Green Building Ezine Archive

A new ‘promiscuous’ enzyme helps turn plant waste into sustainable products

by Editor - 27th June 201830th June 2018 2996

A new family of enzymes has been discovered which paves the way to convert plant waste into sustainable and high-value products such as nylon, plastics, chemicals, and fuels. The discovery was led by members of the same UK-US enzyme engineering team which, in April, improved a plastic-digesting enzyme, a potential breakthrough

Domestic sewage systems – an ecological perspective

by Guest Author - 1st June 20167th January 2017 6959

Wetland reedbeds for ecological sewage treatment

2015 saw changes in the guidance for discharges from septic tanks and other domestic sewage treatment systems in England. At first glance the new rules route homeowners directly into conventional solutions and don't take account of more eco-friendly options. Reed bed designer and environmental consultant Féidhlim Harty takes a closer

Do you have a leaky loo?

by Cath Hassell - 12th July 20158th January 2017 2724

In a recent survey of smart meters fitted in 4,100 homes in south London, Thames Water found that 5% of homes had a constant stream of water into the WC pan aka a Leaky Loo, and 90% were from failing ballvalves, not, as might be expected, from failing flush valves. The