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krehman

E-Waste: A Burden on Human Health and our Ecosystem Alike | Biodiversity | RESET.org - 0 views

en.reset.org/...health-and-our-ecosystem-alike

contamination technology tech

shared by krehman on 21 Jan 19 - No Cached
  • however electronics may also have more subtle and long-term repercussions for our greater ecosystem.
  • It is estimated that more than two thirds of heavy metals in landfills come from electronic waste.
  • The lack of monitoring and regulation by the government can mean that little-to-no safety precautions (such as wearing protective gear and air filtering) are taken to protect workers while they carry out their job.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • age of 40
    • krehman
      krehman on 21 Jan 19
       
      Seems to be such a young age to stop working by but the effects of such toxins can affect someone in this line of work this fast.
  • recyclers and dismantlers have recorded dangerously high levels of lead, mercury and chromium in their bodies.
  • All kinds of animals and organisms may be exposed to mercury, such as an earthworm or a little fish in a river. Larger animals which ingest these organisms, or graze on the plants which grow from contaminated soil are then contaminated as well – and up the food chain it goes.
    • krehman
      krehman on 21 Jan 19
       
      Even though not everyone is effected by these hazards first hand, through this process everyone will get some kind of toxins in their system.
  • 2007 study, it was estimated that e-waste could increase by 500 percent by 2020.
  • toxic chemicals that electronic waste contains do not organically break down and can, over time, seep into the environment around landfills, contaminating local groundwater or get absorbed into the atmosphere, thus seriously endangering the health of nearby communities and animal populations.
  • Research has shown that it is especially dangerous because of the process of bioaccumulation, referring to the uptake of a chemical in an organism over time, and biomagnification, when there is an increase in the concentration of a chemical in the food chain as a result of ingestion of other organisms, in eco-systems surrounding landfills.
  • 95 percent of e-waste in India is recycled via the non-formal sector which often entails child labour.
    • krehman
      krehman on 21 Jan 19
       
      Is the age of 40 limits based on children workers into adulthood or simply just adults working from maybe their early 20's?
  • might in turn indirectly contaminate humans in the future.
  • Now, more than ever, the proper treatment of e-waste needs to start taking place, so that not only human suffering is averted now and in the foreseeable future, but so that the long-term degradation of our environment, ecosystem and health is averted as well.
  • krehman on 21 Jan 19
     
    This article covers the effects e-waste has on not only the people working with these hazardous materials everyday, but what long term effects it could have on the environment. The article concentrates on the region India, and how the e-waste is currently effecting it. The limitations this kind of work is having on the people associated with this form of disposing everyday. How even children are infected with led and it is now in their bloodstreams. The article goes in deeper with predictions of contamination of animals and plants in near by areas and what could become of them. The article sums up, however, that at the the end of the day it will always come back to us and the whole world could be contaminated by these toxins. That there needs to be a solution soon to this problem or what seems to be just the begging can grow even further, and faster than we could ever want.
kelseybarton

Meyers Develops Single-Use Paper RFID Hotel Key Card | Hospitality Technology - 2 views

hospitalitytech.com/-use-paper-rfid-hotel-key-card

shared by kelseybarton on 24 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • Meyers, a brand marketing and high-end commercial printing company, announced that it has created a solution that will help the hotel industry offer contactless check-in and room access.
  • Meyers has developed a paper RFID key card — called the AssureCard — that looks and feels like a plastic key card but is made from renewable paper pulp and may be disposed of after a single use.
  • In addition, Meyers has developed a low-cost key card dispenser that allows the customer to get their own card(s) while maintaining appropriate physical distancing with hotel employees.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • Hotels typically reuse key cards for multiple guests, and in today’s environment, this practice has become unacceptable,
  • it can be contaminated with germs and bacteria. Now more than ever, there is a need for safe, sustainable alternatives for hotel check-in and room access.
  • In many cases, paper key cards may be printed at a cost that matches the cost of producing plastic cards, and the design options for custom branding are extensive (e.g., printing with graphics, foils, and glitter) and may include the option of an anti-microbial coating.
  • The single-user key concept provides a fresh card to each guest and prevents germs from getting passed to your guests or your employees,
  • Plus, hotels that use AssureCards can do so with the environment in mind by helping to reduce the plastic that goes into landfills
  • Paper cards are a proven technology and have been used for years as gift, loyalty, and product activation cards.
  • Meyers, a brand marketing and high-end commercial printing company, announced that it has created a solution that will help the hotel industry offer contactless check-in and room access.
  • Meyers has developed a paper RFID key card — called the AssureCard — that looks and feels like a plastic key card but is made from renewable paper pulp and may be disposed of after a single use.
  • with hotel employees.
  • AssureCard is made with a responsibly sourced paper fiber that offers all of the plastic key card’s best features — durability, convenience, and low cost
  • hankunli on 24 Jul 20
     
    Meyers have created a new way for hotels to avoid physical contact and contamination by using a disposable paper room card. This kind of card also has the advantage of reducing plastic waste and allow hotels to customize their cards. The article also has mentioned that the card can have a layer of anti-microbial coating if needed. Generally, this kind of card is a nice solution to be more eco-friendly and safe.
  • kelseybarton on 28 Aug 20
     
    The company Meyers has created a new, safe way for guests to enter their hotel rooms with the current conditions of the world today. "Meyers has developed a paper RFID key card - called the AssureCard - that looks and feels like a plastic key card but is made from renewable paper pulp and may be disposed of after a single use." It has been customary in the past for hotels to reuse plastic room keys from guest to guest. This practice is often a deterrent for guests and is also quite unsanitary. Provenance Hotels has been using this technology since January of 2020. Their corporate director, Christopher Bebo stated, "the single-user key concept provides a fresh card to each guest and prevents germs from getting passed to your guests or your employees... Plus, hotels that use AssureCards can do so with the environment in mind by helping to reduce the plastic that goes into landfills." I believe that this technology is an amazing advancement for the health and safety of our guests. The keys are produced at similar costs to what organizations are already paying for plastic keys and they can still provide guests with something that meets their brand standard and expectations. AssureCard is a "proven technology" that is good for the environment and it is going to help to keep our staff and guests safe in a time that is so uncertain.
anaferia

How E-Waste Affects the Environment - Human-I-T - 1 views

www.human-i-t.org/-waste-affects-the-environment

shared by anaferia on 28 Sep 22 - No Cached
amdelgad liked it
  • As the world’s fastest-growing waste stream for almost a decade now, e-waste affects the environment in truly detrimental ways. And it’s not slowing down
  • e-waste generated annually has grown by over 7% since 2020
  • 59.4 million metric tons projected by the end of 2022
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • e-waste negatively impacts the environment: air, water, and soil.
  • two big factors contributing to its current acceleration.
  • first is growing incomes in low- and middle-income countries which allow more people than ever to access consumer electronics
  • second is the increasing availability of previously unthought-of electronic products to consumers in middle- and high-income countries
  • Products like e-cigarettes and electric vehicles are just two examples of products that, due to their increased popularity, have begun contributing more e-waste to landfills over the past decade.
  • electronics which power our lives are composed of substances which are harmful to the environment and our health.
  • expected to grow 26% by 2030 and double by 2050
  • the dismantling, shredding, or burning of e-waste can also release large, coarse particles into the air.
  • E-waste workers dismantle and shred electronics at these plants, which flings large amounts of dust and other particulates into the air.
  • e-waste workers use acids, desoldering materials, and other chemicals to dissolve e-waste with high-value materials like gold and silver . These techniques then release additional damaging fumes into local communities.
  • Recyclers dispose of acids and other chemicals they rely on to strip precious metals from e-waste into streams, ponds, and rivers. Then, the heavy metals inside of e-waste – like lead, arsenic, and cadmium – then compound this damage by seeping into water tables from landfills and e-waste dumps.
  • Increased acidification of waterways leads to more marine life and fish dying.
  • The heavy metals that are present then leach into those same waterways where they damage fishes’ tissues and gills.
  • two contaminants – acid and heavy metals – decimate biodiversity. This creates a domino effect where some organisms – previously constrained by predators – are then able to flourish and dominate the area
  • increased exposure to e-waste leads to ecosystem collapse in and around our waterways.
  • E-waste pollutes the air primarily as a consequence of improper recycling processes that are typical at informal e-waste processing plants located in developing economies
  • due to their size and weight, these particles then quickly fall back to Earth where they subsequently contaminate soil. Shredding and burning of e-waste also produces toxic ash containing heavy metals and flame retardants which then leach into soil.
  • If we want to protect our planet from scourge e-waste, we’re going to have to start prioritizing reuse above all. By embracing this central principle of the circular economy, we can begin diverting valuable electronics away from landfills and back into the hands of people who need them
  • anaferia on 28 Sep 22
     
    To summarize, E-waste has been the fastest-growing waste stream in the world for nearly a decade, and it has a really negative impact on the environment. And the pace is not decreasing. E-waste is made of the materials that make up the electronics that run our life which are bad for the environment and for our health. Additionally, the three primary impacts are air, water, and soil that negatively affects the environment. Finally, to protect our planet from e-waste is prioritizing reuse of products.
carine_elie

UNEP Assesses Links between Chemicals and Waste Management and Other Issues | News | SD... - 0 views

sdg.iisd.org/...te-management-and-other-issues

shared by carine_elie on 02 Oct 22 - No Cached
  • On climate change, it highlights joint efforts on long-term monitoring data to evaluate climate impacts on chemical releases, and suggests collaborating on climate change impacts on contaminants in the ocean, and waste and resource management to advance mitigation, and climate triggered channeling of fossil fuel use for plastic production.   On the agriculture and food cluster, the report suggests collaborating on, for example: exposure of farmers from unsound pesticides use; groundwater contamination; use of food conservation, coloring agents, and food safety; and addressing food waste. On sustainable consumption and production, the assessment suggests increasing resource management and efficiency, and informing consumers about chemicals of concern in products. In some cases, the authors argue for collaboration across several clusters. For example, addressing challenges associated with pesticide use requires strengthening efforts across chemicals and waste management, world of work, biodiversity, agriculture and health.
  • carine_elie on 02 Oct 22
     
    This is a brief report on workplace health, biodiversity, climate change, agriculture and food, sustainable consumption and production, and human rights. In addition, the World Health Organization's (WHO) action plan to combat these issues. The goal is to have everything in place by 2030.
Kai Zhang

Aeroseal's Director to Speak at Green Hospitality & Tourism Conference - 0 views

www.prweb.com/...prweb10360254.htm

hospitality grenn

shared by Kai Zhang on 09 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • aeroseal technology allows users to 1) save money by sealing old ducts instead of investing in new ducts, (2) perform sealing that is impossible or inefficient from the outside, (3) significantly lower energy costs and meet aggressive energy-savings goals, (4) address serious indoor air quality issues associated with airborne contaminants that spread through leaky ducts and (5) remedy airflow/comfort issues associated with ductwork.
  • Kai Zhang on 09 Feb 13
     
    This article introduces aeroseal technology, which could bring a lot of benifits to hotels. By using this technology, hotels can save money and time, as well as improve indoor comfort and air quality. I think all hotels should pay more attention to save energy and be more envionmental friendly. This kind of technology should be heavily promoted and implement in order to build a green hospitality industry.
Yawen Zheng

Aeroseal´s Director to Speak at Green Hospitality & Tourism Conference on Env... - 0 views

www.environmental-expert.com/...lity-tourism-conference-351646

hospitality green

shared by Yawen Zheng on 07 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • Bobby leads the commercial sales and marketing initiatives for Aeroseal, LLC, sole owner and licensee of aeroseal technology, the world’s only patented process of sealing HVAC ductwork from the inside out. Through this unique approach to duct sealing, aeroseal technology allows users to 1) save money by sealing old ducts instead of investing in new ducts, (2) perform sealing that is impossible or inefficient from the outside, (3) significantly lower energy costs and meet aggressive energy-savings goals, (4) address serious indoor air quality issues associated with airborne contaminants that spread through leaky ducts and (5) remedy airflow/comfort issues associated with ductwork.
  • Studies indicate that on average, 15-40% of all heating and cooling energy is lost through leaky ducts. Unfortunately, this problem was seldom addressed due to the difficulty associated with accessing ducts and finding leaks, the majority of which are hidden behind walls, under ceilings or beneath insulation. Aeroseal addresses these issues by automatically sealing ducts from the inside. The solution is obvious and easy, addresses serious issues, and delivers energy savings, with a 2-7 year payback.
  • Yawen Zheng on 07 Feb 13
     
    This article shows a new way to make green hospitality. Compare the tradition way, the new technology will save the energy cost and provide the comfortable environment at the same time.
Jia Zhu

Gipsee introduces Interactive Allergy Menus for sit-down restaurants, eliminating need ... - 4 views

www.restaurantnews.com/eed-for-allergy-specific-menus

shared by Jia Zhu on 31 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Gipsee’s newest offering eliminates the need for restaurants to produce multiple allergy-specific menus and, replaces them with an ‘on-demand’ capability based on dynamic user requests.
  • allows restaurant staff to select and enter food allergies or ingredient restrictions that a customer may have into the Gipsee software, in order to instantly produce customized menu choices for the customer.
  • Ingredient identification is a large part of the process
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • the other part is avoidance of cross-contamination, which is a human diligence issue. This technology addresses the complicated part of ingredient identification based on a customer’s unique combinations of restrictions.”
  • restaurants such as iPad and other touch-screen display devices.
  • Jia Zhu on 31 Aug 12
     
    Gipsee announced the new Interactive Allergy Software designed for the restaurant industry especially for non sit-down dining sector in the industry. Most sit-down dining places often maintain eight or more allergy-specific menus.Customers with restrictions have to manually search for items which will be safe for them to eat. This newest offering eliminates the need for restaurants to produce multiple allergy-specific menus and replaces them with an "on-demand" capability based on dynamic user requests. The basic working process is the restaurant staff select and enter food allergies or ingredient restrictions that a customer may have into the software and then instantly produce customized menu choices for the customer. Customer have the flexibility of selecting from hundreds of ingredients and thousands of combinations of restrictions representing a more pragmatic approach to food allergy occurrences. This new software offers advantages including cost-savings and reduces communication errors occurs particularly during busy time slots. Also this new software is available and increasingly used by restaurant such as iPad and other touch-screen display devices
Brittany K. Ward

Dude Ranches and Eco-Friendly Tourism - 0 views

www.thehorse.com/...he-way-in-eco-friendly-tourism

Hospitality green Eco-Friendly Tourism

shared by Brittany K. Ward on 29 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • Brittany K. Ward on 29 Sep 13
     
    If you are looking to expand your horizons on eco-tourism, visiting a Dude Ranch may be a good idea for vacation. According to this article, Dude Ranches are the leader in eco-friendly tourism. Visiting the ranch is a great way to get close to the environment and learn about sustainability first hand. The article suggest that while visiting on vacation the most obvious eco-friendly item will be the food. Dude Ranch communities live off the land around them. They are very aware not to put chemicals into their land; it may "contaminate the water table" as well as their livestock. Separation of waste and recycling is part of the sustainability in a Dude Ranch. They want to reuse their natural resources, food waste is used as fertilizer. If visiting on vacation, you will see sustainability at its finest. Ranches supply the local community as well. Many Ranches try to be "as self-sufficient as possible", only using what they need keep the ranch running. This allows them to supply the community as well as local retailers with free-ranged beef as well as free-ranged eggs. Some ranches even make and sell their own specialty items, bread or wine. A few Dude Ranches have allowed Universities to use their land to expose students to re-life sustainability issues. The ranch shows them what sustainability looks like in practice and how it benefits the environment around them. This allows them to educate students visiting the ranch, and it allows for the eco-tourist to stay to learn more about sustainability and the environment.
hchiebooth

Eco-Friendly Hotel Ideas You Need to Implement Now - 1 views

www.naturawater.com/...deas-you-need-to-implement-now

green hotel hospitality solution eco-friendly

shared by hchiebooth on 13 May 19 - No Cached
  • Eco-friendly travel options are projected to increase up to 36 percent in 2017 in order to meet green travelers’ demands. Business travel is also going greener
  • Reducing energy can enhance guest experience and add extra padding to your bank account.
  • As more consumers are choosing to engage in eco-conscious lifestyles at home, it’s unsurprising that their tastes in hotels and travel destinations are noticeably greener, too.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • it’s crucial for your hotel or resort to adopt more eco-friendly practices so your business can stay competitive, attract more travelers, save money, and do its part to protect the planet.
  • Making just some simple changes to how your hotel uses energy can make a big impact.
  • Energy-saving kitchen, laundry, and air conditioning equipment can also drastically reduce energy use in hotels. If your hotel or resort has a pool, consider purchasing a solar water heating system.
  • Using water in excess can also lead to groundwater contamination if sewage systems overflow. Conserving water also reduces energy use, thus saving your business money.
  • Linen reuse programs for hotels and resorts are another great idea in terms of reducing water and energy waste.
  • Swapping out conventional cleaning supplies with green cleaning products can help your hotel or resort offer a safer, more natural environment to travelers.
  • hotels are now using bio-based cleaning products
  • Implementing just some of these sustainability efforts in your hotel or resort will help your business stay competitive, save money, and reduce your negative impact on the environment.
  • Many hotels and resorts are now composting their food waste to divert food from landfills.
  • hchiebooth on 13 May 19
     
    In the era of green travelers, the demand for eco-friendly hotels is on the rise. Since the interest is increasing, a lot of hotels have changed their routine practices and policies to become eco-friendly. Hotels have found ways to implement greener alternatives and have abandoned practices that create waste. Eco-friendly hotels have adopted practices that prove to be less harmful to the environment. For example, hotels can install energy saving thermostats, air conditioners and use solar water heating systems to conserve energy. Green travelers will appreciate these changes and it will also make a positive contribution to the hotel's bottom line. Eco-friendly hotels ultimately look at every facet of the guest experience to implement green changes. Some hotels offer programs where guests, that stay multiple nights, receive additional benefits for not having their linens washed. Some hotels have even replaced there chemical cleaning products for bio-based cleaning products. This is a great start toward a better tomorrow and within time more hotels will become more environmentally friendly.
  • anonymous on 02 Jun 19
     
    Great article, the majority of hotels are currently implementing the paper straw and remove all plastics. Our hotel as well have changed the lights throughout the hotel. Not sure if that helps with the electrical cost but a lot of change is being made to be Eco-friendly.
anonymous

Covid pandemic accelerating the shift from cash to digital payments - 0 views

www.cnbc.com/...-cash-to-digital-payments.html

tech technology hospitality Software business solution mobile

shared by anonymous on 07 Mar 21 - No Cached
  • The Covid-19 pandemic is expected to cause a drastic decline in cash usage due to the risk of contamination.
  • “Over the past six to eight months, we’ve seen the use of cash decline even further, and that’s a trend I think that we’re going to see continue,” said Jodie Kelley, CEO of Electronic Transactions Association.
  • The unprecedented surge in the demand for contactless payment has also led to outstanding performances for major companies offering cashless methods, such as Apple, Square and PayPal.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Nearly a third of U.S. adults said they typically make no purchase using cash during a week, according to a study by Pew Research Center.
  • Millennials are the ones leading the charge toward a cashless future.
  • Despite the rise in demand for contactless payments, many states and cities in the U.S. have passed laws banning cashless stores.
  • Those within the industry maintain that the future of contactless payments remains promising.
  • anonymous on 07 Mar 21
     
    The article discusses the advancement of digital payments as a direct result of the pandemic. It discusses how cash use is on a steady decline as nearly a third of US adults said they typically make no purchases using cash. Lastly, it emphasizes on how Millennials are the ones leading the charge toward a cashless future and how the impact of the pandemic has led companies like Apple, Square, and Paypal to outstanding performances in the contactless segment.
garz14

What Can We Do About the Growing E-waste Problem? - 3 views

blogs.ei.columbia.edu/...growing-e-waste-problem

technology tech Software business

shared by garz14 on 19 May 20 - No Cached
    • tcale003
      tcale003 on 19 May 20
       
      China recently banned other countries from sending e-waste to them. E-Waste is comprised of many toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium which are very harmful to people and the environment. Many new technologies for biodegradable electronics are being looked at and there is even an EcoAtm in some U.S. states for people to recycle their small electronic devices.
  • When China banned 24 kinds of solid waste last September, countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan realized they had a big problem. Until last year, China accepted 70 percent of the world’s electronic waste—discarded computers, cell phones, printers, televisions, microwaves, smoke alarms, and other electronic equipment and parts.
  • After China stopped accepting this e-waste out of concern for its environment, Europe and North America began shipping more of it to Southeast Asia—but now Vietnam and Thailand, whose ports have been overwhelmed, are curbing imported e-waste as well.
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • In 2016, the world’s population discarded 49 million tons of e-waste
  • It’s estimated that by 2021, that number will grow to more than 60 million tons.
  • Electronic devices are made of a complex mix of materials that include gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium, lithium, cobalt and other valuable elements.
  • But electronic devices also comprise toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, polluting PVC plastic, and hazardous chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, which can harm human health and the environment.
  • A recent study in China found that mining copper, gold and aluminum from ore costs 13 times more than recovering the metals through the urban mining of e-waste. The state of e-waste recycling Recycling e-waste is practiced both formally and informally.
  • mally.
  • As a result, many companies and countries illegally export their e-waste to developing countries where recycling is cheap
  • Research has found that inhaling toxic chemicals and direct contact with hazardous e-waste materials (even in some formal e-waste recycling settings) result in increases in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature births, reduced birth weights, mutations, congenital malformations, abnormal thyroid function, increased lead levels in blood, decreased lung function, and neurobehavioral disturbances. Moreover, e-waste toxins contaminate the air, soil and groundwater. In the face of these health and envir
  • n the face of these health and en
  • onmental hazards, however, many people in developing countries earn a living by dismantling, refurbishing, repairing and reselling used electronic devices.
  • In addition to its health hazards, informal recycling can pose security risks, because while formal recyclers in the U.S. usually require wiping devices clean of data, informal recycling does not.
  • Criminals search e-waste for credit card numbers and other financial information.
  • In order to reduce e-waste, manufacturers need to design electronics that are safer, and more durable, repairable and recyclable. Most importantly, this means using less toxic materials.
  • anonymous on 10 Jun 20
     
    This article introduces what is e-waste and the main reason for the surge in e-waste. It also introduced the current recycling status of e-waste and the harm caused by the informal recycling of e-waste, such as heavy metal poisoning and financial information leakage. In addition, measures to address the proliferation of e-waste were also discussed.
  • garz14 on 12 Apr 21
     
    It has become necessary for more proper and formal recycling of e-waste as it is economical and environmentally beneficial for companies. China decided to accept less e-waste from other counties and as a result there is more e waste going to other countries in south east Asia damaging their environments.
brianamfernandez10

Cutting Through Environmental Issues: Technology as a double-edged sword - 0 views

www.brookings.edu/...nology-as-a-double-edged-sword

environmental technology issues

shared by brianamfernandez10 on 20 Jan 20 - No Cached
  • Between 1870 and 1910, per capita income in the United States rose almost 40 percent, and the value of manufacturing output increased sevenfold.
  • It took nearly three generations before the first concerted efforts were made to bring pollution under control, but once begun, progress has been real. The air quality index for the United States now shows a 42 percent improvement since 1980.
  • Technology, in other words, is a double-edged sword-one capable both of doing and undoing damage to environmental quality.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • All the world’s economies continue to face big challenges in using energy-the lifeblood of the industrial age-while maintaining environmental quality.
  • Reductions in both by 70-80 percent since 1977 would not have been possible without substantial innovations in, most notably, electronics.
  • In the United States, the energy sector accounts for more than 85 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, with energy-related carbon dioxide alone responsible for about 80 percent.
  • Local generation by smaller plants can not only reduce transmission losses, but also improve air quality since they can be fueled by hydrogen and natural gas-much cleaner than coal on a per kilowatt hour basis
  • Industrial and vehicular emissions, particularly of nitrogen oxides, are also detrimental to water quality.
  • Technology and policy are now beginning to address runoff pollution, but it is hard to measure, much less control, because it stems from widely scattered, “nonpoint” sources.
  • the tools of geographic information systems (GIS) using remotely sensed data have offered new ways to identify and observe these sources
  • The technologies raise some privacy concerns, for instance, that could lead polluters to cloak or hide their polluting activities, further inhibiting pollution monitoring and cleanup
  • Bioremediation treats about 5-10 percent of all toxic chemicals and other hazardous waste; has successfully treated oil, gasoline, toluene, naphthalene, pentachlorophenol (a fungicide and wood preservative), and agricultural waste; and is being used at more than 30 munitions test areas across the United States.
  • These benefits must be balanced against what some critics view as potentially large drawbacks. One concern is that bioremediation may largely immobilize rather than fully remediate contamination. Another is that instead of reverting to its original state, the site will be transformed in some unexpected way. A third concern is that the potential risks of adding genetically altered organisms to the environment, or even redistributing naturally occurring ones, may not be fully understood. The Information Revolution
  • The Information Revolution
  • brianamfernandez10 on 20 Jan 20
     
    This article goes into depth explaining how technology affects the world that surrounds us. Although technology brings so many good things to our lives, and allows the world to constantly evolve, there are of course harmful things that come along with it. It can affect air quality, the quality of water, land, etc. Over all affecting the quality of life for those affected by this issue. As we evolve with technology, it becomes more of a issue to maintain and to properly dispose of systems no longer being used. This article describes different advancements that are being made in to help resolve this issue.
qyang010

Global Effects of E-Waste Can Cost You Your Health and the Environment - 0 views

www.ewaste1.com/waste-can-cost-you-your-health

E-Waste

shared by qyang010 on 28 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Why the global cost of throwing away old electronics is so high  What e-waste bioleaching and bioaccumulation mean for YOUR health How you can help solve the problem with environmentally-friendly electronic waste disposal techniques
  • people discard electronics at the slightest inconvenience
  • According to the EPA, e-waste accounts for 5% of the municipal solid waste stream In 2020, the global amount of e-waste is predicted to exceed 50 million tons  International e-waste levels are expected to grow by 8% per year 
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • 2. E-waste Disposal & Your Health: A Recipe for Toxic Waste
  • highly toxic elements, including
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Cadmium
  • most electronics contain more than just simple ingredients. 
  • CopyDeleteMercuryCopyDeleteCadmiumCopyDeletemost electronics contain more than just simple ingre
  • Barium
  • And fire retardants like Bromine 
  • Unfortunately, if these elements are ingested in high quantities, it can cause a recipe for disaster. 
  • consuming these toxic minerals on a day-to-day basis – one gigabyte at a time.
  • Environmental Effects of E-Waste Bioleaching
  • electronic waste can leach out into the surrounding area and contaminate crops, livestock, and wildlife. 
  • Health Effects of E-Waste: Example of Biomagnification
  • 3. The Best Solution to E-Waste Management
  • easily recycle your old smartphones
  • Reduce environmental destruction caused by mining  Decrease the spread of dangerous e-waste toxins  Produce an economy centered around recycled elements
jackyreis

The Role of Green Technology in the Sustainability of Hotels Essay - Free Argumentative... - 2 views

lagas.org/n-the-sustainability-of-hotels

shared by jackyreis on 15 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • Throughout the life of hotels— from building construction, operation, maintenance and evolution—the environmental issue is the wasteful consumption of vast amount of resources such as water and energy and accumulation of air, soil and water pollution in a built environment. The unique service function and operations of hotel result to a stronger ecological impact when compared to other buildings used for commercial purposes. (Bohdanowicz, Simanic & Martinac, 2004)
  • It is imperative for hotels to construct buildings, design their facilities, operate, and refurbish structures in a way that causes the least possible harm to the environment. (Straus & Gale, 2006)
  • Protection of the environment through eco-friendly practices by hotels involves a radical change in operations and a long-term impact, which makes this a sustainability-driven strategy
  • ...41 more annotations...
  • The growing concern over sustainability in the business sector led to developments in innovative environment friendly processes and tools collectively called green technology
  • Green technology enables the eco-friendly practices of business firms.
  • The concept of sustainability emerged in the field of natural sciences in recognition of the scarcity of natural resources and the need to rationalize usage to secure sufficient resources for future generations (Kirk, 1995).
  • The concern of sustainability is ensuring the continuation of the well-being of people and protection of the environment from wasteful use or destructive activities.
  • The implementation of sustainability plans involves innovative methods and tools accessible to hotels and responsive to the multi-dimensional issues including impact of operations on the environment experienced by hotels. Green technology understood as eco-friendly tools and processes or environment friendly products support the successful implementation of sustainability plans in the hospitality industry.
  • 1.      Minimized pollution and rational energy and water consumption. 2.      Respect for culture and tradition. 3.      Community involvement in the hospitality economy. 4.     Consideration of quality instead of quantity in terms of the visitors to tourist destinations. 5.      Economic benefits redound to the community. (Robertson, 2007)
  • In relation to environmental sustainability, there are also considerations for inclusion into the sustainability plan of hotels to ensure that they meet environmental compliance (Butler, 2008)
  • However, even if sustainability planning is a tedious task, the expected outcomes are long-term and compelling because this determines the continuity or viability of hotels, firms whose future survival depends on sustainability (Butler, 2008).
  • 1.      Scale and distribution of operations in a given area. 2.      Hotel demand and means of alleviating the negative effects. 3.      Protection of key assets historic buildings, townscape or coastline. 4.     Contribution to other related areas such as economic development and cultural preservation. (Sharma, 2004)
  • Since the sustainability of hotels spans multidimensional aspects, the contribution of hotels to other areas such as employment or job creation also supports its sustainability.
  • Green technology received recognition as an aspect of human society and therefore part of sustainability. In a sustainability panel of representatives from the hospitality industry, sustainability as a strategy meant addressing today’s needs without adversely affecting tomorrow’s needs (Knowles, 2008).
  • Examples of product enhancement are energy saving appliances and fixtures such as fluorescent instead of incandescent lights or intelligent air conditioning systems that regulate room temperature depending on the presence of its occupant
  • The extent of reduction of waste varies since this could range from minimal to significant decrease in the volume of waste generated, capacity of landfills, and transportation needs. By benefiting the environment, economic benefits also accrue. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • dopting waste management processes and tools accrues financial, economic, and environmental benefits for hotels.
  • Key to these activities is the ability to harness the full functional value of materials and product components at the least possible additional processing cost for recovery and reuse. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • First is design of recycling or the cost-effective manner of recovering and reusing materials. The design provides support during the disposal stage to ensure low added cost for recovery. Second is design for disassembly encompassing the methods enabling the minimization of cost in segregating reusable materials. This leads to savings that accumulate when design interventions are made during the stages of material selection and assembly that already separates reusable materials
  • Third is toxics management comprised of the activities of controlling and eliminating toxic materials that are innate components of products such as cadmium or lead. Excessive levels of these toxic materials are hazards to health and the environment. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Environmental benefits include reduced accumulation of waste and lesser risk of soil, water and air contamination of toxic production. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Pollution prevention involves the elimination of processes in manufacturing that cause pollution. This requires change by redesigning the production process in a manner that prevents the accumulation of harmful by-products or the redesign of the finished products so there would be no use for processes that result in hazardous by-products. The prevention of pollution in production design exacts capital investments but the cost of redesign is deemed less when compared to the cumulative cost of controlling pollution, which would likely increase with new regulations imposing more active methods of pollution control. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Green technology as a process and a collection of tools addresses four objectives, which are a) waste reduction, b) materials management, c) pollution prevention, and d) product enhancement (Billatos & Basaly, 1997). There are processes and tools specifically targeting any one, some or all of these objectives so that the appropriate choice depends on the priority of hotels.
  • The technological development of product enhancement innovations is escalating and promise greater functions for business establishments. (Billatos & Basaly, 1997)
  • Utilizing product enhancement technologies influence the sustainability of hotels in terms of savings on operating cost, lesser pollution and waste in the built environment, and value creation for environmental conscious customers (Yaw, 2005).
  • Overall, green technology supports the sustainability of hotels by decreasing a wide range of economic and non-economic costs to support the financial viability of hotels in the long-term and conserving the natural environment on which the hospitality industry depends for the continuity of business. By adopting green technology, hotels gain processes and tools it can use to secure its sustainability.
  • A range of energy saving technologies is available to the hotel industry. These technologies could make hotels green buildings by targeting various areas for energy saving.
  • One is electric heating pumps as alternatives to conventional electric boilers or condensing/non-condensing boilers requiring gas to run. The use of this green technology by a hotel in Hong Kong with a rooftop swimming pool showed a reduction in energy consumption by 26.5-32.5 MWh and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 kg. When computed over a ten-year period, using this technology would save the hotel HK$226,400 in energy cost savings. The hotel can earn back the cost of adopting this technology in two years. (Chan & Lam, 2003)
  • Building designs able to harness alternative sources of energy comprise green technologies that support the sustainability of hotels. Solar panels continue to gain function in energy saving for hotels (“Building in a green edge,” 2008) although the payback period is longer than expected, the energy saving potential extends to the long-term. The use of building designs that harness natural light such as skylight atriums that do not use artificial lighting during the day are also green alternatives for hotels (Kirby, 2009).
  • Another direction of green technology for the kitchen is the reuse of exhaust heat from the kitchen by harnessing the heat from the exhaust or condensing hot air to produce steam for use in cooking. This is a means of recycling energy. However, this involves the integration of the design in the structure of the kitchen or the building itself, which means greater investment. (Higgins, 2008) Nevertheless, further innovations in this technology could enhance practical value for hotels.
  • In other areas of hotels such as rooms and bathrooms, e-sensor systems and LED lights comprise green technology options. E-sensor systems apply to different systems such as lighting and air conditioning. The e-sensors have the capability to change automatically the lighting or air conditioning settings depending on the area of the room where there are people or temperature changes in the room. LED lights offer greater energy savings than fluorescent lights so this represents the third generation in lighting technology. (Kirby, 2008) Systems thinking in energy management comprise a promising green technology in saving on energy costs (Sobieski, 2008).These technologies are widely available and accessible to different hotels. The energy saving is experienced in the short term and the payback period is shorted. The problem with this is hotel guests tampering with the system leading to added cost for repairs. This means that awareness and information dissemination are important for the effectiveness of these technologies.
  • Another green technology for rooms is the biodegradable key cards. These have the same life span as the conventional key cards except that these are biodegradable or recyclable. (Gale, 2009) These require little cost with high environmental impact.
  • This involves the placement of water treatment plants that recycle water used in baths for flushing in toilets. (Edwards, 2004) These comprise viable and accessible water conservation practices that would contribute savings on the cost of water to rationalize the consumption of water as a scarce resource.
  • One is the conscious involvement of hotels in the protection of the environment since the nature of the business of the hospitality industry and the closely connected industries such as tourism heavily rely on the soundness of the natural and socio-cultural environment for business
  • The other is the investment in environment protection in a manner that secures economic and financial as well as a range of non-monetary benefits for hotels in the long-term (Vermillion, 2008).
  • Energy consumption is also a benchmark of the eco-friendliness of hotels
  • The water conserving technologies provide the process and tools for hotels to achieve this benchmark.
  • Waste and pollution management are also benchmarks of the ecological involvement of hotels.
  • Green technology takes the role as an enabling process and tool for hotels to become sustainable.
  • With hotels competing to maintain its customer base and pull customers to shift to the hotel’s services, green technology could become an enabler for hotels to become competitive.
  • Investing in green technology enables hotels to significantly cutback on operating cost. This enables hotels a wider profitability margin and room to offer promotional prices to attract more customers (Jones, 2002).
  • Green technology has taken a central role in the sustainability of hotels. The concept of sustainability of hotels involves the aspects of environmental protection and business viability.
  • The use of green technology also contributes to the viability of business firms in terms of financial standing and non-financial competencies in the long-term. Going green attracts the niche market of environment enthusiasts that contribute to sales. Using the range of green technologies available would also result in savings from operating costs in the long-term, which increases the profit of hotels and gives them flexibility to invest in marketing activities.
  • It is a sound strategy for hotels to consider green technology as a process and a collection of tools in support of sustainability goals.
cmick006

Industry Pros Predict What Event Catering Will Look Like in the Future Post-Coronavirus... - 0 views

www.bizbash.com/...-in-the-future-postcoronavirus

shared by cmick006 on 29 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • mostly convert to small-plate, chef-attended stations.
  • or ready-made plates will be up for grabs along with individually wrapped silverware.
  • in general, is too popular with too many to totally disappear.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • industry to rise to the challenge to reinvent how we present and serve our menu items.
  • Wolfgang Puck Catering introduced its “vertical buffet.”
  • “Bento boxes would offer a fully curated meal for each guest that is appetizing for both the eyes and stomach. ...
  • passing hors d'oeuvres on large boards such as surfboards and pizza peels “so you don't come face-to-face with someone.”
  • more food trucks will be pulling up to events. “This protects both the kitchen, the staff, and the guests from cross-contamination.”
  • smaller groups in larger venues to accommodate that six-foot radius.
  • all types of events will require more spacing.
  • cmick006 on 29 Jun 20
     
    Food buffets will change, the amount of spacing required will change & social distancing will be in play; this will definitely play out in the events planning industry, as well.
davidclark33

RePower South starts South Carolina facility - Recycling Today - 0 views

www.recyclingtoday.com/...-carolina-facility-bhs-sorters

shared by davidclark33 on 01 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • RePower South starts South Carolina facility
  • The recycling system, provided by Eugene, Oregon-based Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), is highly automated and capable of processing more than 50 tons per hour of mixed waste to recover recyclables and produce a fuel feedstock. 
  • processing a minimum of 120,000 tons annually. Prior to this system coming online, county residents were required to opt in and pay for household recycling or use drop-off recycling sites that only accepted paper and cardboard. All other recyclables were sent to landfill.
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  • The BHS FiberPure process features screen, air, optical and artificial intelligence-powered robotic sorters to automate the production of clean fiber. Plastics and metals are also separated without manual sorting. In total, the system contains seven NRT optical sorters and nine Max-AI AQCs.
  • The plant also makes use of nonrecyclable papers and plastics by producing ReEngineered Feedstock (ReEF), a clean, low-carbon renewable fuel sold to industry, cement and utility customers to replace coal in production processes. ReEF undergoes several quality control steps, including two NRT optical sorters, which remove plastic and metal contamination. The product has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a nonwaste fuel. 
  • “RePower South is showing that it is possible, today, to help communities increase recycling of the existing waste stream while also providing the flexibility to adjust to any market condition or opportunity,” says BHS CEO Steve Miller.
  • davidclark33 on 01 Sep 20
     
    This article is about a new state of the art recycling facility that opened in the Charleston area recently. Prior to this opening, residents in this county had to pay for recycling at their house or they had to bring their recycling to a facility that only recycled paper and cardboard. Everything else was sent to the landfill. This new facility requires minimal manual sorters and residents no longer have to separate. Computer technology and robotic sorters handles everything. It also makes use of no-recyclable plastics and turns them into reusable fuel. The company has one additional facility in Alabama.
kmill139

Why the U.S. is Terrible at Recycling Electronics | Digital Trends - 0 views

www.digitaltrends.com/...-waste-recycling-united-states

technology hospitality business tech

shared by kmill139 on 17 Jun 21 - No Cached
  • E-waste in the United States is out of control.
  • You may assume America has to at least be on par with the rest of the first world when finding a forever home for computers, phones, and printers, but you’d be wrong.
  • Those millions of old motherboards and TVs consoles rotting in landfills and warehouses aren’t just eyesores. They amount to a massive health hazard. While electronics waste comprises only 2-3 percent of America’s solid waste stream, the lead, cadmium, chromium, and other materials in aging circuitry account for 70 percent of the hazardous material in landfills, according to an EPA report.
  • ...31 more annotations...
  • Others go belly up, leaving behind millions of pounds of old gadgets piled in mountainous heaps atop land which has lead levels many times normal.
  • You’re probably not screaming into a paper bag about the $20 billion or so of gold that’s trashed in electronics every year worldwide. Precious metals come and go. But if you care about the soil that comprises the land of the brave, you should start thinking about what happened to last year’s smartphone (even if it’s just sitting in the garage).
  • This list of reasons isn’t exhaustive, but serves as a solid starting point for understanding the United States’ e-waste dilemma and what can be done.
  • U.S. e-waste recycling laws are often outdated or nonexistent
  • Only 25 states (plus Washington, D.C.) have legislation that addresses e-waste recycling. The other 25 don’t have comprehensive programs, and don’t report what happens to the electronics beyond occasional voluntary numbers, says Jason Linnell, head of the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER). Federal laws don’t explicitly address e-waste recycling.
  • The U.S. isn’t good at recycling
  • The current level and effectiveness of e-waste recycling depends on which state you live in and whether or not you trust locals to “do the right thing.” The hope for improvement sits with congressional reps, state lawmakers, manufacturers, and gadget freaks (yes, you).
  • Single-stream recycling hasn’t helped
  • Between 2005 and 2014, single stream recycling programs increased from 29 to 80 percent in American towns and cities. During that same time period, material contamination rates increased from 7 to 25 percent.
  • E-waste legislation regularly disappears in Congress
  • This is not the first Congressional session in which similar bills have been introduced and allowed to die like a first grade classroom goldfish on summer break. SEERA currently sits with the house’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Why is it so tough to pass e-waste legislation?
  • The U.S. is an environmental rogue
  • As of late 2018, 186 states and the European Union have ratified it and follow its legal framework. The United States has signed the Basel Convention, indicating an intent to ratify, but is the only developed nation that hasn’t actually done so, which
  • After the initial Basel Convention was adopted in 1989, many organizations said the treaty didn’t do enough to address the disposal of waste from first world countries into the developing world, and pressed for an update, which eventually became 1995’s Basel Ban Amendment. The tweak — which was attacked by many industrial powers, including the U.S., Canada, and Japan — needed three decades before it was accepted by enough countries to go into effect. In August 2019, Croatia became the 97th country to ratify it, which transformed the updated stipulations into international law in December 2019.
  • EPA regulations are incomplete
  • Federal attempts at regulation have stalled, been killed
  • U.S. pushes back against international efforts
  • As a part of the 2003 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive), the public was guaranteed free recycling services, and conveniently located collection centers. Around the same time, the EU also passed the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), aka the “lead-free directive,” which restricts the use of several toxic materials in the manufacture of circuitry and electronic products.
  • In Japan, the Association for Electric Home Appliances requires consumers to help pay for the processing of their goods and manufacturers to set up recycling programs. Electronics recycling has been promoted as such a point of national pride — because Japan is both a huge consumer of gadgets and the country has few indigenous precious metals — that there’s serious talk of making the 2020 Tokyo Olympic metals out of recycled materials. An estimated 80,000 cell phones need to be pulled apart and picked over to complete the plan.
  • State-level e-cycling programs are uneven
  • Certified e-cycling programs are important, but also confusing
  • If you’re the compliance officer who has to make sure the company’s used servers don’t wind up getting tossed in an Indonesian landfill, and you won’t have to nervously answer questions in a “60 Minutes” exposé, you probably want to get that e-waste removed by a disposal team with one of these
  • That all sounds great until you listen to Puckett, who helped create the e-Stewards protocols. He’s one of several people who took part in the development of R2 for over two years and then refused to continue when the proposed guidelines seemed to be too tainted by lobbyists, including ones at the Institute of Scrap Recycling (ISRI), an organization that favors a free market approach over regulation. Puckett and 13 recyclers created e-Stewards, which describes itself as the “the cleanest, most globally responsible standard for e-waste recycling.” He points out that the R2 certification still allows recyclers to export to developing countries. E-Stewards’ doesn’t. R2 recyclers can drop toxic e-waste in landfills or incinerators in the event of “circumstances beyond their
  • Scrap recycling lobby doesn’t like regulations
  • The announcer proudly explains e-cycling is a vibrant industry that adds 20.6 billion to the U.S. economy and supports 45,000 jobs domestically, “safeguarding our environment,” along the way.
  • Can anything be done? Possibly
  • Recycling isn’t the only answer for fewer landfills filled with decaying circuits. Chris Wellise, Chief Sustainability Officer for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), which installs and recovers tech, emphasizes the importance of designing products for longevity, disassembly, and reuse.
  • “On average, 85 percent of the environmental impacts can be addressed in the design phase,” estimates Wellise.
  • Similar challenges exist for smartphones. Review IFixit’s guide for repairability and you can expect the phones that are easy to disassemble are also easier to refurbish or scrap. In an unusual display of transparency, eco-minded electronics company Fairphone sells spare parts on its site and has visual cues printed on the pieces to help novices figure out where everything goes. In case you’re wondering, it’s possible to make a Fairphone work in America, but most of the company’s sales are in Europe.
  • In 2018, Apple gave birth to Daisy, a robot that can disassemble 200 of the company’s phones in an hour — 1.2 million a year. The company has an installation of the machine in Austin, Texas, and another in the Netherlands. Daisy’s supply chain of used products comes from the company’s in-store trade-in program and a partnership with Best Buy.
  • Pretty awe-inspiring, right? Keep in mind that Apple sold over 217 million phones just in 2018 and has moved 2.2 billion iPhone units since the product line launched in 2007. The two Daisy divisions aren’t even working at capacity. Apple is willing to license the robot technology so any company can use it to disassemble phones, but none have approached them yet.
  • carlatj on 17 Jun 21
     
    "Maybe it's easy to ignore the huge percentage of vintage gadgets that wind up torched in dicey scrap heaps in developing countries". This article was written on Feb-27-2020. The problem we saw on the old video is still very much a problem now, only bigger.
  • kmill139 on 29 Sep 21
     
    This article was super informative in the realm of E-waste. It covered every aspect of the issue and most definitely is relevant in today's world.
teallemejia

How hotels are using technology to boost traveller confidence during COVID times | Decc... - 0 views

www.deccanherald.com/...during-covid-times-951095.html

hotels technology

shared by teallemejia on 28 Aug 21 - No Cached
  • hotels are incorporating a combination of cutting-edge technologies to improve customer confidence and mitigate losses
  • Technology features originally intended as novelties are becoming necessities during times when some people are wary of even stepping outside their homes.
  • the hotels associated with his group have tweaked the regular processes and activities to ensure that least human contact is required.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • while digital check-in & check-out is already a new normal, the company has also introduced technologies such as e-newspapers or magazines for the visitors.
  • From replacing tangible restaurant menus and paper in-room compendiums with scannable QR codes to contactless hotel check-in capabilities, almost every aspect of the hospitality experience can now be accessed through the push of a button on your mobile devices
  • tech tools are being deployed to provide remote access to front-desk, concierge and customer-service functions through chatbots or live-chats with on-property staff
  • The experts said virtual TV control systems are replacing traditional hotel TV remotes which are known to be an infection contamination risk.
  • teallemejia on 28 Aug 21
     
    The hospitality industry struggled to survive during covid, and they are still fighting by incorporating technology to improve traveler's confidence during this pandemic and still managing to make a profit for the company. They are using technologies to keep both guests and employees safe during this time. Technology features that used to be a bonus are now becoming a necessity in the hotel industry. As the hotel industry adopts to these changes, this is likely to be the new norm instead of eventually reverting to the old normal. This goes past digital check-in and check-out. New technologies are being used like e-newspapers or magazines for guests to use instead of picking one up in the lobby. This includes contactless payments, scannable QR codes for the restaurant menus and chatbots or live-chats with the on-property staff. These new technological advancements can allow a guest to completely skip the front desk and most human interactions all together if they chose to.
asanc036

7 restaurant technology trends to watch in 2022 - 2 views

hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/restaurant-technology-trends

restaurant technology trends

shared by asanc036 on 30 Aug 21 - No Cached
  • Many restaurants have turned to tech in the last couple of years, even if reluctantly, to adapt to a new reality.
  • 1. Online ordering systems and delivery apps
  • he food delivery market is now worth more than $150 billion globally, which has more than tripled since 2017 largely attributed to the pandemic, according to statistics from McKinsey.
  • ...26 more annotations...
  • 2. Contactless payment
  • It’s estimated that contactless payments will triple from $2 trillion to $6 trillion worldwide by 2024, and having such options are reportedly extremely important for 34% of customers.
  • 3. Online table reservation system
  • initiative Experiences
  • OpenTable is offering
  • unique culinary events and dining experiences
  • Ramen Nights in celebrity chef Hugh Acheson’s dining room, a ‘side-dish’ of line dancing lessons or a fixed-price tasting menu,
  • 4. Digital kitchen ‘boards’
  • Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are a digital menu board for kitchen staff
  • Directly linked to the restaurant’s point-of-sale (POS) system, the screen displays orders automatically according to priority and flagging any special dietary requests.
  • racking meal delivery times and monitoring inventory to signal when a product is out of stock,
  • 5. Automated inventory management software
  • tracking food and beverage stocks, anticipating quantities and even scheduling reorders
  • implementation of such software
  • reduce food wastage, which is reportedly costing the hospitality industry $100 billion annually.
  • (AI) technology, companies like Kitro
  • cut food waste and costs
  • platforms like Too Good to Go also save restaurants from wasting their food surplus
  • 6. QR codes
  • QR codes
  • allows customers to access online menus, order and pay – without contact –
  • 7. Air purification technology
  • bipolar ionization
  • purifies the air and surfaces in indoor spaces by neutralizing contaminants
  • systems which make use of ultraviolet light
  • f both air and surface sanitization
  • dnune013 on 30 Aug 21
     
    "Technology and innovation are what have helped, even saved, restaurants as they transform how they operate to not just survive, but thrive, in this new connected and contactless era" "Third-party food delivery apps like UberEats, Foodpanda, or Door Dash will continue to be an important solution for those not able to offer in-house ordering and delivery services" "Contactless technology is going mainstream, and it's not just about placing an order online, but also about paying with a smartphone, smartwatch or smartcard via an app or touchless device" "technology-enabled reservation systems, restaurants can manage seating, waitlists, customer loyalty and dining preferences as well as collect vital client data be it for contact tracing or market insights" "Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are a digital menu board for kitchen staff helping restaurants streamline back-of-house operations" "companies like Winnow are helping restaurant owners and managers cut food waste and costs and run their businesses more efficiently and sustainably" "auto-scanning barcodes with smartphone cameras on posters, tables, coasters, doors or websites allows customers to access online menus, order and pay - without contact" "air purification technologies to promote 'clean air'" https://diigo.com/0lmspn
  • dnune013 on 30 Aug 21
     
    Some of these technologies such as food delivery services, and conctactless payments I have grown used to as a consumer. However, technology like KDS to improve the back of house operations or air purification technologies are more behind the scenes type of technologies that I have not given much thought so I found this article interesting.
  • asanc036 on 27 Aug 22
     
    Many restaurants are adapting to a new reality. Some of the digital trends to watch in 2022 are as follows: 1. Online ordering systems and delivery apps - Food delivery market worth more than $150 billion globally. 2. Contactless payment estimated to triple from $2 trillion to $6 trillion by 2024. 3. Online table reservation system such as Open table Experiences initiative offering unique culinary events and dinner experiences. 4. Digital kitchen boards such as KDS, a digital menu board for kitchen staff linked to the restaurant's POI which displays orders automatically and efficiently. 5. Automated inventory management software tracking food and beverage stocks, anticipating quantities and scheduling reorders. 6. QR codes that allow customers to access menus online, order and pay. 7. Air purification technology like bipolar ionization and ultraviolet light.
chadidscha

Electronic Waste Recycling: A Global Problem in Need of Solutions - 0 views

feeco.com/l-problem-in-need-of-solutions

technology business tech

shared by chadidscha on 17 Feb 22 - No Cached
  • Cellphones, computers, and other technological products contain a number of valuable materials that must be mined. Rare earths, gold, palladium, copper, and more all reside within our cell phones, TVs, and more.
  • These valuable materials are acquired through intensive mining operations. The recycling of such materials from our old gadgets would allow us to reuse these valuable materials, ultimately requiring less mining and conserving our finite resources. According to the EPA, the recycling of one million cell phones yields 35,000 lbs. of
  • The toxic components in e-waste not only pose risks to workers in developing nations, but they also pose risks to the environment; where e-waste is either improperly handled or disposed of, there is risk of soil and groundwater contamination.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Many have pinpointed improved legislation, advancement in recycling technologies, increased education, and more convenient recycling programs for resolving the electronic waste crisis. Some companies have already jumped on the bandwagon toward finding improved recycling methods.
  • The Washington-based company behind Redbox and Coinstar has developed a line of ecoATM kiosks, where consumers can conveniently sell their old phones for cash on the spot where they already shop.
  • chadidscha on 17 Feb 22
     
    Electronic waste is a growing problem which affects our soil, groundwater, and more due to improper disposal. This problem was considered a conflicting issue in developing countries in the past; however, that no longer holds truth. Many nations and various companies have become more and more of this issue and try to tackle it by implementing legislations and recycling centers, which allow for proper e-waste disposal. The problem at hand can be dealt with, but a world-wide team effort is needed in order to combat this dilemma.
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