This amazing Bangladeshi air cooler is made from plastic bottles and uses no electricity under DIY, energy efficiency, Environment, global warming, News Summer is in full swing and many of us are complaining about the heat. But few places reach the scorching temperatures residents of Bangladesh experience, and air conditioning is simply not an option for most people living in rural areas. Ashis Paul developed a clever DIY cooling system that doesn’t need any electricity and is built from a common waste item: empty plastic soda bottles. In just three months, Paul’s company has helped install its smart powerless air conditioners, called Eco Coolers, in 25,000 households, with many more still ahead. The Eco Cooler is reportedly the world’s first-ever ‘zero electricity’ air conditioner, and its inventor wanted to get the concept out there to help as many people as possible. The Grey Group stepped in to help, using its position as a multinational advertising firm to put the plans online, at no cost, so that anyone can build their own Eco Cooler system.

Volunteers from Grameen Intel Social Business helped build and install the units, as well as teach locals how to make them, so the wisdom can be passed on. The Eco Cooler method is fairly simple, from a construction standpoint. A board is cut to fit the desired window, and bottleneck-sized holes are cut out in a grid pattern. The bottoms of empty plastic bottles are cut off and discarded, leaving funnel-shaped bottlenecks that are placed on the grid. car ac repair bay areaThat’s all there is to the Eco Cooler, except for the task of installing it in place of the regular window. ac unit checklistWhen mounted, the wider part of the bottles faces outward and catches the passing wind, literally funneling cool air into the building’s interior.split unit air conditioning system reviews

The efficacy of the Eco Cooler varies widely based on conditions, but Grey Group reports it has the ability to reduce indoor temperatures as much as 5 degrees Celsius, which is on par with what an electric centrally installed air conditioning system can do. In some instances the Eco Cooler can reduce indoor temperatures from a sweltering 86F (30C) to a comfortable 77F (25C). For the 70 percent of residents who live in tin-roofed huts that amplify the sun’s heat, the Eco Cooler could be a breath of fresh air just in time for summer. Images via Shutterstock and Grey BangladeshThe Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC) is located at 160 Commercial Avenue, and is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. The RSWC has drop-off areas for trash, single stream recyclables and food scraps. Additional recyclables that are not accepted in curbside recycling bins can be brought to the RSWC. These additional materials are listed below. The RSWC also hosts household hazardous waste drop off events six times a year.

Click here for more information. There is a Freon® removal per unit, unless proof of removal by a licensed technician is provided. Businesses or other Non-Residential Sources: Quantity limitations & apply. Plastic Bags and Film #2 and #4 plastics only: These include most plastic bags, dry cleaning bags,consumer packaging (on paper towels, etc.), 6-pack rings, bread bags, cereal bags, Ziplock® bags (clean and dry), air pillows (air released), newspaper bags, and case wrap (e.g. bottles) Small engine fuel tanks Non-metal handles from pots and pans All upholstery from metal furniture Small engine fuel tank caps Unhinge and remove glass doors Items must be clean, dry, and odorless and placed in clear plastic bags There are quantity limits and fees for this material. Off-road type tires, such as tractor or heavy equipment tires Check with your local municipality about yard waste management options. Click here for disposal options and fees.

Your Shopping Cart ContentsComprenew has a certified, in house solution for recycle small appliances containing “freon” or refrigerants. Comprenew adheres to a strict zero-landfill policy for all electronic waste and does not export hazardous materials to other countries. The cost for drop off is only $15 per refrigerant-containing appliance. 1. Window air conditioning units 5. Any small appliance containing 5 lbs. or less of refrigerant Comprenew has 17 drop-off locations throughout Michigan, which includes their three local retail stores and headquarters: • 28TH STREET STORE 1454 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am to 6pm Phone: 616.243.5310 • DOWNTOWN STORE 453 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am to 6pm Phone: 616.451.4480 • NORTHLAND DR STORE 5157 Northland Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am to 6pm Phone: 616.226.6638 • HEADQUARTERS 629 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Hours: Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm Phone: 616.451.4400 “Freon” is a brand name for one type of refrigerant. So far, four different types of refrigerant have been identified in small appliances donated to Comprenew: When exposed to oxygen, refrigerants can boil at room temperature due to its chemical nature and its pressure/temperature relationship. Also, it is important to treat even a complete, unopened refrigerant unit with care. Allowing refrigerant to come into contact with skin can cause frostbite. Different refrigerants hold different pressure ranging from low pressure systems to very high pressure systems (R410a). There are 3 categories a refrigerant fits under: chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 1. CFCs do the most damage to the stratosphere 2. HCFCs are the second most harmful □ CFCs and HCFCs contain Chlorine, which is the reason these two types of refrigerants are most dangerous to the stratosphere.