The world’s quantity of plastic waste entering the oceans now exceeds one million metric tons every year. While (according to https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-future-of-the-worlds-plastic/) half of all plastic waste is estimated to be recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in landfills, a significant portion of the remainder ends up with different fates ending up in water bodies or storm drains which deposit into our oceans. A huge number of pieces of ocean plastic waste has been observed to join together to form a vortex of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean three times the size of France.

So here is a quiz. Which is the top country responsible for plastics found in our oceans? One would think it is the US where we make and use so much plastic and so much of our society is “single use and throw out” functionality. But the US is not number 1, nor is it in the top 10. The answer may surprise you. The #1 country from where the most plastic waste ends up in oceans is the Philippines (356,000 metric tons per year). Why? Because it is an archipelago of over 7,000 of islands which, therefore, has tens of thousands of miles of coastline and rivers feeding oceans from which plastic waste can easily enter. In fact, except for China, which is #3, all of the other top ten countries in plastic waste to the oceans are smaller developing nations with large coastlands, high rainfall, and underdeveloped recycling infrastructure (poor wastewater and solid waste management systems), such as India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc. China generates 10 times the plastic waste of Malaysia, but only 0.6% of it reaches the ocean. The percentage in Malaysia is estimated to be about 9%.

Plastic products are relatively cheap and light weight and, therefore, can be used by people of all means. Most of the plastic waste found in oceans derive from discarded plastic in parks, beaches, or along streets which enter larger bodies of water by wind or by storm drains. Some ocean plastics derive from items used in fishing operations, too.

How can we reduce plastic waste accumulation in the oceans? The first, and most obvious, way is to reduce the use of plastics. Less plastics around means less waste. But plastics will not disappear. Thus, it is also critical to better manage the plastic waste generated. The problem here is that, as you see, the countries with the greatest access to waste in the ocean (those with large coastlines and river flow) are also poorer and are less able to implement robust waste management practices. While there is a popular movement to reduce foreign aid to countries to help them with their own problems, this is a problem that affects the US and other developed countries. So funds earmarked for improving plastic waste management infrastructure will not only benefit them, but the US and others, as well.

CCES can bring in solid waste management experts to help you manage this and other environmental issues for you. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

Electric vehicles or “EVs” have become the darling of the clean energy movement. The potential greenhouse gas reduction of removing hundreds of millions of vehicles from the road and replacing their gasoline and diesel combustion with electricity from clean sources is a home run in reducing our unsustainable greenhouse gas emission rate. In the US, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, electrifying cars and trucks is a key step to meet our climate change goals. Although there are logistical issues about powering batteries conveniently and finding the raw materials to make more batteries, EVs are growing tremendously in sales and is beginning to make an impact on climate change.

But there turns out to be an additional major benefit of EVs that is unrecognized and that is the improvement of public health. Researchers in California have shown that the reduction in immediate tailpipe emissions by the growth in electric car use is already keeping asthma patients out of emergency rooms. Besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally, the reduction in localized emissions from not combusting a fuel is having a positive public health effect. No combustion or its byproducts means zero carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, VOC, etc. emissions. These compounds, when inhaled, can lead to high blood pressure, emphysema, and asthma attacks. Air pollution contributes to as many as 200,000 deaths per year in the US. Vehicular emissions have an inordinate effect on these figures because of the release point of these pollutants, at the ground level, giving the atmosphere less of an opportunity to dilute the compounds before being breathed in by the public. Replacing internal combustion cars and trucks for electric vehicles would lessen the exposure to these compounds linked to health problems.

A recent study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment based on actual usage and admissions found that in California, every 20 zero-emissions vehicles per 1,000 people led to a 3.2% drop in the rate of emergency room visits due to asthma. The study did note that this decline occurred primarily in wealthier communities which have more people that can afford EVs. Poorer communities face both a higher air pollution baseline and fewer people with the means to drive around in an EV. The study examined many California communities, tracking electric vehicle registration and local measurements of nitrogen dioxide, which has been linked to respiratory problems and can trigger formation of other pollutants, such as ozone. In one area, EV registration increased 10-fold over a 7-year period, yet emergency room visits for asthma declined.

The study also noted that EVs can cause more of a certain class of air pollutants, particulate matter, as EVs are generally heavier than equivalent fuel-burning vehicles (weight of batteries), which can lead to more particulate emissions due to rubber meeting the road while they eliminate pollutants from their exhaust.

CCES has the experts to help you assess the air pollution from your fleets and from your stationary sources, as well, and to determine the most cost-effective ways to reduce your air emissions for the health of your staff and customers and to meet air pollution regulations and your permits. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.

Many building owners and property managers spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on HVAC equipment to keep tenants comfortable (and prevent mold and other intrusions), and then think they can sit back and relax and let the equipment do their jobs. No. In fact, this is counterintuitive. Protect your investment by implementing a HVAC maintenance program. This involves inspecting, cleaning, and tuning up the various components of the system, including air filters, condenser coils, evaporator coils, and blower motor.

Air filters are an essential component of the HVAC system, as they remove impurities from the air and improve indoor air quality. Dirty air filters can lead to reduced system airflow, increased energy consumption, worsening indoor air quality (which tenants can often detect), and shortened lifespan of your system. Therefore, it is essential to clean or replace the air filters regularly based on manufacturer’s recommendations and equipment usage. Some years ago, I did a retro-commissioning study and came across several filthy air filters. The facility manager said he was following the manufacturer’s recommendation of changing the filters every 6 months. What he was not aware of (and I pointed out) was across the street from this facility was a different one with outdoor piles of crushed rock and sand. Undoubtedly, winds were kicking up some of this dust into their filters. The facility manager understood and changed his practices to accommodate to change filters every 3 months.

The condenser and evaporator coils also can accumulate dirt and debris, reducing their efficiency and leading to overwork and higher energy bills. Regular cleaning of the coils can help maintain optimal system performance and reduce energy usage. In addition, the blower motor, which circulates the air throughout the system, also requires regular maintenance, such as lubrication, to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance.

Besides regular cleaning and maintenance, HVAC systems also require periodic tune-ups to ensure optimal performance. During tune-ups, technicians inspect the system for any potential issues, such as leaks or worn-out parts, and make necessary repairs. They also adjust the system to ensure it operates at peak performance and efficiency, which can result in lower energy bills and enhance the longevity of the system, reducing long-term capital costs. This is another item that is often overlooked, but very beneficial.
Therefore, it is to your great benefit to develop a regular program, such as having experienced HVAC technicians inspect your equipment on a regular basis (once or twice per year) and to do your own brief inspections to replace dirty filters and inspect coils more often. Don’t skimp on this or ignore a unit or two because it may be “small”. Remember that regular HVAC maintenance will reduce electricity bills, prevent breakdowns that will impact your tenants or production, improve indoor air quality, and extend the lifespan of the system. Given that HVAC systems are costly investments, regular maintenance that will identify and remediate potential issues before they become major problems, HVAC maintenance is important to your bottomline.

CCES has the experts to direct you to design and implement an HVAC maintenance program to benefit your systems and equipment and operational goals. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.

Nuclear power has certainly had its highs and lows. In the post-Hiroshima and Nagasaki era, nuclear power was considered a modern and efficient way to generate electricity. However, a number of accidents, which got international press coverage, and the long-term treatment and effects of spent fuel rods gave nuclear a major negative reputation. But recent technological advances in nuclear power and the need for energy sources that do not combust fossil fuels have resulted in leaders looking at nuclear more favorably these days.

The need to address climate change has been a boon for the nuclear power industry. Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gasses and many states and nations have set ambitions goals of eliminating fossil fuel-combustion power plants from their electricity grids in the next one to two decades.

Although there are few concrete plans for new nuclear plants, several states have paved the way for them by ending moratoria on new nuclear plants. A number of existing plants have been shut down or are nearing the end of their useful lives. These may be logical sites for a new generation of nuclear plants.

Of course, the old concerns of safety have not gone away, especially from the public. New nuclear plants must make headway in these issues. However, the industry has received both government and private funding and is working on new, advanced technologies and may be ready to implement them in a future generation of plants. A new nuclear plant in Tennessee went online in 2016, the first in the 21st century in the US. Two plants are expected to start operating in Georgia soon. Licenses have been obtained from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build new facilities in 4 states.

While nuclear is figuring into the equation to de-carbonize our future energy supply, its designs may be different in the future. A new generation of small modular reactors or “SMRs” are being developed. These are smaller in output and footprint than historic nuclear plants. However, these are attempting to be more manageable, safer, and more efficient and economical than existing large-scale reactors. For example, an SMR could use as much as 90% less water than conventional facilities. Several SMRs could be envisioned as working together to increase output at a given location. While conventional nuclear plants cost billions to design, construct and test, SMRs could likely be built at a fraction of the cost, an advantage if investment money is tight. New SMRs may be able to provide additional power to existing plants with aging reactors, minimizing the need to build new plants in areas where there may be local opposition.

CCES cannot build nuclear plants, but we have the experts to assist you in determining your best way to de-carbonize and have reliable power for your facilities. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.