if you dont believe in global warming sign this

[hughie]

Why doesn't the government force people to recycle??

I seem to recall Keating wacked a 30% tax on recycled paper, I wonder if we still have? it

Why doesn't the government cut paper usage and move to online transactions??

Too simple and too hard, beside the govt probably is led around by its bureaucracy.Plus not enough votes in it I suspect

I

am not against doing something to reduce emissions, but letting market forces dictate what happens is plain wrong and a cop out by the government..

[/QUOTE]

Cop out maybe, most govt view point goes as far as the next election and how much they need to promise it get back in. Once in the generally do whatever their own agenda dictates.

If you want change then do what the big end of town does. Lobby and Lobby hard or if you cant afford it get as many people as possible on the your side to make contact via phone, email,fax , letter etc to all pollys in Canberra. Polly are swayed by votes and or the lack of them.

'She'll be right" is perhaps the the greatest asset for those in Power, it is in some ways a form of apathy.

[artme]

Just a point on this issue. Here in Brasil recycling is a way of life and has been for years. There are no government sticks or carrots - it just happens. Maybe this is a good example of "market forces".

The bulk of the population is poor. The Social service set up is barely adequate so people have to do whatever they can to earn a living.

The first time I came here 22 years ago I was staggered to see fellows in Rio pulling carts around in the crazy traffic. These were loaded with cardboard cartons for recycling, Saves the city council huge amounts in rubbish collection and disposal costs.

This still happens.

here where we are living at the moment there are scroungers who walk the streets everyday, collecting cans, plastic and glass bottles. They raid your rubbish but don't spread it to the winds.

A couple i have seen fairly frequently does the nature strip along the beach.

[kiwigeo]

To my knowledge South Australia is the only state where a deposit is charged on bottles and cans.

Incentives to recycle and use renewable energy sources in this country are generally way behind the rest of the world.

[Sebastiaan56]

A home once you calculate the feed in tarrifs should be cost positive at 2kw or around $12,000 installed when I last looked. But I stand to be corrected however I wonder if you get more bank for your buck if you look at improved insulation and draft control along with fluoro and LED lighting solutions. Retro fitting double glazing is an interesting concept, and one we are about to commence ourselves.

Do you have a lead on LED's for the home? Compact flouros are OK but at best an interim solution. Im continually messing with air flow in our place. There is a inherent refrigerator under the floor, its just a matter of using it intelligently. I will be very interested to hear how your double glazing goes.

[johnc]

I got the bulbs from this place http://www.ledfx.com.au/ it was about $65 for a single 12v globe that gives Lumens similar to a 35W 12V halegon. They are getting in a version that reaches 50W levels and I will pick up four of those and try them as well. Can't say the result was quite what we expected, but suitable for passage and hall. At this stage we are keen but not committed. I don't think they work well for very high ceilings, but for smaller distances between light and work surfaces seem very good. It's all very new to me and I wouldn't mind finding a site that gives some independant comparisons.

[artme]

Some years ago- in the US I think - A refrigerator was built with the motor on the top.Hot air rises from the motor to be used for clothes drying. There was also a decrease in the amount of insulation needed for the fridge and less power to operate the fridge.

Simple and effective and probably cost effective for manufacturers.


Have a look at Expat's post where he is setting up his workshop. Insulation will save a packet in in heating for him.

[.RC.]

Do you have a lead on LED's for the home?

My local tooling supplier has gone heavily into LED lighting as a bit of a side project..He even has LED replacement fluoro tubes...Expensive at $60 a pop but they last 50 000 hours +

Engineering Tools Australasia, your online engineering tools super store.

I would love to move to all LED lights, if we all went to them the cut in emissions would be huge..

[hughie]

My local tooling supplier has gone heavily into LED lighting as a bit of a side project..He even has LED replacement fluoro tubes...Expensive at $60 a pop but they last 50 000 hours +

Engineering Tools Australasia, your online engineering tools super store.

I would love to move to all LED lights, if we all went to them the cut in emissions would be huge..

I too have watched the development of LED at the moment cost and effectiveness are not quite there as to be come house items in general, but its only matter of time.

Just a point on this issue. Here in Brasil recycling is a way of life and has been for years. There are no government sticks or carrots - it just happens. Maybe this is a good example of "market forces".

With this in mind I have always maintained the recycling must be made as easy as possible, other wise in the daily busy life style we all seem to lead it wont be done effectively.

As to market forces I agree, having lived and traveled extensively in South East Asia. Its the same there, although I notice as the middle class grows in size and wealth it starts to fade somewhat.

[kiwigeo]

For a good rundown on LED lighting and other alternative technologies check out the Australian Alternative Technology Association. The frequently do reviews of available products and they also sell LED halogen replacement units etc.

[jimbur]

Now the libs have got the mad monk in charge - though saying "in charge" might be putting it a bit too strongly.
Cheers,
Jim

[damian]

Oh good, the thread turned positive for 5 minutes. Nice to see everyone pause attacking one another to discuss some practical things.

[jimbur]

Oh good, the thread turned positive for 5 minutes. Nice to see everyone pause attacking one another to discuss some practical things.

Couldn't resist it I'm afraid

[jimbur]

Oh good, the thread turned positive for 5 minutes. Nice to see everyone pause attacking one another to discuss some practical things.

Going back to the positive - should the country that invented the Hills Hoist be embracing the use of electric powered clothes driers?
Cheers,
Jim

[damian]

I dug up my clothes line and gave it to my girlfriend. Never use the things, while she hates tumble dryers.

And that is the basis of my objection to this sort of approach. Governments always answer any issue with regulation and penalty. Happens in driving, gun ownership, pollution, everything. Same solution. Suits them because it give the ignorant "someone to blame", enhances the power and control of government over the people.

So coal fired electricity generation pollutes. Don't disagree. Carbon tax ? Not the right answer. Photovoltaic rebates, great answer. Government bulk buying energy efficient systems and onselling them to consumers at wholesale prices, low cost and great solution with real measureable outcomes.

Water is another classic example. Sure they gave us subsidies for a while to put tanks on (tanks were actually banned in brisbane in the 90's thanks Labour Lord Mayor Sooley), but now those rebates have been restricted or withdrawn. The government would much rather build desal plants and recycle industrial waste into our water supply. Moreover people are suspicious that the Qld government will start taxing the water we collect off our roofs. You have to pay water rights for dams in qld, don't know about down south.

Sorry, ranting again. Just makes me cranky they won't encourage people to both save money and reduce their enviromental footprint, but would rather force new costs onto people via new bureaucracies, taxes and laws.

[jimbur]

Down here water companies are complaining about lack of profit - people are using less water. One thing leads to another.
Jim