Month: June 2016

Being Green: Things You Should Know About Recycling

Posted on June 22, 2016 by - News/Press

Going green is like brushing your horse’s mane, preparing your kid’s lunch, giving your dog a treat, or visiting your parents for the weekend. Taking care of your loved ones is just as important as looking over our most prized possession ‒ mother earth.

 

Today’s blog consists four of the most  important concepts in the world of recycling:

 

    1. Recycling symbols
    2. Three famous R’s

 

  • Recycling process

 

  1. Most recycled material

 

Recycling provides many benefits ‒ not just to our earth – but us humans. Apart from consuming natural resources, reducing emissions, and saving energy, going green helps preserve the environment for prospective generations and boosts the creation of good jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industry. A 2011 statistic states that less than 35% of households and less than 10% of businesses in the United States recycle. If recycling levels reach 75%, it will be the environmental benefit of removing 50 million cars. If we all become a team and recycle, we will do our lovely planet a huge favor.

 

What do recycling numbers mean?

If you have ever examined your water bottle or food container, you’ve probably noticed a triangle with a random number located in the center of it. Little do most know, these symbols are more meaningful than they seem. Because most of what we consume come in plastic packaging, it’s important to know a handful of information about the material where our food comes from.

 

For starters, these numbers each have their own unique significance. They provide information in relation from their ingredients to their biodegradability.  Every plastic container and bottle has this numeric symbol ranging from 1-7.

 

Here I provide informative material over these meaningful icons. .

 

Number 1 Plastic: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)

PET is the most used and recycled plastic most likely because it’s lightweight and cheap. In fact, Americans consume more than 34 billion plastic beverage bottles every year, in which 80% is  not recycled.

 

They can be recycled  into…

 

  • sleeping bags
  • carpet fibers
  • rope
  • paneling
  • straps

 

 

They are mostly found in…

 

  • soda beverage bottles
  • peanut butter jars
  • beer bottles
  • mouthwash bottles

 

 

To conserve this valuable plastic is fairly easy. All you have to do is gather your PET plastics after you’re finished with your delicious peanut butter, Coca Cola, etc. Take out your recycle bin on the appropriate day to let them be picked up by curbside trucks. You can also reuse your plastics by washing them and storing them. You never know when they may come in handy.

 

Number 2 Plastic: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This plastic has low risk leaching, making them generally safe. That’s why they are used to create your average plastic bag that you use when checking out. High-density polyethylene plastic can be found everywhere.

 

They can be recycled into…

 

  • pens
  • containers
  • lumber
  • benches
  • detergent bottles
  • dog houses

 

 

They are mostly found in…

 

  • milk jugs
  • household cleaners
  • shampoo bottles
  • detergent bottles
  • motel oil bottles
  • shopping bags

 

 

Recycling plastic #2 plastic is not a difficult task. The easiest thing you can do is use less. For example, get yourself a nice reusable recycling bag. Most stores sell them for pretty cheap and the good thing is they are made from recycled items. Plus, they are rather large so you have less exhausting trips from your car to your home. You can also set out your bin for curbside recycling.

 

Number 3: Vinyl (V or PVC)

Be especially aware of this plastic. It’s not meant to be cooked with.  have been known to cause health issues  due to phthalates. Phthalates are used to make plastics difficult to break while maintaining their flexibility and elasticity. They contain methanol and ethanol. It has been known to cause liver problems and loss in bone mass. It’s best to stay away from any plastic, especially this one.  

 

They can be recycled into…

 

  • paneling
  • flooring
  • decks
  • roadway gutters
  • speed bumps

 

 

They are mostly found in

 

  • shampoo bottles
  • clean food packaging
  • cooking oil bottles
  • medical equipment
  • piping
  • windows
  • fast food service items

 

 

Unlike #1, this plastic is not easy to recycle because it’s made of a variety of substances. However, the best way to conserve this plastic is to buy less. If you already own a product made of this plastic, keep it for as long as you need it since most recycling programs do not accept it.

 

Number 4 Plastic: Low Density Polyethylene  (LDPE)

This safe plastic is transparent, chemical resistant, and flexible. Even though they decompose easier than HDPE, they are more costly to produce.

 

They are recycled into…

 

  • paneling
  • trash can liners
  • cans
  • floor tiles
  • shipping envelopes
  • new grocery bags

 

 

They are mostly found in…

 

  • grocery bags
  • bread bags
  • shrink wrap
  • margarine tub tops

 

 

If your curbside recycling program does not accept LDPE plastics (plastic bags), a good alternative is to take your bags to a supermarket.

 

Number 5: Polypropylene (PP)

A safe plastic, polypropylene has a high melting point. It’s the second most used plastic for bottles. Although it’s pretty safe to use and can handle heat fairly well, they release toxic chemicals when burning thus becoming a threat to our earth and to human health.

 

They are recycled into…

 

  • bike racks
  • plastic trays
  • storage bins
  • brooms & brushes
  • signal lights

 

 

They are mostly found in…

 

  • bottle caps
  • carpeting
  • food containers
  • medicine bottles
  • meal trays

 

 

Because community recyclers are starting to not collect this plastic anymore, check for any mail-in or drop off programs in your area.

 

Number 6: Polystyrene (PS)

This plastic is better known as styrofoam. It’s very hard to recycle making it unacceptable from most programs. Not only that, but they may cause health problems. This is because polystyrene plastic can release styrene into foods. Styrene is a liquid component that evolves from petroleum and natural gas components. It’s considered non-toxic and is not a danger to our daily lives, therefore it’s not something major to worry about.  

 

They are recycled into…

 

  • vents
  • thermometers
  • rulers
  • license plate frames
  • egg cartons
  • foam packing
  • meat trays

 

 

They are mostly found in…

 

  • toys
  • cups
  • packaging material
  • CD/DVD cases
  • medical products

 

 

When it comes to recycling, it’s ideal to send or deliver your styrofoam products to drop off or mail-in programs since they are not very biodegradable.

 

Number 7 plastic: Mystery Plastics

You spend a few minutes searching for the recycling number on your product but simply cannot find it. Now you don’t know how and where to sort it. Thing is, this category is a mix of plastics that don’t fit in any other group. This plastic should be highly avoided because first, they contain bisphenol A, which has been known to cause infertility and reproductive problems.

 

Although they are usually difficult to recycle, you can send them into commercial composting facilities. Several curbside recycling programs may also take them if there is a way to identify what type of plastic it is. Make sure to not mix them in with your recyclables or else they will affect the rest of the other clean plastics.

 

The Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Everyone seems to be talking about the crazy climate changes yet no one seems to give it much thought or do anything about it. The earth is all we have and it’s crucial that we take good care of it. According to the Recycling Coalition of Utah, Americans throw away enough trash to fill 63,000 garbage trucks; half of it can be recycled. With that in mind, give our mother earth a hand and start going green. It’s no sweat. Just remember the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Reduce: The first R is the easiest. Reduce by buying less. In other words, choose items with little packaging. Instead of choosing bagged fruits and vegetables, go for loose ones. Get yourself a reusable shopping bag to place all your goods. They are usually bigger, providing you with less trips to the car. Buy a set of silverware to avoid using plastic cutlery, mend clothing instead of buying new ones, and use less electricity. You’ll save money while helping our planet.

 

Reuse: Those tin cans and food jars sitting in your trash bin can be reused and put to good use. For example, grow a plant or store your cotton balls in them. DVDS and CD’s you don’t want anymore can be given away or donated. Finding other uses for products lessens combustion of new resources.

Recycle: Recycling steel does our mother earth well as it does to us. It converts our trashed materials into new products. Many places, such as neighborhoods, have pickups of recyclables. Also, other recycling programs pay you for your recycled materials based by weight. It helps keep landfills from growing and preserves its natural resources.

 

Recycling Process

From the outside, the recycling process seems simple, magically creating useful waste into goods. However, more goes into it than it seems. Extraordinary machines and people work together to bring the best out of the ordinary.

 

The collection stage is the beginning of the recycling process. Metals such as aluminum, tin, and steel are gathered by households and are either picked up by recycling trucks from curbsides or are personally given to recycling centers.

 

All the scraps go through several radiation detectors once in the recycling center. The first one takes place when the material arrives. If radiation is not detected, a material handler machine places the scraps onto an infeed conveyor where it goes through another detector after it’s unloaded. Double feed rollers await on the scrap to crush and flatten it. The reason for this is to regulate the flow of the scrap.

 

Afterwards, it’s led into a hammer mill where it’s shredded into tiny pieces, making them fall through the opening in the grates and onto a shaker table and conveyor. The fallen scraps consist of ferrous, non ferrous, and non metallic materials. They will be divided and organized later in the recycling journey. However prior to that, they must go through a third radiation and a magnetic drum. The purpose of the drum is to set apart the ferrous material from the others. The non ferrous and non metallic materials are collected below as the drum does not intend to take them. Just in case it missed anything, the ferrous material is double checked by air separation; a cyclone vacuums only the non metallic and non ferrous scraps.

 

Subsequently, the scraps are inspected by workers for any flaws and non recyclables. As you can see, the whole process is basically filtering; both the non ferrous and non metallic materials are separately purified to be put into new uses. When the picking is over, the material goes yet through another magnetic drum to remove any ferrous materials that may have been over checked.

 

Now it’s time for the non ferrous separation process. As the non metallic and non ferrous material continue, an Eddy Current Separator feeds onto the non ferrous metals. Then a sorting system cups in any remainings that may have surpassed the Eddy Separator. Again, workers pick for more non ferrous materials. At the end of the process, the leftover material is non metallic. These non metallic components are reused as landfill covers while the non ferrous and ferrous are transported to centers where they are converted into new products.   

 

What’s the most recycled material?

Billions of tons of steel are produced every year and millions are reused, making it the most recycled material in the United States. Massive components such as cars and wind turbines to things as little as scrap metal and tin cans make their way out of the landfill and into recycling plants. The earth benefits from this because steel can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality. According to www.kab.org, more steel is recycled than any aluminum, paper, glass, and plastic combined. Also, approximately 20,000 steel cans are recycled in the United States. Take a look at the outstanding savings over one ton:

 

  • Reduces…
    • water: 76%
    • CO2 emissions: 80%
    • air emissions: 86%
  • Saves…
    • 1.5 tons of iron ore
    • .5 tons of coal
    • 1.28 tons of solid waste
    • 75% of energy required to make new steel
    • 40% of water during production
    • 642 Kwh of energy
    • 1.8 barrels of oil
    • 4 cubic yards of landfill space

 

Little steps can go a long way, but it’s even better when we all start living, thinking, and being green for the goal of  leaving mother earth as exquisite as how it was presented to us.

As much as we want to believe it the earth is not ours ‒ we are temporarily settling and using its resources in hopes of long-term survival, but we have to be cautious of what we are putting in and taking out of it, not only for generations to come, but for the sake of other life that has been roaming, thriving, and exploring longer than humanity.   

 

Works Cited

 

Recycling Plastic Is as Easy as 1,2,3 (4,5,6,7).” New York Department of Environmental

Conservation. Web. 6 Aug. 2014. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/plasticpam.pdf>

 

Barrett, Mike. “Your Guide to Plastic Recycling Symbols: The Numbers on Plastic.”Natural Society.

Anthony Gucciardi. 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 6 Aug. 2014. <http://naturalsociety.com/recycling-symbols-numbers-plastic-bottles-meaning/>.

 

Priebe, Maryruth Belsy. “Plastic Recycling Symbols Overview.” Ecolife Recycling. Eco Lifestyle

Network Company, 1 Jan. 20. Web. 6 Aug. 2014. <http://www.ecolife.com/recycling/plastic/plastic-recycling-numbers-symbols.html>.

 

World Refugee Day

Posted on June 20, 2016 by - Blog, News/Press

On July 18, 2015, nine of our employees traveled to Our Lady of Charity Garden at Oak Cliff Dallas to volunteer on the behalf of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Today on World Refugee Day, we want to touch back on an experience we hope to do again this summer.

 

 

The IRC, founded by Albert Einstein in 1933,  is a nonprofit organization that helps refugees whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster to service, recover, and gain control of their future. Thousands of these immigrants are invited by the government to seek safety and freedom here in the United States. An essential part of the organization, the New Roots program ‒ through community gardening, nutrition education, and small business farming ‒ helps immigrants become competent and self-supporting, which allows them to build a better future for themselves and for the community. New Roots is an extra step to creating independent and productive citizens that will help strengthen the world.

 

ASCI took action and volunteered to help improve their gardens.

 

Our team was not afraid to get down and dirty; they joined together and worked for almost 5 hours. Labor consisted of cultivating the rough terrain, weeding multiple garden beds, and mulching the garden’s walkways all under 100° weather. Realizing it was a task many do daily for a living, it was an eye-opening experience our staff later reflected on.

 

“I love leaving a sense of hope in strangers’ minds and hearts,” Online Sales Representative Blanca Ortiz said. “The fact [that] they are from different parts of the world is intriguing. Although we didn’t necessarily communicate in words, we still understood each other. They understood  we were there to help and that’s all that matters.”

 

Seeing the only place you’ve ever known deteriorate to pieces is hard enough. Let alone having to flee to an unfamiliar country knowing you might not ever come back home. These families leave with nothing but their own faith and determination. The IRC strives to improve the lives of these refugees. In fact, they managed to resettle more than 10,000 immigrants in 2013.

 

“I feel for them because it must be very hard to leave a country that they loved, but that is going through tragedy,” marketing assistant Rocio Castillo said. “However, the United States is the best country in the world and I do hope [these families] reunite soon.”

 

You cannot fully understand the raw pain and experience of a bad situation unless you go through it. CS Quality Control representative Amparo Soto, however, did what most don’t ever do: she put herself in their shoes.

 

“It’s sad to know that they had to leave it all to come to an unknown place, and to start over again in a strange place that doesn’t even speak your language,” Soto said. “It also gave me a  sense of bonding because [their story,] although different, is similar to my family’s and many other families I know.”

 

Our staff were not the only volunteers present. About an hour later into the blazing morning, a – few others showed up and joined in.

 

“It feels good helping people in need,” Ortiz said. “Doing something for others without expecting anything in return helps me let people know that there is still good people on this earth.”

 

As our staff shoveled and cultivated, a Bhutanese family curiously observed them from afar. It was a family of 3 ‒ a parent pair and a small child. They did not know English, except for the father, whom did the speaking . Despite the lingual dissimilarity, both our staff and the immigrant family interchanged the universal language: a smile.

 

“I personally enjoyed meeting new people,” Soto said. “Although the interaction with the refugees was limited because of the language barrier, a smile went a long way.”

 

Collaborating  with the IRC fulfilled more than our original intent to help make a positive impact. It brought our employees closer. Because the company is organized  into different departments, staff interaction is slightly limited. When asked if they wanted to participate, employees from different branches jumped at the opportunity. Volunteering helped these families and the staff to learn more about each other.

 

“It felt great working with team members that I don’t usually interact with on the daily,” Castillo said. “We are able to socialize and help the community at the same time. I felt like the values of the company aligned with those of the IRC.”

 

After a few hours, the directors called for a “corporate break.” Huddled into a storage barn, the crew freshened up and took the opportunity to ask the directors several questions, which ranged from what it takes to be a selected refugee to how they can donate.

 

“I gained insight on the process that a refugee must go through to be able to get approved,” Soto said. “The process is definitely a long one. For the most part, they don’t get to decide where they get asylum unless they have relatives in a different country that is providing refuge and they can go there. If their home country for a miraculous reason is safe to return they go back, which foremost is [IRC’s] goal. Most refugees [qualify] because their country is a war torn country or are suffering from religious persecution.”

 

Castillo enjoyed learning “about the resources the IRC provides to refugees around the world.”

 

Some employees were first time volunteers.

 

“I’ve always had it in the back of my head that I would want to volunteer, but I never took the initiative to do it myself,” Soto said. “When the opportunity was brought to me I jumped at the chance.”

 

Working for hours nonstop under the Texas heat made the tasks a little tougher ‒ especially the hidden gigantic wasp nest. Despite the unlucky situations experienced by our courteous team, they wouldn’t mind going through it again.

 

“I enjoy volunteering because I have always felt like it is just part of who I am,” Ortiz said. “I always think to myself, ‘that could be me, my son, my grandchild, brother.’ I would most definitely do it again, even if I get stung by bees.”

 

Our ACSI staff loved volunteering for the IRC and appreciated the generous volunteer directors for being patient and informative.

 

“It was definitely a rewarding experience knowing I was helping the New Roots program at the IRC,” Castillo said.

 

We appreciate those employees who gave up a Saturday just to help make a change and get a taste of the outside work thousands of other people do every day. We will definitely continue providing these opportunities in the future.

 

“I enjoyed spending time with some of my coworkers and friends outside of work and enjoying each other’s company, while making a difference no matter how big or small we feel that difference might have been,” Soto said. “Volunteering may be a little selfish‒ we do it to help other people because it makes us feel good about ourselves. It doesn’t matter the reason, as long as you are making a difference in the world, I say let’s be a little more selfish.” It’s easy to become aware of the nation’s problems, but it’s difficult to stand up and take action.

Imagine seeing your home disintegrate right before your eyes, Loud booms and frantic screaming surround you. Running away from the only place you’ve ever known leaving everything you’ve ever had, leaves you with nothing but your own faith and determination, and strength to keep on going without ever looking back.

 

Do your part. Stand for something. Join the movement. Donate, volunteer, or become a member today. Strengthen the faith and hope of these refugees. Alone we can do so little, but together we can accomplish so much.

 

Check out www.rescue.org to find out how you can help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 Reasons Why You Should Get An Agricultural Metal Barn

Posted on June 10, 2016 by - Questions

Walking down the gravel road that leads straight to your Barn Red and White-trimmed carport, you begin to hear the restlessness of your pets as they await your presence. A fresh passing of air replaces the beating heat as you enter the spacious barn. Scents of freshly-cut hay and feed mixes with the sweet scent of your horse’s apple wafers as you rip open the bag. You look up and see sun beams gleaming through the barn’s skylights onto its hazy setting.

 

Are you a farmer? Perhaps you’re an avid hunter? Or maybe an animal lover?

 

Whatever you are, when you decide on purchasing a metal carport you are setting yourself up with many opportunities. Whether you need extra space for your animals and tools, a steel agricultural building is the way to go.

 

  • Live out in the country? Our agricultural barns are composed of 3 sections. Each compartment can be used to separate livestock from tools and feed all within one spacious unit. Choose from our Standard, A-Frame Vertical, A-Frame Horizontal, and Hexagon styles.

 

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  • Maybe you live in the suburbs, and need that extra storage. With an agricultural building you can store your recreational vehicle, fishing boat, gator, or four-wheeler.

 

  • Because most steel structures are prefabricated, you save time and money. Orders are manufactured at our factory where they are then delivered and installed on-site within a matter of hours. Most importantly, pre-fabricated units can withstand a high degree of strength regarding animal kicks.

 

  • Steel is also easy to work with, giving you the liberty to choose what size and shape you desire with no limits as with wood. You can add horse stalls, shelves, kitchen counters, or sinks to make your unit more resourceful.

 

  • Quality is another aspect that makes steel the best choice for agricultural buildings. Steel carports are effective as the manufacturer it came from. The average lifespan depends on the quality of the parts a company uses for their units.

 

  • Your livestock, tools, and crops will be protected against nature’s unpredictable weather. A sturdy well-made carport will last an average of 25-30 years.

 

  • There’s more than what meets the eye. Steel carports, in general, are energy efficient. This means you won’t have to worry nor waste money on electric garage openers, excessive lighting, and other utilities. Steel units are well ventilated and provide shade for your equipment and livestock, and hunting gear. Your livestock can rest with the adequate ventilation.

 

  • With an agricultural metal barn, you can have a peace of mind knowing you are using the most recyclable material in the world. You can always sell your steel for scrap when it is no longer useful to you.

 

  • Maybe you want skylights instead of electric lights, or need an extra window – these metal barns can be customized to fit your necessities. We also offer hexagon buildings and loafing sheds apart from our agricultural metal barns.

 

With our Engineer Certified barns, you acquire units strong enough to withstand vicious winds, heavy snow loads, hail, and other elements. We offer high quality products for a great price with many different warranty packages to choose from. Furthermore, you can supplement additional accessories to reinforce your product. Options include  90+ mph wind warranty, solar air vents, and colored screws.
We have been in business for over 15 years and we proudly stand behind the fact that our buildings are strong, versatile, and built to last.

 

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The Many Ways to Use a Lean To Unit

Posted on June 10, 2016 by - Blog

Lean to units are pretty unique. They actually tilt onto another structure to create a seamless look. They are also usually the smaller shed option of the group, however, if used correctly, they can really be effective.

 

When it comes to shed or carport options for your home, nothing is more versatile than a lean to unit. If you are interested in getting one, here are a few creative ways on how you can use them.

 

Use Your Lean To Unit

 

…As a Tractor Shed

Don’t leave your tractor trailer out in the rain or snow. Instead get a lean to shed for house, your yard or agricultural equipment. A lean to unit is the perfect size to keep your trailer or any other small tools.

 

… As a Greenhouse

If you have always dreamed of owning a greenhouse, why not make one by customizing a lean to unit?  If you want a DIY project, all you need is a few old windows and a really good tutorial.

 

Better yet, you can consult a carport expert to have them build one for you.

 

…As a Wood Storage Shed

Need a safe place to store your firewood before winter? Well, a lean to is perfect for the job. By enclosing the lean to, you can also keep pests and bugs away and keep the firewood in tip top shape.

 

…As a Bike Storage Shed

Unless you have an extra-large garage carport, finding somewhere to put your bicycles when they are not in use can be cumbersome. Sure, you can find a hiding spot in your garage or hand it on the wall in the interior of your garage, but that is a lot of work. This is especially true if each family member owns a bike. By adding a lean to along side of your garage, you have an instant bike hutch that is easily accessible for even the smallest person in your family.

 

… As a Gardening Shed

A lean to unit is the perfect hideaway for your gardening tools. Add a few hooks to the walls of your lean to carport then hang your tools for easy access. You can also add a few shelves to hold your pots and soil, or even a small desk to use as a garden workstation.

 

Get Your Custom Lean To Unit from American Steel Carports

 

At American Steel Carports, we pride ourselves on being the leading carport and steel building manufacturer. So no matter how you want to use your lean to unit, American Steel is here for you! All of our carports are engineer certified and come with a 20-year warranty. Also, you don’t have to worry about shipping or installation because it is free!

 

To see the many carport and steel unit options we have available at American Steel Carports, check out our product section.