Dear Tunza Friends,

I would like to share with you an amazing event we , the members of Students for the Earth had today. It was the  "VISIT TO TCI (THE CHANGE INITIATIVE)-The world's most sustainable building".

I had been to TCI earlier during this year through my school and that's the reason I , as Sharjah Team Leader of "Students for The Earth"and Soham Karkhanis (Dubai Team Leader of SFE) proposed the idea of this visit so that our members can see  the depth of sustainability and eco-friendly lifestyle choices .

TCI provides environmentally-friendly solutions, but it also practices what it preaches – it has 26 eco-friendly strategies, including solar panels, reflective paint, insulation three times higher than that used in normal buildings, water reuse systems and recycled materials. Solar panels provide 40 percent of the building?s energy requirements. It is a physical, real building which has gained the highest rating in the world ever for sustainability.  TCI  has been awarded 107 out of 110 LEED points from the US Green Building Council, which technically makes it the most sustainable building in the world.

We were overwhelmed with the response we got through registration for this event. 60 people registered and 48 turned up(Some have already left Dubai as this being winter /Christmas vacation time).  We were a big and very interested bunch of students who were so keen in knowing more about sustainability. The Knowledge Manager Ms. Sheena was pleasantly surprised with even younger students asking curious questions.

As soon as we reached the entrance of building , we were amazed to see grass growing everywhere and funny things hanging out just to make a point of Green lifestyle. 

We were given 30 minutes presentation by the Knowledge Manager telling us various new ideas TCI has incorporated to improve insulation and lessen energy use, to eco-friendly furniture, paints, bathroom accessories, living room stuff and stylish and still ecologically sound items which we can use in our day to day lives.

I would like to share with you how TCI has demonstrated energy efficient , water efficient usage all across their building.

Laundry

Philips eco care iron: This iron with the auto steam control handle that knows the optimum amount of steam needed to iron. The handle has a unique censor that produces more steam when you intuitively put more force to get rid of stubborn creases. When the handle is not pressed, the technology limits the output of steam and saves energy.

Ecover cleaning products: Cleaning products made of plant-based and mineral ingredients that naturally care for your skin, are completely biodegradable and have minimum impact on aquatic life.

Washing Machines: ENERGY STAR label led washing machine(for energy-efficiency).

 

Living Room

Vitra Furniture: Using a high proportion of recycled materials, like polyester yarn, these eco-friendly furnitures are manufactured with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) glues and adhesives, safer for your health. The company's manufacturing also includes high end waste management programs and the use of renewable energy on site.

TVs :Television TCI has chosen is the one that incorporates LED technology to reduce electricity bill and carbon emissions. Often the LED televisions are made of materials that are easier to recycle. They have chosen one that has a low stand-by power consumption.

LED lighting solutions: Reduce up to 90% energy consumption compared to normal halogen bulbs. LED bulbs can last for more than 25,000 hours, require no maintenance and do not produce heat. The color of the light can be customized - white cold light for the business environment and warm light for the home.

Insulating paints: TCI has used water based paints for it?s walls that are low on VOCs. VOCs are solvent and petrochemical additives that evaporate from paint during manufacturing and application, and degrade our indoor air quality through pollution.

 

Outdoor

Solar Panels: TCI has installed solar panels  to use the abundant natural energy of the sun. These panels are  reducing their electricity bill too.

 

Kitchen

Low Flow water taps: TCI has used low flow water taps to save water– it?s not only good for the environment but also bring the savings in  utility bills . These savings , they say , will pay for the cost of the taps within a few months.

Energy Star qualified dishwashers:  On average they are 10% more energy efficient and 12% more water efficient than standard models.

Green utensil/pans : Non-stick pans with natural ceramic layer made of minerals instead of plastics. Thermolon does not release toxic fumes, blister or peel even at 450 degrees C, contrary to ordinary non-stick pans.

Bokashi composters : These turn all our kitchen scraps into organic, slow release liquid fertilizer easily and without smell! We just need to add our scraps and a little bran to the bucket and walk away.  The microbes will do all of the work.

 

Bathroom

Grey H2O systems: W+W is the fusion of washbasin and water closet in one piece. The delicate and innovative technology re-uses the discarded water from the washbasin to flush the lavatory – saving water and our wallet.

Faucets: Save water even while the tap is on. These water saving faucets deliver both water efficiency and adequate flow.

Shower heads: These remove chlorine, lead and harmful contaminants and help us to enjoy clean, fresh water – using low cost technology and zero energy.

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At the end of the tour we all learnt one simple tip - don't use what you don't need. This applies to everything food, energy, water, and it also saves money. It adds a little drop to an ocean of possibilities because what is not used today can be used tomorrow.

All the participants wrote their own green messages and ended the event with a huge shoutout of "Go Green". Some of these amazing eco-friendly messages were:

Be Green to save yourself.

Save trees.

There is only one planet to live so protect it.

The only thing constant is change so lets make it a sustainable change.

Lets make it a beautiful and green place for our future generations.

Let's find solution for pollution.

Our this event was recorded by crew from City7 TV Channel. The TV channel interviewed us and this would be telecasted tomorrow . The TV channel crew was also impressed with the way our group took interest in this tour to know ideas of sustainability. Why not ? After all sustainability is one of the sub-theme of Dubai Expo2020 and Dubai aims to  become the most sustainable city by 2020 so we,the students have to help Dubai in accomplishing this mission.

We all concluded the event by cheering out loud "GO GREEN".

 

 

 

 

 

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