THE ENVIRONMENT ASK FOR HELP!

Original title: O Meio Ambiente Copyright Š 2020 by Pontal, Marcos. ISBN: 9798619051001

Pede

Socorro!

The contents of this book may be reproduced only with the disclosure of the source. Cover: Marcos Alexandre Machado (Marcos Pontal). Author review: Marcos Alexandre Machado and Roseli LaurĂŞncia Souza Machado.

All rights reserved, by Marcos Alexandre Machado. Rua Fernando Costa, 278 - Vila Adelaide de Freitas 14180 - 000 - Pontal - SP Tel .: (16) 3953-2844 - Watsaap: + 5598107-9175 E-mail: marcosmachado@visaoespiritual.com.br Website: www.velivros.visaoespiritual.com.br

SUMMARY Preface............................................................................ 4 Chapter 1 - Recycling ..................................................... 6 Chapter 2 - Other recyclable products ......................... 40 Chapter 3 - Transforming garbage into fertilizer ......... 125 Chapter 4 - Slurry Treatment ...................................... 134 Chapter 5 - Renewable fuels ...................................... 145 Chapter 6 - Renewable Energies ............................... 157 Chapter 7 - Preservation of trees ............................... 171 Chapter 8 - Examples of Sustainability ...................... 186 Chapter 9 - Conservation of rivers ............................. 208 Chapter 10 - Water reuse ........................................... 214 Chapter 11 - Ecological products ............................... 223 Chapter 12 - Biodegradable and Green Plastic ......... 238 Afterword .................................................................... 247 About Author ........................................... ................... 248 Thanks......................................................................... 250 Bibliography................................................................. 251

PREFACE – 4

PREFACE The garbage in the world increases every year, and the expectation that by 2030 it will increase about 70%, will increase from 1.3 billion tons to 2.2 billion tons by the year 2025, according to the Program's estimates United Nations Environment Agency (UNEP). For the entity's specialists, waste management and the correct disposal of materials is becoming more and more essential for the world to move towards sustainable development. Something has to be done, there is no way to continue in the same way, we must, take action to improve it, I will quote them all here.

CHAPTER 1

RECYCLING

RECYCLING - 6

We all produce waste, but not everyone knows how long it takes to decompose, paper takes 3 to 6 months, fabrics from 6 months to 1 year, cigarette filter over 5 years, painted wood over 13 years, nylon more than 20 years, metal more than 100 years, aluminum more than 200 years, plastic more than 400 years, glass more than 1000 years, Styrofoam 150 years and rubber indefinitely. With so much garbage produced in the world, we must do something to change, but there is a solution, I will explain. Get to know each material below and learn how to take care of each garbage. Paper The paper can be reused in many

ways,

many

reuse

materials

that

printers were

printed wrong, and instead of throwing them away, they Image: www.ecycle.com.br

make a block of paper notes, this is very common

RECYCLING - 7

throughout Brazil. Only 37% of the paper produced goes to recycling in Brazil, 80% is destined for making packaging, 18% for sanitary papers and only 2% for printing. There is another destination as discovered by the students of the ColĂŠgio Estadual Governador Luiz Viana Filho, in Guanambi (BA), discovered that the paper can be used as fertilizer, if placed in the right amount, the cellulose of the paper inhibits the growth of fungi and does not leave ants and caterpillars arrive at the plant, water thrown at the plant if it has paper, the paper absorbs water and keeps the plant moist for longer, a great discovery by Brazilians. The other way to use it is recycling, the first step is the correct separation of the products, in order to avoid contamination by staples, clips, rubber bands, paints, among others. The collection of old paper can be mandatory or voluntary.

The

first,

practiced

by

hypermarkets,

publishers, printers and state institutions, produces better qualities of paper, because it presents itself

RECYCLING - 8

little

contaminated

and

easily

located.

Voluntary

collection presents major problems. Generally, this paper presents a greater contamination, due to the incorrect separation of the material deposited on the cardboard. To improve this separation, greater investment in training will be needed, aimed at civil society, as an awareness campaign on recycling. We need to recycle in order to reduce the consumption of valuable natural resources and the amount of waste in landfills. After collection, the paper is selected, in order to remove hazardous materials for the equipment or manufacturing process (metals, cords, glass) and unsuitable elements (for example, sulfurized, waxed or paraffined paper). The efficiency of this operation will be decisive for the future formation of the lots. The classification of old paper is made according to its quality, origin and presence of tolerated materials, according to European standards. Then, they are crushed, in predetermined dimensions, of some batches of paper, such as magazines,

RECYCLING - 9

newspapers and shavings. The final operations of the selective collection process correspond to baling and selling the old paper to the recycling plants, which will process it, ready to be reused. The industrial process of processing used paper is similar to virgin manufacturing, the former being less intensive. Paper recycling is achieved through the use of cellulose fibers in used papers. The paper can be manufactured exclusively with secondary fibers (100% recycled) or incorporate sheet paste. The fibers can only be recycled five to seven times, so obtaining recycled paper sometimes involves adding some amount of virgin sheet pulp to replace degraded threads. Disaggregation or maceration is the mixing of used paper with water, in order to weaken the bonds between the fibers. Purification and washing, aim to eliminate contaminants; it is made in sieves and washed through plastic screens, in which the size of the net decreases in successive stages;

RECYCLING – 10

Dispersion is intended, at this stage, to decrease the size of existing contaminants. Temperatures from 50 ° C to 125 ° C are used to dissolve the contaminants, which are then dispersed; De-inking, consists of removing the paint particles adhering to the fiber surface; Bleaching is used for most recycled products, de-inking is sufficient to obtain an adequate degree of whiteness; however, of high quality the degree of whiteness of the pastes is lower than desired, so bleaching is still done, using products such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide. After the paste is made, it is fed into the machine. Of paper, to be transformed into sheets, which will give rise to the most varied products, such as napkins and toilet paper. With 25% of the physical composition of Solid Urban Waste, paper and cardboard products, recycling allows free space in landfills for other non-recyclable materials and products. Also in terms of energy, this process is beneficial, as it consumes less water and energy (240 kWh per ton of

RECYCLING - 11

secondary fiber versus 1000 kWh per ton of virgin fiber). At the level of waste produced, the sludge resulting from the effluents can, in some cases, be used as fertilizers for agriculture. Cement bags Simple process, recycling of cement

bags

environment

protects and

the

generates

income, both on the packaging image: jarinu.sp.gov.br

paper (which can become a purse), and in the leftover cement, which can become sculptures. Civil construction is a major consumer of materials and a large waste generator. The idea is to make sustainable development possible in combination with the solution of the social problem of housing, which is not new and even has a special category in the Recycling Sector. The challenges of civil construction, in reducing the environmental impact of its activity, are enormous, but one of its residues can have new uses with little effort

RECYCLING – 12

and investment. The paper that packs the cement bag is of good quality, so it can be turned into paper or cardboard again. The cement bag is classified as KRAFT III, in a large list of paper categories, so it is good not to mix it with other types, as well the value of other paper chips is preserved. If recycling of this waste is feasible, it must be carry out an awareness and sensitization work that involves all the links of civil construction, from cement manufacturers and construction companies, to the bricklayer assistant. The recycling process is quite simple. After the bag has been cut correctly, so as not to spoil or spread small paper residues (in addition to not wasting cement), the packages must be separated from the other residues and washed in a rainwater tank, for example. After drying, the paper should be stored until it reaches the largest possible volume. Recyclers buy tons of paper. The sludge obtained from washing the paper can be transformed into sculptures. It is important to have a broad view and reuse whatever is possible. The same water can be used over and over again.

RECYCLING - 13

It is also worth mentioning the successful initiative of Minas Gerais stylist RogĂŠrio Lima, who launched a collection, ranging from maxi bags to wallets, all made of cement bags. Combined with fabrics and metal or varnished pieces, the bags illustrate the concern with recycling. The vast majority of waste is recyclable, but sometimes it is not recycled because it is contaminated and mixed. With willpower, we transform waste into wealth. With the blessings of God. Iron Metallurgy and recycling have

been

confused

throughout history, as scrap is generally the most common raw material foundry, there are Image: www.pensamentoverde.com.br

no there are also quality losses in the process. Metals are widely used in equipment, structures, packaging, etc. Due to its high durability, resistance and ease of

.RECYCLING – 14 conformation. Scrap is magnetically separated into ferrous and nonferrous and also in: • Heavy scrap: usually found in “Junkyards” (beams, equipment, plates, grates, etc.). • Process scraps: chips, chips and burrs, as well as defective parts that return to the industrial process. • Obsolescence scraps: discarded materials after consumption. Chromium is used to coat cans and various metallic artifacts. Zinc and nickel are also used to coat metallic artifacts. Steel is an alloy of iron with coal and very low amounts of other metals (molybdenum, chromium, nickel, tungsten, niobium, etc.). Depending on this other metal, we have different steel categories. Generally, ferrous metals are sent to smelting plants,

RECYCLING - 15

where the scrap is placed in electric or oxygen furnaces, heated to 1550 degrees centigrade. After reaching the melting point and reaching a liquid state, the material is molded into billets and metal plates, which will be cut in the form of steel. The scrap takes only a day to be reprocessed and transformed again into steel sheets used by various industrialized automobile manufacturers to canned factories. It can be concluded that the benefits of recycling metals are: Mineral savings, energy savings, water savings, increased service life of dumps, reduction of areas degraded by the ore extraction, reduction of pollution and generation

of

jobs

and

economic

resources

for

intermediaries. Aluminum Due to its physicalchemical

properties

and

because it is widely used, it generates a good financial

RECYCLING - 16

Image: www.vgresiduos.com.br

return nancial for companies specialized. The aluminum recycling process consists of reusing aluminum to make new products. Which is much cheaper and consumes much less energy than producing aluminum using bauxite. Aluminum can be recycled both from scraps and leftovers

from

the

production

process.

Recycled

aluminum can be obtained from window frames, automotive components, appliances, beverage cans, among others. Whenever we talk about recycling the first thought we have is aluminum being recycled. What reinforces its vocation for recycling are its characteristics that it allows infinitely without losing its properties. Aluminum can be recycled both from scraps generated by discarded products and from leftovers from the production process. Household items, beverage cans, window frames, components automotive, among others, can be cast and employed again in manufacturing again products.

RECYCLING - 17

In Brazil, aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled, due to the price paid for the material used. ABAL, the Brazilian Aluminum Association, estimates that in about 60 days an aluminum can returns to the consumer. That is, it can be purchased, used, collected, recycled, packaged and returned to the shelves for consumption. The aluminum recycling process is much cheaper and consumes less energy than the production of this metal. In order to recycle it, it is necessary to separate the aluminum waste (cans and other aluminum materials), which they have already been used and discarded, they are sent for recycling. At this stage of the process, it is essential that selective collection programs are implemented, since it separates organic waste from recyclable waste. In the next step, all impurities are separated from the material that will be recycled. In the 3rd stage, the aluminum residue is perforated and reduced to be cast. After cleaning and perforating, the residue is melted at 700 °C. In this casting process, the aluminum is melted

RECYCLING – 18

and the product generated is liquid aluminum. Liquid aluminum is made into ingots or aluminum sheets. These products are sold to industries that manufacture aluminum products and packaging. Thus, the material returns to the production chain. It is also worth mentioning that the aluminum recycling process is much cheaper and consumes less energy than the primary production of this metal (using bauxite mining, which is the raw material). The recycling of aluminum has the following benefits: * Contribution to reduce soil, water and air pollution, protecting the environment; * Improves the cleanliness of the city and the quality of life of the population; * Extending the useful life of landfills, a less waste will be disposed of; * Improves the production of organic compounds;

RECYCLING - 19

* Generation of jobs and income for the non-qualified population with the sale of recyclables; * Stimulating competition, since products generated from recycled materials are marketed in parallel with those produced from virgin raw materials; * Contribution to the enhancement of public cleaning and to form an ecological conscience. As it does not damage the metal structure, recycling aluminum allows the recycled material to be reused in the production of any product with the same level of quality as aluminum produced by mining. The characteristics of the recycle allowed its use in the packaging industries, thus encouraging companies that produce laminates and sheets of paper aluminum. They are also used in other large consumer markets, such as in the manufacture of packaging for pharmaceutical products, hygiene and cleaning, beverages and food. They can also have other uses, such as in the chemical industry, ferroalloy, mining, explosives,

RECYCLING – 20

refractories,

pigments,

solid

rocket

fuels,

resins,

exothermic welds, gas cylinders, antacid medications, abrasives, automobiles, among many others. Therefore, we conclude that recycling aluminum is an important part of its life cycle. The more the amount of recycled material increases, the more emissions caused by the melting of the used metal are minimized. The source of the aluminum waste is wide. They can be airplanes,

automobiles, bicycles, boats,

computers,

household appliances, cables and cans. Plastic Plastic is one of the most used products in the Actual society. When discarded by people and companies, it can go through a image: www.plasticotransforma.com.br

recycling process that guarantees its reuse in the production of recycled plastic. Recycled plastic has almost all common characteristics. Recycling is extremely important for the environment.

RECYCLING – 21

When we recycle or buy recycled it, we are contributing to the environment, as this material stops going to landfills or to nature, polluting rivers, lakes, soil and forests. We must also remember that recycling generates income for thousands of people in Brazil who work mainly in companies and cooperatives of collectors and recyclers of recycled materials. One of the most important steps in the plastic recycling process is the separation

and

selective

collection

of

plastic.

In

companies, condominiums and other places there are spaces for the disposal of plastic. This is an extremely positive and ecologically correct. PET

(polyethylene

terephthalate)

packaging

recycling. In the last decades, the industries, mainly. Of drinks and food, are replacing packaging glass and PET plastic cans. Because they are more resistant and economical, PET is present in the packaging of juices, water, oils and

RECYCLING – 22

soft drinks. When PET began to be used, it was not recycled and its disposal in nature caused a lot of

dirt

and

environmental

pollution. Currently, PET recycling is practiced on a large scale by cooperatives companies.

and The

recycling PET

recycling process goes through Image: cristalpetembalagens.com.br

the following steps: PET packaging is washed and undergoes a pressing process; The PET bales are crushed, generating the flakes; The flakes go through an extrusion process, generating the grains; The grains are transformed into polyester threads or other plastic products. Some companies recycle the pet bottle by turning it into a broom and its lid on the hard part broom. Glass We cannot say for sure when the glass was created, but

.

RECYCLING – 23

its revelation is attributed to the Phoenicians

who,

casually

discovered it about four thousand years ago, when they made the bonfires on the beach. What is known, for sure, is that Syrians, Phoenicians

and

Babylonians

already used glass. Image: www.mercadolivre.com.br

In Brazil, the first factory was built in the 19th century lo XVII, in Pernambuco, by artisans. Producing initially windows, glasses and bottles. But it was from the twentieth century that the factories Brazilian glassware began to automate and process on an industrial scale, which was then handcrafted and individually. Glass is a material obtained from the fusion of raw materials, mainly minerals. Cooled to a rigid condition, without crystallizing. It can also be considered a non-porous, common material that resists temperatures up to 150 ° C without deforming its structure. So it can be reused

RECYCLING – 24

several times for the same purpose. Because of its amorphous molecular structure, glass recycling can be done endlessly without losing its original quality. But for this, it must be properly separated into three colors, green, white and brown. In this process, selective collection is of fundamental importance. The glasses are not biodegradable and remain in nature for around ten thousand years. So the disposing of these materials in inappropriate places can be very harmful to the environment. In this way, the best thing to do is to recycle materials made of glass. Check out some advantages of recycling glass * Decrease in the volume of garbage in landfills. * 100% glass reuse; For each ton of recycled glass, 70% less is spent than it would be to make more glass; For each ton of recycled glass, 1.2 tons of raw material are saved. Glass recycling is understood as the process melting of glass waste. For the manufacture of new products, in

RECYCLING – 25

most cases, packaging. Recycled glass is mixed with new raw material, and on average the glass bottles are made up of about 60% recycled glass. Depending on the color, this percentage can still reach 90%. Thus, glass waste is an important source of raw material for the manufacture of new glass packaging. The glass used in packaging is a totally material. Recyclable, so when it comes to glass recycling, especially in the glass industry, the subject has always been a highlight. It gained strength in recent years with large investments made to promote and stimulate the return of glass packaging as a raw material. Glass can be recycled several times, as it is made from minerals such as sand, gum, limestone and feldspar. By adding the shard in the glass melting stage, the removal of raw material from nature is reduced. Glass recycling, in addition to saving a good part of natural resources, also consumes less energy and emits less particulate matter. Compared to the manufacture of glass without the incorporation of shards. It is worth mentioning that with a kilo of glass another kilo of glass is

RECYCLING – 26

made, with zero loss of materials. Other aspects to consider when recycling glass are the lower generation and disposal of solid urban waste, the reduction in urban collection costs and the increase in the useful life of landfills. As in other recycling processes, in glass recycling the value of the recycled material has a direct connection to its purity. Therefore, the initial separation is entrusted to selective collection. In practice, however, the population should mix the glasses. Therefore, the recycling industry must have an efficient separation process. Glass

recycling

is

extremely

important

for

the

environment. When we recycle glass, or buy recycled glass, we are contributing to the environment. This material stops going to landfills or to nature (rivers, lakes, soil, forests). The reuse of glass for the production of new packaging consumes less energy and emits less particulate CO resĂ­duos residues. Thus

contributing

environment.

to

the

preservation

of

the

RECYCLING – 27

Glass recycling is an economically viable activity, becoming an untapped market niche, with great potential for profitability. Recyclable glass categories: * Bottles of juices, soft drinks, beers and other categories of drinks; * Food jars; * Broken glass; * Medicine bottles; * Perfume bottles; * Flat and smooth glasses; * Windshield;

RECYCLING – 28

* Window glass; * Plates, bowls and glasses. After discovering the importance of recycling glass, it's time for you to make a difference! Start separating your glass for recycling. Eraser In

1845,

Charles

Goodyear

invented the tire. Initially, the rubber used was a kind of “sticky” gum, used mainly to waterproof fabrics and with a image: www.petlove.com.br

serious risk of dissolution when exposed to high temperatures. With the need for safety and quality, the development of the tire as a safe and reliable device has undergone several modifications, including the invention of a different kind of rubber: synthetic rubber. In its natural state, the rubber comes from the sap of

RECYCLING – 29

rubber tree (tree originally native to the Amazon). Synthetic

rubber

characteristics

is

very

made similar

from to

petroleum, natural

with

rubber,

except for less heat resistance. In Brazil, of all the rubber produced, 70% is destined exclusively for the production of tires. The other 30% goes to the production of inputs, such as footwear, surgical instruments, condoms, etc. The tire is the main object discarded from the rubber. Composed of 30% synthetic rubber, 10% natural rubber and the other 60% steel and canvas fabrics, the tire is a phenomenon if we consider its numbers: 2 million new tires are manufactured every day, adding up to 730 million tires manufactured per year worldwide. The disposal is also impressive, there are 800 million tires discarded annually worldwide, and in Brazil alone, 17 million tires are discarded annually. Based on these numbers, recycling tires and rubber becomes

paramount,

in

addition

to

the

efficient

contribution to the environment, since it is not known exactly how long the tires take to decompose. In the case of tires, among the many recycling methods, the

RECYCLING – 30

separation of rubber from other items stands out through cuts, then the sieve purification process is done. The chips are then ground and placed in a process of digestion in water vapor, with chemicals capable of vulcanizing the rubber. When compared to the original rubber, the recycled rubber has inferior characteristics, serving to cover leisure areas, sports courts, car mats, glues, inner tubes, shoe soles, cleaning materials, furniture, among others. It is important to remember that the tire can also be retrodden, a process in which new layers of rubber are added to the already “bald� tire. This process is extremely beneficial and economical, as it extends the tire life by 40% and saves 80% of energy. Another important function given to the old tire is its use as energy generation instead of coal and also as decoration for homes and businesses. Copper Copper is 100% recyclable, it is one of the few materials

RECYCLING - 31

that can be recycled and reused without any loss of performance. pledge. difference

There in

is the

also

no

quality

of

recycled copper, known as image: www.ferametais.com.br

secondary,

from

mining,

referred

to

as

primary

production. Copper recycling is an eco-efficient way to bring valuable material back to the economy. The process requires up to 85% less energy than primary production. This represents an annual savings of 100 million kWh of electricity and 40 million tons of CO2 worldwide. Metal recycling helps to meet annual copper demand, preserves valuable natural resources, saves energy and reduces Co² emissions, however, the growing demand for copper will require a combination of raw materials from mines (primary) and recycled materials (secondary). For recycling to be effective, innovation is also necessary in the initial component design (facilitates recovery at the end of its useful life), in social processes (increased recovery) or in industrial

RECYCLING – 32

.

recycling processes (increased overall yields). In parallel with primary copper, regulatory policies should continue to encourage recovery and recycling in industry and in individual actions. Milk boxes Recycling long-life packaging can be difficult, but it is possible. Tetra Pak is the name of a prominent

company

that

produces food packaging, being image: projetocolabora.com.br

the largest supplier of carton packaging in the world. Tetra Pak "became synonymous with" packaging for milk carton (of animal and vegetable origin), soups, juices and other liquid food products. Although Tetra Pak is the brand name, in the language informally, the term "carton pack", "milk carton" or "long life pack". It is increasingly common for products such as tomato pulp, sour cream, juices, coconut water and tea to be

RECYCLING – 33

coated

with

the

same

material,

which

leads

manufacturers like Tetra Pak or SIG Combibloc to develop new sizes and formats for the boxes. The long-life packaging, also called carton pack, has multiple layers and varies according to the food, milk carton, for example, needs six layers. These layers go through a compression process on all the leaves of the different constituents. The composition of the long-life packaging is basically 75% cardboard, two papers joined together without glue, which offer mechanical support and resistance to the packaging; 20% polyethylene (LDPE) films: prevents moisture and direct contact between food and aluminum, in addition to preventing leakage; 5% aluminum: barrier to the entry of light and oxygen. Due to the characteristics mentioned above and being compact, the Tetra Pak packaging, or packaging carton, is a great solution for food preservation, easy to be transported (due to the space and weight of this packaging),

being

manufacturers.

the

main

choice

of

product

RECYCLING – 34

Despite being feasible, recycling the long-life packaging is difficult, as it has several pressed components that have different physical and chemical characteristics, which

makes

their

separation

difficult.

However,

according to the manufacturers, it can still be considered advantageous, as in the case of recycling the long-life milk carton packaging, the separation of its components produces 35% plastic / aluminum compound and 65% cellulosic fiber; One ton of carton packaging produces about 700 kg of paper (which would avoid cutting 21 trees; It provides lower production costs.

.

The recycling process takes place, first, in equipment that mixes the long-life packaging and the water, strongly shaking the mixture for 30 minutes. During this period, the paper fibers in the packaging are separated from the plastic and aluminum layers and, with this, are mixed with water. Then the paper fibers and the water are subjected to a sieve, which separates the two compounds and retains the plastic with the aluminum, allowing the pulp to proceed to the process of reusing and making paper.

RECYCLING – 35

Meanwhile, the plastic and aluminum, still together, are removed from the equipment and taken to other recycling companies specialized in separating these two materials in some cases, they are reused still together. The fibers can be used to make shoe insoles, paper towels, light packaging, corrugated cardboard, egg cartons, white paper and even return as a carton pack again. The plastic and aluminum compound is also being used for the production of various objects, such as the production of tiles, which are waterproof and resistant to bending. According to the association, Business Commitment to Recycling (CEMPRE), there are 20 plants in Brazil specialized in recycling carton packaging. The habit of recycling this packaging, however, is still not strong here. According to the company Datamark, which specializes in providing information on packaging, consumer goods and industrial inputs industries, in 2004, Brazil consumed approximately six million and five hundred thousand flexible packaging, including carton packaging. However, the percentage of carton packaging for recycling was negligible, 16%. In 2008, that number rose to 26.6% and

RECYCLING – 36

in 2011, 27.1% according to CEMPRE. In addition to the packaging that comes directly into contact with the food, the lid of the carton packaging, made of polypropylene plastic, also has recycling. It is important to discard clean recyclable materials in order to prevent the proliferation of diseases, odors, as well how to avoid contamination of recyclable items that are in the same place; because if contamination occurs, recycling the contaminated materials becomes more difficult. Additionally, it makes sense to have the knowledge that these materials are, many times, handled by people in the cooperatives that practice the selection of objects. However, it is very difficult to remove the odor and remnants of milk or other food and drinks from the packaging and jars, which let us spend a considerable amount of water, something unreasonable due to its scarcity as well as the use of treated water, with high quality requirements to be drinkable, obtained at increasingly higher costs, exclusively for this purpose. The milk carton, being made from a mixture of materials with different properties, becomes quite dense, potentially

.

RECYCLING – 37

causing environmental problems if improperly disposed of, as it takes many years to decompose in nature. But, as the milk carton packaging is recyclable, be sure to make the correct destination.

CHAPTER 2 OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS - 39

Fabrics Market projections say that global clothing production will have doubled by 2025 and that volume will have a huge weight for the environment image: ulianabrasil.com.br

environment, since 80% of the fabrics we throw away end up in landfills. It is time to invest in recycling and sustainability as part of innovation in the textile industry. It is estimated that 50 million tonnes of clothing are currently thrown away each year. Fabrics mixed with garbage become a “sponge”, absorbing waste and taking even longer to degrade. In the garments of Brás and Bom Retiro (downtown São Paulo), every day are generated 20 tons of fabric scraps, material that is placed on the sidewalks and collected by trucks with the common garbage. This scenario needs to make clothing and big brands move towards sustainable fabric. Let's follow what some are doing:

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS - 40

The Lenzing company is betting on a fiber called Refibra, made from cellulose containing cotton and wood residues that were left over from production cuts. The new cellulose fiber was launched at the textile fair Première Vision, in Paris. It is one of the first fibers of its kind produced on a commercial scale using a high volume of recycled material. Refibra shows the potential of creating high quality fibers with materials that would normally be wasted during production. The strategic importance of these new fibers is so great that the company has developed an identification system so that customers can be sure that the fiber they have purchased is actually made from recycled material. The system makes it possible to identify the fiber in fabrics purchased from the industry. This ensures greater transparency in the processing chain general. Benetton launches its innovative concept ‘single yarn mesh’. Weaving seamless stitches and using only one roll of yarn allows almost 100% of the original yarn to be used without generating any waste during the manufacturing process. The single yarn concept was

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS - 41

recently launched by the Italian brand. A 130-gram long-sleeved shirt is produced with just a single 500-meter roll of thread, woven seamlessly in a 3D knitting machine. The play takes an hour to complete. After one after a certain period of use, the mesh is returned to the store by the consumer to be sent back to the factory for recycling. At the factory, the mesh is carefully perforated and then chemically transformed into a new roll of yarn, to be reused in the knitting machine and weave a 'single yarn mesh' with a new design. With the new chemical recycling technology with ionic liquid, this process could be repeated infinitely with the sporadic addition of small quantities of new yarns to weave high yarns quality. H&M follows a more traditional than technological path in search of sustainable fashion, collecting clothes that consumers no longer wear, regardless of the brand. The goal is to give all parts a new life, whether through recycling, donation or other solutions that go far from landfills. The Swedish brand designs models that are entirely

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 42

made of used material, but claims that a high percentage of the collected fabrics cannot be reused with quality. All parts that are in good condition are distributed around the world for second-hand use. The rest are converted into other products, such as cleaning cloths or “ground and used in the construction and automobile industries as coating and insulation materials”. Metal parts such as buttons and fasteners sent for industrial recycling. Textile waste recycling exists, despite being small in Brazil. The great use of scraps of fabric occurs in crafts. The textile industry can contaminate liquid effluents, as the fabrics undergo numerous dyeing and treatment processes with antifungal substances, for example. Thus, the recycling of textile waste is important to reduce pollution, since they are often burned outdoors or deposited in dumps. The difficulty of post-consumer industrial recycling is a consequence of the state in which the fabrics are found after being discarded (very dirty and partially degraded) and also due to the low concentrated volume, which

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 43

makes commercially unfeasible. Industrial fabric recycling is incipient in the Brazil. It is possible that factories use textile chips from other companies, which would be incorporated into the production process (pre-consumer waste), preventing them from becoming waste, but this is not a common practice in the country. Recycling turns fabric into raw material for non-woven fabrics, mattresses, paper (currency), medicinal products, automobiles, furniture and metallurgy. The recycling of textile waste is complex. In order to be yarn again, this material must be separated by raw material and fiber length. A suggestion for the use of these residues without much complexity, would be in the production of tow, in which it is not necessary to eliminate the dyeing, but only the fragmentation of the flaps. Due to the difficulties presented, one should try to reuse as much as possible all cloths and remains of fabrics before being discarded. Old clothes must be donated or repaired. When it can

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no longer be used as clothing, it still finds use as a floor cloth and rough cleaning. In the field of artisanal recycling, artisans make cloth dolls, ecobags, quilts, rugs, clothes, document holders, notebook covers, bookmarks and a multitude of objects, using talent and creativity. With a lot of research and effective actions, the brands start offering solutions to introduce the circular economy in the textile industry. The few examples cited show the potential to reuse waste materials and reduce waste throughout the value chain, thus creating new raw materials. The brands above barely have representatives in Brazil, so the solutions mentioned may be out of reach. This does not prevent us from taking measures to make our clothes more sustainable. Here are some suggestions: * Wash your jeans less! Maintain hygiene, but observe your habits. Many people have a habit of to wash the Jeans in the same way you do with a T-shirt or underwear.

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* Donate or sell your clothes in good condition. Many people need it and our economy favors finding excellent opportunities in thrift stores. * Has no conditions of use? Turn cloth! What do you prefer, spend buying floor cloth or a new T-shirt? * Press, find out! Are you a fan of any clothing brand? Then go to social networks and ask how they work on sustainability. Show that you are a responsible consumer if there were options. Or go to the thrift store! Cigarette filter Cigarette butts are among the most discarded waste on the streets. It is not difficult to verify this data. A walk through the city reveals in

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Image: www.pensamentoverde.com.br

flowerbeds and sidewalks their constant presence. In addition to the harms caused by addiction, the habit of throwing butts on the streets can also harm the environment. Butts thrown in nature take up to five years to decompose. When discarded in the streets, they are dragged by the flood, falling into the manholes and then into the rivers. In addition, they are responsible for fires and can cause the death of animals that ingest them. When disposed of correctly in collecting bins or ashtrays, butts can be reused. One of the main ways of reusing this waste is the incorporation of other inputs for the production of fertilizer, used in the recovery of degraded areas of landscaping. Scientific research and projects also develop other forms of recycling butts. In São Paulo, business students from the Heliópolis State Technical School discovered how to transform this material into cellulose paste or seed paper. In this process, 300 units of the waste produce seven sheets in A4 size. The TerraCycle company also found a good utility for

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butts. The project developed by the organization that is being successfully applied in Canada, the United States and Spain, transforms the material into plastic products and encourages establishments, companies and consumers to send the butts free of charge by mail. Green butts: get to know the biodegradable filter. A company called Greenbutts, based in San Diego, has developed a new cigarette, called "green cigarette", which seeks to minimize the impacts caused by the disposal of butts in inappropriate places. In addition to having a biodegradable filter, based on linen, organic cotton and hemp, which does not pollute the soil in its decomposition process, these cigarettes have herb seeds, grasses or even flowers inside, which, in contact with the soil, make a plant sprout. ..The city of Votorantim (SP) became the first in Brazil to have a recycling plant for cigarette butts. The 100% national project, developed in partnership with the Federal University of BrasĂ­lia, transforms the material into

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paper. The municipality already has numerous waste collection boxes, which facilitates the environmentally friendly disposal of butts. Once a week, employees collect the butts at the disposal points. In total there are 2600 boxes in 17 municipalities. 130 kilos are collected per month. At the plant, the material is screened. Then, the butts are placed in a kind of cauldron with water and a chemical solution, which does the detoxification. After 5 hours boiling at 100 ° C, the mixture rests and cools. Only then is it sieved and washed in tanks. A cellulosic mass comes out of this process. The idea of recycling comes from industrial director Marcos Poiato, who worked in the pharmaceutical industry and realized the market niche. Altogether, with 25 butts, it is possible to make a sheet of used in pedagogical activities. The plant's professionals also give lectures on environmental education in the municipal school system to raise awareness among the population.

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Wood Wood recycling at first became known from the 80s and 90s. This is due to the great concern at the time when deforestation mainly warned not only the need to maintain the image: www.groupsalmeron.com.br

protection of ecosystems, as well as the purpose of people's quality of life. According to a survey carried out by the UN, almost 7 million hectares of natural forests are currently destroyed in the world, in short certainly a worrying data for the present and the future, however it is still possible to reverse this scenario. As a result of this growing awareness, we are still evolving today, and contributing to life! Residual wood is a precious resource that is available in large quantities. The growing awareness of preservation of the

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environment not only contributes to the development of human behavior, it also guarantees the cycle of wood recycling. All wood that reaches the end of the product's useful life can also be used in recycling the material. The recycling of wood and other waste contributes to the preservation of natural resources and the OTHER environment, it also promotes the development of environmental awareness and better use of waste, being, however, an excellent alternative for the generation of energy through Biomass. Check the characteristics of the wood for recycling below: * Sleepers removed from railway lines; * Pallets normally used in the industry to transport products or in the company's internal logistics; * Wooden boxes used to transport industrial equipment; * Trunks and branches of pruning previously authorized

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according to the law; * Demolition woods of any kind; * Wood from homes such as: doors, windows, slats, wardrobes, nightstands, beds, objects in general; * Wood in general from civil construction and other sectors. * Processed Wood for Power Generation. After that, the collection and transport of wood residues takes place, once this is done, the recycling process is carried out with appropriate equipment, from primary crushing. Soon after, the wood residues go through a manual sorting process where metallic, plastic, paper and other impurities components are removed, separated and disposed of correctly. Then, the wood goes through secondary crushing,

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adapting the size of the wood chips according to customers' needs. In the final stage it becomes a biomass free of impurities and with high calorific value, being a high quality fuel, with environmental traceability, providing savings. In the wood recycling process, it gains energy value, being used as biomass, avoiding its disposal in inappropriate places and in landfills. Nylon Patent of invention belonging to the field of recycling processes that use chemical products in order to obtain a state of purity such that it can take the waste to be reused in the way it was conceived and image: Universoaventura.com.br

generated chemically, and for that, it is necessary to select the residues separating the fabrics that contain

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fibers foreign to the process such as cotton, polypropylene, polyallylester through manual processes and 10 measuring equipment. Once the foreign elements are separated, nylon 6 and 6.6 should be separated by melting point evaluation, which has different characteristics for final use, both at textile levels and at the level of Engineering Plastics. The residue or material to be processed and already selected manually will be divided into 15 batches of Nylon 6 or 6.6, always depending on the load capacity of the material door of the machine. ..Once the batches of materials are formed, they are loaded in the material carrier basket of the machine, the process circuit being hermetically closed. Thus, the process is airtight, oxygen-free, with the introduction of 20 nitrogen and using the solvent Dimethylformamide hot and at 90 ° C as a bath ratio of 6 parts of solvent to one of tissue. Styrofoam

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For a long time, whether due to lack of technology, financial viability or even awareness, people failed to give the correct destination to this material. So we need to clarify: Styrofoam is a recyclable waste! image: www.setorreciclagem.com.br

The material can be recycled in three ways: Mechanical recycling, which turns the product into raw material for the manufacture of new products; energy, which uses Styrofoam for energy recovery due to its high calorific value; and chemistry, which reuses plastic to manufacture oils and gases. Several initiatives are taking place in order to promote the recycling of Styrofoam, a plastic material that has 98% air in its composition. Santa Luzia, a company that produces moldings in Braço do Norte, south of Santa Catarina, found a way to replace wood, creating a process of compacting waste EPS or Styrofoam. From recycled polyurethane or polystyrene, the company

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produces profiles, frames, floor and wall coverings, with a focus on high standards and the ability to transform large quantities of plastic waste into various product lines, such as baseboards, roof wheels, linings, rotates media, coverings (Ecobricks and Vertices) and decks (Ecodeck), in addition to mirrors, frames and picture frames. In addition, Termotécnica, a packaging company for industrial products and EPS transformer (styrofoam) based in Joinville – northern Santa Catarina, developed a material recycling program and has been making great efforts to orientate about the possibility and importance of reusing this material. Throughout the work developed by the company, a website was created where it is possible to locate the point of collection of this waste closest to its location, a useful tool that facilitates engagement. According to the company, the recycling process consumes few natural resources, such as water and energy, and generates little waste. The program has a network of more than 1100 collection points and 270 partner cooperatives, which corresponds to recycling 30% of the amount of EPS

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packaging produced by the country, avoiding about 6 thousand tons per year of improper disposal of material in landfills. With 10 years of existence, the program has already recycled more than 35 tons of Styrofoam and today generates about 100 direct jobs and impacts about 5,000 families. The company invested in the development of a wide reverse logistics chain, which means an important incentive to cooperatives because the styrofoam is a material that takes up a lot of space and is extremely light, which discourages its collection and sending for recycling. In addition, with investments in the order of R$ 15 million, it installed its own recycling units in the cities of Manaus (AM), Rio Claro (SP), São José dos Pinhais (PR), Joinville (SC) and Petrolina (PE). After being recycled, the styrofoam returns to the market and is used for the manufacture of items such as: school ruler, pen body, shoe soles, baseboards, frames, among others. It is a fact that to demystify the idea that the Styrofoam is a recyclable waste it will be necessary a strong education and awareness.

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Marble The ornamental stone industry generates a large amount of solid waste annually. The objective of this work is to evaluate the production of composites from solid waste from processing of marble and granite using isophthalic image: www.casashow.com.br

polyester resin as an aggregating matrix. After collecting and processing the waste, experiments are carried out by varying the amount of waste in the polymeric matrix, 0% of residue was adopted as a comparison standard for the other specimens containing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of residues to replace the resin. After making the specimens, experimental tests were carried out to obtain values of apparent specific mass, water absorption and apparent porosity to evaluate the influence of the amount of residues on these properties. The results obtained prove the efficiency of the incorporation of these residues

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in the polymeric matrix for use as an alternative material with less impact. Construction debris When the subject under discussion is civil construction, it is inevitable to address the importance that the area has in the country. The highlight, image: entendaantes.com.br

however, unfortunately does not cover just a favorable scenario: at the same time, in which it appears as one of the sectors that most generate wealth and jobs in Brazil, civil construction is also one of the main generators of waste. Almost all of the sector's processes produce waste, which is mainly due to the high level of activity losses. Although not every loss generates waste (since part of it remains in the work), data from Abrecon - Brazilian Association for the Recycling of Construction and Demolition Residues, point out that the residues

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represent 50% of the wasted material in the segment. The alarming number gives a good idea of the huge amount of construction materials that are discarded every day as a result of the works. The problem of generating this waste is aggravated when another worrying factor is added to it: a large part does not receive the correct destination, and ends up being left underground in vacant lots, permanent preservation areas, roads and public places. In this context, the dissemination of a culture of treatment, recycling and reuse in the sector presents itself as an increasingly urgent issue of our times, in which environmental sustainability must be seen as an indispensable ally of economic development. The generation of waste on the construction site: rubble and effluents must have adequate destination. As defined by Abrecon, Construction and Demolition Waste (RCD) or Construction Waste (RCC) is all waste generated in the construction, renovation, excavation or demolition process. Thus, it can be said that the rubble includes the remains of bricks, mortar, concrete, wood,

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steel and other materials arising from the construction, renovation or demolition of various structures such as homes, bridges and buildings. If the generation of this waste has become a major obstacle to be overcome by the civil construction sector, which is faced with the challenge of reconciling its production processes with conscious development, the alternative of recycling and reuse presents itself as a solution. The importance of choosing this path is still supported by the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) or Law 12.305 / 2010, which regulates the environmentally sound management of solid waste and defines goals for reuse, reduction and recycling. The law, which aims to minimize the level of tailings for final disposal, demands the participation of all sectors of society, and certainly includes the change in the attitude of entrepreneurs in the construction industry. Other residues generated in works are effluents such as bentonite mud in the excavation and drilling stage, and wastewater made up of domestic sewage. If these effluents are not treated properly, they cause pollution of

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the soil and bodies water, in addition to actions subject to penalties and even interdiction of the work by the responsible bodies. Effluent storage must be according to ABNT NBR 7229 which determines the conditions for construction and operation of septic tanks, treatment and disposal of effluents and sludge sediment ed, the use of open trenches or boxes without adequate lids is not allowed. The norm also establishes that the effluents from the canteens previously pass through a fat retaining box, before being taken for treatment. Economic, social and environmental benefits: advantages of sending the rubbish for recycling. Regardless of the use of reused waste, the option of treating civil construction waste brings economic, social and environmental benefits. The replacement of conventional materials by rubble, for example, results in savings in the acquisition of raw materials. With recycling, there is also the minimization of pollution caused by waste, which can cause flooding and the silting up of rivers and streams. It is important to note that

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the incorrect disposal also has serious consequences for the urban environment, being environments that provide diseases such the dengue and yellow fever and decoys of rodents and insects. As can be seen, the lack of proper routing of these materials generates losses from the point of view of the environment and the quality of life of the population, further evidencing the need for reuse. In a complete sustainable process that reduces pollution, preserves the natural reserves of raw material, brings financial gains and also promotes work and income opportunities, the treatment and recycling of construction waste demands the attention of the inspection agencies and the awareness of sector entrepreneurs who have the great power to decide for change. According to ABRELPE - Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies, Brazil produces an average of 31 million tons of construction waste (RCC) per year. The right thing is to treat the effluents that are returned to nature, so 100% of the sludge generated by the

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process is added to other organic waste. In composting, they are transformed into organic compound fertilizer and substrate for plants, thus promoting recycling at each stage of the process. Waste The waste is what remains of the compost process benefaction of iron ore, sand and water. It is not toxic, corrosive or flammable. Samarco produces two image: agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br

categories of tailings: sandy and mud. According to their chemical and physical characteristics, these tailings become raw materials for other productive sectors. As a destination for tailings, one can have the production of hydraulic tiles, remolded blocks, artifacts ceramics, ferric salts, among other products. Technology developed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) offers an alternative to take

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advantage of the ore tailings stored in the upstream dams, the most common in Brazil, similar to those that broke in Mariana, Brumadinho and those that threaten Barão de Cocais and São Sebastião das Águas Claras, in Minas Gerais. The material (tailings) when processed by a technology called flash calcination, becomes a kind of pozzolan cement that serves the a basis for various other materials, such as concrete, mortar and ore pellets, which can be used in road paving, construction, agriculture, fish farming. The technique it also recovers iron for steelmaking. Thereafter, after decommissioning, with the existing technology it would be possible to remove all the waste and transform it into products, providing the sustainable way to manage the mining chain. Pozzolan, a substance originating from the calcination process flash, can be used instead of limestone in the mixture made to generate traditional cement. Bones

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People who wait for the butcher to bone and remove tallow from the pieces of meat that they usually buy, they do not know that a complex image: diolhonapanela.wordpress.com

chemical industry process chain and that those beef parts rejected by steak consumers will come back to them in other and unexpected ways. The usefulness of this industrial exploitation of the by-products of the meat trade is due both to its final results, and to saving the environment from receiving millions of tons of organic waste that would invariably become urban waste if it did not find this or another way of using it. It all starts with the separation, in the butchers themselves, of bones and beef tallow, with the aim of selling them to the specialized industries that collect them for use as raw materials. Bovine bone meal becomes feed. There was a time when bovine bones were used in the processing industry to make a series of utensils, such as buttons, combs and chess pieces. With the dissemination of plastic materials,

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these applications fell into disuse, with bovine bones becoming more valued for their chemical characteristics than for their physical characteristics. Bones are organic compounds rich in calcium and protein. As these substances have great nutritional value, they are widely used in the manufacture of animal or domestic animal feed. For this, the bones are cooked at high temperature in industrial digesters, ground and transformed into flour. This bone meal is combined with other raw materials that complement the nutritional needs of the feed, which is widely used in the rearing of broiler birds, such as chickens and turkeys, which, because of the diet rich in concentrated protein, grow and arrive faster at Score slaughter. Bone meal can also be used for several other applications in which calcium is useful, such as soil correction, although this use requires other interventions to give recycled calcium the solubility necessary for its absorption by treated land. Beef tallow collected in butchers, on the other hand, has a longer and more complex sequence of chemical transformations. Bovine tallow is an animal fat that, like

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vegetable oils, is made up of triglyceride molecules. A triglyceride is formed by a molecule of glycerol attached to three molecules of fatty acid. The specialized industries are interested in extracting both glycerol and fatty acids from triglycerides, raw materials used in a wide range of chemical processes. Thus, the first step in the industrial processing of beef tallow is to separate glycerol from fatty acids, which can be done by the hydrolysis process, in which heated water breaks the glycerol bonds, which come off the fatty acid and is diluted in aqueous solution. The glycerol diluted in water is subsequently separated from it in concentrators by evaporation and then distilled, resulting in the popular and well-known glycerin, used by the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and chemical industries in general. Glycerin is present in soaps, creams, syrups, food additives, tire cleaners and even explosives, as is the case with the well-known nitroglycerin. Once glycerin is highlighted, fatty acids from tallow are processed to separate the two main ones, oleic acid and stearic acid. Fatty acids are chemically defined by the size of their carbon chain and the number

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of unsaturations in this chain, that is, the number of double bonds present. Oleic acid has an unsaturated chain of eighteen carbons, presenting itself at room temperature in a liquid state. The separation of so-called oleins from tallow fatty acid occurs through pressing, the oldest method, or through cooling and centrifugation, a more modern and productive way. Oleic acid is used . in the manufacture of soap and soaps, lubricants, food additives and cosmetics. Stearic acid also has eighteen carbons in its chain, but, unlike the oleic chain, it is saturated, which makes this material solid at room temperature. Stearins, as they are also called, are widely used in the rubber industry, being necessary to give the polymer mass its flexibility characteristics. They are also present in shaving cream, moisturizer and another series of cosmetics and are an important additive in industrial processes of plastic transformations. If nowadays the words reuse and recycling are valued as environmentally correct, the large-scale use of bovine tallow and bones by the chemical industry shows that it is not know that industrial

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technologies, so accused of being polluting, can lessen the impacts progress. After all, anyone who twists his nose at the skin that the butcher discards from the filet may not imagine that those fats, which would not enter your home through the kitchen door, will find a prominent place on the dressing table of your room, among the fine, perfumed and expensive moisturizing creams that bear little resemblance to the original raw materials from which they came. Paints When disposing of paints, special care is required. First, it is important to remember that great care is needed to image: www.solucoesindustriais.com.br

discard varnishes and paints, as well as solvents used during painting, because if disposed of incorrectly, they can harm the environment. This is because they will be absorbed by the soil, contaminating plants and groundwater, and may even cause diseases to animals

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and the population that has contact with water. With respect to cans and packaging, according to the booklet on waste of the Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Paints (ABRAFATI), the correct thing is to disable the cans with holes, cuts or pressing to avoid another use since they have pollutants and cannot be destined for municipal garbage collection. In addition, the disposal of these chemical residues in the sewage network, whether directly in manholes, or even in tanks, sinks and toilets, can also take these products to the river network, that is, to rivers. Then, to reach the seas, it doesn't take much. In this way, all fauna was contaminated. Depending on the toxicity of these elements, there may even be serious explosions, with fire points. The ideal is to determine the amount of ink needed, an action that is good for your pocket and for the environment. To do this, just measure the area to be painted and check the packaging or the manufacturer about its performance. Another destination for the residues left in your home

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after the renovation, if they are in a condition to be used, is to donate to acquaintances or even needy institutions. Law No. 15121 of 2010, by Gilberto Kassab in the municipality of SĂŁo Paulo, provides that companies that industrialize paints, varnishes and solvents for home or industrial use are required to accept the leftovers of these materials for recycling, reuse or proper disposal. Companies that do not respect the law, may have their operating license revoked. But before making a renovation, you need to be informed about what to do with leftover paint, as well as leftover varnish and solvent; to avoid causing damage to the environment and harmful effects to people. If the paint is based on latex the ideal for its disposal is its solidification, that is, dry it until it becomes a solid material. To do this, just let it dry, or if the amount is too large, you can use some material to speed up this process, such as mixing the paint with cat sand. After drying, it can be discarded normally and sent to landfills. Another good tip is to always reuse the brushes that you used to apply the products. That is, when you finish

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your work, clean the objects and save them for future use, as they can be reused at other times. But remember: for solvent based paints, wash the tools with the same solvent used in diluting the applied paint. Pour the waste from this wash and the solvent into sand, but never on the ground. After the solvent has evaporated, dispose of the sand in the trash. For water-based paints, wash tools with water and then with soap and water. If there is treated sewage at the site, dispose of the washing water from the tools in drains, tanks or toilets. So it will go to the sewage network, avoiding impacts on rivers and streams. Do not dispose of it in manholes, mouths of wolfs, let alone on the ground. You can also search for your city hall to find out how they handle difficult-to-recycle materials, in case the other alternatives are not working. You can also mix the leftover paint to make a gray or concrete color. But only products of the same type and with the same characteristics can be mixed. Do not add water-based paint with solvent-based paint.

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Cap the paint can tightly so as not to dry out and ensure a next use. Even with remnants of dry paint, send the empty cans for recycling. Steel or aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable, and you can return to the recycling cycle whenever necessary, hand them over to a recyclable material collector or cooperative in your city. X-ray plate. X-rays, or x-rays as they are commonly known, are widely used in the field of medicine, to identify traumas and injuries to patients. As these tests are very important in a image: www.docol.com.br

person's health history, they are commonly kept for a long time, and when they are no longer as useful, they end up being discarded without proper care. This carefree way of throwing the plates away causes them to

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end up in landfills and cause several problems, as they contaminate the soil and groundwater, in addition to causing other problems. The importance of the correct destination of the radiographs is due to two factors. The first is that they are made from a sheet of plastic called acetate. The second is that this plate is covered by a thin layer of silver grains, sensitive to light. Plastic creates risks for the environment, taking more than one hundred years to decompose in nature, not to mention that it is a direct derivative of oil, the extraction of which brings environmental problems such as greenhouse gases. Silver, like other heavy metals, is highly polluting and harmful to health, as it accumulates in the body, causing kidney, motor and neurological. Its release into the environment is prohibited by the rules established by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the National Environment Council (Conama). To make the image visible, it must be developed from the reaction of a silver grain film with hydroquinone, a developing agent.

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Then, the film receives a bath of sodium carbonate and sodium bisulfite, which prevents the decomposition of the hydroquinone. So that the image does not fade away quickly, a fixing solution of ammonium thiosulfate, sodium sulfate or EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) is used, which removes the excess silver and could react with the presence of light, compromising the image. The plate is then washed to remove traces of chemicals that could damage the film, and then dried. After all this process has been accomplished, still many chemical residues, which are sent to specialized companies, where they are treated. It turns out that the x-ray sheet is recyclable and the importance of its correct disposal goes far beyond what you imagine. First, this process prevents toxic components from contaminating the environment. Another important issue is the possibility ability to reuse the materials involved. O The most common radiographic recycling process takes place as follows. The radiography is treated in a 2.0% sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach), in which the following are

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generated: A solid residue that contains silver and "clean" radiographic films. Then, the silver containing residue is treated with sodium hydroxide in water and heated for 15 minutes, obtaining the silver oxide mixed with impurities; The silver oxide is then heated in a sucrose solution for 60 minutes, obtaining the solid impure silver, which still does not have a shine; Finally, the silver is heated to 1000 ° C for 60 minutes in an oven, obtaining the pure silver with the shine. With 2,500 x-ray plates, it is possible to obtain from 450g to 500g of silver (each kilogram is sold for around R$1.2 thousand). To purchase the equipment and assemble the necessary structure, an investment of R$300 thousand is needed. With plastic, recycling 300 kg of the material generates a profit of R$15 thousand per month. The data seems very advantageous, but it is important to know that every company that wants to recycle the radiographs must operate in accordance with environmental licenses. Water contaminated with chemical agents used in the process of obtaining silver

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must in no way be released into the sewage without treatment. Therefore, the company must have its own water treatment plant, to prevent the process from becoming environmentally unviable. With the plastic resulting from the process it is possible to make various objects, such as packaging. Silver, on the other hand, serves as a raw material for jewelry stores, for example. With the innovation of technology and the tendency to generate digital images, the traditional exams X-rays can be made and processed by the computer. Radiological exams are performed differently from conventional radiographs: digital imaging equipment is used and the patient is subjected to low radiation doses. In digital radiology, the conventional film is replaced by an x-ray sensitive film, which is read by modern computer equipment, generating a high resolution image. The examinations made using this technology produce high quality images, which provide greater visibility in the detection of pathologies and, thus, reduce the repetition of examinations and the exposure of patients to ionizing

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radiation. Thus, the x-ray sheet no longer needs to be stored at home, taking up space, and no longer run the risk of being destined for landfills. It is possible to save the images on CDs, digital servers or hard drives. Store your x-rays carefully. According to health professionals, radiography can clarify whether an old disease has already been cured or not. You must be careful when storing your radiography. They can be stored in bags plastics or paper envelopes, at room temperature, without sun exposure (the heat helps in the formation of vapors dangerous to health from the chemicals present in the x-ray plate) and away from moisture. Electronic Equipment The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that the worldwide generation of electronic waste, also known as e-waste, reaches the order of tens of millions of tons per year. Electronic waste has several

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contaminants harmful to the environment and health. In Brazil, there are collection posts, markets and electronic product resellers image: www.reciclagemfacil.com.br

that accept Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Despite not having a high recycling technology, the country starts this journey to intervene in the increasing production of electronic waste. After the e-garbage collection, the electronic equipment recycling process starts through a sorting process, which can be done manually or by a computer, there is a separation of the equipment in conditions of use (which can be donated) from the that cannot be reused. Soon, the devices are disassembled, and the housing, battery, glass and circuit boards are separated, with a different destination for each component. The carcass is crushed and separated by material according to its density. After that, the waste can then be sold to other companies that use the polymers present in these objects, as well as being incinerated to generate

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energy (this method, however, still raises discussions due to substances, such as dioxin, which can be released from this burning), or can be melted and transformed into another plastic. This recycled material presents, according to some researches, satisfactory performance in tests of mechanical resistance. The toxic materials are placed in tanks prepared to store this waste and are destined for specialized companies. The glass of the cell phone screen and monitors has different components, such as lead and arsenic. Therefore, they are separated by glass or mixed and undergo a grinding and treatment process, which can be sold to companies that use it as a raw material. The batteries are separated and destined for specific companies that will make the correct disposal or recycling. In Brazil, there is still no recycling process for the printed circuit board (PCI). It is sent to countries that have enough technology to carry out this recycling, such as the USA and Switzerland. Even without adequate technology for recycling e-waste, China and India are the biggest recipients of

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these materials. Its workers do not use protection and dispose of waste in the soil and in the river. There are 3 categories of recycling for circuit: mechanical, chemical or thermal. In mechanical recycling there is a decrease in the size of the material (a process also called comminution) and fragmentation of the object, which goes through the crushing and grinding phase. Then, the waste passes through sieves, mechanical classifiers and cyclones, which classify the materials by granulometry. Finally, they undergo a separation by magnetic density; this process separates the magnetic fragments (Fe, Ni) from the nonmagnetic ones. Non-magnetic ones undergo a separation electrostatic, separating conductors of materials (for example: Pb, Cu, Sn) from non-conductors of electric current (polymer and ceramic). Chemical recycling occurs through the process of hydro metallurgy, that is, it is the extraction of metals with the use of leaching, using aqua regia (75% hydrochloric acid and 25% nitric acid) or sulfuric acid, obtaining heavy fractions (metals) and light fractions (plastics and

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ceramics). Finally, thermal recycling occurs through the process of pyrometallurgy, which consists of converting metals into different states of purity when they pass through high temperatures. The process requires great energy to incinerate the plates and obtain a concentrated metal, which goes on to another separation process electrostatic. In Japan, for example, where the habit of returning the old or broken cell phone to the operator's store is a widespread practice among the local population, stores usually receive several old cell phones for day. There, these phones are placed in a kind of large pressure cooker at 500°C. After 12 hours, a dark material is obtained, which is taken for separation, where metals such as silver, gold and copper are obtained. A Japanese mining company, for example, managed to produce a bar of ten kilograms of gold, from metals found in cell phones. Everything is reused - the other metals return to the market in the form of new equipment and the plastic turns into fuel oil for the machines.

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According to UNEP's From Waste to Resources report, a ton of cell phones would yield: 3.5 kg of silver; 130 kg of copper; 340g of gold; 140g of palladium. Therefore, it is an emerging market that is still growing. More investments in technology are needed for the recycling of electronic components, seeking a more sustainable way to produce electronic equipment. Stacks Recycling can recover almost 100% of other materials. But batteries and batteries cannot be destined for common collection. Who has never used or image: www.sobiologia.com.br

never had to dispose of a battery or battery? The only difference between them is that, while the batteries are unitary, the batteries are formed by a series of batteries in parallel format depending on the required use. Widely used in everyday life, batteries are in cell phones,

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notebooks, hearing aids, watches, remote controls and video games, cameras and so on. In Brazil, according to data published in 2003, the consumption of batteries was five units per year person, while in first world countries' consumption reaches 15 units per year. Considering the world population, this implies a consumption of ten billion units a year. In 1999, more than 800 million batteries in Brazil, not to mention counterfeit ones. These utensils offer a lot of practicality on a daily basis, the problem arises time to discard. Even the refillable ones need to be discarded one day. Do not dispose of your batteries with household waste. Did you know that even if landfills are used, batteries cause significant environmental damage? Find out here why you can't dispose of them in regular trash. The good news is that if they don't end up in these landfills, dumps or be exposed to the outdoors, they can go through the recycling process! Recycling can recover almost 100% of the material. The first step for these batteries to go through the recycling

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process is to pack them correctly, just use a resistant plastic, which makes the items protected against moisture and dispose of them correctly. As soon as the recycler receives the load, the batteries go through the following processes: Sorting which is separation by type and brand is then intended for processing. Then it passes through the shredding, the cover of the batteries is removed, so the substances inside can be treated. In the thermal process, the batteries are subjected to a chemical reaction process in which salts and metal oxides are recovered, which will be used as raw material in industrial processes in the form of dyes and pigments. In the thermal process, the batteries are inserted in a high temperature industrial oven for zinc separation occurs. In this way, they can be recovered in their metallic form and be reused as raw material in the manufacture of new batteries. Brazilian legislation (Art.33 of the National Solid Waste Policy) obliges the manufacturing company to

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structure and implement logistics systems reverse. But getting the batteries back to jail production is also the responsibility of the consumer. So, to discard, remember: first it is necessary to pack the material correctly in order to avoid future contaminating leaks. Use a sturdy plastic bag. Then, just send them to the collection points closest to your residence. Disposable cups The disposable cup, usually made of plastic, takes hundreds of years to disappear into nature. Plastic cups are functional, even

better

when

reusable,

something which is not always image: www.magazineluiza.com.br

possible and disposable cups often appear as a solution. The good news is that they are

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recyclable, so be sure to dispose of them consciously. The big problem, in the case of the disposable cup, is that its practicality causes an enormous amount of waste that is not disposed of correctly. In addition, the recycling of disposable plastic cups is not economically viable, since they are light and, in general, dirty discarded, which makes their hygiene for recycling to make the process more expensive (in addition to spending a lot of water). Being the main icon of the disposable industry, the cup is present in many commercial establishments and events, ranging from children's parties and family gatherings to ballads and large events. With this, the disposable cup has become one of the main pollutants of the environment in the current context. Sector data show that the problem is quite complex. We are talking about an estimated production of 96 thousand tons of plastic cups every year, which involve about 10,000 direct jobs. In practice, recycling is economically little viable. First, because the chemical compounds used as raw material for the production of disposable plastic cups, such as

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polystyrene, are extremely cheap. Second, due to the low price paid to cooperatives for a kilo of recyclable material, which is worth, on average, R $ 0.20. A 200 ml plastic cup weighs about 2 grams, so it is necessary to add 500 cups to recycle a kilo of this material, a very high amount. In addition, if not compacted, this material can occupy a large area, causing losses in its storage. Another difficulty is that almost always plastic cups are discarded dirty or molasses, after all they are discarded after use, and these contaminated materials are not allowed to be recycled, as they can pose risks to the recycling process and to health. Washing them before their disposal is also not a sustainable solution, since in addition to the waste of water needed for washing the glasses would still lose their main advantage of practicality. Not to mention the use of detergent, which has a significant impact on the environment. Research shows that this product takes hundreds of years to decompose naturally. When the cups are thrown on the ground, the decomposition process can take around 200 years.

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Another common destination for this waste is the ocean. Currently, the amount of plastic in some regions is so great that experts even claim that this material is already part of the water's composition. When plastic reaches the ocean, it goes through a process in which small pieces, known as microplastics, come off and are swallowed by small marine beings, who end up dying. Microplastic can also absorb toxic chemical compounds, making them even more dangerous, learn more about the problems caused by plastic in the oceans. Due to the great difficulty of recycling plastic cups and the low economic interest of this practice, the idea of recycling plastic cups is very unfeasible today. Thus, the ideal is to reduce the consumption of disposable cups as much as possible. Whenever possible, prefer cups or cups that can be reused. Reusable bottles, such as aluminum or stainless steel, are also good alternatives. Plastic cups are based on oil, which is a non-renewable source,

so

the

use

of

other

options

is

more

environmentally friendly. At work or school, have a bottle

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or mug on your desk to have your coffee, water and encourage your colleagues to do the same. If you are going to have a party at your house, why not use glass or even plastic cups, but can be reusable? Another option is biodegradable cups. The product can be made from natural materials and oil, but because they are biodegradable, they have the potential to cause less environmental impact. An example in this sense are the plastic of corn or potato starch and PLA (polylactic acid), derived from the fermentation of sugar. According to the manufacturers, the product disappears from nature within three months. To drink your two liters of water a day, always so recommended by doctors, you would need 16 cups of 125 ml each day. In one year, the number of cups used once would be about six thousand plastic cups, a very large amount for something that can be easily eliminated with a simple change of habit. Medicines

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Brazil is the seventh country

that

most

consumes medicines in the world, but there is little legislation regarding the correct disposal of image: rr.sapo.pt

expired or unused drugs. However, due to risks to human health and the environment, the disposal of drugs must be done at specific collection points, to be later forwarded to the environmentally correct final destination. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) establishes that the correct disposal of medicines is mandatory. In the case of medicines, the so-called reverse logistics works with pharmacies and drugstores accepting expired medicines to send them to their destination without risk of contamination. Anvisa has a list of accredited collection points the entire process is governed by the ABNT NBR 16457: 2016 standard. Disposal of drugs is a problem that occurs worldwide and is relatively new. Him it presents risks to water, soil, animals and also to public health. In the United States,

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the population receives instructions to dispose of medicines in the toilet or in the trash, as they give priority to reducing the risk of unintended use or overdose. But the emerging environmental risk is present in this type of attitude, due to the “micro-pollutants�. Thus, when disposing of expired medicines incorrectly, consumers contribute a small amount, but when accumulated causes great consequences. What is worse is that most people do not know the harm they are doing when disposing of medicines in the common garbage or in the toilet. About 20% of all medicines we use are discarded irregularly. Environmental contamination occurs through incorrect disposal and also by the portion excreted in the urine and feces of products we take. The use of veterinary drugs also contributes; livestock, fish and domestic animals use antimicrobialsbianos, anti protozoa, hormones, among others, and enter the environment in the same way, due to inadequate disposal and excretions. These drugs will end up in landfills, dumps, water and sewage treatment plants, water bodies or on the ground.

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The drugs we ingest are metabolized and eliminated by our bodies and end up in the sewage with those we discard in sinks and toilets. It goes all the way to a sewage treatment plant where it also undergoes metabolization, but many are not completely degraded and become unpredictable. The treatment plants were not designed to eliminate drugs - they are only attenuated. There are drug removal techniques, such as ultrafiltration, ozonation, advanced oxidation, but the high costs do not allow its implementation for large-scale sewage treatment. There is also the dangerous portion of disposing of medicines in the common garbage, usually surplus of expired medicines. As they are not metabolized can reach landfills in their original form, which, if they do not have adequate waterproofing, can percolate (cross some media) and contaminate the soil and groundwater in concentrations even greater than via sewage. The problems caused by the presence of drug compounds in the environment are not yet well known. It is known that medicines diluted in water can interfere

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with the metabolism and behavior of aquatic organisms. There are drugs that are persistent and accumulate in the environment, in addition to the risks of diseases in the population and animals that can find drugs discarded in the trash and use them. Antibiotics are also of concern, because when exposed to the environment, they make bacteria resistant to the antibiotic in question. Another problem occurs in the field of public health. Storing medicines at home increases the risk of intoxication due to misuse about 28% of cases of intoxication in Brazil are due to medicines. People who handle these wastes without protection, such as scavengers at dumps, are also susceptible to adverse events and intoxications if they find the drug and consume it. This situation, which could be controlled, is largely due to the fact that society does not have information about the correct way to dispose of medicines and their risks. Most of the discarded medicines come from the remnants of medicines from our “home pharmacy”, a common habit of Brazilians.

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We must buy medicines in the right dose, so that we don't over. Use medicines rationally, without exaggeration, without self-medication and do not interrupt the treatment on your own. Also, ask your doctor for a complete and consistent prescription, without waste. When buying medicines without criteria or in large quantities to be stored at home, it is likely that some of them will be out of use and have to be discarded. There is now PL 33/2012 pending in the Senate since 2012 on the mandatory to sell fractionated drugs. Thus, the consumer would buy only what is necessary for their treatment, avoiding waste. Clean and organize your medicine box with six simple tips: Many people dispose of drugs in the garbage or sewage system for lack of information, not for lack of option. Tell friends and family that there are collection points such as pharmacies and drugstores around the city that dispose of expired medicines in an environmentally friendly manner.

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Now that you know the risks this can cause, take your medications to a collection point for environmentally correct disposal. Objects such as syringes and needles are first decontaminated at a treatment plant, then disposed of in landfills as waste solids. Expired drugs are treated by thermal processes, usually burned in incineration plants, reducing the volume of waste and its dangerousness. It is important to remember that incineration also presents risks for the environment and health, since the gases emitted by the burning and the ashes produced can contain toxic substances. ..This requires extreme control and modern equipment with high gas filtration and washing efficiency to reduce risks. For now, it is the best option for the final destination of health service waste (RSS), a method also used widely abroad. Disposable diapers A disposable diaper takes up to 6 centuries to

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decompose. Brazil is the third largest consumer

of

disposable

diapers in the world, behind only the United States and China, according to data image: www.ecycle.com.br

from the Brazilian Association of the Personal Hygiene, Perfumery and Cosmetics Industry (Abihpec). Despite being practical for everyday life, the disposable diaper has oil products in its composition so it takes 600 years to decompose, according to a study by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism at Unicamp. It is estimated that a newborn changes, on average, ten diapers a day and a child uses 5,000 disposables in the first years of life, which generates around 400 kg of garbage per year. With that in mind, Boomera, a company specialized in waste technology, developed a solution

for

diaper

recycling

in

partnership

Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (SP). In Brazil, 2% of the waste generated is disposable

with

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diapers. After a year of laboratory tests with the collection of post-consumer material, the company found a way to decontaminate

diapers

for

recycling. The

process

consists of sterilization, where the retained material is crushed and transformed into plastic resin. The biggest discovery was that the decontamination model also breaks the molecules of the superabsorbent diaper gel, which is harmful to nature and used to be a complicating factor in the recycling process. Based on the concept of circular economy, the initiative aims to reinsert recycled diapers in the production cycle and minimize human impact on the environment. With the plastic resin generated in the recycling of diapers, Boomera manufactures new products: hangers for

children's

clothes,

stools

for

children

and

wastebaskets for diaper disposal. The company is finalizing the test of the sterilized organic part (urine and feces) to give full application to the residue, which can serve as a fertilizer in the eucalyptus replanting, which turns into cellulose, one of the raw materials that make up the diaper.

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Plastic bags Plastic bags have been the subject of great controversy lately. They were taken from supermarkets in many capitals, but soon afterwards they returned by order of justice. This situation divides the opinion of the population the legality of its use and image: www.psgembalagens.com.br

its potential reputation as a villain of the environment. Undeniably, plastic bags represent an evil for the environment. Data from the MMA (Ministry of the Environment) indicate that every year, around one million marine animals die due to plastic bags that end up inappropriately at sea. Still in relation to the problems caused in the oceans, of all the debris that floats on the waters, 90% of them are made of plastics, which includes, in great quantity, the bags. According to estimates, around 15 billion plastic bags are produced every year in Brazil. As the production of

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these materials is very low cost, and can be carried out with just one machine in a “backyard” company, there is not yet a effective control or inspection over the production of the bags. The incorrect disposal of plastic bags is also noticeable when floods hit cities. Plastic bags are great villains in these situations, as they clog manholes, which ends up hindering the flow of water and, consequently, causing a flood. Another additional problem in the use of plastic bags is related to plastic supermarket bags. According to ANVISA regulations, since plastic supermarket bags are used to transport food, they must be made from virgin material, which implies the extraction and refinement of oil, thus generating great impacts on the environment and a consequent production waste. The reuse of plastic bags is another point paramount in this process. As they are not properly disposed of by the population

and

generate

this

series

of

problems

mentioned above, an interesting and very sustainable possibility is to reuse of those bags. Many techniques

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have been applied and improved in this process, including crochet and loom, in which handbags, rugs, decorative objects and a multitude of other objects with great commercial possibilities are created. Another process that has stood out is the recycling of plastic bags in carbon fibers, “High Tech” material present in racing cars, sports equipment, airplanes and space probes. CDs and DVDs CDs and DVDs are composed of metals and plastic, therefore recyclable, but the cost x benefit of

this

education

process, and

lack

of

respect

for

legislation, make these media to image: novousadosereciclados.blogspot.com

be thrown in the trash. CDs and DVDs were a technological advance, they stored good amounts of information in their time, replacing paper and magnetic tapes.

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The time for CDs for storage has passed and DVDs are being quickly exchanged for the practicality of “virtual rental companies”. Music is now also virtually purchased, with no need for archiving. Probably what still supports the labor market CDs are piracy. Without any control, CDs are being discarded. A CD is basically composed of a polycarbonate plastic base and a reflective layer made of gold, silver or aluminum alloy. In addition, there is the embossing, lacquering layer and a protective surface. CD recycling occurs mainly in developed countries. Industrial recycling includes demagnetizing, dismantling disks and recycling plastic and other components. Despite the recyclability of the material, the “Software Manufacturer’s Association” (USA) estimates that less than 30% of media are recycled. This means that millions of CDs and other storage media go to waste. They are materials that take more than 400 years to decompose. Polycarbonate and recycled metals can be used in

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various applications, but the cost-benefit of the operation is not advantageous. So incentives are needed for the material to be effectively transformed into a new raw material. Most likely it will never happen in the Brazil, so rethink the habit of buying DVDs pirates just because they’re cheap, and you’ll never see them again. Toothpaste tubes Toothpaste tubes can be much more useful than we think. In addition to taking up to 450 years to decompose, image: http://www.crea-al.org.br

packaging is the raw material for cabinets, tables, trash cans, frame for glasses, tiles and several other products. At least two companies in the State of São Paulo work with recycling: Ecofour, in Santo André, and Meta green, in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste. In addition to contributing to the environment, the material has advantages over conventional ones such as more flexibility and resistance

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to fire, no water absorption and functioning as a thermal insulator. Civil construction was the first to be interested in the attractions. The product, used mainly in tiles, recently gained special attention for the manufacture of furniture and utensils. Ecofour, installed since 2010 in Santo AndrĂŠ, has excelled in making cabinets for large restaurant chains. During recycling, the tubes are crushed and the material is melted until the plates form. The advantage of this process over pure plastic is the presence of aluminum, which gives more flexibility to the final material and allows the use of screws, for example. Because of the labels, the final product wins grainy colors. The discarded toothpaste tubes represent very little of the production. Most of the material comes from defective packaging that would be incinerated at major producers. Ballpoint pens

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The ink of the pen, is composed of a toxic material, harmful to the environment, besides the plastic and metal parts take decades to decompose. In transformed

recycling, into

a

waste new

is raw

material, called Pellet. image: www.suprinform.com.br

This raw material is sold and used for the production of other objects such as benches and dumps. Fluorescent lamps A typical fluorescent lamp consists of a sealed glass tube filled with low pressure argon gas (2.5 Torr) and mercury vapor, also at low partial pressure. The inside of the tube is lined with a image: m.copafer.com.br

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phosphorous dust composed of several elements. Tungsten

coils,

coated

with

an

electron-emitting

substance, form the electrodes at each end of the tube. When a difference in electrical potential is applied, electrons pass from one electrode to the other, creating a current flow called an arc or electrical discharge. These electrons collide with the argon atoms, which, as far as they are concerned, emit more electrons. The electrons collide with the atoms in the mercury vapor and energize them, causing the emission of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When the ultraviolet rays reach the phosphorous layer, which lines the tube wall, fluorescence occurs, emitting radiation electromagnetic in the visible region. The most widely used fluorescent lamp is the 40 watt (4 feet long = 1.22 m; 1.1 / 2 "diameter), although others of different shapes and sizes are also sought. The tube used in a standard fluorescent lamp is manufactured with glass, similar to that used in the manufacture of bottles and other items of common consumption. The lamp terminals are aluminum or plastic, while the electrodes are made of tungsten, nickel, copper or iron. The white layer, usually

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 107

called Phosphorus, which lines the tube of a fluorescent lamp, is usually a chlorine fluorine calcium phosphate, with antimony and manganese (1 to 2%). Quantity of these

smaller

components

may

change

slightly

depending on the color of the lamp. Watts has about 4 to 6 grams of phosphorous dust, the service life of a mercury lamp is 3 to 5 years, or an operating time of about 20,000 hours, under normal conditions of use. M of Lamps in locations where there is a separation of recyclable waste, it is important to keep products containing mercury separate from waste. These products are often classified as hazardous waste if they exceed the regulatory toxicity limit (0.2 mg.L-1). Once segregated and separated, mercury residues can then be treated in order to recover the mercury contained therein. Grounding and incineration options are not the most recommended. In order to minimize the volume of mercury discharged to the environment, a recycling option, with the consequent recovery of mercury, is considered the best solution. Main argument is that proven technologies for this purpose already exist. The

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world's leading mercury recycling companies are located in the USA, while equipment manufacturers are located in Sweden and Germany. The latter was the precursor in the manufacture of equipment for the demercurization of lamps fluorescent, in the mid-80s. The term lamp recycling refers to the recovery of some of its constituent materials and the its introduction in the industries or in the lamp factories themselves. There are several recycling systems in operation in several countries in Europe, USA, Japan and Brazil. A typical recycling process includes a competent information and clarification service with waste generators, explaining how they must be transported so that the bulbs do not break during transport, until the final guarantee that the mercury is removed from the components. recyclable and that mercury vapors will be contained during the recycling process.

Portable

analyzers

must

monitor

the

concentration of mercury vapor in the environment to ensure operation within occupational exposure limits (0.05 mg.mÂł, according to the Occupational Safetyand

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 109

Health Administration -OSHA). The recycling process most used in the operation in various parts of the world basically involves two phases: Crushing phase, which are used lamps introduced in special crushing processors, when, then, the constituent materials separation

are

separated

by

and cyclone, in

sieving, five

electrostatic

different classes:

Aluminum terminals, Brass pins; Ferro-metallic components; Glass, Hg-rich phosphorous dust; Bakelitic isolation. At the beginning of the process, the lamps are imploded or broken into small fragments, by means of a processor (crusher or mill). This allows the separation of phosphorus dust containing mercury from the other constituent elements. The remaining crushed particles are subsequently driven to a cyclone to an exhaust system, where the larger particles, such as broken glass, aluminum terminals and brass pins, are separated and ejected from the cyclone and separated by gravimetric difference and electrostatic processes. Phosphorous and other particulate dust is collected in a filter inside the cyclone. Subsequently, by a reverse pulse

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 110

mechanism, the dust is removed from this filter and transferred to a distillation unit to recover the mercury. The glass, in 15 mm pieces, is cleaned, tested and shipped for recycling. The average concentration of mercury in the glass must not exceed 1.3 mg / kg. Glass in this circumstance can be recycled, for example, to manufacture products for non-food applications. The aluminum and brass pins, once cleaned, can be sent for recycling in a foundry. The average concentration of mercury in these materials must not exceed the limit of 20 mg / kg. Phosphorus dust is normally sent to a distillation unit, where mercury is extracted. The mercury is then recovered and can be reused. The resulting phosphorous dust can be recycled and reused, for example, in the paint industry. The only component of the lamp that is not recycled is the lithic insulation at the ends of the lamp. Regarding the technology for recycling lamps,

the

one

with

the

greatest

technological

advancement is presented by the company Mercury Recovery Technology - MRT, established in Karlskrona Sweden. The MRT processor works dry, in a closed

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 111

system, incorporated in a 20 feet long container (6.10 m). The entire system operates under negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent the escape of mercury to the external environment (fugitive emissions). And there is the second phase, the mercury distillation phase, which is subsequently used in this recycling process to recover the mercury contained in the phosphorous dust. The recovery is achieved by the reporting process, where the material is heated until the mercury vaporizes (temperatures above the mercury's boiling point, 357°C). The material vaporized from this process is condensed and collected in special containers or decanters. The mercury thus obtained can undergo further

distillation

to

remove

impurities.

Fugitive

emissions during this process can be avoided by using a negative pressure operating system. MRT uses a vacuum chamber for the distillation process. In order to achieve a mercury purity of the order of 99.99%, the organic particles carried by the gases during the vaporization of the mercury are taken to a combustion chamber where they are oxidized. The costs for

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 112

decontamination of lamps for recycling and consequently, decontamination of the waste generator depends on the volume, distance and specific services chosen by the customer. In the US, the cost for small used lamp generators ranges from $ 1.08 to $ 2.00 per lamp. For large generators, the final price is of the order of $ 0.36 per 4-foot lamp, plus costs with freight and packaging for transportation. In Brazil, a traditional company in the industry charges for decontamination services between R$ 0.60 and R$ 0.70 per lamp. At this price, we must add freight

(transportation),

packaging

and

accident

insurance costs. The burden involved in the recycling process has so far been borne by more organized companies and industries, which have a defined environmental program. The by-products resulting from the recycling process, such as glass, aluminum, brass pins and mercury, have low added value: R$ 20.00 / ton for glass; R$ 900.00 / ton for aluminum; R$ 900.00 / ton for brass and R$ 0.04 to R$ 1.12 / gram for mercury, depending on its grade OTHER RECYCLABLE of purity.

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Kitchen oil Many bars, restaurants, hotels and homes still pour the oil used in the kitchen, directly into the sewage system, unaware of the damage caused by this action. Regardless of destiny, image: exam.abril.com.br

this product harms the soil, water, air and life of many animals, including man. When trapped in the pipeline, the oil causes clogging of the pipes and makes it necessary to apply various chemicals to remove them. If there is no sewage treatment system, the oil ends up spreading over the surface of rivers and dams, contaminating the water and killing many species that live in these habitats. Data indicate that with a liter of oil it is possible to contaminate one million liters of water. If it ends up in soil, the liquid can waterproof it, which contributes to floods and flooding. In addition, when it starts to decompose, the oil releases methane gas, which, in

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 114

addition to the bad smell, aggravates the greenhouse effect. To prevent used cooking oil from being discharged into the sewage network of cities, institutions and people around the world, it has created methods to recycle the product. The possibilities are many: production of resin for paints, soap, detergent, glycerin, animal feed and even biodiesel. A product developed in Spain promises to solidify the oil and facilitate its storage, collection and recycling. Called Frito Limpio, the product should be thrown into the oil while it is still hot and after a few minutes all the liquid will be solid. Just remove from the pan and store. If this solution is too far from you, just store the leftover frying in a PET bottle and deliver it to a collection point. In some Brazilian capitals it is the city halls that are mobilizing, in others, it is the population itself through non-governmental organizations. RibeirĂŁo Preto: has the Cata Oil project in partnership with USP and Ladetel (Laboratory for the Development of

OTHER RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS – 115

Clean Technologies). Those interested are given a container to store the oil. The laboratory truck collects the product on pre-established dates. All the oil collected in the city is used in the production biodiesel. Today about 20 thousand liters are collected of oil per month with traders, however, the interest is to reach the population and, at that time, receive about 160 thousand liters monthly. The success of these cooking oil recycling programs depends entirely on community participation. All of these collection programs, whether governmental necessary

or

non-governmental,

information

for

recycling

offer oil

all and

the also

clarifications on environmental protection, precisely to insert

society

into

ecological

responsibility.

CHAPTER 3

TRANSFORMING GARBAGE FERTILIZER

INTO

TRANSFORMING TRASH INTO FERTILIZER - 117

Fruit and food scraps Almost

everyone

has

already scolded their parents for leaving food on the plate, a waste that is generally seen as an innocent or image: vivasaude.digisa.com.br

insignificant.

Today,

however,

there

is

a

greater

awareness that any waste must be avoided so that there is no damage to natural resources and the future of humanity. Currently, discarding an orange or lemon peel, an eggshell and even leftover food can be considered a waste of resources. This is because these are excellent ingredients for organic composting, which results in the formation of fertilizer. In addition, many of these items can be reused to make delicious recipes, like a pudding with guava peels or an orange peel candy. In 2017, I started using leftover food (vegetable peels, eggs, coffee and fruit) as fertilizer and helped a lot in the quality of the fruit trees I have at home. To avoid the bad smell of the decomposing material,

TRANSFORMING TRASH INTO FERTILIZER - 118

expose the remains to the sun, in order to dry the water. Then, beat all the material in a blender, a process that gives rise to a highly nutritious flour for plants. This process preserves nutrients, such as potassium from banana peels and calcium from egg peels. This compost is used to fertilize plants. This practice of recycling food is very popular with plants, which end up showing a much better appearance than those in which the product is not used. Orange and lemon peels can be used to scare away mosquitoes. To do this, just replace the conventional tablet of the repellent device with pieces of peel of these fruits. Despite all these ideas, the best way to do food recycling is still through organic composting, a process that converts organic waste into compost. The procedure consists of storing of organic waste in a compost bin, formed by a set of three continuous plastic boxes, the first two being pierced, to allow the liquid to pass and allow the worms to pass between the boxes, and the third closed and with a faucet through which the liquid

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fertilizer. Tree branches In Germany, Christmas trees are reused as fertilizer and energy. The reuse of this organic material

is

a

way

to

minimize impacts on the environment. image: www.pinterest.de

According to the German Ministry of Environment, turning the tree into energy is a widely used technique. Trees in general and their residues go to biomass plants. There, this material is burned and transformed into electrical or thermal energy, used to heat water, the country has a severe winter and depends on heaters at that time of year. There is also a curious destination for pieces of large branches and logs: they are sent to the Berlin Zoo to serve as a “toy� for elephants. The reuse of trees is a necessity to combat the

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accelerated loss of natural resources on the planet. Trees are essential for human beings, not only for the generation of oxygen, but also for balancing the climate, regulating air humidity, preventing erosion, controlling noise pollution, and offering a relaxing view. Thus, it is necessary to live with its residues after pruning and its natural falls or due to nature. In Brazil, until recently, all tree residues were thrown into landfills, where they were buried and awaited decomposition. The material is not dangerous, but in contact with chemicals, can cause damage to soil and water. Another common practice was to burn the remains of trees, an activity that generated more COâ‚‚ and polluted the air. Today, there are already projects for the reuse of tree residues in most urban centers, although the Ministry of the Environment does not have concrete data on the percentage of municipalities that do this work. The State Government of SĂŁo Paulo, for example, does not have a project for city halls, that is, it does not participate in recycling and reuse of tree residues. But the Secretariat of Green and Environment confirms that

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79% of the municipalities already have a project for reuse. In São Paulo, four thousand tons of tree residues are collected per month. This material was previously sent entirely to landfills, but has been being recycled for some time. In 2010, the Pampa project (Program for the Use of Tree Pruning Wood) was regulated, with the objective of performing more effective maintenance of trees, to increase their useful life and their reuses after falling or pruning. This material is taken to composting centers and becomes fertilizer for the green area of squares and public parks. In addition, it can be transformed into briquettes, which are cylindrical blocks to be thrown in ovens, boilers, heaters, etc. Thus, São Paulo also shows that it is possible to reuse some resources that would be discarded and reduce the burden of exploring the environment. For a sustainable planet there is still a long way to go, but important steps are already being taken, even in places of great industrial development, as is the case in the capital of São Paulo.

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Sertãozinho

City

Hall

launches

homemade

composting project Fruit peels and other leftovers can be transformed fertilizer,

into through

a

process called image: www.sertaozinho.sp.gov.br

composting. And the residents of Sertãozinho can contribute to the reduction of garbage through the Composta Sertão project, which was officially launched on November 10, 2018, Saturday at Praça 21 de Abril. With funds from the National Environment Fund and the Socio-Environmental Fund of Caixa Federal, the project was carried out by the City Hall of Sertãozinho and the Instituto Agir Ambiental. The main objective is to transform

Sertãozinho

into

a

reference

in

waste

management. In all, 1200 families received a composting machine free of charge, which will be used to produce fertilizer from the remains of food. In order for all neighborhoods to

TRANSFORMING TRASH INTO FERTILIZER – 123

have the opportunity to participate, the city was divided into

six

major

regions,

and

200

families

were

contemplated every two months. Citizens must, for their purposes, register the use of the system for two months. Very simple to handle, the composter can be used by anyone, in houses and even in small apartments. It consists of at least three stacked plastic boxes. In both boxes the recycling of waste food and its transformation into solid natural fertilizer. These boxes have holes in their base, allowing liquid fertilizer to drain and accumulate in the lower box. Because it is rich in nutrients, the compost from the compost is very suitable for use in vegetable gardens. In addition to being easy to use, what draws attention in this system is the search for a local and low-cost solution for waste management. In addition, the composter contributes to the climate agreement by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases produced during the transportation and landfill of waste. Composta SertĂŁo also foresees the distribution of 40

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composters for municipal schools, so that be used as an environmental education and awareness tool among students.

CHAPTER 4

CHORUME TREATMENT

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Per day, 130 thousand liters of leachate become water and fertilizer in the ES landfill. In RJ, company saves R$ 300 thousand in two image: neertam.eco.br

months with treatment. Technologies to protect and recover the environment have achieved revolutionary results in Brazil and worldwide. Leach ate, that liquid resulting from the decomposition of garbage, can now be transformed into pure water. Most of the waste generated in Brazil is material organic, mainly food scraps. The decomposition of these residues causes the appearance of leach ate, the juice of the garbage, a dark, toxic liquid that can contaminate groundwater. In most landfills in the country, there is no adequate treatment for leach ate. One exception is the Cariacica landfill in EspĂ­rito Santo. There, a totally Brazilian technology transforms 130 thousand liters of manure a day into treated water and

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fertilizer, 95% of the manure becomes water and the other 5% is transformed into waste, in the form of solid sludge, and this residue can be used in composting processes so that be transformed into organic fertilizer. In São Gonçalo, in the Metropolitan Region of Rio, the treatment of leach ate is even more sophisticated. It is cheaper to treat leach ate by this German technology than to take the material for treatment in a sewage station. The leach ate collected from the landfill is pumped to a mini treatment station that fits in a container. State-of-the-art equipment filters leach ate. Micros membranes only let water molecules through. The result of the process is impressive. It's pure, distilled water. What was a problem became a solution. Savings of R$ 300 thousand in just two months. The challenge now is to find out what to do with 80 thousand liters of distilled water per day. For now, distilled water is being used to lower the dust inside the landfill itself. A luxurious bath, until new businesses turn this water into a source of revenue for those who take care of garbage.

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Garbage produced by the Venâncio-Airense community travels more than 130 kilometers, daily, to be land filled. For those who do not know Minas do Leão, the city of garbage, must imagine that the residents of the city of just over eight thousand inhabitants live with an unbearable smell. But they are mistaken. The work carried

out

by

the

Companhia

Riograndense

de

Valorização de Residuos (CRVR), located on BR-290 at kilometer 181, a few meters after the clover leading to the city, does not 'show' that 42% of the waste produced in the Rio Grande do Sul. A few meters from the company's entrance, when opening the car window to feel the 'smell of garbage', only the aroma that is felt is the pure air emitted by the vegetation on the side of the highway. When talking about landfills, they imagine mountains and mountains of garbage. But it is precisely the contrary to what is seen inside the CRVR, a company that operates the waste from 132 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, including Venâncio Aires. 3.5 thousand tons of waste are deposited daily. The scale responsible for weighing the 3.5 thousand

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tons that arrive daily is the first stage of the garbage that arrives at the landfill. Just below it is a green, welltrimmed lawn. It is not imagined, right off the bat, that waste below 42% of the state's municipalities is already deposited. Where the machine operates to achieve compaction of the waste at a density of 1.05 tonnes per cubic meter, it is already 115 meters high. When it reaches 130, the space capacity will be reached. But, while this giant space is not filled, another area, on the opposite side, is already structured to receive future waste. With this process completed, the effluent is sent to the Effluent Treatment Station, where the leachate is treated and then used to wash the coal from Copelmi Mineiração Ltda, which is close to CRVR. And the odor generated by the waste is only noticed 15 meters from

the

service

front,

where

employees

equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), take care of the waste that arrives from the 132 municipalities. The coordinator of the Minas do Leão unit, Rafael

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Hollweg Salamoni highlights that the space still has a useful life of 20 years. After that period, the area of 254 hectares, with a destination of 77 hectares for landfill, but which has only 44 occupied so far, will be delivered to the community for green areas and soccer fields. Opened in 2001, the landfill, called the Sustainable Valorisation Unit (URV), is operating in an old coal pit that needed, at the time, to be recovered with a project to restore the degraded area. The unit was installed mainly to serve the Porto Alegre region, which was facing a serious problem with the disposal of waste. Today is the largest customer of CRVR, depositing two thousand tons per day and 50 thousand tons per month. CRVR is licensed to receive 120 thousand tons of solid household and urban waste per month. So far, it receives 100 thousand tons per month. Companhia Riograndense de Valorização de Residuos is generating 7.5 megabyte / hour of energy from the waste. With this production, a city with 50 thousand inhabitants could be served.

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Israeli equipment transforms rest of food and stools in cooking gas. The

Israeli

company

HomeBiogas brought, in 2018, to Brazil equipment that transforms domestic organic

waste,

as

remains of food, animal image: www.gazetadopovo.com.br

manure and even human feces, in methane gas, which can be used in the kitchen stove or to heat bath water. It costs R $ 5,900. According to the company, 30 units have already been sold in the country. By 2023, the company has a goal of selling 15 thousand units. The company does not have a physical store, and sells on the website and through sales representatives. The equipment is developed and manufactured in Israel. Founded in 2012, HomeBiogas has three partners Israelis: Yair Teller, Oshik Efrati and Erez Lanzer. The

CHORUME TREATMENT - 132

company does not disclose initial investment, revenue or profit from last year. The investment in Brazil was also not informed. Equipment can be installed in the kitchen or the bathroom. In the kitchen, the equipment is installed on the outside the house and, with a hose, the gas is carried to the stove. It generates up to three hours of gas per day, according to the company. In the bathroom, the equipment can be attached to a nautical toilet, outside. When the flush is triggered, feces, urine and paper hygienic products go into the system, which transforms waste into gas. The generated gas is used to heat the water, providing up to 25 minutes of hot bath per day, or can be channeled for use on the stove. In the bathroom, the system works as a basic sanitation solution. According to the company, the nautical toilet consumes 1.2 liters of water per flush. The equipment does not need electricity and, according

CHORUME TREATMENT - 133

to the company, is easy to install and does not cause a bad smell. Only when the lid is opened to place the waste in the system can a bad smell be felt, but similar when the lid of a trash can is opened. The methane gas generated from these organic residues is clean and odorless, as it passes through an activated carbon filter that removes any unpleasant odor. HomeBiogas has the capacity to store 700 liters of gas, equivalent to three hours of daily use. When the tank is completely

full,

the

equipment's

safety

valve

automatically releases the excess gas, which dissipates in the atmosphere. As methane gas is stored in the low pressure system, there is no risk of explosion, as long as all safety rules are followed, such as installing the equipment in an open place and away from sparks and flames. Equipment is powered by organic waste. The equipment is a biodigester and works through an anaerobic process (without oxygen), with internal bacteria that will consume organic waste and generate methane gas, which is filtered and stored.

CHORUME TREATMENT - 134

To activate the system for the first time, it is necessary to add a thousand liters of water and 120 liters of animal manure, like the feces of any grass eater (cow, ox, horse and donkey). This is equivalent to five buckets of dung. After a period of two to four weeks, a colony of bacteria forms within the system, which will act on organic waste to generate gas. To have cooking gas, you need to add leftover food daily (except for citrus peels, which contain excess bactericidal oils, can reduce the effectiveness of bacteria digestion). The indicated, according to the company, is to add the maximum daily limit of 12 liters of organic waste or 40 liters of manure (equivalent to two buckets). This generates up to three hours of cooking gas a day. The system also generates a natural fertilizer, which can be used to fertilize crops. The fertilizer is stored in a container behind the equipment. The equipment must undergo internal cleaning at every eight years, annually, the filter must be changed. The equipment is suitable for homes (for a family of up to eight people), companies, schools, farms and hotels,

CHORUME TREATMENT - 135

for example. It is not suitable for apartments. In condominiums, it is possible to put several systems in line. The equipment is still inaccessible to the individual consumer, as it is a relatively expensive product, and because it takes up a lot of space, it is not suitable for small environments.

CHAPTER 5

RENEWABLE FUELS

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One in ten infarcts in the capital of São Paulo is linked to air pollution, which results in 4,000 premature deaths per year. The effects of polluted air account for 12% of respiratory admissions, with the transport sector accounting for 14% of GHGs (greenhouse gases). Who lives with the traffic of the metropolis inhales toxic particles expelled by vehicles moved diesel and gasoline suspended in the air. A study by the Energy and Environment Institute (IEMA) shows that, in the city of São Paulo alone, cars represent 73% of the polluting gases present in the atmosphere. According to a 2013 study conducted by Saldiva for USP, if the capital's vehicles consumed only gasoline, the annual cost for the Unified Health System (SUS) would be at least R $ 380 million for care only related to diseases of the respiratory system. It is a fact that the substitution of fossil fuels for clean energy has the potential to reduce pollution in large centers, since cars powered biofuels emit far less CO₂ (carbon dioxide) than diesel or gasoline engines. Ethanol alone would provide an additional emission

RENEWABLE FUELS - 138

reduction estimated at 571 million tonnes of COâ‚‚. For health, this would prevent 11 thousand hospitalizations and almost 7 thousand deaths in the period. According to the study, there would be savings of up to R $ 23 million for SUS. As a clean source, ethanol popularly known as alcohol contributes to maintaining air quality, even in the second generation (E2G), obtained through biomass, such as straw and sugarcane bagasse. If the city exchanged fossil fuels in the vehicular fleet for ethanol, pollution would drop by 50%. Using a version of the Prius imported from Japan, Toyota do Brasil developed the prototype of a hybrid car powered by ethanol. Shooting tests of the Prius flex, as the model has been called, the idea is that in the future it will be produced in Brazil. The new technology was developed by engineers from Brazil and Japan over the past three years. The car's great advantage would be to replace gasoline (which is currently part of the Prius engine) with ethanol, a cleaner, renewable and nationally based fuel. The

RENEWABLE FUELS - 139

model is awaiting government release regarding taxation of vehicles of this type. Toyota has sold 11 million hybrid cars worldwide, most of them Prius. In 2017, in Brazil, 2,400 units were sold, according to data from the newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo. Inmetro says that the car is the most economical for sale in the country, doing 18.9 km / l in the city and 17 km / l on the road. Currently, the model collects 4% of Import Tax, 13% of IPI and costs R$ 126.6 thousand. A project that reduces the IPI of hybrids and electric to 7% is already in the hands of the government, as well as the new policy for the (automotive) sector. Toyota believes that this type of car powered by ethanol and electric power can become a reality in Brazil if there is support and incentive from state-owned companies, they already have the support of the Sugarcane Industry Union (Unica) and Investe São Paulo, linked to the state government. After undergoing laboratory tests, the flex hybrid car will now run 1,500 km from São Paulo to Brasília. Company engineers and university students with whom Toyota has

RENEWABLE FUELS - 140

a partnership will be the drivers and will assess factors such as the car's durability, engine and transmission behavior using only ethanol. The intention is for the car to maintain, at least, the same performance ratio between a common hybrid car and a single combustion car, which is 50% more efficient. Biodiesel: Renewable and environmentally friendly fuel Global warming, caused by the greenhouse effect, has been causing serious changes

in

our

ecosystem dioxide Image: www.cilebr.com

carbon, the main cause, is released into the atmosphere with the combustion of diesel oil. Biodiesel, a renewable biofuel, presents itself as a possible solution to the current harms caused by oil and its derivatives, significantly reducing the emission of

RENEWABLE FUELS - 141

gases that cause global warming. Resulting from a chemical process, where the main element is biomass, it is characterized as an agricultural product, biodegradable and non-toxic. Biofuels are renewable energies, coming from biomass. They release significantly less pollutants into the atmosphere than petroleum-based fuels. Some well-known examples are: hydrogen, alcohol (ethanol) and natural gas. However, the latter is a nonrenewable source. Biodiesel, in turn, consists of a renewable source of energy

and

presents

conveniences

compared

to

hydrogen and alcohol: it is cheaper than hydrogen and its production is less limited to the southeastern region, as in the case of ethanol from sugarcane. -sugar. It can be produced in any region the country, including in the semiarid. Produced from vegetable oils, tallow of origin animal, fried oil and grease found in municipal sewers, is considered a strong candidate for substitute for oil and its derivatives. Biodiesel has environmental advantages

RENEWABLE FUELS - 142

over petroleum diesel. It allows the establishment of a closed carbon cycle, that is, the plant that will be used as raw material, while in the growth phase, absorbs CO2 and releases it again when the biodiesel is burned in the combustion of the engine. According to studies, with this established closed cycle, biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by up to 78%. In addition, the use of this biofuel significantly reduces emissions of: 20% sulfur; 9.8% carbon dioxide; 35% unburned hydrocarbons; 55% non-particulate material; 78 to 100% of the gases that cause the greenhouse effect; 100% sulfur and aromatic compounds; It is also worth remembering that non-particulate materials they are the main cause of respiratory problems and sulfur compounds are the precursors of cancer and acid rain. The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997 by industrialized countries, except for the United States, was created with the aim of reducing or controlling carbon emissions to an average level 5.2% lower than in 1990, with a compliance with the year 2012.

RENEWABLE FUELS - 143

Created the so-called “Carbon Market�, where each country or company has a quota for the emission of this gas in the atmosphere, if the maximum level of its quota is not reached, the surplus can be sold through a project called CDM - Clean Development Mechanism. The CDM has programs for reforesting deforested areas and carbon capture even before it is released into the atmosphere. Financing can be done through CBF - Bio Carbon Fund, managed by the World Bank. Brazil is considered one of the cleanest sources in the world: 35.9% of the energy supplied by the country is from renewable sources. However, in addition to the environmental advantages, biodiesel can also generate jobs, strengthen the industrial sector, especially in the north and northeast regions, encourage family farming and improve the generation and distribution of income, contributing to the eradication of hunger and to a balance of rural exodus. There are several projects in the country and some pilot units installed with the purpose of researching and experimenting with the use of biodiesel so that a final

RENEWABLE FUELS - 144

product cost, accessible to the consumer, can be reached. As an example, there is the Mamona-Cearรก project, which aims to generate income and better distribute it, generate jobs and strengthen the industrial sector in the region and the pilot unit in Teresina-PI, whose objective is to function as a factory-school for professional training in the production of biodiesel. In addition, it also intends to contribute to the eradication of poverty in the region. Holder of a great diversity of biomass, the Brazil stands out in relation to its productive capacity: the country is able to lead the world production of biodiesel, promoting the replacement of at least 60% of the current world demand for diesel oil. Former President Lula approved a provisional measure authorizing the mixing of 2% of biodiesel to conventional diesel, which could generate a great savings of foreign exchange, which could reach $ 160 million in the first 8 years, equivalent to 800 million liters of oil, triggering a possible process of economic growth in the country. This law was effective on January 1, 2006.

RENEWABLE FUELS - 145

Every 1% replacement of conventional diesel oil with biodiesel can generate about 45 thousand jobs in the field and an annual income of approximately R$ 4,900.00 per job, which will lead to a greater concentration of men in the field, reducing the exodus rural. With this measure, the industrial sector can be strengthened, mainly in the north and northeast regions, where palm oil production, which can be used as a raw material, is considerable. In addition, family farming is encouraged through the “Social Fuel� seal, which is awarded to companies that use raw materials from small farmers. In return, these companies receive tax incentives, such as exemption from part of Pis and Cofins. Brazil has competitive advantages over other countries due to the soil and climates favorable to the production of raw materials. However, if we achieve a complete replacement of conventional diesel with biodiesel instead of just making a percentage addition of it, countries, including Brazil, may not have such numerous arable areas, in which they are not being used; For food

RENEWABLE FUELS - 146

purposes. Even so, many countries have shown interest in the use of biodiesel to comply with the measures proposed in the Kyoto Protocol. However, the advantages of biodiesel outweigh the possible disadvantages, leading to the concept of the best current alternative as a fuel for diesel engines.

CHAPTER 6

RENEWABLE ENERGY

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 148

During the sugar cane production chain, countless byproducts are generated, including straw or straw and bagasse. The straw comprises all the material remaining on the surface of the plot, after the cane harvest, mainly mechanized, consisting of green leaves, straw, pointers, stems, roots, weeds and particles of soil adhered to it. Bagasse is the result of the process of extracting sugarcane juice. Both are made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, among other constituents. Until a few years ago, sugarcane bagasse and straw were underutilized. Part of it was burned in boilers to generate energy and the straw was left in the field. But this scenario has changed in recent years and the agroindustrial

by-product

has

gained

economic

and

environmental value. Today, these materials are used for purposes such as: paper production, charcoal and even asphalt mix composition and production of pellets (biofuel that uses residues such as sawdust or shavings as raw material). Brazil has already installed two factories that produce ethanol from bagasse and cane straw in the states of

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 149

Alagoas and São Paulo. Opening a new one In the market, sugarcane mills are already using bagasse and cane straw to make pellets, which can serve as charcoal for barbecues and fireplaces, as fuel material for food, boilers in factories and electricity generators. The advantage of using these pellets ranges from the fact that they take up little space, as the bagasse or straw undergoes a drying and pressure process, to the fact that they are obtained from renewable vegetable matter, replacing coal and other polluting sources. The use of sugarcane bagasse for paper production is nothing new. It has been around for over 60 years! Currently, several international companies use this raw material to produce several categories of paper, including sulfite. In 2017 it was installed in the city of Lençóis Paulista (SP) the first factory in Brazil to produce raw material for paper from sugar cane straw. According to the company the entire production process that involves obtaining the base pulp for the production of paper is sustainable, without emission of pollutants and the products obtained are biodegradable.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 150

Also being tested in Brazil is a new technology that uses sugarcane bagasse as a stabilizing additive for the production of asphalt mixture, type SMA (Stone Matrix Asphalt). A group of researchers from the Federal Institute

of

Education,

Science

and

Technology

Fluminense (IFF), the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) and the University of Grande Rio (Unigranrio), developed a type of SMA that uses bagasse in its composition, reducing production costs of this type of asphalt mix, since the fibers normally used for SMA production have a higher cost when compared to the fibers

of

the

sugarcane

bagasse.

The

National

Technology Laboratory, of the National Research Center for Energy and Materials (LNNano / CNPEM) started testing sugarcane bagasse for charcoal production. The new technology could be a revolution in the manufacture of filters (water and air) in Brazil and in the world, since the charcoal obtained from bagasse and cane straw has the same efficiency as that traditionally used. Power generation

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 151

Brazil needs co generation from sugar cane. The sugarenergy sector is responsible for 80% of the country's biomass power generation capacity. However, these values can be increased, since there is still a lot of excess bagasse, in addition to the potential for using straw, since few industrial units collect straw from the field. In 2015, the supply of energy obtained from biomass grew by 7%, generating more than 22 TWh, which is equivalent to supplying 11 million homes for an entire year. The energy generated in the plants from bagasse and straw contributes as installed capacity, in almost 10% of the energy matrix, according to the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), occupying the second position in the matrix, behind only water and fossil sources, according to the Union of the Sugarcane Industry (UNICA). Thus, all biomass responsible for the generation of electric and thermal energy, bagasse and straw is now of fundamental importance for new projects and also for the expansion of existing plants.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 152

In addition to the importance for generating electricity, both bagasse and straw can also be used as raw material for the production of second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) ethanol. Through chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis, the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions are converted to hexoses and pentoses and after pre-treatment processes, the obtained solution can be fermented and produce ethanol. In 2015 and 2016, the Brazilian harvest exceeded 666 thousand tons, according to UNICA's estimate. Of this total, about one third became bagasse, obtained after the process of crushing the cane in the plants, in addition to the straw that has been collected from the field by several industrial units. In view of this scenario, bagasse and straw from cane, gained importance and commercial value for the sugar-energy sector, as raw material for various products and processes. Even after being burnt, sugarcane bagasse still has commercial value. The ash collected from the boilers is a rich compost used in farming as a complementary input to the fertilization of sugarcane or as an additive for the

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 153

production of bricks, the manufacture of products such as tiles, water tanks and partitions. However, there is still a major bottleneck that needs to be corrected. Currently, the producer does not receive for the bagasse delivered to the mill. Countless studies have been done to try to compensate the cane producer for the bagasse delivered, nothing more still in the implementation phase. It is estimated that for each ton of cane-processed sugar, 260 kilos are transformed into bagasse and for straw this value is conditioned to the variety and cutting stage and can generate between 10 and 15 tons of dry matter per hectare of sugarcane, with a moisture content of 10%. The SMA asphalt mix was developed in Germany in the late 1960s, being composed of cellulose or glass fibers. Its main characteristic is its great resistance, being used as a coating for European and American highways and airports. The charcoal produced from bagasse has a cost of up to 20%, when compared to the charcoal available in the

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 154

country, which is usually imported and comes from wood, animal bones or coconut shell. Therefore, the new technology makes the country more autonomous in the production

of

this

raw

material,

without

price

dependencies and fluctuations in international markets. Cearรก plans to transform sea wave into energy from 2020 The northeastern state is a pioneer in the electrical harnessing of ondo-motive energy, produced by the movement of sea waves Electricity can be generated image: casa.abril.com.br

in several ways. In Brazil, the main sources used are hydraulics, natural gas, oil and mineral coal. The production processes that use these sources, however, have disadvantages that threaten nature, such as the emission of greenhouse gases, air pollution and acid

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 155

rain.

However,

an

alternative

that

respects

the

environment was installed in Ceará in 2012: the Porto de Pecém wave plant, located in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante. Result of the partnership between researchers from the Coordination of Graduate Programs of Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Coppe-UFRJ), the project was financed by Tractebel Energia (currently ENGIE) and had the support of the Government of the State of Ceará. The private company came to invest R $ 15 million in the project, but with the end of the contract in 2016, the project was stopped. In 2017, the then coordinator of the plant and professor Segen Estefen resumed the experiments in Ceará, with total completion scheduled for 2020. However, the coordination also focuses on the construction of a wave plant in Rio de Janeiro, this time, in partnership with Furnas and Seahorse Wave Energy. From the Pecém Port plant, it is expected to generate 100 kilowatts to supply the main port in Ceará (energy that can supply up to 60 families local). Because the wave movement is the main source, the ondomotriz

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 156

energy is clean and renewable, thus not causing damage to the environment. Furthermore, it is a process that has great potential for exploration, since Brazil has a vast coastline and constant trade winds, especially in Cearรก. This phenomenon guarantees regularity in the movement of the waves, which increases the efficiency of the plant. The plant is built in modules, each consisting of a float, a mechanical arm and a pump connected to a freshwater circuit. From the movement of the waves, the floats go up and down, triggering the hydraulic pumps. These do fresh water circulates at high pressure and then transports it to an accumulator, where water and air are compressed in a hyperbaric chamber. The water leaves the accumulator with pressure and flow and drives a turbine, which drives a generator and produces electricity. This is the big difference for hydraulic energy: instead of the water being used in the fall, it is pressed in a closedcircuit. Renewable and clean energy sources.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 157

Traditional

sources

of

energy, such as fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas), they are extremely polluting and have a major negative impact on the environment. image: www.portal-energia.com

In addition, they are also not renewable, that is, their reverses in nature are limited. For this reason, exploring alternatives that are less polluting and renewable energy is one of the main actions of sustainability strategies. Among the so-called “clean energies�, some of the best known are: solar (obtained through the Sun); wind (obtained through the force of the winds); hydroelectric (obtained through the force of the waters); geothermal (through the heat that exists inside the planet); among others. Mineral energy sources are limited, that is, your existing reserves on Earth will one day end. So that the planet does not face an energy crisis, there needs to be a strategy that controls and rationalizes the extraction of these resources.

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The ideal would be the total replacement of mineral raw materials by renewable energy sources. But as the world moves towards this scenario, zeal for the way these polluting sources are always extracted is essential. The exploitation of these resources must be done with extreme care, as accidents can compromise the stability of an entire ecosystem. Offshore oil extraction platforms, for example, can cause an environmental disaster if the mineral leaks into the ocean. Not only the exploitation of ores, but also other natural raw materials, such as trees, for example, must be done responsibly. Automobiles powered by fossil fuels are largely responsible for air pollution in the big cities. Thus, adopting alternative means of transport, such as cycling or using public transport, is an example of collaboration for the sustainable growth of the community. Encouraging the development of technologies that serve as an alternative to current fuels (gasoline, diesel, diesel, etc.) is another action aimed at the sustainability

RENEWABLE ENERGIES - 159

of the environment. Electric and solar powered cars are examples of these “nature-friendly� technologies. Many cities, especially in developed countries, provide bicycle rental services. This is an example of a stimulus made by the government and companies for people to change their habits and adopt greener measures. Avoiding the waste of energy and water is an individual action, but it makes all the difference in the purpose of sustainability. For this, acts such as turning off electronic devices when not in use, as well as lamps and taking advantage of sunlight as much as possible are examples of how it is possible to rationalize energy consumption.

CHAPTER 7

PRESERVATION OF TREES

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 161

Trees sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere, which helps to improve air quality. If on your list of things to do in life there are image: d24am.com

the item “plant a tree”, can put that objective on the priority list. And, if possible, don't plant just one. According to a study published on July 5, 2019, in the scientific journal Science, planting a few billion trees around the world would be the best way to improve air quality in the future. This is the first research to quantify the trees that we could plant on Earth to decrease carbon levels in the atmosphere by up to 25%. And not only in which regions of the planet can more green areas fit? That's what experts from scientific institutions in Switzerland, Italy and France responded. They collected data from 80,000 forests in the world and used Google software to generate a map of which parts

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 162

of the planet could count on the greatest vegetable cover. The results show that, excluding existing green areas, as well as urban and agricultural regions, the terrestrial ecosystem still has space for 0.9 billion hectares occupied by trees. If all of this were planted, 200 trillion tons of carbon could be removed from the atmosphere. If you are wondering how this would happen, just remember the school's biology classes: when doing photosynthesis, plants capture carbon dioxide (CO ₂) from the atmosphere. So they are essential to ensure cleaner air. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) demonstrated that more than 1 billion hectares would have to be planted to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 ° C by 2050. The best way to grow so many trees it is not yet clear whether it would even be possible to plant all this But as long as large-scale measures are not taken, we can do our part. To sow some seeds is a start. Burned

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The smoke that darkened the sky in São Paulo on August 19, 2019, increased the concern of researchers regarding the effects of the fires that spread throughout the country. Data released by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) show that five Brazilian states had a greater increase in the number of fires since the beginning of anode 2019, compared to the same period last year (2018). In Mato Grosso do Sul alone, the increase was 260% compared to 2018. Fires can have an effect on cities. The natural route for this smoke was to go to the South, but a cold front got in the way and made this smoke make a “detour” to São Paulo. The paulistas felt the air that the population of states like Acre,

Rondônia,

Mato

Grosso,

Mato

Grosso

do

Sul, Pará and Maranhão lived together for consecutive weeks during the winter, especially at the end of the season, when fires intensify and spread throughout the country. However, as the smoke was very high, the fact did not

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cause so many consequences for São Paulo in addition to the pollution that already exists in the city. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t worry about the issue. On the 17th, the international airport of Viru, in Bolivia, was closed due to low visibility. Beyond In addition, experts highlight the increased risk of respiratory diseases for the populations of the regions that live close to the fires. Environmental fires are caused especially with the aim of burning agricultural and pasture waste to plant new production. They are announcing a burn in Chapada dos Guimarães in Mato Grosso that may have been caused by a cigarette butt because someone burned trash and the fire got out of control. But it is possible to say that this is accidental? Natural is not. But human activity remains the major cause of fires, as in the case of the Amazon, a tropical and consequently humid forest. Burning in the Amazon increases between two and four times the temperature of the soil and air.

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During

August

and

September 2019, newspapers from

all

over

the

world

reported the vast fires that devastated

the

Brazilian

Amazon rainforest. Much of the concern comes from the importance of the Amazon in regulating the global climate. According to the Associated Press, the Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, about 5% of global emissions. Thus, fires in the region reduce this absorption capacity and, at the same time, add carbon to the air through burning. A recent study led by Gabriel de Oliveira from the University of Kansas (USA), published in the magazine Eco hydrology, provides an important contextualization about the fires that currently occupy large areas of the Amazon, most of which were intentionally started by farmers and ranchers to convert forests on land suitable for animal grazing or cultivation. The researchers sought to discover how these changes in land cover affect the

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exchange of water and heat between the surface of the Amazon and the atmosphere. Oliveira and his colleagues analyzed information from satellites and meteorological stations on land in the Amazon. With data from the Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA), they examined changes in surface energy and water in different categories of land cover in a rainy year and in a year of drought in the state of RondĂ´nia. The team also found statistically significant differences in several important measures before and after a year of deforestation. The researchers found significant variations between areas on opposite sides of the Ji-ParanĂĄ River, with one side suffering more deforestation than the other, which is located within the protected area of the Jaru Biological Reserve. They measured the spatial variation of albedo (the fraction of sunlight incident that the surface reflects), liquid radiation (total energy, derived from sunlight available on the surface), soil and sensitive heat flows

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 167

(amount of heat transferred from the surface to the atmosphere) and evapotranspiration (the process by which water is transferred from the earth to the atmosphere by evaporation of the soil and transpiration of the plants). The rest of the world depends on the Amazon region to help regulate the global climate. The rainfall in the tropics, all the water flows that occur there, affect the entire world. The Amazon has a very important role to play in this. There is nothing in the world like the unique ecosystem of the Amazon. IS quite fascinating. But sometimes, the fire gets out of control and reaches the forest, contributing to deforestation. But it happens in the Amazon every year. There are no natural fires in the Amazon. All are caused by human beings. Fire outbreaks in the Amazon increased 30% in 2019 in the Pantanal, almost 6 times higher. Why it is not correct to compare fires in the Amazon to those in Australia.

PRESERVATION OF TREES – 168

Think of the smoke coming out of a volcano. Now, imagine comparing it to the smoke coming out of a car exhaust. The analogy with volcanic smoke and that of a car is not by chance. It is because the essential difference between the two categories of fire is the same as that between these two categories of smoke: one is, in its mostly natural; the other, caused mainly by human action. What is known about the 'Day of Fire', a key moment of burning in the Amazon. The forest takes decades or hundreds of years to recover: What differentiates the fires in the Amazon and in the cerrado. The influence of global warming on the intensity of situations is one of the few possible similarities. It is mainly due to causes so different that you cannot compare fires in the Amazon and Australia. Jos Barlow, a researcher at the University of Lancaster and the Federal University of Lavras, explains that Australian flora evolved with fire, which occurs naturally

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in parts of the country. It is an ecosystem that burns from time to time. In other words, the fires mostly happen naturally, due to the incidence of lightning. There is also a minority of cases of fires caused on purpose. Fires in many Australian ecosystems, such as outbacks, occur naturally. It is part of having fire with a certain frequency, as in the coastal forests of California, in the savannas in Africa or in the Brazilian cerrado. It has a fire regime. But this is being exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Temperatures are already higher and the drought period is longer in Australia, which favors the spread of fire. There was also the influence of the Indian Ocean Dipole (known as El Niño do Índico), which refers to the difference in sea surface temperatures in opposite regions of the ocean. Last year, it was “extraordinarily strong”. This means that the region west of the Indian Ocean warmer than normal and, in the east, colder, causing floods in Africa and Indonesia and dry conditions in

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 170

Australia. The Amazon rainforest, "without interference, never burns naturally", the rainforest is humid, as the English name says, "rain-forest", or "rain forest". Fire does not occur naturally in this ultra-humid environment that is the Amazon. It needs to be initiated by someone. So, the fire in Brazil would have started for the most part as part of the deforestation process, when the vegetation is felled, placed in the sun to dry and then burned to clean the area. The trees turned to ash. The comparison between the size of the fires in the two countries previously made by BBC News, other vehicles and users of social networks could not have been made either. This is because not only are fires with quite different

causes,

but

also

different

periods

and

methodologies for measuring dimensions. According to data from the Burns program, from INPE (National Institute of Space Programs), January and November 2019, an area of 70698 km² was burned in the Brazilian Amazon. This is equivalent to 7 million hectares. INPE uses satellite data.

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In Australia, according to the newspaper The Guardian, total burned since the beginning of the season, in June 2019, until January 8, 2020 is 10.7 million hectares. So, a data refer to almost an entire year in the Brazil; the other, the Australian fire season that started in June. And comparing what happened in the two countries in the same year would not be fair, because Brazil had a “normal” year in terms of temperature, “even quite humid”,

while

Australia

had

“exceptional

climatic

conditions” last year. It would be less unfair to compare the fire in the Amazon in 2015 with Australia's current burning season. In 2015, the El Niño phenomenon caused extreme droughts in the Amazon, giving conditions for fires to thrive. Inpe's Burns program gives an "ample estimate and an overview of the areas burned in Brazilian biomes". Developed

in

partnership

with

the

Laboratory

of

Environmental Satellite Applications - LASA, of the Meteorology Department at UFRJ, it is “constantly updated and validated”. In addition to different dates and methodologies, other

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 172

aspects that these data cannot translate, complicate the comparison between fire in Australia and in Brazil. Experts say that the INPE figures underestimate the area burned in the Amazon region because “satellites have difficulty detecting fire under the treetopsâ€?. Satellites detect fire better in open areas or in biomes such as the cerrado or savanna. These differences between fire categories are explained in the study Clarifying Amazonia's Burning Crisis, published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology in November last year, authored by Barlow, Berenguer, the researchers Rachel Carmenta and Filipe França, and others who preferred to remain anonymous. Fires also have a different impact on the two ecosystems. An example: In ecosystems that evolved with fire, trees have very thick bark, forming a barrier against flames. Tree bark in the Amazon, on the other hand, is quite thin. When the case gained wide national repercussions and international being debated even by leaders at the G7 summit, the Brazilian government decided to send army

PRESERVATION OF TREES - 173

troops to fight the fires. The Australian Prime Minister has also been accused of being negligent in the face of the crisis, including a few days of vacation in Hawaii and has been criticized for underestimating the effects of global warming on the incidents.

CHAPTER 8

EXAMPLES SUSTAINABILITY

OF

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 175

Monaco sets an example of sustainability for the world. There are several sustainable initiatives

being

developed

Monaco.

Learn

about

in

some

actions that institutions have been implementing in the country: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation In 2006, the H.S.H. Prince Albert II founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, dedicated to preserving the environment and promoting sustainable development on a global scale. The foundation supports public and private initiatives and focuses its efforts on three main areas:

climate

change

and

renewable

energy

development; biodiversity; and water management (such as universal access to clean water and the fight against desertification), acting mainly in the Mediterranean, polar regions and underdeveloped countries of the Africa,

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 176

South America and Southeast Asia. Since its inception, more than 420 projects have been funded. The foundation's mission is not only to establish partnerships and execute projects, but also to raise the awareness of people and authorities about the impact of human activity on the environment and encourage more sustainable behaviors. The projects supported by the foundation are quite diversified, ranging from the fight against deforestation to the development of marine protected areas or even of a social nature, among many other actions. Not only in other countries, there are also initiatives in the principality itself,

such

as

the

“Wood

Forever�

pact,

which

encourages the yacht industry in Monaco to use wood from sustainable forests. Monaco Ocean Week The first edition of the event took place in 2017 and brought together local and international stakeholders focused on one cause: the protection of the oceans. One

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 177

manifesto was EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 189 signed at the end of the event by several authorities to recall the decisive role of the oceans in the climatic balance and in the lives of the inhabitants of the entire planet. Stakeholders were also trained to help preserve the oceans and develop protected marine areas. Pelagos Sanctuary The Pelagos agreement was signed by Monaco, France and Italy at the end of the 20th century for the creation of a marine sanctuary covering 87500 km². The objective is to protect mammals and their habitat from negative impacts of human activity, such as pollution, collisions between ships and animals, disturbances, among others. Trail through historic trees As part of the principality's commitment against deforestation, there is a trail through historic trees of Monaco,

elaborated

by

Prince

Albert

II

of

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 178

Monaco Foundation and the MC2D association. In addition to their beauty, the trees illustrate the actions of Monégasque entities against deforestation. There is information about each tree and the path passes through the Jardin de La Petite Afrique, in addition to other emblematic gardens such as the Japanese Garden and Villa Sauber. The Bag For Life Campaign Monaco has banned the use and sale of disposable plastic bags. To help reduce plastic, each Monégasque house received a reusable cloth bag, made with natural and biodegradable materials. Monaco Explorations The initiative, which was launched in 2017, brought together a group of scientists and specialists in humanities and nature sciences, who will participate in scientific expeditions to study the impact of human

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 179

activities and the relationship of different cultures with the sea. On board the Yersin boat, the group will complete a circumnavigation of the globe in a period of 36 months. Monitoring Twenty years ago, the principality established an air quality control network with six monitoring stations. By making this measurement continuous, it is possible to imitate pollution warnings and check air quality in the long term and the results are communicated to the public through screens located at the entrance to the country. The principality also monitors the physical quality and coastal

water

measurements

chemistry of

all

based

components

on of

the

repeated marine

environment (water bodies, sediments and organisms as well as monitoring the effects of natural events or artificial activities that can affect water quality. It is important to note that the Monaco Bay includes two protected areas, Larvotto Reserve, created in 1976, with an area of 30 hectares and the submarine Spelugues,

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 180

with about 1.9 hectares, created in 1986 and home to several marine species. Grimaldi Forum The center has been eco-responsible since the beginning and in 2008 it became one of the first European cultural and conference centers to obtain ISO 14001: 2004. Its green policy has become a major part of its corporate strategy. The site offers concrete solutions for organizing customized green events. Monaco Scientific Center It was founded in 1960 by Prince Rainier III with the aim of promoting oceanographic research and supporting government and international organizations responsible for the protection and conservation of the marine environment. Since 1989, the center has specialized in study the role of coral ecosystems in relation to climate change. The teams are divided into three groups:

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 181

department of marine biology, department of polar biology and department of medical biology. ABC Cerrado: example of the sustainability of Brazilian agribusiness The ABC Plan provides for the

promotion

of

technological systems and processes to expand image: www.cnabrasil.org.br

sustainable production. Recognized as an agro-environmental power, the Brazil is going to be one of the biggest producers sustainable food products in the world. Today, Brazilian agriculture occupies only 30% of our 850 million hectares. Considering only crops, the occupation does not reach 8% of land used more than once, as we harvest in the same area, thanks to the technology that we developed for tropical agriculture, two or three harvests. More than 60% of the territory is occupied by native forests, most of which are preserved in legal reserves of

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 182

vegetation that rural producers have, by law, to maintain and care for on their farms. The international and national markets demand more and more from Brazil to preserve our rich biodiversity. The government and producers, small, medium and large, have sought to respond to the demands of the contemporary consumer, here and abroad. Proof of this effort is the Low Carbon Agriculture Plan (Plano ABC), launched in 2011 and present in all states. The ABC Plan foresees the promotion of technological systems

and

processes

to

expand

sustainable

production, helping our agriculture to adapt more easily to the adverse effects of climate change, as well as enabling Brazil to comply, even before the deadline ends. , the goals assumed in the Paris Agreement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. It is known that agriculture is one of the sectors most susceptible to climate change and the effects of this process of reducing periods of rain, increasing pests and worsening drought, for example. No farmer wants to suffer this and everyone is aware that they need to

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 183

adhere to sustainable practices. It is demonstrated that, in the ABC Plan, low carbon technologies provide greater economic profitability and productivity to the rural producers that adopt them. Within this plan, the ABC Cerrado project worked land management in the second largest biome in the country, contributing to the preservation of native vegetation in central

Brazil

and

to

reducing

the

emission

of

greenhouse gases. Between 2014 and 2019, ABC Cerrado brought small and medium-sized rural producers in seven states: Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Tocantins, Maranhão, Bahia, Piauí, Minas Gerais and the Federal District, simple and innovative

practices

for

agriculture

low

carbon.

About 7800 producers had the opportunity to learn about and adopt modern production technologies: recovery of degraded pastures, Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF), no-tillage system and planted forests. In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the National Rural Learning

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 184

Service (Senar), ABC Cerrado benefited a total area of 93844 hectares, corresponding to 110 thousand fields of football. Until the beginning of the ABC Cerrado, a project financed by the World Bank, 21.7% of the properties used low carbon technologies in the region. After four years of work, the index rose to 59.1% of the properties. With the project, 88 thousand hectares of pastures were recovered in the cerrado. Pasture recovery involves different techniques, ranging from fertilizing and soil correction to replacing grass. Thus, the production of pasture increases, making it possible to house more animals, which gain more weight in the same area. In other words: the enterprise becomes more profitable for the rancher. At the same time, natural resources are used more rationally and efficiently, reducing pressure on new areas of native vegetation. All of this combined ensures the preservation of the cerrado biome. One of the most relevant data observed during the development of ABC Cerrado was that, for every US $ 1 invested by the federal government in training and

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 185

technical assistance, the rural producer put, from his own pocket, $7 in inputs and services to adopt practices sustainable. This shows that, as we have highlighted, the Brazilian

producer

values

the

protection

of

the

environment. And it proves that the public power is not alone in this mission. Actions such as ABC Cerrado are also important for keeping rural producers and their families on their land, taking young people back to the countryside and ensuring, also through the integration between farming and livestock, food security in Brazil and its 160 trading partners. Always considering the preservation of the environment, a fundamental asset of our agriculture. LafargeHolcim sets an example of sustainability by returning native seedlings. French-Swiss LafargeHolcim plants 91,000 seedlings in retired mines in Brazil and shows that it is possible to recover seriously degraded regions, minimizing damage from the exploration. SĂŁo Paulo: The environmental

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 186

tragedies caused by the rupture of the Mariana and Brumadinho dams, in Minas Gerais, drew attention to the fragility not only of safety in mining activities, but also of inspection by public agencies. A project in the interior of SĂŁo Paulo shows that, even an activity of exploration of mineral resources can, at the end of its cycle, minimize its damage. An area of 51 hectares, equivalent to about 51 football fields, has been covered by vegetation again after decades of activity. It took 10 years to complete the project and investments of R$ 3 million, which included the purchase and planting of 91 thousand seedlings of native trees, part of which came from a nursery maintained by the multinational in Minas Gerais. The areas of 150 hectares (FelicĂ­ssimo) and 50 hectares (Ipanema) together make up the mining concession

operated

by

the

French-Swiss

LafargeHolcim. Of this total, 51 hectares were explored. The resources for the recovery of the two retired mines came from the provisioning made over the years, in a policy defined by

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 187

the multinational and applied not only to its approximately 15 mines in Brazil (aimed at aggregate operations, such as gravel used for civil construction, and cement), but in all operations abroad. In December 2018, a provisional measure was issued which, by regulating the Mining Code, made this provision mandatory for the recovery of closed mines (as it is called when they become unproductive and the extraction of ore is completed), but who acts in the sector points for the lack of detail in the text. In the LafargeHolcim project, the first developed by the company in Brazil, in addition to delivering the land with a new green area, part of the production unit's facilities was also reused. About 500 cubic meters of unreinforced concrete and another 500 cubic meters of brick were sent to the landfill in Sorocaba, where the mine was located. When they come to an end, operations like FelicĂ­ssimo and Ipanema go through a dismantling of the buildings (which include offices, houses, warehouses, crusher, electrical network, maintenance workshop) and the removal of machinery and residues from the extraction of

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 188

limestone. Part of this material was used for road maintenance. Another part could be reused by the community in the settlement areas in Ipanema. Last year, LafargeHolcim informed Ibama that it had completed work on the SĂŁo Paulo mine, but the public agency still lacks the green light for the area to return permanently to the Union. Until that occurs, the multinational is responsible for monitoring the region. For the planting of seedlings, it was possible to use the material discarded during the mine's useful life, differently from what happens with iron ore. In limestone extraction, layers are removed upper arid soil, stocked one above the other, forming a kind of step (the slopes). These are called sterile piles, which reach 60 meters in height. In the recovery technique used by LafargeHolcim, planting seedlings it was made on top of the pile, turned into forest. This technique, according to the company, guarantees the geotechnical stability of the terrain. For Bruno Hallak, the company's environment manager, although ore and limestone have very different

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 189

characteristics, accidents at mines in Mariana and Brumadinho warned of the need to increase care in the sector. The SĂŁo Paulo project yielded LafargeHolcim, in April, during the forum, Area Recovery Programs Degraded (Prad) in Mining Licensing, a certificate of recognition from Ibama for the actions developed in that region. Despite the experience in the interior of SĂŁo Paulo, a new mine recovery closed by LafargeHolcim should take time. Current operations in Brazil, according to Hallak, face at least 10 years of exploration. But the provisioning of resources to invest in environmental recovery has been done since the beginning of the exploration of these mines. Colombians

create

a

biodegradable

dish

that

germinates when discarded. The dish is totally disposable and ecological, but instead of contaminating the environment even more, creates a new life when it starts to decompose.

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 190

It is not new that plastic has become the greatest enemy of our planet,

of

environment

the as

a

whole. Today, more image: www.revistapazes.com it

than ever, we need to come together to find the solution to the large amount of plastic waste that is thrown mainly in the oceans. But there are those who struggle to make a difference, as is Colombian company LifePack, which ended up to create biodegradable products that germinate after use. That is, they can be thrown on the floor without any problem that will not pollute the environment. After use, the dish can be planted on the ground or in a pot to germinate flowers, herbs or more plant species. It's as simple as removing the biofilm layer you have on top of the plate to support the plate on the floor. If you don't want to plant it, the used dish will disintegrate in just 3 weeks. Excellent news for the environment. After all, it is the best substitute for

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 191

disposable plastic plates. Currently, the company creates only dishes, but it is in their interest that in the near future they will be able to expand products with sustainable packaging, both for food and drinks, including cups and cutlery. Unlike other companies, LifePack generates more than 60% of indirect jobs for single mothers through the sale of products. In this way, they benefit from the company because they have the opportunity to work from home while taking care of their children. The Lessons We Must Learn from Australia, Israel and Singapore Brazil has always been considered a country abundant in water resources. However, it goes through scarcity due to poor management. As an example of the lessons we must learn, some countries have much to teach us. Among countries looking to improve water management more and more, we have Australia, Israel and Singapore.

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 192

Of the techniques used by these countries, I can mention large investments in infrastructure, the reuse of water and the desalination of sea water. Australia suffers from major droughts, it just doesn't rain there. Being considered one of the driest countries, the source of water used by it is the Murray-Darling Basin, with 5890 km in length. In order to solve water problems, around 6 billion real were invested in infrastructure, which helped to combat leaks and save water. In Brazil, one of the major factors faced is treated water that is lost due to leaks in old pipes. In addition, works were carried out to combat waste, causing the wastewater from the houses to go to their own reservoirs to receive treatment. After being treated, the so-called reuse water returns to the houses that are adapted with special taps for this purpose. This water is used to clean houses, wash clothes or any other activity that can avoid the use of drinking water. Another important factor was the construction of

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 193

desalination plants, used to transform sea water into drinking water. In Israel in a region with little water, the country has been fighting drought since its birth. Because of this factor, the solution had to be broader and it was necessary to develop techniques for extracting water even from frosts, being reverted to agriculture. Also for agriculture, drip irrigation techniques were developed, in which the water is directed directly to the root of the plants. In addition, sanitation is a very important factor, with treatment rates reaching 90% of treated sewage, which is later reused. The country also has about 5 plants of desalination of Mediterranean

Sea

water,

in

addition

to

strong

environmental education program for children in schools and strict loss control, the which avoids waste across the country. Israel faces 9 months of drought per year, registering

EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY – 194

less rainfall than the Brazilian semiarid. Even so, the population does not suffer from a lack of water, an example in the management of water resources. Singapore is known as one of the most efficient centers for reusing water, 100% of the population has drinking water and

treated

and

reused

sewage. Singapore has an impressive infrastructure for collecting rainwater, desalination plants, combating spills and awareness campaigns. It also has a plan to import water from Malaysia through pipelines, complex and expensive logistics. Among the awareness programs, there is an incentive to purchase products that reduce water use, called water efficiency labels.

CHAPTER 9

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS – 196

Water pollution is any change in its physical, chemical and biological characteristics that may cause damage to the health of the population, image: www.akatu.org.br

compromising fauna and the use of water for beneficial uses. Thousands of rivers are polluted all over the world every day, which represents a very serious socioenvironmental problem. The disorderly urban expansion, combined with the development of industry and agricultural activities are the main causes of river pollution. Domestic, industrial and commercial activities generate characteristic pollutants that influence water quality in different ways. River pollution can be chemical, physical or biological. Chemical pollution is characterized by two categories of pollutants:

biodegradable

(chemicals

that

are

decomposed by the action of bacteria at the end of a period, such as detergents and insecticides) and persistent (persist in the environment and in living

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS – 197

organisms, being toxic to them, such as mercury). Physical pollution alters the physical characteristics of water, the main one being pollution by solids. Biological is the contamination of water by pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses, worms, etc.). There are several polluting sources of rivers, among which the discharge of residential, industrial and untreated hospital sewers stands out. This sewage increases the amount of organic matter in the water and consumes oxygen in its decomposition process, causing the death of fish and other aquatic organisms. In addition, it causes a bad smell and represents a risk to public health,

since

it

consists

of

several

pathogenic

microorganisms. Another polluting source is the garbage deposit in rivers. This waste is formed by solid residues, mainly residential and industrial. The garbage accumulates, causes the silting of the rivers and can reach the point of not allowing the flow of water to places where the river is channeled, causing floods when they occur intense rains. The use of pesticides is the main cause of river pollution

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS – 198

in rural areas. The used pesticides accumulate in the soil and are directed to rivers by rainwater, where they intoxicate and kill several living beings. Fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus in their composition, which, when they reach rivers, cause the development of an overpopulation of algae, causing eutrophication of the waters. This pollution is also caused by fertilizer industries that discharge their effluents into rivers. In Brazil, almost all rivers have some pollution. Among the most polluted are the rivers Tietê, Iguaçu, Ipojuca, dos Sinos, das Velhas and Doce. Some possible strategies to avoid and reduce river pollution are the implementation of sewage collection and treatment systems, recovery and revitalization of water courses, control of land use and occupation and correct management of solid waste. In addition, making the population aware of the problems caused by river pollution is essential. The lack of sewage treatment and adequate sanitation conditions can contribute to the proliferation of numerous parasitic and infectious diseases in addition to the

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS – 199

degradation of the water body. Proper sewage disposal is essential for the protection of public health. About fifty categories of infections can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through different ways, involving human excreta. Sewage, or excreta, can contaminate water, food, household items, hands, soil or be carried by flies, cockroaches, rodents, causing new infections. Epidemics of typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, infectious hepatitis and countless cases of worms, some diseases that can be transmitted by inadequate sewage disposal are responsible for high mortality rates in third world countries. Children are its most frequent victims, since the association of these diseases with malnutrition is usually fatal. The increase in life expectancy and the reduction in the prevalence of worms that, as a rule, they are not lethal, but they wear out the human being, they can only be intended through the correct disposal of sewers. Another important reason to treat sewage is to preserve the environment. The substances present in the sewers

PRESERVATION OF THE RIVERS – 200

exert a deleterious action on the bodies of water: organic matter can cause the concentration of dissolved oxygen to decrease, causing the death of fish and other aquatic organisms, darkening of the water and the exhalation of unpleasant odors; it is possible that the detergents present in the sewers cause the formation of foams in places of greater turbulence in the liquid mass; pesticides determine the death of fish and other animals. There is also the possibility of eutrophication due to the presence of nutrients, causing the accelerated growth of algae that give odor, taste and bio toxins to the water (CETESB, 1988).

CHAPTER 10

WATER REUSE

WATER REUSE - 202

It is possible to reduce 15% of the consumption of your home just by reusing water. Although the official has not yet been made, image: blog.safesst.com.br

no one denies that it will be very difficult for the taps to not dry out in the coming months. In a hard estimate, it may be that the rotation makes the paulistano have two days with water and five without any trace of it. A scary scenario, even because we are used to a lot of water. According to Sabesp, water consumption in Brazil is above the average recommended by the World Health Organization: while it is recommended that each person use 110 liters of water per day to meet the needs of consumption and hygiene, Brazilians even spend 200 liters a day. There are several technological solutions for water reuse that can be built in homes like, for example, a system that captures rainwater from the roof or another that directs the water that comes out of the shower drain

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to a reservoir that will supply the flush. It is possible to reduce water consumption by 15%. One flush consumes an average of six liters of water. Some older models even consume 10 to 14 liters. To save money, the ideal is to leave a bucket in the bathroom with the remains of the washing machine. The water in the washing machine lasts a maximum of two days. As it has soap, fabric softener in addition to dirt, hair and skin, it generates more bacteria than rainwater and decomposes quickly. Therefore, the water from the first wash cycles is only for flushing and should be used in less than two days. The water of the final cycle, that of the centrifugation, which contains no soap or dirt, can be used for the next machine wash. Depending on the model of the machine, you can dump the water that was in the pump in the machine again and start washing other clothes. It is worth remembering that rainwater is not portable and you cannot even bathe, but it is indicated for watering plants, cleaning sidewalks and using it for

WATER REUSE - 204

flushing. At home, it is possible to store the water that falls through the roof gutter, but, be careful not to give dengue. The greasy dish water has to go down the drain for good. There's no other way. But, what is left over from washing fruit and non-greasy dishes should have another destination: use it to water plants or clean the house and yard. Saving and reusing water is only part of the solution, but it doesn't hurt to do a little to help. Tips to save water on a daily basis and how to teach children about its conscious use. March 22 was the date created to raise awareness of the importance of this fundamental resource for the life on the planet. World Water Day was instituted by the UN and many institutions (NGOs, schools, governments) run campaigns warning about the good use of water. Perhaps most people know of its importance and its

WATER REUSE - 205

scarcity (some call it "blue gold"), because although the planet has a volume of 70% of water, only 0.7% of it is drinkable. Commemorative reminds us of the importance of saving water, but actions to respect this fundamental element of life must be put into practice every day. Let's see how to save water on a daily basis with small big actions: Close the tap while you lather your hands; To brush your teeth, use a cup; Reduce bath time; Sweep the sidewalk instead of washing it; Repair leaky faucets; To wash fruits and vegetables, you don't need to use liters of running water: Clean them in a basin with a little baking soda and another to rinse; Use the washing machine and dishwasher only when has enough charge to complete them; If you don't have a dishwasher, use a bowl to wash dishes and utensils and another to rinse. Use little soap and biodegradable; If you have a garden, water the plants early in the morning or in the evening; Washing your car in a car wash is better than washing

WATER REUSE - 206

at home; Reuse water; Collect rainwater to water the plants in the morning. Reuse the cooking water; Do not waste food. This is also wasting water, as the entire production process uses water. Get to know the concept of virtual water here. Buy less, recycle and reuse more. Bearing in mind the concept of virtual water, it is easy to understand that buying also means spending water. That is why the consumption of goods must be considered and rethought. There are several expert tips for new home installations that help to save water. If you are building your house or thinking about a renovation, check out these valuable tips. Water consumption at home can be reduced by 45% with the installation of: Smart toilets that work dry. Washing machines and dishwashers that optimize and save water and energy. High efficiency showers and taps in the use of water.

WATER REUSE - 207

The E-shower is not yet on sale, but it will be soon. It has a system that allows you to adjust the temperature and keeps water and energy savings under control. And there is also the Swirl, a tap with a double turbine built into the tap that can create a natural water vortex under the influence of gravity. Its technology saves water by 15%. . In the gardens it is advisable to install a drip irrigation system. And lawns with the type of grass that requires less water. Nowadays, there are already architects specialized in bio construction, a type of construction that applies measures,

among

others,

that

make

even

more

difference in reducing water and energy for domestic consumption. Teach children about conscious consumption. After all, setting an example at home is a great way to teach them about the importance of water. Talk to your children and together, make a list of items that can serve as goals, such as reducing bath time by five minutes per person, sweeping the sidewalk instead

WATER REUSE - 208

of washing, collecting water that falls from the shower while the temperature is being regulated and other actions that result in savings. At the end of each week, the family can resume the list to assess what has been accomplished or not. Teach children the chores in which drinking water is used or not. You can reuse the water to use it to clean the house, for example. To teach children that water is life, make a garden with them, showing that vegetables cannot live without water and that this compromises the availability of foods. Visit parks in your city and schedule walks in contact with nature to demonstrate to children the importance of conserving natural areas and their relationship with water sources. Do market shopping with the kids. Choose the food explaining that for them to be ready for sale, water was used in the production process. You can tell them that it takes about 15,000 liters of water to produce a kilo of beef. The same amount of chicken meat requires almost four thousand liters. Make conscious choices and explain to children why a product is more advisable to consume than others. It is essential to make children

WATER REUSE - 209

aware of the importance of water and its preservation. By doing our part, they can follow a more sustainable path than our generation.

CHAPTER 11

ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS

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Three years ago, Production Engineering student Gabriel Laux dos Santos, 22, came up with the idea of investing in sustainable fashion and created Levithai (@levithaicloting), an e-commerce company with clothes made only from ecological fabrics. The young man says that the brand was born out of non-conformity with the disastrous impacts and effects of the textile industry on the balance of the planet. Regarding the name of the company, Gabriel explains that it can be understood as “the imperative of the verb to levitate”. Among the pieces that are made in São Sebastião do Caí, the city where he lives, are t-shirts, sweatshirts, wallets and bikinis. The entrepreneur, however, works only with online dissemination through social networks and has no physical space, except when participating in ecological fairs. The average sales of products is varied and when there is exposure at these events, he sells more than 50 items. The ecological clothing proposal is already a wish that Gabriel has to change the world. Besides that, he decided to start with the surrounding community.

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In March last year, the idea of planting trees in partnership with the Municipality of São Sebastião do Caí came up, whenever a piece was sold. Since then, 145 seedlings have been spread throughout the city. Ecological fashion, sustainable fashion, slow fashion, proof that Brazilian consumption habits are changing. One, however, sustainability and slow living are concepts that advocate more rational consumption. So, if you're looking to get on that wave now, don't spend millions on new garments, there are some simple changes that may have to help you have a more sustainable wardrobe. 1 t-shirt costing R $ 79.00, with a 2 × margin, has an expense of R $ 39.00. Of this R $ 39, 20% goes to labor (using the average practiced by the market), then each seamstress receives R $ 7.80 per piece. For this same seamstress to have a salary of R $ 1000, she needs to sew 130 pieces on average, 5 pieces day. Look, it's easy to say that a sustainable piece is “expensive” if you compare it with the prices of these big

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stores, which resell products manufactured by the ton every day. But the first thing to consider is: sustainable clothing is better. In the sense of quality of material. You can buy a "rough" for R $ 30 in a department store, but how long will it last? How soon will you have to spend another R$ 30 on another "blast"? And most importantly: with what labor was this clothing made to cost so little? People in precarious situations and wages that barely feed the family? Children? Slavery? Boutique Sao Paulo Boutique SĂŁo Paulo reinvented the concept of thrift stores, not only reselling previously discarded pieces, but giving them new life. Second-hand products are mined, revitalized, sanitized and shipped with great affection. These pieces are not necessarily eco-friendly, vegan, or anything like that. Instead of ending up in the garbage after disposal, they go into the wardrobe of someone who may stop buying a newly manufactured item, braking the runaway cart that the big fashion industry has become.

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It seems like a small step, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. To produce 1 kg of cotton, approximately 25000 liters of water are spent. The process of creating jeans, for example, affects the environment in a very significant way, including increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To extend the life of a piece is to collaborate with the preservation of resources that have already been extracted from nature. This makes the inclusion of Boutique SĂŁo Paulo fair on the list of sustainable clothing brands to visit in SĂŁo Paulo. Honey Pie It's a women's clothing brand, it's slow fashion. Basically, an alternative to mass production, which is usually not very transparent. The pieces are made with Brazilian raw material, to strengthen

the

national

market,

in

addition

to

concentrating the entire production process of the clothes inside the studio, to closely monitor working conditions.

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Ada At Ada, there are also no collections, just short runs of clothes made with 100% natural fibers made in Brazil. In addition to slow fashion, the brand has vegan roots, so it is concerned that its raw material respects Animal Rights. The brand name is inspired by Ada Augusta Byron King, creator of the first algorithm to be processed on a machine. The pieces have a beautiful minimalist design, which makes them timeless. Speaking of veganism, if this is your ideal, you will love the Nicole Bustamante brand. The pieces are made by hand with raw vegan friendly material, positioning themselves completely against disposable / fast fashion. So much so that they offer genderless modeling clothes, that is, you only need to be human to use. King55 It manually produces male and female pieces, focused

ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS - 216

on streetwear fashion, with sustainable and ecological raw material. The store sells clothes, accessories, shoes, everything good and cool. Follow their Instagram to check out everything there: In addition to selling online, King55 has a store in Pinheiros and a Vila Madalena. Cofi Wear In the wave of unisex fashion, Cofi are 100% cotton pants that are comfortable, beautiful, practical and modern: They do not use any raw material of animal origin, so much so that even the zippers were replaced by cotton elastics. To complement the vegan production, it has an artisanal footprint, made by a team of seamstresses with a remuneration that Cofi is proud to call fair. Inescta

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As Insecta's own people say, their keyword is REUSE. With a very interesting concept, they transform used clothes into super cool shoes. In addition, Insecta has other

values

that

are

worth

mentioning:

vegan,

ecological, unisex, made in Brazil, gender equality and fair trade. And don't stop there, they manage to get a 10 in the question, beauty. 787 Shirts Conscious consumption is the main value that put 787 Shirts on that list. Daniela and Gabriela created the brand to go against the rampant consumption preached by the big fashion retailers. But the nobility of their idea does not stop there. The pieces bring out the empowerment of women through clothes and fashion. With a lot of originality and a hint of humor, strong phrases are commonplace in the 787 prints. YES

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The stylist Samanta Fernandes believes that simple, timeless pieces that can be used for years is a great solution for the rampant consumption that has haunted fashion for decades. That and another little thing that we talk about so much here: less serial production, more human and quality production. Organic Organic is a difficult brand not to fall in love with. The fabrics reuse fibers discarded in nature (such as bamboo, silk, cotton, linen and wool) and are dyed by hand. All with renewable, non-polluting raw materials and conscious disposal of materials. Everything is done with a lot of love and care, you can see by the delicacy. Serena Moon Serena Lua is a super good vibes brand, for who, besides being sustainable, likes to relate to the world,

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nature and balance the spirit. The products are all handmade, vegan and ecofriendly! Sales are made there on Instagram, by direct. HEVP HEVP is an analogy to the word HELP and already shows well the social engagement of the brand. It is still in search of new environmentally sustainable fabrics and production processes, but it makes the list because it proposes directly to fight hunger and fight for the right to education. It works like this: Each piece purchased on the site automatically means a donation to needy children. This process is done in partnership with NGOs, projects or people who work in communities, that is, everything organized and with high commitment. Manala Manala bets on a 100% artisanal manufacturing process

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to feed the national market. They made a point of looking for the best and purest cotton, because they know that better quality clothes last longer. With all the care, they cut, model, sew and print there in their own factory, in a very manual process. South Korea creates straws made with rice and manioc. Company develops more resistant and soft models that are good for nature. Since September 2019, the Canudinho Law has image: completo.news

fined establishments in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro that do not offer straws in biodegradable or recyclable paper. But a South Korean company has developed a technique

that

can

help

traders

further

preserve

nature:straws made from rice and cassava. In addition to being ecological, straws are totally edible.

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In its composition, the company uses 70% rice and 30% cassava, products easily found in Brazilian agriculture. This way, the straw is more resistant and softer on the surface at the same time. In South Korea alone, more than 10 billion straws are used per year and more than 25 billion disposable cups in the same period. If adopted in the world, the edible straw can prevent about 8 millions of tons of plastic end up in the oceans as it does annually according to the UN. Students make manioc straw and win the Future Olympics. Students from the SESI Mossorรณ school, in Rio Grande do Norte, won the Future Olympics with the cassava straw that developed, called image: www.sonoticiaboa.com.br

Biotinga, to combat the advance of plastics in the oceans.

ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS – 222

The award, organized by the Companhia de Letras group and the Instituto Vertere, took place last weekend in SĂŁo Paulo. Biodegradable, it is made with abundant and native carnauba wax and manioc raw materials from the Northeast region plus glycerin. It can also be ingested, without causing human health. The biodegradable straw has firm consistency and good flexibility,

to

ensure

comfort

and

practicality

for

consumers. And according to the flavor of mint, passion fruit, strawberry, grape, chewing gum and vanilla the straw has a different color. The Olympics of the Future award aims to encourage young people to become interested in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Student Francisca Helen Marques, project leader, says that the idea came about because the plastic straw has been identified as a major environmental problem. The professor who helped the team to enroll and go through the three stages of the competition, Aryon Diniz

ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS - 223

Soares, believes how important it is to encourage research among younger students. The SESI / RN students took the main prize of the event, with Biotinga and another team from MossorĂł, from Mater Christi school, placed 2nd with the project MelĂ­ponas da Mata-Branca, an initiative to preserve bees.

CHAPTER 12 BIODEGRADA BLE AND GREEN PLASTIC

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Brazil's “green” plastic Increasingly, varieties of plastic made from renewable raw

materials

are

being

developed. In Brazil, the use of leftover vegetables from the sugarcane industry can generate

sustainable

production. image: studentsonline.uol.com.br

It’s almost impossible to imagine our world without plastic.

Even

when

it

comes

to

environmental

conservation, this kind of “raw material for modern life” also plays an important role. For quite obvious reasons: conventional plastic comes mostly from oil. Of all the world stocks of crude oil, about 4% are destined for the manufacture of the product. During the industrial process, six kilos of CO ₂ are released into the atmosphere for each kilogram of plastic produced. Also considering the pace accelerated with which the natural reserves of oil are extinguishing, it soon

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 226

concludes why sustainable alternatives to plastic have been so successful in recent years, especially in the packaging industry. “Green” plastic or bio plastic is usually composed of plants such as sugar cane, wheat, corn or potatoes, but also vegetable oil. You can hardly find any household product for which a bio plastic alternative does not yet exist or is being developed. The material's applications range from cell phone frames and disposable cutlery to grocery bags and flower pots, including shoes and diapers. For experts, this is just one element of the growing demand for sustainable products, caused by the explosion in the organic food market in recent years. The trend also sparked a reaction in the companies responsible for the traditional product, made from oil, in addition to a multimillion dollar investment in research and “green” production methods. The group of global giants in this field includes, among others, the American agricultural corporation Cargill, the Italian company Novamont and the German chemical company BASF.

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 227

Biodegradable plastic materials such as polyactide, derived from corn, are already in use in some of the largest supermarket chains and multinationals in the food industry, such as Wal-Mart or Coca-Cola. “Green” plastic is also responsible for great deals on Brazilian soil. In the country, a world leader in sugar production, the petrochemical company Braskem uses the growing national sugarcane ethanol industry to produce bio plastics. However, questions were raised about the new alternative. In order to react to criticism, small projects seek to leave the standard and, even so, integrate the explosion of the sugar industry. One of them, conceived in a partnership between Brazil and Germany, at Senai Climatec in Salvador (BA), produces plastic from the remains of sugarcane, which are discarded by ethanol factories in the region. The so-called “bagasse” is usually burned, resulting in large emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The objective is to transform the recycled product into the

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 228

future conventional plastic and, with this, overlap another major economic sector in the country: the automotive industry. The commercial advance of "green" plastic seems inevitable. However, so far, the ecological variant represents only a percentage less than 1% in the global plastic market. And the European Plastics Industrial Association believes that the amount should not grow more than 5 to 10% in the coming years. Still, experts see real potential in bio plastics to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, thus, postpone climate change.

The

“green”

product

overwhelms

the

conventional product by requiring less energy in its production and by being free of toxins. But, in principle, more scientific studies are needed to prove how sustainable, in fact, is bio plastic. With the recycling of sugarcane bagasse, however, plastic producers in Salvador, Bahia, offer a positive first response. Extra and Pão de Açúcar exchange Styrofoam trays

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 229

for biodegradable material. Monthly, 600 thousand Styrofoam trays are used by the group across the country. The

agenda

for

the

excessive use of packaging, such

as

plastic

and

Styrofoam, has been image: www.ambientelegal.com.br

quite frequent, especially when it comes to the fruit and vegetable sector, which each year has been filling the shelves

(and

dumps)

with

expanded

polystyrene

(styrofoam), plastic film and rigid plastic packaging. In Brazil, according to World Bank data, more than 2.4 million tons of plastic are discarded unevenly, without any treatment, in open dumps. Another 7.7 million tons are destined for landfills. And more than 1 million tons are not even collected by the collection systems. Thinking of mitigating this environmental impact, GPA, controller of the Extra and Pão de Açúcar banners, announced that it will replace 100% of its Styrofoam trays

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 230

used in horticultural products (fruits, vegetables and vegetables) Taeq and Qualitá for a 100% biodegradable solution . The move began in May 2019. The new packaging, produced using a technology from Tamoios Tecnologia, is developed with cellulose and starch boxes. They are 100% free of petrochemicals and toxic additives and fully biodegradable. When discarded, the new packaging takes up to six months to be fully degraded, thus reducing waste disposal. The trays replace

those

made

of

polystyrene

(expanded

polystyrene), PVC, PET and other plastics monthly, 600 thousand trays of them were used by Taeq and Qualitá across the country. The change began to be implemented in organic items Taeq sold in the Extra (super, hyper and Mini Extra) and Pão de Açúcar (super-market and Minuto) chains in the state of São Paulo, in addition to the respective e-commerces. The expectation is that, after evaluating the initial use of the technology, the replacement will also happen in the other states of the country and include the Qualitá items. By May 2020, therefore, all trays of fruits, vegetables, legumes and

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 231

eggs of the Qualitá and Taeq brands will be made with the new technology. Styrofoam is a material that, due to its composition (98% air and 2% plastic), is little used for recycling and even has restrictions on its use in some parts of the world, such as in New York, Vancouver, Jamaica and Fernando de Noronha. If disposed of incorrectly in the environment, causes several damages, both if burned (emitting toxic and polluting gases) and when discarded, taking hundreds of years to decompose, breaking into micro particles that contaminate the soil and water resources. The material contributes strongly to the so-called “plastic soup” that floats in the oceans and ends up in several currents, beaches and coastal islands, being frequently eaten by birds and marine animals. The group also announced that its lines of chicken eggs, previously sold in plastic trays, will be migrated to the same solution as cellulose box packaging with starch. The second novelty, on the other hand, will be for the group's organic bananas, which will be sold in a belt that

BIODEGRADABLE AND GREEN PLASTIC – 232

guarantees

their

specifications

and

the

organic

legislation, however, consuming less packaging. Other examples are a Thai supermarket chain that exchanged plastic for banana leaves and another New Zealander that simply abolished packaging in the fruit and vegetable sector.

.

.

POSTER - 233

POSTER I hope you enjoyed the content of this book, its purpose was to make people aware of the importance of taking care of the environment, and if we don't take care of it is will harm our health. We should reuse things instead of throwing them away, recycling, planting trees, looking for a less polluting fuel alternative, because that is the only way we will live better. Now that I have finished writing, I will have to go out, I will take my bicycle and walk some 5 kilometers, because there is no need to take my car, so I exercise and pollute less. When I arrive, I will harvest the fruits of 5 trees that I have, separate recyclable materials and deliver them to the pickers and at night I will go out with my wife by car and fill up with ethanol.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 234 ..

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the city of Pontal-SP (Interior of São Paulo), Marcos, after taking a computer technician course and not getting a job, started to pick up trash recycling on the street, after 1 year he managed to get a job in a plant, after some years ago he took a technical course in chemistry which is his current profession. In March 2019, he wrote the books “The History of Christian Movies in Brazil - Edition with 462 Photos” and “The History of Christian Movies in Brazil - Edition without Photos”, both with the same content only changes that 1 has a photo and no , in September he wrote the book "The Restitution of Love" and in December he was in 3rd place at the International Christian Film Festival in the "Game" category because of the game "The history of

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - 235

Christian films in Brazil", based on the book with same name. In 2019 residents of 6 countries (Brazil, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and Italy) read the books he wrote.

THANKS - 236

THANKS I come first to thank Jesus, my wife Roseli Laurência, my mother Maria Machado, my brother Father Marcelo Machado,

my

first

teacher

Gracinha

Fausto,

my

chemistry teachers (José Márcio Oliveira, Gi Brugnoli da Cunha, José Orlando Santos, Vitor and everyone other teachers). I am forever grateful to my God, for my teachers. God bless you all! Marcos Pontal.

BIBLIOGRAPHY- 237

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