Save Money with Rainwater Harvesting

Thursday, 3 September 2015 by Ri Industries

People often say that they would eat healthier or buy organic groceries if they didn’t cost more. They would replace older appliances with energy efficient models, if they could afford it. Wouldn’t it be great if doing something healthy and good for the environment could save you money? Ri Industries has a suggestion for you. Rainwater harvesting.

Rainwater harvesting is simply the process of collecting rainwater and storing it for human use. Guess what? Rainwater is FREE! Once you have a rainwater tank installed you begin saving money on your water bill each and every month. Plus, using harvested rainwater means using less water from the mains thereby you will be helping the water conservation efforts.

Did you know that stormwater can actually damage creeks and water habitats? It’s true. Rainwater harvesting can actually help protect against significant damage.

Rainwater can be used to flush toilets, do laundry, water the garden, wash cars, and more. Using rainwater in and around your home can largely reduce the amount of water that you use.

Ri Industries offers concrete rainwater tanks that can be installed above or below the ground. Their design makes them basically maintenance free. Call us to learn more, 08 8444 8100.

Teach Kids About Waste Water with this Recipe for Poo

Monday, 24 August 2015 by Ri Industries

The environment is one of the greatest gifts we pass on to the next generation. It is important that we teach them to treat it well, respect it, and nurture it so it can be passed on to further generations. Ri Industries is always on the lookout for ways to help teach children about caring for the environment; especially conserving water.

We came across a video made by SA Water which included a recipe for poo. You may be wondering why anyone would possibly need a recipe since we’ve all been making poo since we were born. We wondered too and found out that SA Water uses the poo recipe to get kids interested in talking about waste water. We’d like to share the recipe with you, along with some talking points, so you can begin a dialogue with the kids in your life.

Poo Recipe

Ingredients:

Baked Beans
Corn
Banana
Chocolate Muffins

Place all ingredients in a bowl. This is the meal going into the stomach. Add some saliva (water) and use a potato masher to mash up the mixture. Place in a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag and squeeze.

Now that the kids are chuckling and paying attention, lay some education on them. Here are some important facts they should know:

Feces and urine make up just a very small part of wastewater and is a small part of what goes down into the sewers.
.1% of materials that wind up in wastewater treatment plants are solid. The rest is water! We use a lot of water to wash waste away.
It is imperative that we recover that water.
The water must be cleaned up before it is returned to the environment.

A bit of fun. A bit of learning. A great way to get the conversation started and create awareness. While you’re at, why not give us a call and learn about our residential and commercial products to see how you can help preserve our environment.

Rainwater Tanks Make a Difference to the Australian Climate

Friday, 24 July 2015 by Ri Industries

“In Australia water is a valuable commodity. Rainwater can provide a renewable supply of natural, soft, clear, and odourless water that can be used for a range of purposes including drinking, washing, bathing, laundry, and gardening. In some areas, it may represent the primary source of household water while in others it can supplement existing mains water supply.” – Government of South Australia

The government of South Australia recommends the use of rainwater tanks to help conserve water. Ri Industries manufactures above ground or below ground concrete rainwater tanks for both residential and commercial use.

What are the benefits to the Ri Industries concrete rainwater tanks?

The water stays cooler.
No algae develops.
The water has no after-taste.
They are bullet proof, vandal-proof and fire-proof.
Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
Above ground tanks can be spray painted to fit in better with your surroundings.
Concrete is stronger and more durable.

Give us a call at 08 8444 8100 to learn about our rainwater tanks and other products as well.

Conserve Water by Using Waterless Urinals

Thursday, 16 July 2015 by Ri Industries

Australians are bombarded with information about our dry climate and concerns of drought. Ri Industries contributes by encouraging water conservation and providing tips to conserve as much water as you can. One method of water conservation that we have not touched upon is the waterless urinal. Now don’t be frightened of what a waterless urinal might look like, or worse even, smell like, after a number of uses. Let us explain the process before you make up your mind.

Let’s start with why one must flush a urinal. After all, isn’t the item deposited into the urinal a liquid that will just go down the drain? Of course the answer to that is yes, but that liquid most likely has a certain odour attached to it and without flushing the shiny porcelain with water, that odour may linger. In a regular urinal, water pools in a U-shaped trap under the drain, forming a seal against sewer gases below. In contrast, a cartridge of liquid sealant sits on top of the drain in a waterless urinal. The liquid is lighter than the urine, which sinks through the cartridge and drains out. The sealant keeps any sewer gases from backing up. Such a simple solution that can make a great impact in our efforts to conserve water.

It seems the biggest hurdle in using waterless urinals is us: humans. We’re not always easy to retrain. Old habits die hard and we don’t like change. Reports show that most of the problems seen with waterless urinals are due to human error during maintenance. One of the largest manufacturers of waterless urinals is now developing a product which eliminates the need for humans to get involved, except for changing the cartridge every so often, so improvements should be seen.

What do you think? Do waterless urinals sound like a good conservation tool? We do!

How Do People Spend Their Time on the Toilet?

Friday, 29 May 2015 by Ri Industries

People are, by nature, very social beings. We look to spend time with friends and family and feel lonely when we are by ourselves for too long – except when it comes to time spent in the loo. Then, most of us, look to be alone. After all, these are very personal matters we are attending to. But, have you ever wondered exactly what goes on behind those closed toilet doors?

If you have, you are not alone. Plenty of studies have been conducted to determine how we spend our time in the loo. Always looking to keep our customers informed, Ri Industries has compiled a list of some the most interesting findings for your amusement and education.

An average person will spend approximately 1 and a half years of their life in the toilet.
Men spend more time on the loo than women do.
A 2013 study found that 6% of Australians access social networks in the toilet and 7% access social networks in the bathroom.
A study conducted by MSN News in 2013 found 59% of men and women admitted to sending texts and 45% to sending emails, nearly a third said they had taken a call and 24% revealed that they have phoned someone whilst on the toilet.
29% of people in the study said it was because they ‘wanted to prevent boredom setting in’ and 12% said that they felt pressure to stay on top of emails and messages, even while in the toilet.
15% of people admitted to having dropped their mobile down the toilet.
An American Standard study found 63% of people read books, magazines, and newspapers when in the toilet.
95 percent of people do not wash their hands properly before leaving the bathroom, according to a 2013 study conducted by Michigan State University researchers.
15% of men don’t wash their hands, ever, compared with 7% of women. And of the people who do? Just 50% of men use soap, compared to 78% of women.

So now you know what happens behind those closed doors. We bet you’ll remember those hand washing facts the next time someone reaches to shake your hand!

Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Toilet Paper

Tuesday, 19 May 2015 by Ri Industries

Hopefully, you have read our previous blogs and know that they are full of useful and important information about septic systems, green living, and water conservation. There is one topic which has been overlooked despite the impact it has on each of these topics: toilet paper.
How do you choose the toilet paper you buy? Do you grab the least expensive? Do you look for “green” labeling? Do you choose 1 ply, 2 ply, or 3 ply? Do you research which brand will have the least effect on our environment? Perhaps you are uncertain what you should consider before making this important purchase, so we have compiled a number of facts to educate and entertain you.
• Did you know that approximately 70 – 75% of the world does NOT use toilet paper? Some areas of the world have a lack of trees which means not enough resources to produce the paper. Some people cannot afford toilet paper whilst others just don’t want to spend money on fancy paper that is made just to wipe their bums.
• A roll of toilet paper lasts approximately 5 days in an average household.
• On average, people use 8 – 9 sheets of toilet paper per use with an average of 57 sheets per day.
• On average, 384 trees are used to make the toilet paper one man will use in a lifetime.
• The first paper specifically designed for the task of cleaning ones’ bottom dates back to the 14th century when a Chinese emperor ordered it in 2 foot X 3 foot sheets.
• Rolled and perforated toilet paper, as we use today, dates back to the 1880’s.
• People who hang the paper to be pulled from behind are considered to be more intelligent than those who hang it to be pulled from the top.
• In 1935, Northern Tissue proudly advertised splinter free toilet paper. That’s right, be grateful for the softness we experience today!
• In 1999, The Virtual Toilet Paper Museum opened.
• Only five percent of the toilet paper we flush away in Australia is made from recycled paper.
1millionwomen.com provides some good information on the effects of worldwide toilet paper production and its impact on the environment. For example, how many brands claim to be “green”, but are not as green as we are led to believe. They explain just what we should look for in green toilet paper.
If going green is not your top concern, perhaps you would like to go gold. Yes, Toilet Paper Man has a limited supply (1) of 3 ply toilet paper with 24 carat gold throughout the roll. Best of all, this product is proudly made right here in Australia!

Don’t Waste Rainwater! Use Rainwater Tanks.

Friday, 17 April 2015 by Ri Industries

South Australians take steps every day to save water: shorter showers; turning off the tap when brushing teeth; and other techniques. But when it rains, many of us let the water go to waste. Ri Industries has a solution. Concrete rainwater tanks.

Why use rainwater tanks? Because rainwater is a valuable natural resource. Using rainwater can reduce water bills and provide alternatives during water restrictions. Using rainwater can also decrease stormwater runoff which will reduce local flooding.

One of the great things about using rainwater is that it can be used for almost all domestic uses. It is recommended that water used for drinking and cooking come from the public reticulated water supply, but for all other purposes rainwater is an excellent alternative.

Why use Ri Industries concrete rainwater tanks?

The water stays cooler.
No algae develops.
The water has no after-taste.
They are bullet proof, vandal-proof and fire-proof.
Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
Above ground tanks can be spray painted to fit in better with your surroundings.
Concrete is stronger and more durable.

Showers, baths, gardening, dishes, clothes washing, toilet flushing are all activities perfect for using rainwater. Learn more by calling us at 08 8444 8100.

Why Should I Worry About Water Conservation?

Thursday, 2 April 2015 by Ri Industries

Hearing about water conservation when living in Australia is common. We know there is a shortage and we understand that we should take steps to help conserve it. Taking these steps in our daily life can sometimes be frustrating and it’s easy to ignore the steps “just this once.” Ri Industries provides quality products to help make water conservation as seamless and simple as possible for you and we thought sharing a few facts about why water conservation is so important might help keep you motivated.

Water is nature’s most precious resource and it is needed to sustain life. Well, that seems important enough that we could just stop there, but we have more.
Since the 1950s, every decade has witnessed more water withdrawals by humans.
Water is used commercially, domestically, industrially and for irrigation purposes. It plays a vital role in the life support system.
Water levels across the globe are decreasing and there are signs of stress on all water resources.
The plants and animals we eat also depend on water. Our food supply is at risk when we waste water.

Conserving water requires efforts from every human being on this planet. We must all make a concerted effort on a daily basis. Ri Indu stries is proud to offer solutions to help conserve water on our planet. To learn more, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

Safe Cleaning Products for Waste Water Treatment System

Friday, 20 March 2015 by Ri Industries

An excellent way to conserve water is by reclaiming waste water to recycle and reuse it around the home. The Ri-Treat Waste Water Treatment system is designed and manufactured in South Australia and guaranteed to be of superior quality and is a great choice for your home.

Once installed, you want to be sure to follow the guidelines for proper use. One important consideration is the choice of cleaning products you use in your home as they can have an effect on the waste water treatment system.

The following are suitable cleaners:

Vinegar
Bicarbonate of soda
Soap – in the form of washing powder, dishwashing liquid and ordinary body soap
Biodegradable cleaning liquids

Disinfectants should be used sparingly. Bleach, antibacterial solutions or toilet cleaners should NEVER be used. Should any form of bleach enter the system this will cause the system to work inefficiently. The bleach will kill off all the ‘good bacteria’ and can create an odour from the system. In addition, doing 2 or more loads of washing in a 24 hour period can mean the system will not operate effectively. It is recommended that clothing be washed over a period of time to ensure effective operation of the system.

Ri-Industries is proud to deliver quality products which help residents of South Australia with the important task of conserving water. Please call us, at 08 8444 8100, to learn more about our products.

Septic Tank Delivery Made Simple

Tuesday, 10 March 2015 by Ri Industries

If you have chosen to install a septic tank manufactured by Ri-Industries, then you’ve taken the time to research and choose the best product, so now let’s keep things running smoothly by ensuring problem-free delivery.

We understand that the timing of the delivery is extremely important. We work closely with you and your chosen plumber to coordinate delivery times. We employ a fleet of vehicles which are driven by courteous and knowledgeable drivers who will do their best to help you with the on-site delivery.

To make sure the delivery process goes as smoothly as possible, please keep these tips in mind:

Our trucks are 10 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.
We will need to reverse up to the hole therefore easy access is very important.
A clear, level site is required to unload the tank in your excavated area.
4.7 metres is needed for the truck to pass under trees and overhead power lines.
A minimum height clearance of 8 metres is required when unloading.
4 metres clearance is required between gate posts.

We look forward to supplying you with our quality septic tanks. Please call Ri-Industries, at 08 8444 8100, with any questions so we can assist in making the process the best it can be.

Teaching Kids About Green Living

Monday, 23 February 2015 by Ri Industries

“Green Living”, “Green Cleaning”, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. These are all terms our children hear just about every day. We talk to them about saving our planet, the importance of trees, and that it is wrong to litter or pollute. The environment is important to us too at Ri Industries. We work hard to help our community conserve water and have clean water to drink. But we wonder, are these politically correct terms just words our kids are used to hearing, or do they truly understand the importance of their message?

We encourage interactions that produce true understanding in the kids. In a previous blog, we wrote How to Teach Children About Water Conservation. Now, we would like to talk about the green movement in general. We searched for resources or tools that would be useful and came across Jim Henson’s Sid the Science Kid. Here are some tips that Sid offers:

*Don’t waste water
You can save water by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, telling an adult if the faucet is leaking and not filling the bath tub to the very top. We can only use a teeny part of the water that’s in the world, so we have to try to not waste it.

*Reduce air pollution
Engines create dirty air which is also known as air pollution. You can reduce air pollution by riding bikes and walking instead of using a car. If we stop our air from getting dirty in the first place, we won’t have to worry about cleaning it later.

*Plant a tree
Trees are beautiful and they are useful in so many ways. One of the most important things they do is clean the air we breathe. You can do your part to help by planting a tree, and watering trees and plants to help them grow.

*Recycle
Objects made of glass, paper and plastic should be recycled because they can be made into something new. Help mom and dad separate all recyclable products from the trash and take them to a recycling center.

* Preserve animal habitats
Animal habitats are all around us. A habitat is a place outdoors where animals live and find food and shelter. Be careful not to disrupt habitats when you share their space. If we interfere with a habitat, the animals’ homes could be destroyed.

The best way to teach our children is leading by example. Don’t just talk to your kids about “going green”, but work green concepts into your daily life. We only have one planet to leave them, let’s make it a good one.

How to Avoid Common Septic System Problems

Tuesday, 10 February 2015 by Ri Industries

What is a septic system? Essentially it is a large tank where human biological waste materials are broken down. Natural bacteria break the waste down into three components: gases, water, and solids. The gases and water are eliminated into the environment while the solids sink to the bottom of the tank and eventually will be pumped out. If human biological waste were the only substances to enter the septic system, many of the commonly known problems would not occur.

Most households require their septic system to handle much more than human waste materials. For example, kitchen wastes, water from baths and showers, out put from dishwashers and washing machines including soaps and cleansers. Non-biodegradable items also make their way into the septic systems.

The added substances and extra work required of the septic systems are where many of the problems arise. Why? Here are a few reasons:

Water levels rise more quickly than the solids can break down due to the excess water. This forces the solids into the distribution tubes which are solely designed for water.
Non biodegradable substances also cause the water levels to rise forcing the solids into the distribution tubes.
Detergents contain phosphates that act as fertilizer causing algae growth which blocks the perforations in the distribution tubes.

The above issues can be avoided or reduced by:

Spread the clothes washing out over the course of the week.
Shorten the length of showers.
Use liquid or gel soaps in dishwashers and washing machines as they do not contain phosphates.
Eliminate kitchen wastes.
Keep all non biodegradable substances out of the septic system.
Have the tank pumped on a regular basis.

For further guidance on maintaining your septic system, call Ri Industries at 08 8444 8100.

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