The novel coronavirus pandemic may have lowered air pollution. But this crisis-led change shows how health risk perception makes difficult measures acceptable

These are extraordinary times. But sanity has to prevail over panic. As social distancing allows more reflective time, can we reflect on the take away from current disruption for safer times?

This public health emergency due to the novel coronavirus disease(COVID19) pandemic, and its unpredictability has given us a new prism to view the air pollution crisis. Shades of different issues and concerns have surfaced.

At one level, massive economic slow down and lockdown to stop the spread of the virus has bent the pollution curve. Naturally! Less vehicles, closure of factories and construction are responsible. All are asking how will this transitory change play out in the long run?

On the other hand, scientists have warned that this pandemic can get worse in areas with high level of pollution. As lungs and health of people are already compromised, this will make them more vulnerable to the virus.

This crisis, however, has reconfirmed that when people understand the immediacy of health risk, it builds strong collective community support for difficult measures. But this is not the case when risk perception of air pollution-related diseases (as many as 1.2 million people die prematurely annually in India) remains weak and the dangers of the latent risk are not well understood.

The current crisis, for instance, has allowed significant social and workplace re-engineering for social distancing. This has unlocked potential of digital and virtual interconnectedness to change the idea of workplace.

Vehicles miles travelled have reduced, and travel at human scale walk and cycle that allows safer distances has increased. Manufacturing and energy production will eventually pick up but the crisis indicates the boundary within which they must operate to contain emissions in the future.

How crisis is mopping up the air

As India locks down, air pollution falls sharply in mega cities. The Centre for Science and Environment's analysis of daily pollution data before and during the lockdown so far in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru shows striking improvement.

Mumbai has locked down before others. Indicatively, average daily PM2.5 levels of couple of days preceding the the Janata Curfew show a drop of 26 per cent, 61 per cent, 60 per cent and 12 per cent in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively. In Mumbai, the lockdown started earlier and therefore comparison has been done accordingly (March 17-19, 2020 vs March 20-23, 2020).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that comes entirely from combustion sources, has also reduced by 42 per cent, 68 per cent, 49 per cent and 37 per cent respectively. This change is inevitable as vehicles are off the road, many factories have shut, and construction activities have slowed down.

DailyPM2.5 levels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru between March 9-23, 2020

DailyNO2 levels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru between March 9-23, 2020

Source: Centre for Science and Environment (Data analysis by Avikal Somvanshi)Note: Delhi: average of 36 of 38 real time stations (Burari and East Arjun Nagar were not working during this period)Mumbai average of all 10 real time stations in the cityKolkata average of all 7 real time stations in the cityBengaluru average of 8 of 10 real time stations in the city (City Railway Station and Sanegurava Halli stations were not working during this period.

This mirrors the global trend. Satellite images from theUnited States space agencyNasa show very low concentration of nitrogen oxide during the lockdown phase in Wuhan in China in February.

But as the peak crisis wanes, emissions increase again. Similarly, recent images from European Space Agency have shown striking reduction in northern Italy and Spain after confinement orders came into force.

Dirty air enhance vulnerability to pandemic

The worrying side of the story is that dirty air may also intensify corona disease in polluted areas. European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) warned last week that patients with chronic lung and heart conditions caused or worsened by long-term exposure to air pollution are less able to fight lung infections. This risk factor could have been reduced if overall air pollution had improved.

In India, the Collective of Doctors for Clean Air has warned that people living in highly polluted areas, whose lungs have already been adversely affected, can be more vulnerable to coronavirus. Both the Collective of Doctors and EPHA have cited studies conducted in five regions of China during the SARS pandemic in 2003.

These indicate SARS caused higher deaths in more polluted regions and death rates increased with pollution levels from aboutfour per cent in low pollution zones to 7.5 to 9 per cent in moderate or high air pollution areas.

Now, the search is on to understand the role of particulate pollution in spread of the virus. Reportedly, scientists in Italian Universities (Societa Italiana Medicina Ambientale along with Universita di Bologna and University di Bari) are investigating the link between particulate pollution and the Corona outbreak in the Po river valley in Northern Italy during February this year.

The World Health Organization, however, has not reported airborne spread of the virus but has cautioned the health workers to guard against airborne droplets in close proximity of patients.

It is hoped that greater awareness about the role of air pollution in enhancing vulnerability of populations to such pandemics and the overall disease burden will strengthen collective and political action in the future.

Draw strength for times to come

This pandemic has wisened us to the reality that long-term and sustained action to reduce air pollution and health risk is non-negotiable. Already, 1.2 million Indians are dying and many more are falling ill annually due to air pollution-related diseases that include cardiovascular, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infection.

Moreover, diabetes and hypertension also influenced by air pollution are endemic. This burden of endemic diseases has increased the population-wide risk to pandemics as this makes resisting the virus tougher.

No doubt, this public health emergency inevitably needs drastic short-term measures and strong community and political support. This will be rolled back once the crisis is over.

This is not the best of reasons for arguing for crisis-led change. But this experience with lockdown and collective community action to fight the pandemic has proven once again the importance of deepening public awareness of health risks to drive solutions.

Only this can help to build public support and confidence in harder, long-term solutions that otherwise seem politically and socially unrealistic and difficult to implement. Nation-wide collective lifestyle adjustment that we have witnessed so far is a powerful message.

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COVID-19: Dirty air and vice of the virus - Down To Earth Magazine

Shoppers worried about coronavirus are stocking up on toilet paper, hand sanitizer and supplies even though supply chain experts say there's no need. Storyful

Bare shelves during a state of emergency is nothing new to Floridians.

It's no surpriseface masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizers quickly sold out asthe coronaviruspandemic made its way around the globe to the U.S. and Florida.

But ... toilet paper?

The toilet paper aisle at the Stuart Walmart on March 10, 2020, was empty.(Photo: GIL SMART/TCPALM)

A clinical psychologist told CNNpeople don't know how to interpret the coronavirus' threat, sosome resort to extremes, some over-prepare and some feel a little sense of control over the situation if they stock up on essentials.

Despite signs limiting shoppers to two packages of bath tissue per person, there wasnt a square to be found at the Stuart Walmart Tuesday.

So, just in case you're self-quarantined without a single roll in sight, here's what ourancestors used towipe their backsides with before toilet paper was invented.

To provide our community with important public safety information, our newsroom is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber.

While the elimination process hasnt changed much over the years, what to clean up with certainly has.Initially, people used whatever was handy: Rocks, sticks, leaves, corncobs or even wood shavings.

The creation of toilet paper, as we know it, is credited to the Chinese, who invented a "wrapping and padding material" known as paper in the 2nd century B.C., according to ToiletPaperHistory.net.By the 6th century, it was commonly used around China.

The first modern form of toilet paper was made in 1391, created for the emperorand his family; each sheet was even perfumed. It was widely circulating by the 15th century.

Mass production of thebathroom tissuedidn't start until the 1800s.

Joseph C. Gayetty created the first commercially packaged toilet paperin 1857, which were flat, loose, sheets of paper. His first factory-made product was "The Therapeutic Paper medicated with aloe and his name printed on every sheet.

The Scott Brothers took it a stepfurther in 1890, and toilet paper was on a roll literally and figuratively.

In 1897,another company dominated the market after perforating, or putting a hole, through the roll.

One sheet per wipe wasn't cutting it anymore. In 1942, St. Andrew's Paper Mill in England began selling the first two-ply toilet paper. And the design has pretty much remained the same eversince.

Sponges: Were used in Roman times, Urban Survival reports.When people finished, they would wash the sponge with water and vinegar andreuse it later.

Rocks:Smooth, flat, not-sharprocks were used for the "scrape method." The rock was washed in water before scraping again.

Plant leaves:Still used today by many a hiker; just be careful it's not poisonous.

Corn husks: Waspopular among American pioneersbecause so much corn was grown and harvested here.The leaves, when green, are soft and a good size for outhouse use. The husks can be soaked in water if too dried out.

Catalogs:For many years, Americans used the readily available pages of the popular Sears catalog that came free in the mail and even had a handy hole in the corner to makeit easier to hangon a nail in the outhouse.

Newspaper: An Australian newspaper printed eight blank pagesin its daily edition to combat the current toilet paper shortage. Just scrunch out the crunch by rubbing your fists together. But you have to throw it in the garbage not the toilet.

Fabric: A rag,towel or any cloth will do old clothes, bed linens, handkerchiefs,etc. (And do we really need to tell you not to clog your sewer or septic system with this?)

Napkins, tissues, paper towels,baby wipes,cotton balls, wrapping paper:These work, but you can't flush any of them either (unless you're lucky enough to find the flushable kind).They're made to be durable and not easily dissolve in water. Toss them in the garbage even dirty like many Third World countries do.

Bidets or the shower:It's not too late to have one installed. A bidet is a small pipe with asprayer that hooks onto your toilet. You just need to towel dry, but fancier versions will even blow dry the area for you. If you don't want to spend the extra money, try using theshower or detachable shower head to clean off.

Catie Wegman is a community reporter who also produces "Ask Catie," an occasional feature to find answers to your burning questions about anything and everything the more bizarre the better.Support her work with a TCPalm subscription.Contact her at catie.wegman@tcpalm.com or 772-221-4211 and follow her @Catie_Wegman on Twitter and @catiewegman1 on Facebook.

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No toilet paper? Be wary of alternatives that can clog your sewer, septic systems - TCPalm

Overheard in the self-quarantine home office: my husbands virtual coworker has a solution for no toilet paper.

Dryer sheets. He was kidding we think.

Conan OBrien suggests using those notorious arm-length CVS receipts and for sure, bidets have never seemed smarter as preventing the spread of COVID-19 saps even the most personal resources.

People lucky enough to have a gold mine of two-ply may not realize that the extra demand on the most important room in the house and hoarding for the sake of hoarding have led to ransacked paper-goods aisles in grocery stores, drugstores and big box chains. Creative hygiene is now an offshoot from the social distancing and work-from-home contingencies deemed necessary to slow the deadly new coronavirus pandemic. But theres a cost to this behavior: stress on home plumbing and public sewer systems.

Read:Tennessee man sitting on almost 18,000 bottles of hand sanitizer says hes doing a public service

Even what passes as the next best thing to standard toilet paper, such as wet wipes sometimes labeled flushable, and increasingly snapped up from depleted baby departments as well as Kleenex, are getting picked over too. Their increased use isnt kind to the pipes either, say experts.

Gus Kazek, an environmental engineer with wastewater consultancy Brown and Caldwell, who advises mostly Ohio municipalities, says the disposable wipe industry is misleading consumers because the wipes cannot biodegrade fast enough in water. The wipes get caught in sewer systems mesh screens meant to stop debris from making its way into treatment facilities and that means water cant easily get through either. Sometimes costly teams of scuba divers have to clear the blockage, an expense typically passed on through higher fees to residents.

Heres what the experts advise as best practices to stay clean, healthy and smart about bathroom hygiene in these trying times.

Dont squeeze out other shoppers. Households are panic buying toilet paper even though experts say it isnt necessary: the supply chain is working, they insist.

When consumers hoard products and create larger-than-needed inventories at home, they tend to consume their way through those inventories at the usual rate. Thus, consumers dont need to resupply themselves for a longer period of time, and this allows inventory to rebuild back to normal levels at retail stores over the course of a few days or weeks, said Alan Erera, professor of supply chain engineering, operations research and transportation logistics at Georgia Tech. So when panic buying occurs, try to avoid the temptation to join the frenzy.

Dont shame, either. Families are unsure how long their homes will be 24-7 stand-ins for business centers, schools, bars and restaurants. Restocked shelves also seem to be emptied as soon as theyre replenished.

Considerable attention is on what individual households and organizations are doing wrong: buying the wrong things, following the wrong advice, spreading the wrong information. What we should rather focus on is the tremendous failure of our systems to address an unfolding crisis, writes Tricia Wachtendorf, a professor of sociology at the University of Delaware and director of its Disaster Research Center, in an opinion piece for MarketWatch.

Opinion:Dont mock people for buying extra toilet paper theyre doing the best they can with inconsistent and sometimes wrong advice

Expand your options. Toilet paper is still being made; the trick is finding it. Virtual shelves are picking up some of the slack from brick-and-mortar stores.

Data technology firm Bloomreach gathered online sales data for common stockpile items from the week of March 8-14 from some 250 of its retailer customers and found that sales for toilet paper and paper towels increased 279% from the week prior. For anyone hesitant to leave their home at all, an Amazon.com AMZN, -0.78% 24-roll mega-sized family pack of Cottonelle sells for $25.18 and qualifies for free delivery for Prime members.

The safest alternatives. Household pipes are only four inches in diameter at their widest. That means even cotton rounds, paper towels and too much toilet paper can bunch up and be problematic, says water and wastewater services company American Water Works Co. AWK, +7.74%.

Whether the package says non-flushable, flushable or septic safe, it doesnt matter, the company says in a blog post. Do not flush. Wipes do not biodegrade quickly, are prone to getting stuck in drains and can potentially lead to a massive and expensive clog. The average cost of having your sewer main unclogged is $550.

If youre really in a bind during the pandemic and dont quite have time to install a bidet, or Japans popular handheld water wand, an off-the-grid enthusiast suggests these toilet paper alternatives: the remaining cardboard roll; a washable cloth or sponge (no offense to ancient Romans, but single-use-only these days); newspaper; and sanitary napkins. None of these are flushable.

There are many practices inside and outside the U.S. that might be particularly helpful right now. Water-filled vessels commonly known as lotas in Urdu or Hindi are pushed into service beside the commode for many Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, this column in the Chicago Sun-Times says. Filipinos, at least according to social-media posts, refer to a similar device as the tabo, Indonesians call it the gayung and Iranians have aftabehs.

Habit-changing for the long run? Green-minded consumer experts say this extreme circumstance for bathroom behavior is as good a time as any to examine the role of convenient paper products in a smarter future.

Even advocates, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, recognize the ease and hygienic qualities that toilet paper brings to the modern household. Rather, theyre pushing major manufacturers including Procter & Gamble PG, +0.25% , Kimberly-Clark KMB, +2.32% and Georgia-Pacific, for greater recycled materials use in toilet paper as each American uses nearly three rolls per week, on average.

According to a calculator from the Environmental Paper Network, tissue products made from 100% recycled content have one-third the carbon footprint of those made from 100% virgin forest fiber.

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CVS receipts and wet wipes as toilet paper? People are flushing all the wrong alternatives during coronavirus shortage - MarketWatch

HACKETTSTOWN Alte Roofing of Hackettstown will be giving away a free roof to a family or individual as part of the national No Roof Left Behind Program. This is the sixth year the company is participating in this program and is looking for nominations.

Nominations are being accepted now through May 31 and must be made online at https://noroofleftbehind.com/program/nj/1436 . Four finalists will then be selected and announced on July 15. Once the finalists are announced there will be a public online voting period of four weeks, with voting closing on Aug.15. The official winner will be announced on Aug. 20.

The nominees must: own their home, be current on mortgage payments, and live in one of the following New Jersey counties: Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris, or Sussex.

Nominations must also include contact info for the nominee, the current condition of the roof, as well as a short explanation of why they deserve or need a new roof. You may nominate a friend, family member, neighbor, or even yourself! Photos are also necessary and helpful. The four finalists will be chosen based on their background story as well as the condition of their roof and the feasibility of completing the roofing project.

Alte Roofing is a full-service roofing, siding, and gutter company that has been serving the area for over 20 years.

The business has given away five completely free room installations to date. Prior winners include Kathy Kwasnik of Sparta (2019), Gordon and Joan Widenor of Port Murray (2018), Tony and Carmel Gulla of Blairstown (2017), Michael Snyder of Sparta (2016), and Mary Lou Sherrer of Mountain Lakes (2015).

No Roof Left Behind is a nationwide program that gives folks in the community a way to help their neighbors who have fallen on hard times. The No Roof Left Behind program provides a local contractor the framework to provide a new roof at no cost to a homeowner in need.

For more information about Alte Roofing or the No Roof Left Behind program, call 908-850-8558 or visit http://www.AlteRoofing.com .

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Nominations being accepted for roof giveaway - Business - recordonline.com - Middletown, NY - Times Herald-Record

Atlanta Roofing Contractor, Braswell Construction Group, selected as Davinci Roofing Project of the Year 2019 winner

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / March 18, 2020 / Platinum accredited Roofer, Braswell Construction Group (BCG), is honored to be selected as the 2019 Davinci Project of the Year Award Winner. This prestigious award is only given to three roofing specialists nationwide. Atlanta Top Roofing Contractor, Braswell Construction Group, was selected based on the project featured in the photo. The full feature of the roof transformation project from natural cedar shake shingles to slate composite can be found here: https://www.davinciroofscapes.com/projects-inspiration/project-profiles/composite-slate-provides-worry-free-roofing-solution/

Braswell Construction Group is recognized as a DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor by DaVinci Roofscape. The program, sponsored by DaVinci RoofScapes, was established to facilitate relations with select contractors in recognition of their expertise and experience in installing and maintaining DaVinci synthetic slate and shake roofing systems. To gain acceptance into the program, contractors must be nominated or approved by their respective territory manufacturer's representative.

"DaVinci is known for the best synthetic roofing products on the market today. We are honored to be part of the program and humbled to be chosen as a 2019 Project of the Year Award Winner," says Chris Braswell, owner of Braswell Construction Group. "Synthetic roofing materials is becoming more widely recognized as the preferred roofing material because it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it stands up to the harshest weather challenges. We love that we are able to offer our customers the best array of products to choose from while providing quality installation and unparalleled customer service."

More information is available at https://www.braswellconstructiongroup.com

BCG has been locally owned and operated since 2002, and prides itself on its high-quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and professional acumen. They have a reputation for always completing its roofing and restoration projects on time and on budget while providing customized service, top-notch customer service, and unparalleled workmanship.

Braswell Construction Group has been featured several times in both Yahoo Finance, ABC, FOX, among many others as an industry leader and the top Roofing Contractor in the state of Georgia. You can learn more about BCG and their high-standing reputation via this past features here: https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-09-20/best-roofer-atlanta-ga-receives-cedur-roofing-contractor-of-the-quarter-award

One attribute that separates Braswell Construction Group from other Atlanta roofing contractors is that they are recognized with the elite status of Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractors. To qualify for this exclusive position, BCG not only met the highest standard requirements but exceeded them in all areas of their trade. Once named as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, the provider is considered among the best in the industry.

Braswell Construction Group operates from four Georgia locations to service homeowners with all their roofing and restoration needs in Atlanta, Covington/Conyers, Stone Mountain, Greensboro/Lake Oconee, and their respective surrounding areas.

For more information contact Braswell Constructions Group at their website given above or by calling 678-283- 2551.

Contact Info:Name: Braswell Construction Group, Inc. Roofing & RestorationEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Braswell Construction Group, Inc. Roofing & RestorationAddress: 3060 Pharr Ct N Northwest #32, Atlanta, GA 30305, United StatesPhone: +1-678-283-2551Website: https://www.braswellconstructiongroup.com

SOURCE: Braswell Construction Group, Inc. Roofing & Restoration

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/581299/Best-Roofer-Atlanta-Awarded-Davinci-Roofing-Project-of-the-Year

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Best Roofer Atlanta Awarded Davinci Roofing Project of the Year - Yahoo Finance

The Global Aluminum Roofing Market report introduced the market through several factors such as classifications, definitions, market overview, product specifications, cost structures, manufacturing processes, raw materials, and applications. Moreover, the study offers a complete analysis of the market size, segmentation, and market share. This study also offers significant information about market scope and opportunities for growth of the global Aluminum Roofing market. Likewise, it offers complete insights into market barriers as well as the impact of regulatory framework to provide the broad market landscape.

Request a sample of this report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/4288615

In addition, the Aluminum Roofing market report provides a detailed information about market players along with the strategies they implemented to gain market existence. The report includes precise market estimations depending on current market status and future market forecasts. The global Aluminum Roofing market report also features a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation by analysing information collected from market experts and industry participants in the major points of the market value chain. Additionally, the Aluminum Roofing report contains market dynamics such as market restraints, growth drivers, opportunities, service providers, stakeholders, investors, key market players, profile assessment, and challenges of the global market.

Top Companies Analysis:

Schott AGElan TechnologyAGCNippon Electric GlassJohnson MattheyCorning

Browse the complete report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-aluminum-roofing-market-report-2019-size-share-price-trend-and-forecast

Keeping a focus on the overall Aluminum Roofing market aspects, and perceptions, this report vastly covers profiles of the companies who have made it big in this particular field along with their sales data and other data. It also suggests the business models, innovations, growth and every information about the big manufacturers that will be present the future market estimates. Moreover, their research papers cover the information and data about an industry in every aspect that consists of information related to the products, services, countries, market size, current trends, business research details & much more. Every market consists of set of manufacturers, vendors and consumers that gives a definition to the market, its each and every move, achievements. All these are the important subjects required to study the analysis of the Aluminum Roofing market.

Segmentation by Type:

TilesSheets

Segmentation by Application:

Residential BuildingsCommercial BuildingsIndustrial Buildings

The Aluminum Roofing market report vastly covers profiles of the companies who have made it big in this particular field along with their sales data and other data. It also suggests the business models, innovations, growth and every information about the big manufacturers that will be present the future market estimates. The annual progression for the global Aluminum Roofing market in different regions cannot always be listed down as it will keep changing, thus studying and reviewing markets occasionally becomes vital. In conclusion, the Aluminum Roofing market report, demonstrate business enhancement projects, the Aluminum Roofing deals network, retailers, consumers, suppliers, research findings, reference section, data sources and moreover.

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Global Aluminum Roofing Market Analysis by Key Manufacturers, Recent Developments and Forecast to 2024 - News Times

David Goldstein, Special to Ventura County Star Published 10:00 a.m. PT March 21, 2020

Here's how E.J. Harrison and Sons and Gold Coast Recycling work to recover recyclables. Wochit

Recycling is difficult in some rural parts of Ventura County, so people living in those areas have come up with innovative reuse ideas we can all benefit from knowing.

Perhaps the most clever and artistic recent effort involved reuse of corrugated metal roofing formerly used on a storage structure next to a cabin in the Los Padres National Forest. Since clean steel is worth only about 3 cents per pound, hauling the bulky metal pieces all the way to a scrap metal recycling yard would have been time consuming and expensive. Hiring a commercial hauler would have cost even more.

Instead, the Daigle family had a great idea. They cleaned the corrugated metal roofing and attached it to the underside of the cabins ceiling in one room.

More: Eco-tip: Is food from your garden safe after a wildfire?

The Daigle family reused corrugated metal roofing and attached it to the underside of the ceiling in one room of their cabin in Los Padres National Forest(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Now, at least in that room, the cabin has the feel of an even more rustic outpost, as if the roof is just a sheet of corrugated metal. Of course, the real ceiling and roof are above it, providing insulation and protection from the elements.

Larry Daigle used another piece of corrugated steel for an artwork in front of the cabin. He painted an American flag on it, and the corrugation makes it look like the flag is waving. It also provides a wind break for the cabins patio.

Continuing their reuse efforts, the Daigle family tilled the gypsum from drywall into their soil in an area in need of increased porosity and decreased acidity; placed removed carpet under mulch for a garden pathway; and repurposed a 1940s cast iron sink as an outdoor bird bath.

More: Eco-tip: Those political signs? They should be down by now

In another rural area of the Los Padres National Forest, north of Ojai, the Dreamcatcher Animal Sanctuary used Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to arrange some innovative reuse of items already in their second cycle of reuse. Long ago, a truck hauling large panes of glass crashed along Maricopa Highway.

The entire load was going to be disposed with the wreck, but instead, the three remaining intact pieces of glass were saved and installed as windows in a nearby lodge on the property now known as Dreamcatcher Ranch. It is now owned by Lola DeVonne Lapteva, an actress who stars in the television show "Badland Wives."

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She has turned it into an animal sanctuary which provides a forever home for several species of animals, rehabilitation programs for veterans with post traumatic stress disorderand therapy programs for children on the autism spectrum.

Last year, to bring the ranch into Ventura County code compliance, Lapteva demolished the lodge and other structures built without permits.

Rather than disposing demolition debris, she complied with county recycling requirements by documenting impressive reuse efforts. Listing materials online as free to a good home, she met someone building a guest house in Ojai, and he carefully removed the lodge windows for reuse in his structure.

She also separated, sortedand sold demolished lumber to a neighbor for reuse and firewood; gave away single pane glass windows to the builder of a greenhouse; and even found a reuse for 600 pounds of broken concrete, giving it to a neighbor who used it for the trim of a walkway.

On the other side of the county, off East Guiberson Road near Fillmore, Allen King orchestrated some impressive reuse at his century-old King and King ranch.

As a third-generation farmer, I have lots of practice with reuse, and as the father of a fourth-generation farmer, I care about saving resources, he said.

The King familys system for reusing wood is thorough.

More: Eco-tip: Scrap metal is widely recycled, but not from curbside

We save good pieces in separate containers for pine, oak and treated wood," he said. "Except for the treated wood, we use the small scraps for firewood, but the big pieces, we use for repairs or enclosures. We use the treated wood for base plates."

The King family found a reuse for some large, heavy-weight plastic sheets during a rainstorm last year.

We had just dug trenches when the rain set in, said King. We quickly built a shelter over the trenches and used the plastic as a tarp to keep the rain from making it worse.

For those of us who live in urban areas, Habitat for Humanitys two ReStores in Ventura County make reuse easy. The ReStores sell donated surplus and gently used home improvement items. These stores sell furniture, hardware, tools, lumber and drywall in lengths over 4 feet, doors, windows, flooring, lightingand other items.

Proceeds from the non-profit ReStores, in Oxnard and Simi Valley, benefit Habitat for Humanity, which organizes volunteers and mobilizes resources to build and repair simple, decent housing in partnership with people in need.

Eco-Tip is written by David Goldstein, an environmental resource analyst for the Ventura County Public Works Agency. He can be reached at 658-4312 ordavid.goldstein@ventura.org.

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Eco-tip: Here are ways to reuse of construction and demolition debris - VC Star

Gates Industrial (NYSE:GTES) and Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR) are both construction companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Gates Industrial and Ingersoll-Rands net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Gates Industrial and Ingersoll-Rand, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Gates Industrial presently has a consensus price target of $13.00, suggesting a potential upside of 112.07%. Ingersoll-Rand has a consensus price target of $118.00, suggesting a potential upside of 505.13%. Given Ingersoll-Rands stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Ingersoll-Rand is more favorable than Gates Industrial.

Risk and Volatility

Gates Industrial has a beta of 2.12, meaning that its stock price is 112% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ingersoll-Rand has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its stock price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Gates Industrial and Ingersoll-Rands top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gates Industrial has higher revenue and earnings than Ingersoll-Rand. Gates Industrial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ingersoll-Rand, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Gates Industrial beats Ingersoll-Rand on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Gates Industrial

Gates Industrial Corporation PLC designs and manufactures power transmission equipment. Its products serves harsh and hazardous industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and energy, to everyday consumer applications such as printers, power washers, automatic doors and vacuum cleaners and virtually every form of transportation.

About Ingersoll-Rand

Ingersoll-Rand Plc designs, manufactures, sells, and services industrial and commercial products. The company operates through Climate and Industrial segments. The Climate segment offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; furnaces; heat pumps; home automation; humidifiers; hybrid and non-diesel transport refrigeration, and ice energy storage solutions; indoor air quality; industrial refrigeration; motor replacements; refrigerant reclamation; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; and water source heat pumps. It also provides building management; bus, rail, and multi-pipe hvac; control; container, cryogenic, diesel-powered, industrial, rail, self-powered truck, trailer, and vehicle-powered truck refrigeration; ductless; geothermal; package heating and cooling; temporary heating and cooling; and unitary systems, as well as aftermarket and OEM parts and supplies. In addition, this segment offers energy and facility management, installation and performance contracting, repair and maintenance, and rental services. The Industrial segment provides air treatment and separation, engine starting, ergonomic material handling, fluid handling, precision fastening, and mobile golf information systems; and airends, blowers, compressors, dryers, filters, golf vehicles, hoists, fluid power components, power tools, pumps, rough terrain vehicles, utility and low-speed vehicles, and winches, as well as aftermarket controls, parts, accessories, and consumables. It also provides aftermarket and OEM parts and supplies. The company markets and sells its products under the American Standard, ARO, Club Car, Nexia, Thermo King, and Trane brands through sales offices, distributors, and dealers in the United States; and through sales and service companies with a supporting chain of distributors worldwide. Ingersoll-Rand Plc was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Swords, Ireland.

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Gates Industrial (NYSE:GTES) & Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR) Head to Head Analysis - Redmond Register

DENVER, March 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, today, ANGI Homeservices (NASDAQ: ANGI) proposed a comprehensive plan to Congress which would enable the federal government to provide financial aid directly to the over 250,000 small businesses in ANGI Homeservices network which represents approximately 2 million employees at risk in this global crisis, and deem them essential workers. As part of the plan, the Company has announced to policy makers it is ready, willing and able to bring its nationwide infrastructure to bear in helping the government distribute financial relief to hundreds of thousands of home service professionals and businesses across the U.S. These professionals represent small businesses from every corner of our country, and ANGI Homeservices stands with them during the on-going crisis.

Home service professionals and their businesses are at risk but their survival is critical for ensuring that, as people remain in their homes, basic needs for electricity, plumbing, air conditioning and other essential services are met. The U.S. already suffers from a shortage of skilled tradespersons and a dramatic reduction in the millions of people who work in these industries would be catastrophic.

Right now, the backbone of our economy, the millions of local men and women who work to keep one of Americans largest investmentstheir homessafe and viable, are at risk of being left behind while large corporations seek bailouts, said Brandon Ridenour, CEO of ANGI Homeservices. We need the government to prioritize relief to these vital small businesses, the home service professionals, by deeming them essential. Like the larger corporations in the headlines, they too need access to capital to maintain their businesses and workforce through these unprecedented times. This is a crisis unlike anything we have ever seenwe stand ready to serve and encourage Congress to take bold and swift action to protect the future of this critical segment of U.S. businesses.

Plumbing and air conditioning is not a luxury. It is a necessity. The service we provide is critical for the health and safety of the community. Therefore, we must continue to find ways to conduct business, while also taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus, said Chris Cunningham, President, Service Plus Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, which has serviced Indianapolis, Indiana for the last 18 years.

ANGI Homeservices operates the largest platform and network of home service professionals in the U.S., facilitating over $18 billion in job revenue to over 250,000 home service professionals in 2019. Overwhelmingly, home service pros in ANGI Homeservices network are small businesses with over 75 percent employing five workers or less, and 90 percent employing less than 20 workers. In aggregate, those business collectively employ approximately 2 million Americans.

ANGI Homeservices is uniquely able to use its existing technology and mobile app to deliver cost-effective, secure communication and, with congressional support, facilitate government assistance directly to these small local businesses, nationwide, at scale TODAY.

Read ANGI Homeservices full letter to Congress HERE.

About ANGI HomeservicesANGI Homeservices Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI) turns home improvement jobs imagined into jobs well-done. People throughout North America and Europe rely on us to book quality home service pros across 500 different categories, from repairing and remodeling to cleaning and landscaping. Over 250,000 service professionals find work through ANGI Homeservices and consumers turn to at least one of our brands to find a pro for more than 20 million projects each year. Weve established category-transforming products through brands such as HomeAdvisor, Angies List, Handy and Fixd Repair as well as international brands such as HomeStars, MyHammer, MyBuilder, Instapro, Travaux and Werkspot. Our marketplaces have enabled more than 150 million consumer-to-pro connections, meaningfully redefining how easily and effectively home pros are discovered and hired. The Company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Contact:Mallory MicetichANGI Homeservices Corporate Communications(303) 963-8352 mallory.micetich@homeadvisor.com

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ANGI Homeservices Asks Congress to Provide Relief and Protection Directly to America's Local Home Services Professionals Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic -...

An emerging trend in the custom build market, raised swimming pools are having a significant impact on the aesthetic of Perth backyards.

Speaking to New Homes, Humphrey Homes Owner and Director Dean Humphrey said one of the main benefits of raised pools was the clean look they provided.

They are seamless and different, and for sophisticated buyers in the custom home market, this is an appealing inclusion, he said.

It also means no glass pool fence to clean or obstruct the views.

One raised pools created by Humphrey Homes in a recent build in Mosman Park had a structure made from concrete, with recycled bricks from the original home as a feature cladding blending the old with the new.

The bricks feature heavily in the home and in particular the outdoor area. Using them in the pool was not only practical but offered some great aesthetic benefits too, he said.

We worked with the natural slope of the block and the pool design naturally fell with that gradient. It was a great result because the finished level was high enough to meet the necessary pool approval guidelines without a fence.

Mr Humphrey said long rectangular or square styles worked best for raised pools.

They should also be designed to speak to the rest of the home, so the design intent is seamless, he said.

They can be designed with a waterfall edge for the water to naturally spill over. In this case the pools have a trough at the base of one end which catches and recycles the water.

Mr Humphrey said to work out if your backyard would suit and cater for a raised pool, you should consider the design of the home and the outdoor area holistically.

Not all homes will work with this design because each home is different, blocks are different, and orientations are different, he said.

Raised pools have the best effect on a sloping block where part of the pool structure can be below the surface and part above.

CONTACT

Humphrey Homes, 9284 5444

http://www.humphreyhomes.com.au

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Raise it up for a wealth of benefits - The West Australian