Bokashi For StudentsComposting is an increasingly popular habit that helps individuals, the environment and even the economy. For busy students in graduate programs online, who are often living in small housing like apartments or dorms; many methods of composting are unfortunately impractical due to space and time constraints. Bokashi offers a quick and convenient composting solution for students with little time and space.Bokashi is the Japanese word for fermented organic waste. The microorganisms found in Bokashi break organic matter down quickly, compactly and in an odor-free way. Although it is referred to as composting, what is really happening is the microorganisms are fermenting the food waste in a Bokashi bin. Bokashi is a mixture that is added to food scraps. The mixture contains one of several different types of carriers such as bran, rice hulls or sawdust along with the effective microorganisms (commonly referred to as EM). The Bokashi mixture aids in the fast fermentation of the food scraps and helps significantly speeds up the process of composting, which will really help make the process faster for students.Because composting is so beneficial to the environment, using a system like Bokashi is a great solution for students or others who need a compact and easy way to dispose of kitchen scraps in an environmentally friendly way. Here are some of the reasons Bokashi is ideal for busy students who wish to compost:Location and SpaceThose who use traditional composting techniques must carefully consider location when starting a compost pile. An article from The University of Illinois outlines some helpful tips for homeowners who would like to begin composting. The article suggests choosing a location with good drainage and avoiding too much direct sunlight or wind. Bokashi composting, however, can be done anywhere. Students can use any bucket or purchase a specially designed Bokashi bucket and place it almost anywhere.TimeTurning the compost pile, watering and even monitoring temperature are all common suggestions for those trying to succeed at composting. For busy students, Bokashi is ideal because none of this is required. Kitchen scraps are added to the bucket, followed by a sprinkling of Bokashi. The only additional step is to drain the liquid from the bucket every few days. The liquid can them be diluted and added to plants. The simple process is repeated until the bucket is full at which point students can use their compost to grow their own apartment garden or donate it to someone else with space to garden. Materials can take months to break down into compost using other mehods, making Bokashi the quick alternative.MoneyStudents will find that Bokashi composting is cost effective in a number of ways. The only equipment required is a bucket and Bokashi; no other special tools are required. Students can dispose of many types of kitchen scraps and create high quality compost quickly and easily. Students who would like to grow a small garden can even use their Bokashi to fertilize a small patio garden.Students can choose to use any large bucket or make an initial investment and purchase a convenient Bokashi bucket. Students have two options when it comes to obtaining Bokashi to add to their food scraps. The least time consuming method is to buy pre-mixed Bokashi and simply sprinkle it on the layers of food scraps. This will require regularly purchasing bags of Bokashi, or you can mix your own. There are step by step processes for making Bokashi to mix with your food scraps. In this case the carrier Wheat Bran is mixed with warm water, molasses and EM (the microorganisms). A number of variations can be used like using sawdust or rice hulls as a filler. The requirement is that a carrier be mixed with the composting microorganisms to be effective.Anthony recently completed his graduate education in English Literature. A New Mexico native, he currently resides and writes in Seattle, Washington. He writes primarily about education, travel, literature, and American culture. garciaanthony39@gmail.comMaking an ImpactStudents interested in reducing waste and helping the environment will find that Bokashi is the ideal way for them to do so. The Bokashi process allows users to compost almost any kitchen scraps, including meat and dairy that cannot be used in regular composting. Students will feel good knowing they are producing less waste and reducing pollution by using the Bokashi fermenting method to dispose of food waste.Pest FreeBokashi composting is odor free and contained in a small container; therefore it does not attract rodents and other undesirable pests the way regular composting can. For students who often rent or live in dormitories this is important.With the many personal and larger environmental benefits that can be realized through composting; it is appealing to many people, including students. Unfortunately many students are not aware of this simple and versatile way to compost kitchen scraps and believe that composting is not practical for typical college living situations. Bokashi makes composting possible for people like students who would not otherwise be able to participate.
10.28.2011
Bokashi For Students-Guest Post
Green-Initiative gains support of the STL Post Dispatch
Renew Missouri in the News
New RES Initiative gains support of the STL Post-Dispatch
Dear Scotty, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch featured an awesome political cartoon and article supporting the new Renewable Energy Ballot initiative. It is a huge shot in arm for our initiative to have such a major paper's editorial board supporting us.
By: R.J. Matson of the Post-Dispatch Check out the story - it really captures our plans for the new ballot initiative: Missouri voters get chance to vote for renewable energy - again.
Ballot Initiative Update
Since filing the first resolution, we have received excellent input from renewable energy industries and other shareholders, so we will be submitting a second draft by the end of the month. Thirty days after submitting the second draft, we can begin to collect signatures to put the new Renewable Energy Standard on the ballot. Stay tuned, we promise the changes are worth the wait!
Meanwhile, we are continuing to hold campus trainings and rallying a strong team of enthusiastic, young supporters. We are also planning additional trainings for the beginning of December. Keep checking your e-mail for updates!
Best regards,
Carla KleinRenew Missouri
Re-Coupon for Scotts Contracting-St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri
Great deal from Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri on MerchantCircle and thought you might be interested. See the coupon below.On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM,
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:40:05 -0700
Subject: Coupon for Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri. Expires 11-15-2011
From: scottscontracting@gmail.com
Coupon Share
I saw this great deal from Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri on MerchantCircle and thought you might be interested. See the coupon below.You can learn more about Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri and see other deals on MerchantCircle:View Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri Merchant Circle AccountSincerely,Scotts
scottscontracting@gmail.comThis message was sent to you on behalf of Scotty
800 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, Suite 330, CA 94040
Dear Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy Missouri,A visitor to your MerchantCircle business listing page gave your Holly Hills business a 5 star rating. You will not see a review associated with this rating but it reflects in your business's overall rating.
View My Business Listing If the above link does not work, paste the following address into your browser:
http://www.merchantcircle.com/r?a= 4f0b1909a965159ed32f033ea76062 25 Sincerely,The MerchantCircle Team
http://www.merchantcircle.com
10.26.2011
CAD Drawing-Insulation -St Louis Brick Home-Examples
How insulation Saves Money- How Insulation Works-Typical-St Louis Brick Home used in Examples
Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Insulation:
This fact sheet will help you to understand how insulation works, what different types of insulation are available, and how much insulation makes sense for your climate. There are many other things you can do to conserve energy in your home as well. The Department of Energy offers many web sites(http://ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_07.html) to help you save energy by sealing air leaks, selecting more energy-efficient appliances, etc.
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| How Insulation Works |
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| Top View: Brick Home with Zero Insulation |
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| Brick Home Wall Detail with Zero Insulation |
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| Brick Home with Insulation in Wall Cavity |
Why Insulate Your House?
- saves money and our nation's limited energy resources
- makes your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house, and
- makes walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
The amount of energy you conserve will depend on several factors: your local climate; the size, shape, and construction of your house; the living habits of your family; the type and efficiency of the heating and cooling systems; and the fuel you use.
Once the energy savings have paid for the installation cost, energy conserved is money saved -saving energy will be even more important as utility rates go up.
This fact sheet will help you to understand how insulation works, what different types of insulation are available, and how much insulation makes sense for your climate. There are many other things you can do to conserve energy in your home as well. The Department of Energy offers many web sites(http://ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_07.html) to help you save energy by sealing air leaks, selecting more energy-efficient appliances, etc.
How Insulation Works
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Reference> http://ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html
10.23.2011
Part 4 in Weatherization Series
If you have the question:
I've designed this CAD Diagram to explain how hot and cold temperature seeps into a home with 2x4 walls with 0 (zero) insulation.
You can see by the blue areas how solid materials transfer the temperature.
Standard or Minimum Code Wall Framing consisting of
Siding on Exterior of Building
1/2 in Plywood or OSB Particle Board
2x4 Framing Member Wall Stud
1/2 in Drywall or Sheet Rock
The hot/cold temperature (Blue Areas in Diagram) on the Exterior of the Building is transferred to the Interior of the Building by Conduction The simplest explanation I can use to demonstrate and explain this is too use this example:
Now that your understand how Energy is transferred thru building materials I'll explain the various ways that Insulation:
If you have any questions or comments about this article or schedule an appointment use this link to schedule a
I will save you money, Scotty
CAD Diagram courtesy of Scotty, Scotts Contracting explaining how hot and cold temperature is transferred thru building materials into your home.
Why is my house so Cold? Why are the walls so cold? Why are the outer rooms of my house so cold? Where are these cold air drafts coming from? Why is it costing me so much to heat my house? Why is my Heating Bill so high? How do I lower my heating bills? What are the recommended ways to lower my heating bills?
I've designed this CAD Diagram to explain how hot and cold temperature seeps into a home with 2x4 walls with 0 (zero) insulation.
You can see by the blue areas how solid materials transfer the temperature.
Standard or Minimum Code Wall Framing consisting of
Siding on Exterior of Building
1/2 in Plywood or OSB Particle Board
2x4 Framing Member Wall Stud
1/2 in Drywall or Sheet Rock
The hot/cold temperature (Blue Areas in Diagram) on the Exterior of the Building is transferred to the Interior of the Building by Conduction The simplest explanation I can use to demonstrate and explain this is too use this example:
"...when you are using a Metal Cooking Utensil to stir a pot of chili. If the utensil is left in the pot of chilli for any length of time. The heat will eventually transfer up the utensil handle and will usually burn your hand or fingers. Heat and Cold enter a Building in the same way; unless, there is some form of Insulation or Thermal Break to prevent the conduction of energy..." from article--> Part 3 How to Build and Remodel to reduce Energy Loss / Gain in Todays Modern Buildings
Now that your understand how Energy is transferred thru building materials I'll explain the various ways that Insulation:
Slows down and Reduces this form of Energy Loss in an upcoming post.
If you have any questions or comments about this article or schedule an appointment use this link to schedule a
Free Proposal on Weatherizing your Building to save money and reduce your Winter-Time Energy Billsand Scotty, Scotts Contracting will return your Weatherization request asap.
I will save you money, Scotty
CAD Diagram courtesy of Scotty, Scotts Contracting explaining how hot and cold temperature is transferred thru building materials into your home.
10.22.2011
How to Stop Energy Loss or Gain in a Building
How to Prevent Heat Loss with 4 Examples-Diagrams-Drawings for your Building Projects
In recent conversations with customers and peers about Reducing Energy Loss in Buildings / Structures and how heat and cold are transferred into a Building via Conduction. I explained and made reference to using a Metal Cooking Utensil to stir a pot of chilli.
If the utensil is left in the pot of chilli for any length of time. The heat will eventually transfer heat up the utensil handle and will usually burn your hand or fingers.
Heat and Cold enter a Building in the same way; unless, there is some form of Insulation or Thermal Break to prevent the conduction of energy.
Cooking utensil manufactures solve this issue by adding handles made of Wood, Plastic, etc.
The Building and Remodeling Industry combats this energy loss/gain in various ways. Here a few examples, diagrams, and drawings that show how this loss or gain is minimized.
When this heat/cold gain and loss is minimized you will save money on your Heating and Cooling Bills.
By renovating and building using these examples and basic design principles you will save money and reduce Global Warming / Climate Change.
Example 1. Adding Insulation on the exterior of the Building normally behind the exterior wall finish. This is normally used in conjunction with Insulation in the Wall Cavities.
- Example 1 Top View
- Example 1 Adding Insulation on the Exterior of Wall Framing
Example 2 – Staggered Wall Studs
- Top View 2×4 Staggered Studs to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain
- 2×4 Staggered Studs Prevent Energy Loss and Gain
Example 3- Double Wall Construction
- 2×4 Double Wall Construction to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain
- 2×4 Double Wall Construction to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain
Example 4- Creating a Thermal Break by Adding Wall Channels
- Thermal Break created by Wall Channels to prevent energy loss
- Thermal Break created by adding Wall Channels to prevent energy loss and gain
The above illustrations are just a few examples of how to prevent Energy Loss in a Building by adding: Insulation, Providing a Thermal Break, and Creating Dead Air Space. Examples 1 and 4 are used mostly in Remodeling and Renovation Projects. With examples 2 and 3 are used mainly in new construction of Buildings. For detailed information, proven scientific facts, about how energy is transferred I suggest reading the Article at Wiki on Heat Transfer at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_transfer.
If you live in the St Louis Area and are interested in Saving Money on your utility bills by any of the above mentioned diagrams or illustrations I can be reached via: scottscontracting@gmail.com
10.19.2011
Insulation, Energy Audit, and Weatherization Services for St Louis
If you are interested in Saving Money on your up-coming winter time heating costs Scotts Contracting offers: Weatherization, Insulation, and Building Maintenance Services that will save you money on your Heating Bills.
Offer is available for Residential and Commercial Buildings in the Greater St Louis Area
Scotts Contracting supplies:
Cost Effective Solutions that will save you $ Money $ on your Heating Bills. My motto: Affordable, Experienced, and Punctual.
General Rule of Thumb for Energy Efficient Up-Grades for Buildings: For Every Dollar you spend you will save between $2-$3 Dollars on your Heating Bills.
Example:
$3000.00 Dollar Attic Retrofits Costs for Average 1,100 Sq. Ft. Residential Home
With my Preliminary Figures using a Guesstimate ($400) on your current Energy Bill and using the Dept of Energy's Estimate of 20% Savings for attic retrofits. I've determined that by Sealing your Air Leaks and Adding Insulation to the Attic the Attic Retrofit will pay for itself in 2.6 years. [ I would wager that it will be closer to 1.75-2 years with the yearly utility rate increases by Ameren UE and Laclede Gas.]
Attic Retrofit Consists of:
Adding Insulation to meet the US Dept of Energy Guidelines for the St Louis Area
Sealing all the Air Leaks that are allowing the Cold Air into your Building
- Adding Proper Ventilation
Energy Audits are also available
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