lifesolutions | Life Solutions

The Many Benefits of International Crab Fest Day

To celebrate International Crab Fest Day, which is September 14, many people go to the shores with their crab baskets or to the local market to buy crabs. As the holiday’s name clearly states, it is about crabs.

Besides enjoying popular seafood, the benefits of International Crab Fest Day are many. Crabs are plentiful all over the world. Whether Dungeness, Stone, Snow, King, or Blue crabs, more than a million tons are consumed globally every year. There are thousands of varieties of crabs, and depending on the type, saltwater or freshwater, they can range in size from several inches to several feet in diameter.

Additionally, crabs can be eaten in an assortment of ways. Steamed crabs are most popular, but the succulent seafood is relished baked, boiled, and grilled. While they are celebrated in September, crabs are eaten all year long. Delicious dishes with crabmeat include crab cakes, soups, chowders, and stews.

However, the benefits of International Crab Fest Day go beyond this holiday festivity with tasty food. Since many crabs live in water and fishermen use the small crabs to catch large fish like bass, it is a time to appreciate and support clean marine waters. Pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide, jeopardizing ecosystems and habitats of many species. Plastic contamination like water bottles take hundreds of years to decompose and can release toxic substances into the water.

Clean water initiatives can help prevent pollution that harms marine life and potentially human health. Two years ago, Life Solutions partnered with Green Initiatives to learn about preserving the local environment and making a positive difference for marine life and ecosystems. Their efforts involved picking up trash along the Yangtze River that flowed through the Baoshan Wusong Pao Taiwan Wetland Forest National Park.

Over the years, the area adapted to changing conditions of marshland with fluvial and oceanic influences. Rich plant life, alluvial sediments, humidity, salty winds, and flooded soils shaped the development of this wetland along with the effects of tidal oscillation, water currents, and river flow.

Today, thanks to preservation efforts to protect the river water and the organisms living in the wetland, this National park is an admired, scenic attraction of Shanghai City. It features environmental restoration and cultural reconstruction, which protects the original wetland and creates a captivating landscape of large and small ecological islands against the river bank.

For those who have not, consider celebrating International Crab Fest Day. But do not be satisfied with just its crab-eating tradition. Reflect on the importance of aquaculture and healthy marine ecosystems. Recognize the dangerous effects of pollution and the importance of maintaining clean water. And vow to make a positive difference so that International Crab Fest Day can be celebrated for years to come.

Image credit: Envato element & 699pic.com

你家的水质，是时候了解了！

地球上的水是从哪儿来的？

科学家认为，地球上的水一部分来自富水矿物的融化，另一部分则是数十亿年前彗星撞击地球过程中，岩石融化所形成的。

纵览地球外观的大面积蓝色——那些都是水。水量之丰富，以至于我们误以为自己生活在一颗无需担忧饮水问题的星球上，但实际上，这颗星球能供给人们日常饮用的，只有淡水，而它的总量并不如我们想象的那样多。

墨尔本大学基建工程领域博士生艾玛·凯瑟琳·怀特（Emma Kathryn White）曾于近年提出这样一个比喻：“如果将地球上所有的水装进1升的瓶子，其中的淡水也只有‘两汤匙’，其他都是海水。”

鉴于海水淡化的成本极高，加上受到人类生存活动的影响，地下淡水也正逐渐受到污染，为了满足人类愈发紧张的日常饮水需要，保护地下淡水资源迫在眉睫。

世界水监测日

世界水监测日（简称WWMD，即World Water Monitoring Day）是水环境联盟（WEF）及国际水协会（IWA）的一个项目，是一个全球教育外展计划。（百度百科）

为了让市民对当地水体进行基本的监察，以建立公众对保护水资源的关注及参与，自2007年以来，每年的“九月十八日”被定为世界水监测日，并由2009年起，参与水质检测的地区可在3月22日（世界水日）至12月31日的任何一天进行测试。

了解饮用水中的包括溶解氧、PH值、清澈度，以及水温在内的几个元素，定期水质检测，有助于全方位掌握你的生活品质。

免费水质咨询

Life Solutions立志为人们提供更加清洁的饮用水，实现地球水资源的清洁利用与循环。若您和您的家人对目前的水质有疑惑，我们将为您提供“免费咨询服务”！

*咨询内容参考（以实际联系为准）

1.自来水里有什么?

我们的内部工程师愿意提供切实有效的咨询，确保每个客户都能得到针对他们特定需求的净化水方案。

2.滤水？

我们在滤水行业较有经验，也很乐意就任何现有的过滤技术提供免费咨询。

Life Solutions的技术团队将评估哪种饮用水系统适合您的情况，并为您量身定制解决方案，以满足您高品质的饮用水需求。

部分图片来源：
Pexels & Envato element
资料参考：
https://www.sohu.com/a/295902145_411746?_trans_=010004_pcwzy

The Economic Value of Clean Drinking Water Solutions

Water is essential for human life, and most people have experienced the feeling of not getting enough water and being sluggish or light-headed from dehydration. Fresh drinking water free from contaminants is known to help avoid many common health problems, like fatigue, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, weakness, and lethargy. In addition, it flushes out waste from the body, transports necessary nutrients to stay well, regulates body temperature, and boosts energy levels.

While the health benefits of clean drinking water are well known, the economic value of clean drinking water is not as apparent.
For clean water, most people drink bottled water. Although the cost of a plastic bottle of water may not seem very expensive, it can be over time in several different ways. Approximately $1.50 on average, it is substantially more when considering the expenses associated with its production and distribution. The cost is even more significant when taking into account the effects it has on the environment. From the amount of energy required to produce plastic bottles to the ongoing waste in landfills from lack of decomposition, bottled water is pricey. And, this does not include the many bottles that are not recycled and end up in oceans, polluting the water, disrupting marine ecosystems and contaminating fish and other seafood.

Studies show that people choose bottled water over other bottled beverages. Statistics show that billions of dollars are spent on bottled water annually. Considering the demand for fresh drinking water and how much it takes to produce and dispose of bottled water, it is actually quite costly for a product that can be easily available for much less and with more sustainable options.

These options include clean drinking water solutions or water filtration products that purify drinking water by filtering out pollutants. They can include carbon charcoal filters in a pitcher or as part of a faucet-mount, ultraviolet light units or reverse osmosis, water distillers (entire systems or portable countertops), or another form of the water treatment process.

Whether it is a classic stand-alone water infiltration system or an elegant, space-saving design, they are energy efficient and save money. Though the cost savings from using a clean drinking water solution depends on the size of the water filtration system, the type of water filtration system, and other important factors, on average it takes approximately18 months to reap rewards on water consumption when compared to water in plastic bottles.

Using a clean drinking water solution that delivers fresh, safe water without the economic strain or environmental damage caused by plastic bottles is cost-effective and advantageous. Switching from bottled water to a clean drinking water solution that delivers crisp-tasting, filtered water for a fraction of the cost saves money over the long term. It is a smart decision that impacts not only people’s pocketbooks but their health and the health of the environment.

Image credit: Envato & Pexels

RO and Clean Water Can Help Safeguard against COVID-19

Following severe sickness, hospitalizations, and hundreds of thousands of deaths from COVID-19 in China and around the world, new prevention measures are being embraced and different ways of living safely are being adopted.

Everyone is wearing masks on the metro.

While some businesses have altered work strategies to allow staff to work from home and use teleconferencing in place of face-to-face meetings to minimize the risk of spreading the virus, other businesses have re-opened with new procedures in place like temperature checks despite the challenging circumstances. People everywhere are wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and sanitizing shared spaces to protect themselves during the pandemic.

They are also being more careful with the food and drinks they are consuming. For this reason, many people are turning to clean water to stay healthy and safe from the coronavirus. They are washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, which helps prevent the spread of the invisible threat, and they are staying hydrated, which helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Hope to see the vitality of nature again

According to the World Health Organization, disease-causing pathogens, like bacteria and common germs, may be found in water. Although boiling water eliminates some of these pathogens, it does not get rid of heavy metals and harmful viruses. Fortunately, more effective ways, like Reverse Osmosis, successfully eradicate them.

Reverse Osmosis is a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to remove bacteria and other contaminants from drinking water. Through a simple filtration process, the pressure pushes water through this semipermeable membrane, removing impurities and producing clean water.

Life Solutions LANA (UR-1302A) in HongKong Airport

The benefit of Reverse Osmosis is safe drinking water free from exposure to contaminants, including lead, copper, and bacteria in viruses. Even bottled water, which is filtered, may still contain certain minerals and pollutants.

Responsible businesses that want to protect their staff from viruses found in office pantries use Reverse Osmosis filtration systems to reduce the risk of illness, improving health by staying hydrated with clean, pure water while also encouraging peace of mind during these uncertain and worrisome times. People who want to maintain the health of themselves and their families use Reverse Osmosis filtration systems in their kitchens for sterile, safe drinking water.

HongKong Airport

In today’s environment, impacted and changed by COVID-19, the importance of clean water cannot be underestimated. It is vital for everyone everywhere. Not only is it essential to remain safe from the coronavirus, but it is also an essential part of everyday life needed to maintain good health. With nearly two-thirds of the human body consisting of water, it is evident that clean drinking water provides nourishment, helps preserve healthy organs, and supports blood flow to transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Photo credit: shutterstock & pexels

3 Reasons Why Thousands Choose Life Solutions

Companies that stand the test of time and turbulent market conditions, tend to provide long-term value to their clients. With over 15 years of water filtration industry experience in Hong Kong and over 10 years in China, Life Solutions is proud of its long standing partnerships and client relationships.

Here are three reasons why Life Solutions has built lasting relationships with thousands of clients in major cities across China:

1. Quality tested and certified products and components
Our products are compliant with China’s CCC certification for consumer goods products and our filtration products surpass China’s CJ94-5000 drinking water industry standard. Also, we use internationally recognized NSF certified water filters in all of our Reverse Osmosis products, including our classic stand-alone systems.

The premium quality Billi range goes a step further, having both Chinese and Australian quality and water industry certifications. The Billi Eco, Quadra and Quadra Plus models also have the rigorous Global Green Tag LCA Rate ‘Gold’ certification, allowing clients and business partners to demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility. For more about Billi’s certifications click here.

2. A professional, reliable and responsive team
Our staff does its best to deliver what we promise in order to meet our client and business partner needs and sustain the business into the future. We are all held to a high standard of quality and we feel a sense of satisfaction when we have met partner and client needs, expectations and product specifications.

Whatever phase you are at in the journey to clean, safe and fresh drinking water, we can help. If you are looking at options for your office, hotel, private hospital or even your own home, then find out more about our Consultation Services.

If you already have a Life Solutions drinking water system and have questions about filter replacement, or if you’d like to upgrade to a new system, find out more on the Maintenance Services page.

3. Customised clean water solutions
The Life Solutions team have experience and expertise in installing a variety of large, medium and small scale clean drinking water systems. These include premium taps for resorts and hotels, airports, offices, restaurants, hospitals and clinics as well as private homes.

architectural-review.com

Whatever your health and productivity needs are, we are happy to look at your space and help out where we can.

Making Working from Home Easy

Progress is being made to deal with and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with some countries facing 2nd or 3rd waves of infections, some people continue to work from home.

Working from home can pose additional challenges to traditional working lives. These include having to juggle family or relationship responsibilities with professional responsibilities, manage time efficiently, be adaptive, have meetings at unusual hours and learning to manage new technologies. This can place stress on staff who are normally working to a set schedule or having the benefits of working face-to-face with others – socializing, giving and receiving encouragement, and being able to plan together.

photos.projects-abroad.net / welivesecurity

Physical and mental health has become increasingly important. People across the globe are having to not only be mentally resilient and well, yet also physically healthy. Thankfully, there are things we can do to make working from home easier and more stress free. Check Billi’s tips to make working from home work for you.

Life Solutions recognises the importance of health and wellbeing. We want our clients and partners to be not only prosperous and successful, but healthy too. Our clean drinking water products support healthy, hydrated and productive lifestyles, while our services make filter replacement care-free.

cnn.com

For more videos about what Life Solutions can offer you, click and subscribe here.

Plastic Free July 2020

250 million participants in 177 countries.

Behind these global numbers are people like you and me who care. Behind the many is the one, and we all share in this world together.

Global movements seek to create the positive conditions for positive things to happen, benefiting people, the planet and prosperity. People join environmental movements like Plastic Free July to inspire positive change and create a healthy, sustainable environment.

history.com

Plastic Free July has inspired over 250 million people in 177 countries to avoid and reduce harmful single-use plastic waste. They provide resources and ideas to people every day at home, work, school and in communities around the world. The harmful impacts of waste and environmental pollution are increasingly being recognized.

i.guim.co.uk/img/media

Like all these caring, courageous people, we at Life Solutions also make a positive difference. One of the ways that we do this is through our Paperback Program, which helps us to reduce paper, cardboard and other paper-based packaging. Another way we make a tangible positive difference is through our Meat Free Monday initiative, eating healthier, lower environmental footprint food every Monday at our Shanghai office.

lifesolutions.com.cn

Reflecting our mission of inspiring China’s transition to clean drinking water, the Life Solutions team has also participated in plastic waste pick-ups in China like this one. These kinds of events – which you can also participate in through Plastic Free July – not only support a healthier, safer environment, yet also creates opportunities for people in the workplace and community to get to know each other better, be inspired and inspire others.

lifesolutions.com.cn

If another 250 million people like you and me reuse things and reduce our single-use plastic then this can foster cleaner water, air and soil – foundations of health and lasting wealth.

wallpaperhi.com

Credible, certified Billi

Credible, sustainability certified Billi

https://www.globalgreentag.com/products/eco/

Not even the best marketing can improve a poor quality product. Quality is quality, hard won by the best companies in the world who are dedicated to not just their own success yet also the satisfaction of their customers. Though many companies – perhaps looking for a quick fix or perhaps not knowing better – greenwash their products to make them sound ‘green’ and sustainable, Billi doesn’t.

For over 25 years, Billi has been making high quality, reliable clean drinking water systems for corporate, hospitality and residential clients. Quality is increasingly being seen as included the environmental sustainability performance of products. Not to mention quality certifications like the Australian Standard Quality certification, UK Watermark certification and China CCC certification, the Billi Eco, Quadra and Quadra models were the first clean drinking water products in the world to be certified to Global Green Tag’s LCA Rate ‘Gold’ certification.

billi.com.au

And that’s a tough certification to get. The sustainability industry is often filled with unsubstantiated eco-friendly claims to sell green products. Instead, Billi chose to have several of its products undergo one of the most rigorous and science-based product sustainability assessments available today. Among others, Global Green Tag certified to ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management, and externally verified as compliant to ISO 14024 for Type 1 (Third Party) Ecolabels, ISO 17065 for Conformance Assessment Bodies and produce greenhouse gas calculations are compliant with ISO 14067 for Product Greenhouse Gas Calculations.

After passing through thorough, independent and peer reviewed Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) by an experienced and qualified team, including senior managers and scientists, Billi Australia, manufacturer and designer, received the LCARate Gold certification and the ISO 14025 Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The Billi Quadra, for example, scored highest in the environmental health and low ecotoxicity category, demonstrating that compared with other water filtration systems, the Quadra achieved a 0.10 on a scale of -1 to +1 with a low score meaning better environmental product performance (0.10 is a 90% improvement over the business as usual benchmark product). In addition, the Billi Quadra is water and energy efficient, as well as being low carbon.

billi.com.au

Don’t take our word for it, check out the facts. The independent Green Tag EcoPoint score card is available here or contact us in China to read Billi’s up-to-date Global Green Tag product certification

An Ode to Reusable Cups, Mugs and Bottles

An Ode to Reusables

unisonhome.com

A favourite cup becomes more than just a way to drink. It can become a part of the furniture, a part of what makes a home or workplace comfortable and welcoming.

Some people love to decorate glasses, cups and mugs they use at home. Other people enjoy long lasting metal, glass or high density plastic drinking bottles, using them for everything from travelling to sport events. I remember making ceramic mugs in art class in high school. Some companies even design their own company cups complete with logos or even a playful message or design. When I worked at EF Education First a senior Production Manager once gifted the team with a personal mug with a photo of them on it. This was one of the most memorable Christmas gifts I have ever received.

image credits: ak6.picdn.net / cdn.sheknows.com / image.freepik.com / media.mnn.com

Whatever the design, size or color of the reusable mug, cup, bottle, or glass, they have many benefits. They not only help keep us hydrated with safe, healthy and refreshing water or give us pleasure through beverages like tea and coffee, they also can provide – the more personal the better – a sense of familiarity and feeling of home.

Reusable cups and bottles also can have substantial environmental benefits. Globally, people are increasingly aware and concerned about the impact of waste and pollution on the environment. This includes yet goes beyond Styrofoam or single use plastic cups, and beyond what we see in shops or littered along a river.

lifesolutions

With an estimated 8 trillion pieces of plastic dumped into the world’s oceans each year and about 91% of plastic not being recycled, the impacts of single use plastic, Styrofoam and paper cups is substantial. Yet, are reusable cups, mugs and bottles any better? After all, both create waste and air, water and landfill waste. Both can sometimes be made of non-renewable or energy intensive materials. For example, a 16 Oz paper cup takes about 33 grams of wood, over 4.1 g of petroleum, 1.8 g of chemicals, 650 BTUs of energy and half a pound of greenhouse gas emissions to produce.

Reusable cups, mugs and bottles reduce environmental footprint while continuing to provide users with what they need, such as clean water – yet only if they are used for a long period of time. According to a Lifecycle Assessment by Trinity Colleague, reusing a plastic mug more than 16 times and a ceramic mug more than 25 times creates environmental savings and less waste. After meeting the environmental ‘break-even’ point, further re-using of a cup or bottle – and avoidance of single-use cups – will generate environmental benefits.

According to Ecoffee, if 2 million people chose to reuse their cup just once a week it would save 104 million cups a year from landfill.Now, that is something worth drinking to!

For more insights and inspiration, follow us on social media.

A Workplace Evolution

Workplace Changes offer Opportunities to Design for the Future

i.pinimg.com

Many of you may still remember when offices used to be row upon row of desks, or when cubicles were popular in the 1980s and 1990s. In those days, health and safety, workplace comfort, environmental sustainability and thoughtful experience design were yet to be considered. Compared with the high quality, sustainable and human-centered designs of today, few people would want to return to those types of workplaces now.

We spend most of our adult life at work, so it makes sense to design spaces that are healthy, safe, and comfortable with low environmental footprint. These new design trends often include collaborative workspaces, or ensuring that pantry and kitchen areas are spacious, organized and fit-out to meet the needs of staff, customers, and other visitors. Whether the designs have been driven by innovating clients and designers, or demographic changes, the modern-day workplace can create value well beyond just ROI.

officemuseum.com / ctfassets.imgix.net / get.pxhere.com / i.pinimg.com

Pioneering companies and designers have the led the way in the evolution of the modern day office.

For over 10 years in mainland China, Life Solutions have been working with interior designers, architects, and project and facility managers to ensure that end users have what they need in their offices. We offer both traditional stand-alone and counter-top water filtration systems as well as innovative, excellent quality Billi taps for premium offices, hotels, hospitals, serviced apartments and private homes.

billi.com.au

We would be happy to speak with you about how we can help you to build the workplaces of tomorrow in China.