MORE BIG GREEN IDEAS!
The truth behind recycling
So now you know, do it!
What happens to our recycling? It’s mainly collected from our homes in two ways:
At the MRF, all the mixed recycling is sorted and separated into different types of materials by hand or machine (or both) before being sent to manufacturers who make it into new products. Once collected and sorted, recycled materials become valuable commodities in the worldwide market.
There are many recycling plants here, reprocessing million of tonnes of material every year. For example: all of the newsprint manufactured here in the UK is now made from 100% recycled paper; all of the organic (garden and kitchen) waste we collect is recycled here, usually quite close to where it is collected; and over 80% of the glass collected for recycling is used in the UK, the majority of it to make new glass bottles and jars.
There is an ever increasing range of high quality products that are made in the UK from recycled materials.
Countries such as China are prepared to pay high prices for recyclables such as waste plastic; mainly because they do not have readily available sources of virgin materials (no indigenous forests or oil supplies) and they have a large manufacturing industry that requires these products.
Even though exporting our recyclables means a bigger recycling loop because recyclable materials are transported further, it is still a better environmental option than using virgin, raw materials because: it minimises the need to use our natural resources such as oil; using recycled materials significantly reduces energy use and carbon emissions during the manufacturing process; the transport impacts are reduced because the materials are transported in container ships returning to China after bringing the goods to the UK; and it means those materials are not being landfilled.
Overall, though, recycling saves the UK 10 to 15 million tonnes of CO2 a year - the equivalent of taking three and a half million cars off the road.
Interesting facts:
Recycling a glass bottle instead of making a new one can save enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for almost an hour.
Recycling a tonne of card or paper can save 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The energy wasted when rubbish goes in your bin instead of to recycling could give you 500 baths, 3,500 showers or 5,000 hours of television.
If UK homes recycled everything, they could save 31 million tonnes of rubbish from going to landfill each year. That's the same weight as 3.5 million double-decker buses - enough to form a queue from London to Sydney and back.
In 2004, plastic bottle recycling saved enough energy to heat and light 1,700 homes
Recycling clothes saves more energy than recycling glass - it takes ten times more energy to make a tonne of textiles than it does a tonne of glass.
So that's a nutshell of why, where and how. So many people are now recycling - it's just about second nature to lots of us. But there are even more people who aren't being so green-minded. Encourage your neighbours and friends... There are some great websites to learn more about the 'ins and outs' of recycling. Click here to visit recyclenow. And start doing your bit!
Green fingers!
This is a green idea, through and through… enjoy life on your allotment
Cultivating an allotment provides numerous social, health, environmental and economic benefits, but getting hold of a plot is becoming increasingly difficult. The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) says applications have doubled in the last five years. Most councils have a waiting list, and around a third of applicants wait more than a year for a plot. In central London, waiting lists can be as long as 10 years. But good news for Hillingdon residents – allotments are available now!
Allotments can cost anywhere between £9 and over £100 a year to rent, and this may or may not include your water. But if you are renting from a local authority, it is your landlord's responsibility to at least provide access to a mains water supply, as well as to maintain hedges and gates and paths and hauling ways.
Why rent an allotment?
To enjoy the freshest, tastiest produce; to grow varieties of vegetables and fruit that are not obtainable in shops; to enjoy healthy outdoor exercise; to stimulate your brain - you're always learning; to be creative and have a sense of achievement; to make new friends with similar interests; to get away from everyday worries and stress.
How do I rent an allotment?
Simply contact your local authority. For residents of Hillingdon, contact the
Estates and Valuations Office at Hillingdon on 01895 250288
What facilities are available on the sites?
In Hillingdon, nearly all allotment sites have water tanks, some have toilets, a few have sheds and lockers and others have a communal building with a trading hut to purchase seeds and sundries.
How much will it cost?
The rent for an average-sized 5 sq rod (150 sq yds) plot is about £25.00; prices range from £9 to £40, depending on plot size and what facilities are available at the site. There are concessionary rates for people of pensionable age; those registered disabled, or medically retired; those registered unemployed; those people receiving Income Support.
Can my hobby be productive and profitable?
The cost of producing your own food is very low, compared to shop prices. You will have the added satisfaction of knowing that your crops will be fresh, full of vitamins and free from 'additives'. It has been estimated that an allotment, if cropped systematically will provide enough food for an average family for 9 months of the year.
Hints for new growers?
Plenty of books are available in libraries. Lots of expertise is available from other plot-holders, who are eager to share their knowledge. There are also several adult education courses available on the subject of gardening.
How much time will I need to spend on my allotment?
It all depends on you. You might need a couple of hours a week in Winter to prepare your plot. More time will be needed in early Spring to sow seed and plant seedlings. There will be weeding to do later and watering, so you may need 10-15 hours per week. Harvesting should take place from June through to December, especially if you have planned well to have a succession of crops and so avoid a glut. The choice is yours.
Will I need lots of tools and equipment?
No. To start with you will need at least a digging fork and a spade. Don't rush to buy lots of new tools. A hoe, a rake, a small fork and a trowel will be necessary, as well as a watering-can. A communal wheelbarrow may be available on site.
For more information on allotments, visit the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. Click here.
Two wheels are better than four!
This week’s green message is all about biking. We are so car reliant, yet with a little forward planning, getting on your bike to work shouldn’t be difficult. Our big green idea has been inspired by Jim Evans, senior project manager who regularly visits the site at Birchway. Based in Cobham, Surrey, Jim will often park up several miles away and complete his journey on his trusty foldaway cycle. He’s saving on fuel, saving time as he follows cycle routes and bypasses heavy traffic, and is feeling so much better as his fitness levels improve every trip. And more than all this, he’s saving the planet!
So this week’s tip is get out your bike and enjoy it. For publishing this week’s big idea, Jim has promised to buy himself a cycle helmet – an essential piece of kit which we would encourage all cyclists to wear on every journey they make.
If you are still to be convinced, here are a few more reasons:
Cycling is good for you...
Regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level equal to that of a person ten years younger. (Source: National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Foundation, Sharp)
Cycling at least twenty miles a week reduces the risk of heart disease to less than half that for non-cyclists who take no other exercise (Source: British Heart Foundation, Morris)
If one third of all short car journeys were made by bike, national heart disease rates would fall by between 5 and 10 percent.
During rush-hour, a bicycle is about twice as fast as a car - good if you hate traffic jams!
It’s good for your wallet…
Bicycles require no road tax, no MOT, no insurance, no licensing, no breakdown recovery services, and above all no fuel bills.
A good bicycle needs at most about £50-worth of maintenance a year - less if you do a bit yourself. How much does your car need?
A good bicycle will last for years, if not decades. How long did your previous car last?
A bicycle can be parked just about anywhere, so no more expensive car park bills.
And it’s good for our planet…
Twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space taken up by one car.
To make a bicycle requires only a fraction of the materials and energy needed to make a car.
Bicycles produce absolutely no pollution - they are a lot quieter too. When was the last time you saw a rusting, burnt-out bicycle?
Cars kill and maim thousands of people every year - bicycles don't.
Wood powered heating… a very eco-idea
Birchway’s new homes will be enjoy heating and hot water courtesy of a communal wood pellet-burning biomass boiler, situated centrally within the site. Whilst many may think that burning wood is an environmental disaster, think again! There are many good reasons for choosing this source of energy:
Wood pellets are a fantastic source of fuel. With prices of many other types of energy on the rise, pellets provide a natural, value for money and sustainable alternative.
Value for money - With increasing cost of gas and oil wood fuel can be a cheaper way to provide heating and hot water.
Little ash produced - Wood pellets burn very efficiently and produce very little ash; this can be composted and used in the garden.
Wood fuel is carbon neutral - CO2 absorbed by trees as they grow is released back into the atmosphere when they are burnt.
Security of supply - With oil and gas rising rapidly, locally produced pellets provide an ideal secure alternative.
Easy to handle & store - Wood pellets are compact and therefore can be efficiently stored and delivered to the boiler automatically.
Renewable – Wood is a renewable fuel which, if it comes from sustainably managed woodlands as ours does, will not run out.
Pellets are made from waste - Recycled from local wood waste, sawdust and wood shavings.
So where do we source the wood pellets? Importantly, they need to be local. Transporting them over vast distances would damage their carbon footprint, so we needed to track down a very local source – and we found the perfect source in the nearby Surrey Hills. When the new Birchway biomass boiler fires up, we hope to be using oak sawdust-based chips from Harvest Wood Fuels, a new organisation based in Farnham, Surrey. Located in one of the most heavily wooded parts within the South East, the Harvest Wood plant produces top quality wood fuel pellets, made from local sawmill residues and wood waste. This organisation will deliver fuel on a needs-basis, unloading each consignment directly into an underground storage facility, which feeds directly to the boiler. No action will be needed by the new residents of Birchway... replenishment will be automatic.
To learn more about this type of fuel, click here.
To learn more about domestic biomass boilers, click here.
Another great idea... the Energy Saving Trust. They are a non-profit organisation that provides free impartial advice tailored to suit you. Their advice can help you save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon emissions from your home. Sounds good? You can save on areas such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and draught proofing, along with heating and energy saving appliances. Be kind to your pocket, and to the environment... to learn more, click here.
Using rainwater for flushing toilets, washing clothes and watering the garden significantly lowers your own costs and goes a long way to protecting the environment.
Precious drinking water reservoirs can be safe-guarded, flooding can be reduced and lowering of ground-water levels can be avoided. In your own home, washing machines can last longer – soft rainwater leaves behind no calcium deposits. You will be able to save on washing powder and de-calcification products. You save money and the environment benefits with you.
So next time it rains, and we all watch the rain flushing down the already overflowing drains, consider harnessing its potential for a variety of needs within your household.
To find out about rainwater harvesting, we've found a great website with lots of ideas. Go to www.britisheco.com for a host of renewable energy concepts.
... and other facts and figures to save water
Why save water? – The figures
- A running tap uses 6 litres of water a minute, a shower can use anywhere between 9 – 45 litres per minute, a hosepipe uses as much as 1000 litres per minute.
Toilet flushing accounts for 30% of our daily water use – with old toilets using as much as 14 litres per flush compared to new dual flush models which use as little as 2.6 and 4 litres per flush
Fixing a dripping tap can save as much as 5000 litres a year – if everyone in the UK fixed their dripping taps we would save enough water to supply 120,000 for one day
How to save water? – The tips
There are numerous ways you can save water. You can purchase water efficient products and install them. This means you can fix and forget. You can install the product, and you don’t have to alter your behavior in anyway. However, there are also things that you can do for free which save water.
Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth – a running tap wastes 6 litres of water a minute. If everyone in the UK who currently leaves the tap running when they brush their teeth turned it off instead – we would save 446 million litres of water – enough water to supply 2.9 million people for one day – that’s the entire population of Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Sheffield (the UK’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th largest cities) for one whole day.
Don’t use your toilet as a dustbin – an unnecessary flush uses another cistern full of water. Put your face wipes, cotton wool balls in your dustbin rather than down the toilet. If everyone in the UK who currently uses their toilet as a dustbin, stopped doing this, we would save 27 million litres of water a week – that’s enough to supply the population of York or Portsmouth for one day.
Use the left over water from your night time drinks to water houseplants – this saves new water being poured into the plants and your drink being poured down the plughole.
Invest in a water butt and connect it to your drainpipe in your garden - this can then collect some of the 85,000 litres of rainfall that falls on your roof every year. This water can be used to water your garden, clean your car and wash your windows
Install a cistern displacement device in your toilet – these can be obtained free of charge from your water company and displaces water in your cistern so that the volume of water in your flush is reduced by between 1 – 3 litres. To see which displacement device you should get please look at our toilet flushing page. Please note, that you do not need a cistern displacement device if you have a dual flush toilet.
This water saving information is provided courtesy of Waterwise: Waterwise is a UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK by 2010 and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency. They are the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK. Waterwise is an independent, not for profit organisation that receives funding from the UK water industry and from sponsorship and consultancy work. In England, they sit on the Environment Minister’s Water Saving Group alongside the water industry and regulators.
To find out more, go to www.waterwise.org.uk
Save Energy, Cut Carbon, Save Cash!
We've found this week's great list from BigGreenSwitch.co.uk
Oh dear... we are amongst the most energy wasteful people in- Don't leave appliances on standby
- Keep your fridge and freezer full
- Only boil as much water as you need
- Turn your thermostat down by 1oC
- Wash your laundry at lower temperatures
- Switch off lights when a room is not in use
- Use the washing line instead of the tumble dryer
- Unplug chargers and power supplies when not in use
- Shower instead of bathing
- Only use the washing machine when you have a full load to wash
- Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running at top performance
If we can do just a number of the above, it will make a big difference! Many of the ideas above you'll see in Birchway's Green Charter. More information to follow soon.
How do you measure up with your carbon footprint?
In a week where the UK has experienced unbelievable weather (just how cold have you been?) the debate about climate change is very much live again! The doubters once more are questioning the existence of planet Earth warming up and as we all slipped and slided to work, you can muster up a degree of sympathy with them. However, climate change is here and we do need to change the way we live to counter this global challenge.
This week, we are not posting another top green living idea. We are, instead, asking you to measure your own carbon footprint. Whilst it's easy to blame industry, airlines, or fields of grazing cows, why don't you measure how much carbon you are pumping into the atmosphere?The results could be quite sobering. Thanks to our friends at BT, go to their carbon footprint calculator and learn more about your own carbon emissions. Click here to found out more.
An interesting look at your home's appliances...
Domestic appliances currently consume around 25% of the UK's electricity, and choosing more energy-efficient appliances is one easy way to be more environmentally friendly. Don’t dash straight out and replace all your existing appliances with A, A+ or even A++ models. Firstly, that would be very expensive and secondly, discarding a perfectly serviceable appliance and replacing it with a newly manufactured alternative would likely have created more emissions and environmental impact in its manufacture and transport than would be saved in the operation of the new more efficient model. Our objective is to help inform your decision when you decide to replace an appliance.
By law all refrigeration, laundry, dishwasher and electric oven appliances must carry an energy label, rating the machines from A to G for energy efficiency. In the case of refrigeration, the technology has improved very rapidly and A+ and A++ are now increasingly available, but for all appliances there are other factors that should be taken into consideration alongside the energy rating:
The manufacturing process: Not all manufacturers are equal when it comes to their attention to minimising energy consumption, wastage and resource conservation and maximizing opportunities to recycle. Gorenje have recently won European awards for their environmental performance, whilst the Indesit Group, Liebherr and Miele are also noted for their 'green production facilities and efforts to reduce their environmental impact. Sharp electronics are also award-winning pioneers amongst LCD TV manufacturers with their 'Super Green Factories' and use of recycled materials.
The products’ route-to-market: The distance a washing machine or dishwasher has to travel from its place of manufacture to you as the eventual customer can generate a considerable amount of damaging greenhouse gas emissions. This, is of course, will depend to some extent of the method of transport, but in most cases appliances do not travel by air, so broadly it is safe to assume the further that appliance has to travel the greater the emissions. With this in mind, appliances manufactured in British or European factories are likely to make a more environmentally friendly choice for British customers than those coming from further a field. Another way of reducing transport related emissions is to look for 'direct-from-manufacturer' shipping which avoids the unnecessary movement of appliances from and between the retailer, central warehousing and distribution hubs.
The quality and lifespan of a product: Taken over its lifecycle, an A+ rated machine that lasts 10-15 years will be considerably more environmentally friendly than an A+ rated machine that only lasts 2-3 years, as the later will need to be manufactured five times (with all the associated eco-costs) to provide the same service. A good indicator of the manufacturers’ confidence in the quality of their product is the length of standard warranty. It is usually worth investigating the manufacturers’ reputation for quality and choosing the highest your budget will allow - it will not only be better for the environment, but will almost certainly end up saving you money in the long run.
Tips for eco-friendly computing
The average PC takes 1.8 tonnes of chemicals, fossil fuel and water to manufacture and causes the emission of 100 kg carbon dioxide each year, but most of us simply couldn't live without one. Unfortunately, computers are becoming more power-hungry as we expect them to perform increasingly complex tasks for us.
Power drain
Desktop PCs that are plugged in all day are especially power-hungry. Unless you flick the switch on the wall or take the plug out of the wall a PC that is apparently turned off will still be using power. If you leave your computer monitor on all night you'll waste enough energy to microwave six dinners. A PC left running 24 hours per day would use £59 worth of electricity over a 12-month period and create 716 kg of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
Small is beautiful
Laptops need to be as energy-efficient as possible so that they can go anywhere. The processors are designed to run on less power, the screens use as little energy as possible, all of which adds up to significant energy savings compared to a desktop PC.
Energy-saving tips
Unplug your PC when not in use, and don't forget the scanner, monitor, printer, broadband box and audio speakers all need turning off too. Use your computer's energy-saving mode: you should be able to turn the brightness of the screen down, or set it to turn off if you haven't used it for 5-10 minutes.
Information provided by Friends of the Earth.
Save Money, Save Energy, Act on CO2
There’s no better place to start reducing the size of your carbon footprint, and your domestic bills, than in the home. A few simple, cost effective changes will dramatically reduce the amount of energy you use heating your home and water. That means fewer carbon emissions and more money in your pocket.
You can now get help to save up to £300 every year on your energy bills, thanks to a new energy saving package announced by the government and energy companies. Pensioners or those from low income households may also be eligible for free improvements to their homes, such as insulation, along with other support.
You can now get help to save on energy bills
Every household can now get at least 50 per cent off loft and cavity wall insulation. A range of other energy saving devices like low energy light bulbs, real time displays and energy saver plugs are also available. Taking up these measures could help you save up to £300 every year on your energy bills. You can access these energy saving measures through energy suppliers. To find out more, contact the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012.
Help if you are a pensioner or from a low income household
Cold Weather Payment Pensioners and people in low income households may need more support with their energy bills. If you are in either of these groups, you may be eligible for some of the measures below:
Free energy efficiency improvements
11 million of the most vulnerable homes qualify for free improvements such as loft or cavity wall insulation. The Warm Front scheme offers up to £2,700 worth of central heating and energy efficiency measures to low income and pensioner households. As a result of this new package, around 40,000 extra households will see their fuel bills reduce.
Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments
Cold Weather Payments will be tripled for vulnerable households this winter from £8.50 to £25 a week. Steps have already been put in place to make sure households with someone over 60 will receive an extra £50 on their Winter Fuel Payment (up from £200 to £250), with an extra £100 for over-80s households (up from £300 to £400).
Face-to-face energy saving advice
As part of a new Community Energy Saving Programme, local councils, voluntary organisations and energy companies will carry out house-to-house calls to offer help in some of the most deprived areas of the UK. This could result in as many as 100 community schemes across the country.
Social tariffs
Energy suppliers now offer lower “social tariffs” to their most vulnerable customers and are planning to bring the number of these discounted accounts to around 600,000 by the end of the year. The discounts can be worth £200 - £250 a year. For more information, contact your energy supplier.
For more information, go to ActonCO2.
About ACT ON CO2
ACT ON CO2 is a cross-government initiative, currently involving the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It aims to help people save money and reduce their CO2 emissions by encouraging them to use less energy.
Smarter Driving
This week, we've left the house and gone motoring... Drivers should follow the tips below to save money and reducing a car's impact on the environment:
Less clutter in your car means less CO2: Clutter in your boot is extra weight your engine has to carry around. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload. This will burn less fuel and cut your CO2 emissions, so unload any items you won't need for your journey before you set out.
Accessories: Eg. roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
Plan ahead: Anticipate road conditions: drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration or heavy braking. This saves fuel & reduces accident rates. Plan journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.
Pump up to cut down: Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly and also before long journeys. This will also help to increase the life of your tyres.
Tyre pressure: Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe, so check your car manual for the correct tyre pressure. Remember, a car with a heavier load may need different air pressure in the tyres. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
Speed: Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2. Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds which may be driven in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver safety. It also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on your petrol costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9 per cent more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph.
Less stopping and starting means less CO2: Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.
Check your revs: Over revving accelerates emissions. Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs. If you drive a diesel car, try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car, change up at 2500rpm.
Idling is wasting fuel: When the engine is idling you're wasting fuel, adding to CO2 emissions. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, switch off the engine. Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
Adapt your habits: Avoid short journeys when possible - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective. Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
© 2010 Paradigm Housing, 1 Glory Park Avenue, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire HP10 0DF