Full name of product: NIOD multi-molecular hyaluronic complex Limited edition/ Permanent?: Permanent   Description of product: “MMHC2 is the second generation of MMHC. The formula offers a multi-dimensional approach to topical hyaluronic supplementation by combining 15 forms of hyaluronic compounds, hyaluronic precursors and hyaluronic support technology in a peptide-charged delivery system. It offers water-based hydration and helps skin surface look plump, elastic, comfortable, and uniform.   Amongst the 15 hyaluronic compounds is an extremely rare direct form of hyaluronic acid. Almost universally in the world of beauty, the term “hyaluronic acid” is used loosely to refer to “sodium hyaluronate” which is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. When brands refer to “hyaluronic acid” in their information and marketing materials, in almost every case the reference is to forms of “sodium hyaluronate” which appears in the ingredient listing of the products. While several sodium salt forms of hyaluronic acid are included in MMHC2, the formula also includes 1.0% direct hyaluronic acid which appears as “hyaluronic acid” in the ingredient listing. This inclusion is exceptionally rare for a broad range of formulation and commercial reasons. Direct hyaluronic acid offers pro-repair support far beyond basic water hydration that sodium hyaluronate offers, resulting in improvements to the elastic appearance and the general healthy look of skin.   The formula also contains a hyaluronic support system of adaptogenic water-starved clary sage flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides from narrow leaf plantain and several dermal amino acids. This complex system acts as a non-clogging, water-protective barrier to optimize the function of hyaluronic compounds and help support dermal water retention.   -Direct Form Hyaluronic Acid (MMHC2)The rare and direct form of hyaluronic acid, not in the commonly-available sodium salt form (known as sodium hyaluronate), this very active raw form of HA offers pro-repair support for healthy-looking skin with improved elastic appearance. -Enzyme-Reacted Glucosamine Amide HA Pre-Cursor (Rapid Reaction)Highly complex compound is derived by enzymatic phosphorylation of N-acetyl-glucosamine through a green chemistry process. -Bio-Yeast HA Pre-Cursor (Moderate Term Reaction)Contains oligomers of acetylated glucuronic acids derived from fermentation. -Novel HA Pre-Cursor Peptide Complex (Sustained Reaction)World’s first peptide complex that is pro-decorin and pro-lumican. -Marine Hyaluronic Complex of Exopolysaccharides (MMHC2)Derived through fermentation of marine genus Pseudoaltermonas sp., sustainably sourced from Brittany, this complex supports water content of tissues in exposure to temperature variations. -Tamarind-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexVegetable-derived parallel to the body’s own hyaluronic acid offers hydration in the short-term while promoting elastic-looking skin with continued use. -Mushroom-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexFungi-derived parallel to the body’s own hyaluronic acid offers 400% more surface hydration than hyaluronic acid (which already attracts 1,000 times its weight in water) but without the strong water affinity that can prevent penetration of water-bound technologies. -Locust-Bean-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexA higher-weight saccharide from the locust bean offers non-tacky, weightless surface hydration immediately upon application and encourages skin surface to attract atmospheric water more readily. -Hyaluronic Acid CrosspolymerA unique cross-linked non-animal form of hyaluronic acid that delivers water and water-soluble actives through its nonequilibrium gel structure, helping to maintain water content with continued use. Complex delivery of water-bound content through this system allows for smaller-sized technologies to remain effective topically even in the presence of (high-molecular-weight) hyaluronic acid that ordinarily actually impairs absorption. -Very-Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic ComplexA hyaluronic complex in near-impossible molecular weight for lasting hydration with continued use in a form never before associated with hyaluronic acid. -Hydrolyzed (Low-Molecular-Weight) Hyaluronic ComplexOffers lasting comfort and hydration for the skin with continued use. -Mid-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic ComplexOffers short-term comfort and hydration. -Fermentation-Derived (High-Molecular-Weight) Hyaluronic AcidHighly-purified fermentation-derived hyaluronic acid offers superb surface hydration and comfort while helping to prevent moisture loss. -Hyaluronic Acid ButyrateUnique anfipatic complex from a reaction of butyric acid and hyaluronan helps support epidermic barriers to improve signs of cutaneous wellness. -Hyaluronic Support System of Adaptogenic Water-Starved Clary Sage Flavonoids, Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Narrow Leaf Plantain and Dermal Amino Acids (MMHC2)Acts as a non-clogging water-protective barrier to optimize the function of hyaluronic compounds and help support dermal water retention.   Alcohol free, oil free, silicone free, nut free, vegan, cruelty free.”   Price: $35 USD for 15 mL $60 USD for 30 mL Amount of product: 15 mL or 30 mL (I have the 30 mL version) Duration before expiration: 6 months after opening Country of Manufacture: Made in Canada   Animal testing?: Deciem as a whole does not test on animals nor do they have brick and mortar stores in China.  They do sell to mainland China through cross-border operations to avoid animal testing practices.  They are also cruelty-free and have a certified Leaping Bunny stamp.   Where to buy: Deciem Amazon Cultbeauty Beautybay   Ingredients: Butyroyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Algae Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Lecithin, Polyglucuronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Propyl Gallate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. When I first got this, I was kind of a silly person and could not figure out how to open the box.  The cardboard box it comes in is so lux and heavy-duty, I’m definitely going to try to reuse this somehow.  Maybe if I collect enough of this size, I can stick it all together and make me a cute little stationery cabinet!!  Yes, it is THAT heavy duty!  Reduce, reuse and recycle guys  Read More

Decomposing in a Landfill

  If you toss something in your regular garbage can, it will eventually end up in the landfill. This means if you accidentally throw recyclable materials in, they won’t be separated out. There are different types of landfills, but most residential waste ends up at the municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. This is the typical image that comes to mind when you think of a landfill site.   Kevin Gaxiola with Orange County Waste & Recycling says the following steps occur when trash is brought to the OC landfills:             Step 1: Waste trucks drive to the active fill area where an orchestrated operation of disposal takes place.           Step 2: Waste inspectors look through loads to ensure no hazardous waste or unacceptable items are buried.           Step 3: Trucks are directed to specific locations at the fill area to ensure the greatest compaction possible.           Step 4: Once the trash is unloaded, heavy equipment operators push the trash into place and compact it.           Step 5: The landfill is covered with soil or tarps at the end of the day.   Modern landfills have layers to ensure environmental safety, including a liner with a drainage system, gas collection system and a layer for trash. When the landfill is full, the trash is contained by creating a barrier of compacted clay and synthetic material. Then, topsoil is added. What was once a landfill can now become a park, a waste-to-energy project site or a wildlife habitat.   Gaxiola says landfill space is finite, making it a valuable resource. He says it’s likely that there will never be another site constructed in Orange County, California, which is probably the case for many places across the country.

Burning at a Resource Recovery Plant

  Some cities send MSW to a resource recovery plant instead of the landfill. Resource recovery plants are highly engineered facilities that burn trash. These plants use a controlled burn process and closely monitor the byproduct. The emissions go through a series of processes that “clean” them to make them safe enough to emit into the atmosphere. According to Steven Joseph with Winters Bros Waste Systems, the decision to send trash to the landfill or a resource recovery plant can be driven by economics. The more cost-effective rate for disposal drives the flow of trash into their facilities.

Sorting at a Materials Recovery Facility

  While most waste in landfills take several to hundreds of years to decompose, recyclable items like paper and plastic, or even things like electronics and clothes, can be remade into new products. This is more beneficial to the environment than letting them rot and create greenhouse gases or using up valuable materials to create net-new products. If you properly separate and recycle things like soda cans and junk mail from your other trash, you likely throw it all into one bin. This is called single-stream recycling. All the items in your single-stream recycling can go to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where each type of material – plastic bottles, paper, cans, etc. – is separated. Once categorized, they’re shipped to a recycling facility and processed into new material. Then, the new material goes to a manufacturing facility where it can be made into another product that you buy, and the cycle continues.

Reusing Construction & Demolition Materials

  Most construction materials, like concrete, wood and asphalt shingles, can be recycled at a local construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility. These centers use a series of belts and sorting systems that automatically sift through materials in addition to a hand-picking process. Once sorted, they are sent to other facilities that turn them into new materials to be used again.   Research options in your area to see which debris are accepted. In some cases, you may have an easier time finding facilities that accept specific material types as opposed to taking them all to the same place.   Here are some examples of what different building materials can be recycled into:  

• Asphalt & Concrete → New asphalt and concrete products
• Wood → Furniture, mulch and compost
• Rubber shingles → Tires and playground surfaces

Repurposing Organic Waste

  Even organic waste, like food scraps and landscaping debris, can be recycled. Food waste can be composted or used as a renewable energy source.  

Composting Food Waste

  Rotting food releases methane, a greenhouse gas and top contributor to climate change. Composting has become an increasingly popular solution to divert food waste from the landfill to prevent methane buildup and instead reuse it to fuel gardens and other green spaces. This process, which can take months, involves breaking materials down into humus, the organic compound of soil. Compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for landscaping, horticulture and agriculture. One option is to compost at home and create a compost pile either in your yard or in a closed bin. Then, you can use the organic material created in the pile to help your garden flourish. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, see if your city offers a curbside composting program. If so, you’ll receive a sealed pail to fill with food scraps throughout the week. Then, you put the pail out with your other trash bins on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day, and your food scraps will make their way to a local composting facility. Some cities will even return the organic material once the composting process is complete so you can use it in your yard.

Using Food for Anaerobic Digestion

  The anaerobic digestion process uses bacteria to break down food waste. As this happens, methane is released, captured and generated into energy, like electricity and heat. The next time you throw something away, think about where it’s going and how long it will be there. Can it be reused in some way? Is there a way to divert it from the landfill? Your decision could save the environment and valuable landfill space.   Joseph backs up this claim. He says land is finite, and with urban sprawl, the waste industry and communities across the nation are constantly having to find better ways to handle trash. Mark Lichtenstein with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry says while recycling is a better option than sending trash to the landfill, it’s still a solution we’ve created to handle waste. He says the concept of waste is a human-created construct, so we create solutions to get rid of it. But there really isn’t such a thing as “away,” so we need to focus on keeping materials out of the waste stream. If you’re not sure where to start, take small steps to reduce your waste at home. Learn which items you regularly use can be recycled or try to find biodegradable alternatives. Do your best to reuse items or buy things second-hand to prevent creating further waste.

THE BUILDERS: Hasbro Children’s Hospital marked a milestone in its ongoing renovations with the completion of the new Balise Healing Garden and a reimagined playground. Construction of the garden and playground were led by Cranston-based Pariseault Builders. Members of the Pariseault Builders team include, from left, Brian Casey, president; Caleb Messier, senior project manager; Dan Buttner, project manager; Tom Rezendes, senior vice president; and Kyle Lloyd, vice president.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, a part of the Lifespan health care system, is the premier pediatric facility for clinical care, research and education for Rhode Island and surrounding southeastern New England. A private, not-for-profit institution, it is the pediatric division of Rhode Island Hospital, the principal teaching hospital of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Hasbro Children’s Hospital is designated as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

When switching to sustainable beauty I found that I had many products which I needed to use up before searching for better alternatives. These were mostly half used makeup items in non-recyclable packaging, often with different parts and materials such as a mascara wand or a foundation pump, which makes it impossible to recycle them in local council bins.

Introducing TerraCycle.

TerraCycle is a recycling scheme for waste that cannot easily be recycled. Founded by Tom Szaky in 2001, who was then a student, the concept is simple: free recycling programmes are funded by worldwide brands, manufacturers and retailers in order to allow us to collect and recycle our hard-to-recycle waste. All you have to do is pick the programmes you want to use, collect waste in your home, school, office or organisation, download a free shipping label and finally, send your waste in to be recycled. Points are earned and can be exchanged for rewards for your school or a non-profit.