By: Daniel Harri

Organic soil contains lots of humus and it holds moisture, while draining well also. It is also
fluffy and filled with all the air that roots of plants need for proper growth. Healthy organic soil
also contains lots of minerals and living organisms, which assists in providing sufficient nutrients
to the plants. A good PH level is also another characteristic of organic soil.

1. Soil living organisms

Healthy soil requires a sufficient organism population. The little organisms make nutrients
more accessible to plants. Furthermore, they help bind soil particles together and thus make
soil fluffy and lose. Examples of soil living organisms include nematodes, earthworms, bacteria,
protozoa, fungi, springtails and mites among others.

Most of these soil organisms may be bought and then introduced into the soil. However, unless
the organisms are introduced in an unsuitable environment, they will not survive. It is best to
first create a good habitat through providing sufficient food, which is the organic matter, and
also water and air they need to thrive.

2. Organic matter

The simple action of adding organic matter or compost will enhance any kind of soil. The
texture and nutrient levels of clay and sandy soils are significantly enhanced. All soils can
therefore be improved with yearly compost applications. You can purchase organic compost
from the local stores or simply make it own your own.

Organic materials like compost help to hold the soil together and assist in moisture retention.
They also store the important nutrients, which are them accessible to plants. Additionally,
compost is essentially the source of food for useful microorganisms.

Making organic compost is as simple as piling green layers like includes livestock manure, grass
clippings and food wasted onto brown layers like leaves. Ensure that the pile is moist at all
times and then frequently turn it.

For those who think that the process of making compost is just too messy or are worried about
rodents getting inside the pile, there are various types of composters accessible for purchase.
This helps contain vegetable scraps, while making turning simple.

3. Mulch

Mulch helps cover the top soil and also insulate it against extreme weather condition. Mulch
comprises of grass clippings, hay, shredded bark and straw. These components help lessen

water loss via evaporation and also deter weed growth. Mulch also breaks down gradually and
thus enhances soil with beneficial organic matter.

The other option when mulching soil is to use inorganic mulches. This kind of mulch is made
up of gravel, landscape fabrics, pebbles and gravel. They help avert quick evaporation and also
prevent weeds from growing just like organic mulch. However, they offer benefit of lasting for
a very long time and do not regular replacement. Inorganic mulch also does not attract rodents
and insects. Nevertheless, inorganic mulch does not offer the benefit of breaking down to add
organic matter. If you want to enhance your soil structure, simply make use of a high quality
and clean garden mulch.

_ Have you ever felt guilty throwing away a plastic cup or plate because “it’s going to be in the landfill forever” or do you wonder how the products we use everyday are made and that process’s impact on the environment? Well new research into the development of bioplastics may free you from that guilt. Instead of creating them from polymers that are petroleum-based, renewable sources such as corn starch, vegetable fats and oils, microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and pea starch. These biomass-based products can be made to be both degradable and non-degradable.

One of the most-well known starch-based bioplastics is Plastarch Material (PSM) which is able to handle high temperatures and absorbs humidity which makes it a good material for drug capsules. Bacteria incubated with glucose, corn starch and wastewater create a polyester biopolymer called poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and its chemical properties are similar to polypropylene. A biopolymer made from oil, called Polyamide 11 (PA 11), and is made to be similar to PA12 with less greenhouse gases emitted and conventional energy sources consumed. It is also is more resistant to temperature than its petroleum-based counterpart.  

Bio-derived polyethylene which is made by fermenting sugar cane and corn is identical to the conventionally made chemical of the same name but can be recycled. It is not biodegradable but one ton less of CO2 is released during the process of making the bio-derived form. Celluloid is derived from cellulose-based bioplastics which comes from grasses, woody plants and corn stalks reduce the use of the chemicals and more bioplastic is actually generated from these sources.

Biodegradable bioplastics are typically used to making packaging for food products, disposable dishes and utensils and organic garbage bags. The advantage of these products being biodegradable is that they can be added to the compost. For those products that do not biodegrade in the landfill such as cell phone cases, piping products and carpeting, they appeal to those who want to use products made from sustainable resources.

One drawback is that using corn feed to make bioplastics increases the use of fertilizers and pesticides, land is being converted to grow the corn feed, and the process of making the plastics. But as technology advances and organic farming increases, bioplastics will be produced in a way that minimizes the environmental impact on the land and in the manufacturing process. Maybe someday your computer, tv and other electronics we use daily will be mainly composed of plastics that are more friendly to the environment.

By: Susan Nusink

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates the average American household has 24 electronic products. As these electronics become outdated, they are replaced with the newest models. This results in almost 2 million tons of used electronics being abandoned each year. Dumping electronics in the landfill is illegal in many states. Over half the states have laws regarding the disposal and recycling of electronics.

Many people don’t realize that computers and computer related electronics contain hazardous waste. Among the chemicals that are found in these products are barium, phosphorus, cadmium, mercury, chromium, beryllium, and lead. If these products are tossed into landfills, there is a chance of these chemicals being leached into the groundwater. Televisions and computer monitors house on average four to eight pounds of lead. Electronics are responsible for 40% of the lead found in landfills. Lead is known to be harmful to the peripheral and central nervous systems and kidneys in humans. It can also have detrimental effects on the developing brain.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about proper disposal of electronics and is focused on providing certified places to recycle these items. When electronics are disposed of at a certified recycling center, many materials from these products are able to be reused. This decreases the need to mine for new materials.

The EPA calculates that up to 90% of electronic products can be recycled. Here are some examples of what can be recovered:

·         Glass cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are sent to smelters and the glass is recycled and the lead retrieved.

·         Plastic housing is ground down and made into items like pothole mix and retaining blocks.

·         Circuit boards and chips are often used to upgrade outdated electronics. They can also be recycled for scrap.

In addition to environmental benefits of recycling, you can also receive a tax deduction when you recycle with a nonprofit organization. You are allowed to deduct the current market value of a computer you recycle. If the product is newer than five years, you can generally donate it to a school for a tax deduction.

When you are looking for a place to recycle your electronics, be sure to use a recycler that is certified with the EPA to ensure they recycle in an environmentally responsible way. Benefits of environmentally sound recycling include:

·         Decrease environmental and human health impacts.

·         Provide access to refurbished and reusable equipment to those in need.

·         Conserve natural resources and reduce mining efforts.

·         Reduce energy and pollution that would come from making new products.