SuperBin and the Nephron

 By Seojin David Lee

Currently, there are a lot of difficulties in recycling materials so that they can actually be reused. First, although many fashion brands show an interest in using recyclable materials, many “recyclable” materials today end up not recycled because of impurities such as food and styrofoam present with the recyclable material. Additionally, even if the impurities are weeded out before the recyclable material is thrown away, other impurities may contaminate the material again during the disposal process. 

 To combat these issues, a company in South Korea called SuperBin has taken action. In around 200 locations in Korea, SuperBin has placed automated machines called the “Nephron” that collect recyclable cans and PET bottles. What makes these machines interesting is that it is run by an AI called “Neuro Genie,” which is programmed with a data base that informs the machine with which waste is recyclable and which is not. Using this machine, people can make sure not only that their waste is recyclable, but also that their waste is in safe hands and would avoid future contamination. 

 Although the assurance of recycling may be enough of a reason for people to use the Nephron, SuperBin also provides people with another incentive: money. When someone successfully inserts a recyclable can or PET bottle into the Nephron, the machine rewards the person with points that can be redeemed into cash. This way, SuperBin pushes an even wider range of people to recycle what they can! A user of the Nephron interviewed by SBS (a Korean television company) explained how they feel proud “[saving] the environment” “when this money comes into a bank account” (1). 

 After SuperBin collects a recyclable can or bottle, it converts it into recyclable material and sells it to those that can use the recyclable material, such as the fashion companies mentioned earlier. Through this method, SuperBin hopes to create a circular economy where products are reused as much as possible. 

 Over the past couple of years, the number of Nephrons has been increasing and are only expected to increase. As more people start using the machine, more recyclable materials are collected and reused, and more types of recyclable waste are collected by the Nephron, it may become more apparent that this is one of the best methods of Eco-friendly waste management not only here in South Korea, but hopefully in other countries as well in the near future.

Sources:

(1): https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id-N1006476161

(2): https://sedaily.com/NewsView/22SLZ2FM15

 Images:

(1): https://www.superbin.co.kr/en/contents/philosophy.php

(2): https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190327008700320

Water Pollution in Vietnam

By Seojin David Lee

Water pollution is a serious environmental issue that is common in various areas of the world. It can be thought of as the contamination of water preventing it from being able to be safely used for activities such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning. There are several causes of water pollution; in fact, every form of pollution, including air pollution and land pollution, can eventually cause water pollution. One notable region in Asia that is being threatened by significant amounts of water pollution is the country of Vietnam

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country often known for its rivers and has a coastline that is 3,260 kilometers long. However, several portions of the vast bodies of water are polluted, and the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation has found that “water samples from Binh Chanh, Cu Chi and District 12 contain unsafe levels of ammonia and manganese” (1). 

Although both the government and the industryare responsible for the pollution, the poor management of industrial waste is the main factor. In fact, “fifty industrial zones discharge 105 million liters of largely untreated wastewater into the Saigon every day” and the “Hydro powerplants [that] have been built on all 13 big river networks” “[make] people living downstream from these areas particularly vulnerable to pollution from farming pesticides, fertilizer, factory runoff, fish farms and wastewater” (1).

Another important thing to note is that the poor law enforcement regarding water pollution in Vietnam could also be a major factor, as professor ​​Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh states that “[Vietnam] [needs] to have strong punishments” (1). Additionally, “low fines, vague criteria for identifying polluters, low monitoring capacity, little willingness to enforce regulations and inadequate funding” are all problems observed in the country that allow water pollution to thrive (1).

There are countless impacts of water pollution in Vietnam. One is its harmful effect on national health. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, “up to 80 percent of diseases in Vietnam is directly caused by water pollution” (2). The farming industry suffers as well; because the water supply is unstable largely due to the pollution, agriculture faces instability and ineffectiveness. The effect on Vietnamese children is also a major issue, specifically because children, unlike most adults, have an immune system not developed to resist the practice of “more than 9.5 million Vietnamese” releasing biological waste into the environment (2). As a result, “Vietnam has one of the highest child malnutrition rates in Southeast Asia, and as many as 44 percent of Vietnamese children fall ill with whipworms, hookworms or roundworms” (1).

However, people around the world and in the country are realizing the issue and have started to address it. An example is the Vietnam Local Works for Environmental Health project of the United States Agency for International Development which aims to develop new infrastructure in the Ha Lam commune to bring clean water to the schools of younger children.

Another example on the part of the Vietnamese government is the project it launched to prevent people from continuing to release excreta into the surrounding environment. The goal of the Vietnamese government is to achieve water standards clean enough to recover public health and the economy by 2025!

Sources:

1. https://borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-vietnam/

2. https://borgenproject.org/the-vietnamese-water-crisis/

3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ehep/82-2/

4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam

The Connecticut River

 The Connecticut River

By. Sangwook Alex Ahn

My school Loomis Chaffee is located at the confluence of Farmington and the Connecticut River, the longest river in New England that runs through four states; New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. 

After becoming an Environmental Proctor I learned that the Connecticut River Watershed contains 3000 dams, 14 of which are used for Flood Risk Management. The watershed infrastructure is necessary for that purpose in addition to being the drinking water supply and source of sustainable hydropower. However, it alters natural river flow, interferes with fish migratory patterns, and negatively changes the environment of endangered species. Many species such as the puritan tiger beetle and the short-nose sturgeon are at risk of being endangered. The dams alter the flow and tides, killing or harming the many endangered species that inhabit the river shores. They can also change the sediment and sand composition and placement in the river by periodically measuring the river flow above natural speed. 
Another problem concerning the CT River is that the water is polluted by harmful toxins resulting from sewage and waste runoff. The main contributors of the pollutions are factory spills and waste, untreated sewage, and farming flood runoffs. In order to solve this problem, sewage treatment systems and technology should be updated, and laws should be established to prohibit discarding waste in the river. 

As an Environmental Proctor at Loomis Chaffee, I endeavor to raise awareness of protected habitats, encourage other Loomis Chaffee students to learn about supporting endangered species in the CT River, and petition for environmental and river protection bills. These efforts are essential in maintaining our Loomis Chaffee campus to be such a beautiful campus with its wildlife to be preserved and unpolluted. 

The Connecticut River

Sources: https://www.instagram.com/lc_eproctors/?hl=en 

Edible Insects and Climate Change

Edible Insects and Climate Change

By. Sangwook Alex Ahn

Most people would say “yuck” to the idea of eating insects. However, insects can be an excellent source of sustainable and nutritious proteins. Here are five reasons why insects are remarkable alternative sources of protein, which can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

First, edible insects can produce equivalent amounts of quality protein when compared to animals. A recent study showed that insects offer between 9.96 and 35.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, compared to between 16.8 and 20.6 grams for meat. Crickets, certain ant species, and mealworms are known to be protein and calorie-dense stars. The easiest way to eat insects would be to replace your typical protein supplement powder with cricket protein powder.

Second, insects require fewer resources (less land, less feed, less water, less transport fuel, and less human labor) than animal livestock while processing a much smaller carbon footprint. Plants do not produce greenhouse gases, but they require machinery use, water use, manufacturing, processing, and transportation, etc. – all of which carbon is emitted.

Third, we are running out of protein. By 2050, the Earth's population is presumed to be 10 billion and the demand for protein will exceed our ability to procure it. For our survival, it is necessary to increase our food output and decrease our carbon emissions at the same time.

Fourth, insects can be part of a virtuous eco-cycle. For example, feeding insects such as spent grains from brewery operations; thus, preventing additional waste from going into landfills. This provides added value to the brewery and feed for the insects. This is called circular agriculture, diverting materials from landfills that produce 20% of the global anthropogenic methane emission and are the second highest producer of greenhouse gas.

Last, if you are not convinced to eat insects, you can purchase animal proteins that have been fed on insects. The feed that is used in raising these animals has a substantial environmental impact. Another great way is switching to pet food that contains insect protein. I suggest you not be afraid to try. You may actually like it if you take that step. Think about how you can help to reduce your carbon footprint in food consumption.

Why do Companies Greenwash and How can we Spot them?

 Why do Companies Greenwash and How can we Spot them? 

Grace Hyunjoo Lee

The term “Greenwashing” describes when companies claim environmental records that are unsubstantiated. Why do companies greenwash? Companies greenwash because they want to mislead customers who choose to buy environmentally friendly products into their own brand. In other words, to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers since the demand for those products is rising. 

These false claims from companies are hard to detect, which makes it harder to find companies who are giving doubtful claims and confront them. A simple way to spot greenwashing as customers are if there are no facts or details supporting their claims. Companies that are truly green describe how their products differ from their competitors. They are happy to write down each consciously chosen material and ingredient in their products. 

These are some strategies used in greenwashing that customers and consumers should look out for:

1. Unclear or vague wording

2. Suggestive imagery: images that lead customers to adopt a specific view or perspective of the brand

3. Unrelated claims: focus on an insignificant attribute

   
   

   

   
   

   Kenton, Will. “What Is Greenwashing? How It Works, Examples, and Statistics.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 13 Sept. 2022, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/greenwashing.asp. 

   Zhang, Yiping. “Beware of Greenwashing in Finance.” Impakter, 29 Sept. 2021, https://impakter.com/beware-of-greenwashing-finance/.