Easy, effective ways to save water in the home

A FAMILY of four can use anything between 300 and 800 litres of water in the home per day. This is a large amount considering that many people in the world use as little as 25 litres of water per person per day, or six kilo­litres of water per household per month.

This means that it is entirely possible to conduct your daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, bathing, drinking and flushing toilets with only 2,5 buckets of water per day.

Water Wise challenges every South African to use as little water as possible per day and suggests how to do it.

Geyser

• Insulate water pipes and geyser.

• Install a solar geyser that uses the sun instead of electricity to heat the water in the geyser. This will also prevent large volumes of water being lost while the cold water is flushed out when the tap is opened.

• Install a solar panel for your energy needs in the house.

Toilet

• Flush only when necessary.

• Place a closed, flat-based 0,5 litre bottle filled with water in your toilet cistern, away from any moving parts, to reduce the amount of water used per flush.

• Fit a dual-flush toilet cistern, i.e. a button for liquid waste (four litres) and a button for solid waste (nine litres).

• Don’t use the toilet as a rubbish bin.

•Install a low-volume toilet, i.e. nine litres­.

• Check if your toilet has a silent leak by putting a little food colouring in your cistern. If the colouring begins to appear in the bowl without flushing, there may be a leak.

• If you have a flush handle, pull up the handle once it’s flushed or bend the float arm downwards, so less water is allowed to refill the cistern.

• Ensure that the washer in the cistern is fitted correctly to stop leaks.

• Replace a tray urinal with a demand urinal valve, i.e. the valve needs to be pushed when water is needed to wash away the waste.

Basin

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

• Fix dripping taps.

• Don’t turn the tap on full. Turn it off after use.

• Don’t leave the tap running while rinsing or shaving.

• Wash your hands with the plug in place.

• Install aerators or low-flow restricters in your taps.

• Use cold water to wash your hands instead of hot water.

Bath

• Avoid filling the bath to a depth greater than 20 cm.

• Keep the water pressure as low as possible.

• Fix dripping taps.

• Install aerators or low-flow restricters in your taps.

• Reuse bath water for heavy cleaning jobs such as for floors and carpets.

Shower

•Take five-minute showers.

• Install a water-efficient shower head (six to 10 litres a minute).

• Switch off the water between soaping and rinsing your body and hair.

• Place a bucket in your shower to collect the used water, which you can reuse on lawns, shrubs and trees.

Kitchen

• Repair dripping taps.

• Install aerators or low-flow restricters in your taps.

• Soak and scrape dishes and pots into the dustbin before washing them.

• Don’t rinse glasses, fruit and vegetables under running water. Plug the sink and reuse the water in the garden.

• Thaw frozen food in a refrigerator or a bowl of water, instead of under running water.

• Reuse ice for watering plants and for drinking and cooking.

• Don’t wait for a tap to run cold. Keep a bottle of water in the fridge.

• When waiting for hot water to come out of the tap, place a bucket under the tap so that the cold water can be used later.

• Only put as much water into your kettle as you need.

• When boiling water on the stove, cover the pot with the lid.

Dishwasher

• Buy a water (and energy) efficient dishwasher.

• Fully load the dishwasher before use. Use an economy cycle.

• When rinsing dishes before loading the machine, place a small amount of water in the sink and rinse the dishes in that water instead of under running water.

• If you have pre-rinsed your dishes, run your load on a shorter cycle.

Laundry

• Wash your clothes in cold or warm water.

• Ensure that you have a full load of washing when using the washing machine as this saves water and electricity.

• If your washing isn’t very dirty then don’t use the pre-rinse cycle.

• Buy a washing machine that is water (and energy) efficient.

• Buy a washing machine that has different cycle options. This lets you choose a cycle that is more water efficient when heavy duty cleaning is needed.

• Front loaders are more water (and energy) efficient than top loaders or twin tubs.

• Select a machine that offers load detection. If there isn’t a full load, the machine will only use the amount of water needed.

— Property24.

Resource : http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/Maritzburg-Fever/easy-effective-ways-to-save-water-in-the-home-20151124

What’s GWA Group Ltd Upside After Today’s Huge Increase?

The stock of GWA Group Ltd (ASX:GWA) is a huge mover today! The stock increased 3.14% or $0.07 on February 26, hitting $2.3. GWA Group Ltd (ASX:GWA) has declined 5.35% since July 31, 2015 and is downtrending. It has outperformed by 2.33% the S&P500. The move comes after 7 months positive chart setup for the $615.73M company. It was reported on Feb, 27 by Barchart.com. We have $3.57 PT which if reached, will make ASX:GWA worth $338.65 million more.

GWA Group Limited is an Australia-based company, which is engaged in supplying building fixtures and fittings to households and commercial premises. The company has a market cap of $615.73 million. The Firm operates through two divisions: Bathrooms & Kitchens and Door & Access Systems. It has 14.99 P/E ratio. The Bathrooms & Kitchens segment includes the sale of vitreous china toilet suites, basins, plastic cisterns, tapware, baths, kitchen sinks, laundry tubs and bathroom accessories that are distributed under the Australian brands, including Caroma, Dorf, Fowler, Stylus and Clark, and international brands, including Hansa, Schell, Virtu, EMCO and Sanitron.


Resource : http://www.clintongazette.com/whats-gwa-group-ltd-upside-after-todays-huge-increase/

Spanish sanitaryware firm Roca eyes 15% growth this year

 Spanish sanitaryware major Roca is expecting its Indian business to grow by 15 per cent this year, after facing challenge in 2015, when the market growth was flat. The company is also planning to launch at least five to six electronic toilets under the Parryware brand in the country, a senior management official said.

The company, which invested around Rs 50 crore including capex last year, is expected to invest another Rs 40 crore this year in its plastic manufacturing facilities.

"Last year the growth was flat owing to various reasons including the poor offtake in the real estate market. This year, we are expecting a 15 per cent growth, as the market is expected to see revival. Some booster in the budget and the implementation of GST are expected to help the market," said Pau Abello Pellicer, managing director, Roca Bathroom Products Pvt Ltd. The compay has posted around Rs 800 crore turnover last year.

Last year it invested in its ceramics facility in Madhya Pradesh, doubling the capacity from 1.2 million pieces per annum to 2.4 million pieces. It has also invested into its faucet manufacturing factory.

At present, it has seven manufacturing facilities in India, with capacity to manufacture 6.5 million pieces of ceramics, 1.9 million faucets and 1.5 million cisterns and seat covers each, every year.

The company will be investing another Rs 40 crore this year to modernise the equipment and also the expand capacity in its plastics facilities (cisterns and seat covers), to 1.7 million pieces each. The facility in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, will also see a slight increase in number of employees with this, he added.

Roca, which has been selling an electronic toilet product i-klin under the Parryware brand in India, is planning to launch around four to five electronic toilet products under the brand. This would include automatic seat covers and seats which could change temperature. It may be noted that the company has positioned the Parryware brand, which originated in the Chennai-based Murugappa Group firm EID Parry, as a mass brand.

It would import the electronic toilets from its overseas facility and is expecting a limited number of pieces to be sold initially, he added.

It would also launch an experience showroom of Parryware in Gurgaon on February, 2016, to showcase the products and the new introductions under the brand, said Pellicer. At present, the company has 1000 dealers and 9,000 sub dealers for Parryware and 180 dealers for Roca accross the country. It is also planning to add another 20 dealers for Roca in the tier II, III cities, he added

Resource : http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/spanish-sanitaryware-firm-roca-eyes-15-growth-this-year-116011800650_1.html

Dreamcatchers and spiritual artists

MICHIGAN CITY — About two years ago, a group of Native American inmates at Indiana State Prison, who had come together around a set of community precepts, decided to do something for the world outside.

Working with beads, pencils, acrylic and deer skin, they have been making crafts at the beginning of each weekly meeting, prior to their traditional ceremonies, so they can give something back, said volunteer Karl Dennis.

For the second year in a row, the Southern Shore Art Association is hosting the "Dreamcatchers" exhibit, an annual fundraising event designed to help both the community and show off the 150 pieces of inmate art. Proceeds will again go to Camp New Happenings in Milford, so children ages 8 to 11 with incarcerated parents can go to camp despite financial challenges.

A reception for the exhibit will be held at the association's gallery, 724 Franklin St., on Friday, beginning a 5 p.m. Flutist John Sarantos will play Native American music.

Several other businesses in Michigan City will continue the First Friday events during the Mainstreet Association's break from art walks through March. Participants will include The Nest, Urban Soles, Maxine's Restaurant, Mainstreet Theatre, Uptown Portraiture Collective and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts.

Karl, whose ancestry includes Cherokee and Blackfoot and who has worked on a number of reservations, said he had been collecting Native American art for almost 60 years. Three pieces from his collection are also included in the gallery, although they are not for sale.

The works in "Dreamcatchers" will be priced between $5 and $400.

Karl said the group of inmates, numbering about 42, is one of many Native American Circles in prisons across the country. He said he thinks it is great people in prison feel strongly about helping the community.

"When I'm with them, I can see it in their eyes – how they feel about this process," he explained.

He said he has met extremely intelligent and extremely caring people in this group.

His wife, Kathy Dennis, said some of the jewelry is also stunning. In addition to the artistic value, the artwork can teach people about the culture. And she loved that the inmates were learning lessons in the group to help contribute to their rehabilitation.

The group's statement of purpose says members want to help others in four levels of consciousness: Intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. The ceremonies include songs, smudging and the sacred pipe.

The members are to follow seven virtues: Respect, honesty, generosity, honor, service, wisdom and humility.

He suggested people could find authentic Native American art elsewhere, like Merrillville or Dowagiac and Saugatuck, Michigan, but the works in this exhibit were "reasonably rare."

Karl said he was invited to volunteer at the prison because of his work on several reservations. He has also worked in mental health and child welfare in regard to Native Americans. This has led to his growing concern about the social conditions of these people.

A recent estimate put their number at 2 million, but their life expectancy at only 65 years, he said. According to December 2015 information from the Bureau of Prison Statistics, Native Americans comprise 2 percent of federal prisoners, a much higher percentage than the 322,900,000 estimate of the U.S. population from the U.S. Census Bureau would indicate.

However, Native Americans have endured a history of being forced to take up Western ways and culture, Karl said. Outsiders can come onto reservations and commit crimes against the residents without fear of prosecution, he alleged. These may be some of the reasons for the alcoholism among Native Americans.

He thanked the staff at the prison for helping this group arrange the exhibit.

"Without the help of the staff at the prison, this would not have been able to happen," he said.

Also at 5 p.m., Urban Soles, 624 Franklin St., will host Kim Gettaw and her homemade items from Nest #4, Chris Acton and her weaving products from Acton Creative and Eric Thompson and his furniture from Thompson's Tables.

Maxine's Restaurant, 521 Franklin St., will host the Pete Castronova jazz trio from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 1001 W. Second St, will hold an opening reception for the fiber installations of Meredith Setser, the abstract paintings of Jay Zerbe and the interactive sculptures of Jonah Ortiz from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Nest, 803 Franklin St., will again host Andrew Bucksbarg and his noise-making musical synthesizers. He will also host a workshop on making these devices on Feb. 13

Resource :  http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/news/article_5ce31af1-72d1-591d-8e6f-717602b25fbc.html

Around Newburyport

NEWBURYPORT

    Get listed

    The Current welcomes calendar items for events being hosted or sponsored by organizations or individuals in Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Merrimac and Amesbury. To publish notice of your event in a timely manner, items should be received 14 days before the Friday publication date in which your item is to be printed. To have your event listed, e-mail newburyport@wickedlocal.com; mail to the Newburyport Current, 75 Sylvan St., Suite C-105, Danvers MA 01923; fax 978-739-8501. For more calendar listings of events in Newburyport and beyond, log on to wickedlocalnewburyport.com. For information, call 978-739-1347.

    Friday, Feb. 5

    Intelligence presentation: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5, Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., South Hamilton. Northern Essex Community College professor Deidre Budzyna, of Newburyport, will discuss different ways people display intelligence in a free presentation, titled “It’s Not How Smart You Are: It’s How You Are Smart.” For information: 978-556-3862; egreenslade@necc.mass.edu.

    Simply Sweet Storytime: 11-11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 and 12, Newbury Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield. Children will hear stories from classic children’s literature and new additions to the library’s collection. Registration required. For information and registration: newburylibrary.org/youth.

    Lunch Bunch: noon Feb. 5 and 12, Newbury Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield. Children are welcome to stay at the library for lunch after Simply Sweet Storytime. No registration required.

    Half-day movie screening: 1 p.m. Feb. 5, Newbury Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield. The Newbury Town Library will screen “Minions.” Children ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. For information and registration: newburylibrary.org/youth.

    Mentor and Proteges exhibit and opening reception: Feb. 5 to March 5, Remis Gallery, Wilkie Performing Arts Center at The Governor’s Academy, 1 Elm St., Byfield. Irina Okula and her award-winning ceramics students will display their works at the Remis Gallery. An opening reception will be held 6-7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the gallery. The gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays. For information: 978-499-3230; govsacademy.org.

    Voice of Distinction open call for members: 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Main Street Congregational Church, 145 Main St., Amesbury. Voices of Distinction, a community chorus based in Kingston, New Hampshire, will hold an open call for new and existing members. The chorus will perform a concert May 6-7. Membership is non-auditioned. For information: voxofdistinction@comcast.net; voicesofdistinction.org.

    Saturday, Feb. 6

    Catmobile: Feb. 6 and 20, Tom’s Discount Store, 175 Elm St., Salisbury. The Catmobile will offer $20 female spays and $80 male neuters. Reservations required. For information and reservations: 978-465-1940; catmobile.org.

Resource : http://amesbury.wickedlocal.com/article/20160205/NEWS/160208303

Kanpur youngsters become 'Start-up ambassador' from UP

A Kanpur duo has turned out to be a true ambassador from Uttar Pradesh for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious "Start-up" project.With an aim to do their bit for society and the environment, two Kanpur youngsters Karan Rastogi and Ankit Agarwal, both 27, are not only converting floral waste from temples and mazars into incense sticks and soaps, but also providing employment to several women and free education to their children. The youths, who gave up their independent ventures to focus on their start-up called HelpUsGreen, have already bagged several awards from different renowned institutes for their initiatives.Ankit, who was in Lucknow told UNI here today that, that they started their venture to preserve the countrys rivers by making better use of the floral waste rather than allowing it to rot or pollute the rivers."We started our venture by collecting flowers thrown around small temples,"he said. Presently, they export the entire production of perfumed incense sticks, nearly 300 boxes daily. All the incense boxes are exported to Switzerland, they claimed.Ankit while claiming that they plan to expand their project to Varanasi and Allahabad, said their main moto will be to participate in the Clean Ganga programme by collecting the waste from the banks of the river.Currently, their venture collects about one tonne of floral waste daily from 13 temples and three mazars, transports it to the backyard of the duos homes and after sifting out waste and other materials, the flowers are divided into two heaps one for making incense sticks and soaps and the other for vermincompost.They put the first consignment of incense sticks for sale online at HelpUsGreen.com and were surprised with the response. Besides incense, a few other products, like handmade bathing soaps, are sold online.The incense sticks are made in 11 different fragrances and soaps in eight fragrances. Part of the money earned from sale of the products is used to educate children of the women who work with the start-up. The duo is also planning to set up a centre for vocational training where children will be taught skills of other jobs, too. Just a year old, HelpUsGreen was the winner of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2015-16 held recently at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC) and bagged the top prize money of Rs 2 lakh. The event celebrates the countrys most promising early-stage social enterprises that can bring about long-term solutions to Indias social problems. The duo had also won IIM -Indore Kalpratru award and ISB-Idea award for young entrepreneur. Sharing their success story, Ankit said: While doing my masters, Karan and I discussed about flower heaps lying at the Parmat temple in Kanpur and their disposal in the Ganga. I took the issue up as a class project. Two years later when I decided to move to Kanpur, we decided to launch HelpUsGreen. Earlier, Ankit worked at Symantec Corporation for three years. Elaborating the work process, Karan, a Delhi University graduate, also said: First we separate milk packets, garland threads, paper and silver/plastic bowls. We add earthworms, dung and a 17 recipe mixture to the waste. The earthworms eat up this mixture to produce vermicompost (fertiliser).''Our incense sticks are hand rolled and dipped in pure essential oils sourced organically, said Ankit, who is a Bachelor in Engineering and Masters in Innovation Management.UNI MB SV 1222

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0386-577716.Xml

Resource :  http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20160207/2788630.html

Papaya milk, incense sticks equals mosquito repellant

A five-member team, headed by Devaki Naganna Naikodi of Government High School in Martur village of Kalaburagi district, has come out with a cost-effective and health-friendly mosquito repellent.

The team uses “milk” extracted from the Papaya tree and smears it on incense sticks which acts as an effective mosquito repellent when it is burnt.

The model won the first prize in the senior level (rural) contest in the 23rd State Level Children’s Science Congress held at Gokak in Belagavi district from November 27 to 29. It will now be presented in the 23rd National Children’s Science Congress.

Devaki and teammates Chandrakala, Santosh, Akash and Jyoti study in class 10 in the Government High School at Martur.

Devaki, daughter of illiterate agricultural labourer parents Naganna Naikodi and Parvathi Naikodi, said that the death of her 26-year-old neighbour few months ago due to dengue fever prompted her to look out for affordable mosquito repellents.

“We surveyed 200 families out of the 1,338 families in the villages and found out that in the past five years, 25 cases of dengue were reported and two persons had died due to the fever,” she said.

Devaki said that Papaya has good medicinal properties and the juice of its leaves helps in improving platelet count of the blood.
Resource : http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/papaya-milk-incense-sticks-equals-mosquito-repellant/article8023834.ece