sandy soils which are easily leached. Unrestrained levels of potassium in soil and fertigation with excessive ammonium nitrate levels can also induce magnesium deficiency.

Being a highly mobile element of plants, a deficiency of magnesium first appears in the lower leaves of plants. The symptoms are more visible in lower leaves because highly mobile magnesium moves to a new growth area of plants. The insufficiency of magnesium may result in interveinal chlorosis in which the veins of the leaf stay green while the other region between turns yellow. Interveinal chlorosis can lead to the death of the tissue of the affected area. However, the dearth of magnesium in plants doesn’t affect the fruits but in cases of severe shortage, it can cause stress on plants leading to reduce the yield of plants.

How to Observe Sulphur Deficiency in Plants?

Sulphur is one of the molecular building blocks for plants and may appear in plant tissues. It helps in maintaining the water equilibrium in plants as well as soil. A shortage of sulphur in plants may result in pale green chlorosis in which veins won’t retain a green colour or may even get paler than the interveinal tissue. A severe deficiency of sulphur in a plant may also result in stunted growth and weak stems accompanied by reduced leaf size and less branching.

Benefits of Magnesium Sulphate for Plants

  1. Natural Pest Deterrent

Magnesium sulphate is a very effective pest deterrent for plants that farmers can vouch for. It is effective in restraining snails and slugs which affect the plants. For general pest control, you just need to mix some magnesium sulphate with water and add it to the foliage. For restraining slugs and snails, you can just add some of the salt to the base of the plant.

  1. Prevent Root Shock

In the case of transplanting seedling and full-grown plants (which needs tender care), roots can become easily stressed, resulting in growth termination. This is known as root shock and may end up wilting or yellowing leaves of the plant. Adding magnesium sulphate in plants may prevent root shock in plants by accelerating the production of chlorophyll and making the plants absorb more nutrients.

  1. Boosts Plant Vibrancy

A mineral deficiency can affect various processes of plants including photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. In cases of mature foliage of plants, a mineral deficiency can result in the curling and yellowing of leaves. Adding a magnesium-rich nutrient to plants in such cases will help in proper nutrient absorption, resulting in the healthy growth of the plants.

  1. Flavour booster of Fruits

The amount of chlorophyll a plant produces is directly linked to the amount of sugar produced by the plant. A plant producing more sugar will naturally bear more flavoured and sweeter fruits. Adding magnesium sulphate to the soil helps the plant to produce more chlorophyll, resulting in a rich yield and more flavorful fruits of plants.

So, these are some of the reasons that make magnesium sulphate important for plants.

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How To Choose The Perfect Garage Door

If you’re unsure of which garage door to buy, you can begin by learning more about the different materials. Listed below are the pros and cons of different types of garage doors. You can use this information to help you choose the best one for your home. In addition to learning about different materials, you can also learn about the advantages of steel doors, aluminum garage doors, faux wood doors, and more. Choosing the right one is crucial to enhancing the look and function of your home.

Wood

There are many styles of garage doors, but one of the most common is the raised panel door. This classic style is easy to customize, with many choices in paint color, decorative accents, and windows. These doors are perfect for homes that reflect the contemporary, clean lines and glass expanses of many modern homes. Wayne Dalton offers designer fiberglass doors, which conceal durable steel construction. For the ultimate curb appeal and style, consider a full-view door.

Steel

The materials that are used for residential garage doors vary. Generally, homeowners opt for steel because of its durability and strength. However, many prefer the natural wood option because it provides a unique look to the home. These types of doors may require some maintenance, but they can greatly improve curb appeal. Here are some tips to choose the right material for your new garage door Dallas. Steel garage doors are more durable than wooden ones. You should also check the prices before you make a decision.

Aluminum

Unlike steel garage doors, aluminum garage doors require little maintenance. They are resistant to corrosion, and they can be installed in coastal areas. While aluminum does have some drawbacks, these doors are still relatively low-priced compared to steel ones. However, premium aluminum doors will be more expensive than standard models. You should consider the type of climate your garage experiences before you make your final decision. You can also find aluminum doors that blend in with the surrounding decor.

Faux wood

If you want to add instant warmth to your home, natural wood garage doors are an excellent choice. However, they require yearly upkeep, including regular refinishing and protection from termites and weather damage. Fortunately, faux wood garage doors offer the same look with lower maintenance requirements. Clopay makes a variety of faux wood doors. Read on to learn how to choose one for your home. Listed below are some of the benefits of faux wood garage doors.

Slab

The bottom portion of the garage door is made of concrete, but if there are gaps or unevenness, it is important to find the cause. Garage door gaps are common, but there are some reasons why they may occur. Poor drainage near the home’s foundation or slab is a common culprit. Poor drainage could cause your garage door slab to move or crack. Here are some tips to avoid such problems. Make sure the foundation and floor of your home are level, or they could be the cause of your garage door gaps.

Windowed

Windowed garage doors are the perfect choice for a number of reasons. First of all, they can provide illumination and warmth to your garage. Moreover, these types of doors can help you cut down on energy bills. Plus, they are easy to install, and you can choose the style that best suits your garage. To know more about this type of garage door, continue reading. We hope this article has been helpful.

Craftsman style

For an elegant yet classic garage door design, choose a Craftsman style garage door. These classic styles have defined lines and equal dimensions and can increase the curb appeal of any home. Craftsman doors are available in different materials, insulation levels, and panel styles to suit any home. They also complement minimalistic and traditional styles perfectly.

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News

The Importance Of Improving Packaging Manufacturing Practices

Packaging sustainability is essential not only to protect the environment and reduce a company’s carbon footprint, but also to better meet consumer demands. In recent years, the market has seen superior materials and more innovative technology come to the fore.

To stay in line with their consumer base and meet sustainability goals, manufacturers in the packaging and container industry must embrace these modernizations. Here is a brief look into the importance of reducing the environmental impact of plastic packaging through cutting-edge practices.

Over the past 60 years, the annual amount of container and packaging waste generated in the U.S. has increased from 27,370 to 82,220 in thousands of tons. The massive upsurge in production largely stemmed from the cost-effectiveness of plastic, as well as its ability to preserve the contents. However, the world has woken up to the hazards of plastic as it continues to fill our oceans, landfills and even the air we breathe.

The call for change is loud and clear. As consumers become better informed of the dangers of plastic, they are driving the trend of environmentally friendly packaging. What’s more, customers are willing to pay extra. According to the 2021 Global Buying Green Report, 83% of consumers aged 44 and younger claim they are willing to pay more for sustainably packaged products.

Strong convictions such as these are proving to have a powerful impact on manufacturers globally. In fact, the sustainable packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.03% annually, reaching $349 billion by 2026.

How can packaging manufacturers meet this demand? One approach is a holistic overhaul. After conducting thorough audience and market research, a company can develop robust strategies that are designed to satisfy end-users and suppliers.

Brands are also experimenting with inventive packaging formats and assessing their appeal through consumer testing. Such investigation has led to more sustainable end products and less waste generation.

For instance, a Canadian company has developed compostable pouches using films which are 100% home compostable, rather than standard soft plastic. The manufacturing process for these packages involves digital printing equipment. It is reported to generate as much as 75% less waste than conventional packaging manufacturing.

Another package design innovation involves cartons and the machinery used to produce them. Constructed to reduce head space and carton size, these advanced cartoners are able to produce a container that can deliver more product to the end user in less packaging. The result is more efficient output and an overall smaller carbon footprint.

Making the decision to improve practices and strive toward sustainable packaging is good for the environment, brand identity and for the consumer. For more information on meeting sustainability goals in packaging production, please see the accompanying resource.

Infographic provided by R.A Jones, experts on packaging equipment
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How To Make Your Food Last Longer

For many bustling households in American, the grocery store is a staple in their routines. Consider how many times you find yourself at your local grocers. How many times have you found yourself between the aisles or at check-out? Is it once every couple of days? Once a week or maybe even once a month? Many families go grocery shopping once a week. Unfortunately, families trash their food as much as they buy it. So, how do we fix this problem?

Track & Plan

Spoilage is the number one cause for food waste. To avoid it, take note of what specific food products you’re throwing out and how often. This is a great way to learn of any particular patterns or habits you may have. Additionally, make sure to calculate and compare the total money you spent at the store versus you throw out to the bin. What percentage of your spending is going to waste? Do you have a tendency to overbuy at the grocers or are you simply buying the wrong food products?

After tracking your habits, plan a weekly menu to better prepare yourself when you go to the stores next time. This will help prevent future impulsive purchases and overbuying. Many families find that it’s a great way to establish new routines, healthy habits, and possibly trying out new meals.

If you find yourself with leftovers at the end of the week, add it to a compost heap if you have one. It’s a fantastic way to recycle past meals. Another possible option is freezing any leftovers that you know you won’t be able to eat right away.

Utilizing The Latest Technology

Another alternative method to reducing food waste in your home involves some technology. Consider upgrading your fridge for more effective and clean refrigeration. However, if that option is too costly, you can also purchase and install a purification system to add to your current fridge. Some of the latest systems use ozone technology along with ionization to reduce any lingering ethylene. As a result, your produce ends up lasting longer than without it.

To learn more about how you can make your food last longer while decreasing potential food waste, check out the resource below for more information.

Infographic provided by GreenTech Environmental
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Environment

5 Reasons Plastic Is So Hard to Replace

It is pretty chic to hate plastic these days. If you are a politician, it is incredibly easy to target manufacturers for financial penalties in order to make it appear as though you’re concerned enough about the environment to eliminate plastic. If you are a consumer, it is easy to blame plastic for all the environmental ills you see around you. But if plastic is as bad as it’s made out to be, why has it survived for so long?

Few would argue that careless waste disposal is a good thing. Few would argue that we should just throw our plastic trash wherever it’s most convenient. Plastic waste doesn’t belong in waterways or city sewers. But at the same time, plastic doesn’t qualify as the world’s biggest evil just because human beings don’t want to make the effort to dispose of it properly.

At any rate, plastic has survived because it is extremely hard to replace. Here are five reasons explaining why:

1. It’s Lightweight

One of plastic’s chief advantages over other manufacturing materials is its weight. It is extremely light compared to other options. Moreover, manufacturers don’t have to compromise on durability and integrity. A plastic food container is just as durable as a glass one, maybe more so when you consider how easily glass shatters. In terms of weight and strength, plastic is tough to beat.

2. It’s Cheap to Produce

Manufacturers are more than happy to make extensive use of plastic because it’s cheap to produce. We already harvest crude oil to produce gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products. We might just as well turn some of that crude into plastics. It is fairly easy to do once you have a refinery operational.

By the way, cheap plastics lead to cheap retail prices. That’s big. Your average consumer isn’t willing to pay significantly more at retail just to get non-plastic packaging.

3. It’s Easy to Work With

Next up, plastic is easy to work with. It can be molded into just about any shape. Furthermore, you can do something with plastic that you can’t do with glass, paper, and other materials: vacuum seal it. Vacuum sealing is one of the reasons that plastic is so popular as a food packaging material.

4. It Can Be Recycled

The fact that most of the world’s plastics end up in landfills is not the fault of plastic itself. The blame lies in how we use plastic. The material is very recyclable, as evidenced by companies like Tennessee-based Seraphim Plastics. Seraphim makes a tidy profit recycling industrial scrap plastic in seven states.

What makes industrial plastic recycling commercially viable is process. If we applied the same process to consumer plastics, recycling them would be just as viable.

5. Technology Depends on It

Even if all the other reasons for keeping plastic around were not enough to support it, this last reason can carry plastic all by itself: modern technology relies on it. Get rid of plastic and you also have to get rid of your cell phone, computer, and nearly all the other consumer electronics you take for granted. Ditto for electric vehicles and gasoline-powered cars with high mileage ratings. Steel and aluminum just won’t cut it.

A lot of people complain about plastic. They call for its complete elimination without thinking about the implications thereof. But a world without plastic would be a very different world.

Commercially viable plastics have been around since the early 20th century. In other words, it has been more than a hundred years since plastic came on the scene. It is not going away any time soon.

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Understanding E-Waste and its Challenges

What is e-waste?

E-waste is a term used to describe the waste stream generated by electronic products. It includes old televisions, computers, microwaves, and anything else you might have in your office that plugs into an electrical outlet.

This could include items such as printers or even rechargeable batteries for electronics. What are some reasons why I should care about e-waste? You may ask yourself what type of impact this has on the environment, but you also need to think about how it impacts business productivity. The more time employees are spending looking through rubbish bins for paper-clips or dealing with broken copiers, means less work getting done. This puts companies at risk when trying to keep up with their competitors.

How can companies address e-waste?

The first step is to set up recycling stations around your office with bins for paper, batteries, and other standard waste products. Having these recyclable items placed in an open area where they can be easily accessed will encourage employees to use them instead of throwing everything away at the same time.

Incentivise recycling through a reward system where you give back points, money, or other perks when an item has been recycled and responsibly disposed of. Reward systems are a powerful way to encourage behaviour that aligns with company values – in this case, responsible waste disposal practices. Once again, donating the funds collected from these rewards would be another good option here too! You could also offer incentives such as discounts on products or services if they bring in certain items (e-waste).

What options are available for e-waste?

There are many options for what you can do with e-waste once it is collected. Electronics contain valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver, recovered through proper recycling methods. For example, some of these metals could go towards producing new products like mobile phones or laptops! This means less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from mining activities to create a brand new product, so this is another way that small business owners can protect the environment while remaining sustainable at their own company. For most businesses office waste can be collected by a commercial waste disposal company that offer wheelie bins to dispose of  both paper and electronic waste.

Impact of e-waste on the environment

As the amount of e-waste increases, so makes the threat it poses to human health and the environment. Toxins in electronics can leak into soil and groundwater, affecting food sources and ecosystems worldwide. The UNEP states: “…e-Wastes contain a large number of hazardous substances which may pose potential risks to human beings and wildlife if inappropriately handled…the recycling process itself also generates waste streams [and] greenhouse gases”. Inappropriate handling practices result in toxic by-products when these products are broken down during recycling.

E-waste is one example of waste that can end up being harmful to humans. To learn more on the dangers of radiation in waste and recycling, please see the resource below.

Infographic provided by truck weight scales experts, Kanawha Scales & Systems

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