Bottle Out

When I was in Berlin about five years ago with my sister, we were surprised to find that nearly all of the beers and lagers sold in supermarkets were in plastic bottles. Was this a response to on street waste? I've no idea to be fair, the areas we frequented were ridiculously well kept, but that could have been down to all number of things. However, we noted at the time how much safer plastic would be at things like festivals and open air events. 

And it seems that way of thinking is starting to infiltrate the NI consciousness. Bottle Out is an initiative in the Holylands and wider Belfast area to raise awareness about and to reduce the number of broken glass bottles in communities and on the streets. This pilot programme in Belfast aims to engage all concerned, including the local council, our local hospitals, the PSNI, vintners & breweries and students, to look at alternatives to glass bottles. Trish Morgan from the City Church heads up the campaign, which takes into account the social and natural environmental factors involved, stating: 

"Its a fine line asking for breweries to consider alternative packaging one of the reasons is about safety which could be at odds with environment as that would currently be plastic pcts. My issue is the brewreries are not showing any interest to change due to cost factor! So by drawing down proven data from A&E at The Royal belfast Im hoping stats will get government on board to help break the current impasse." 

Recent advances in PET technology means that the plastic bottles available today are a vast improvement on those common in the late 1990s, when they were promoted, though not especially popular, on the European and Australasian music festival scene; they now afford a much longer shelf life to the beer (around 6 months) and are far easier to recycle. You still don't really see this in the UK/ROI though, despite the fact that they are common for soft drinks. The debate between glass and plastic is one that divides a lot of environmentally conscious people. Plastic obviously has the advantage of not being so easily broken, reducing its hazard potential to children, animals and sanitation workers, as well as other individuals in cases where bottles are used as weapons. It also has the potential to be recycled into more products than glass, which is limited mostly to other glass products and insulation materials. But it would be wrong to assume that plastic is always a viable environmental alternative to glass. It's not. It still uses a lot of chemicals in production and deteriorates in quality after multiple recycling processes. So perhaps the answer lies in encouraging re-usable options for glass - keeping the bottles off the streets and helping the environment along the way. I've always thought that a joint producer and consumer responsibility action plan is needed. If producers and retailers were to offer incentives for the return of glass bottles, would that encourage your average hard up student to return them? For example, a loyalty card could be topped up on the return of bottles to the local off licence or supermarket, with credit offset against the price of the bottle to the manufacturer. Obviously this wouldn't be much per bottle, but when returned in bulk and credit built up, it could shave a few pound off a carry out once in a while (and not enough to be accused of encouraging irresponsible drinking).

But as ever, the elephant in the room is always going to be the ongoing social issues in the Holy Lands that need to be addressed. I lived in the Holy Lands off and on in the early 2000s. I have to admit that we had the tendency to be right bastards when we wanted to. Trouble is, the Holy Lands is widely regarded as a mid week doss point for so many people - home is still a bus journey away, where one takes laundry and goes to vote. As a result there's a reduced need to take pride in the area (though I must stress that this is not across the board and plenty of students who live in the Holy Lands are just trying to enjoy university life and keep their heads down). It's not helped that in recent years the area was exploited by careless development - while it may be better now, when I lived there the sanitation provisions were woefully inadequate, with not nearly enough bins for the number of people crammed into the converted houses, meaning that rubbish build up and rats was a big issue. There would be periods during the summer when areas would be ignored by rubbish collectors, while bins were set on fire and the paltry Kerbie box for recycling was not nearly enough (nor was it likely to stay put/in one piece). QUB and Jordanstown Students Union representatives work with community groups to try and reduce the impact and conflict during heavy drinking periods such as St Paddy's day and Halloween, and there have been some improvements, but there is still a long way to go. 

I'll not pretend to have all the answers in this respect, or even do the issue a disservice by trying to skim over ideas in this article, but if you have an interest in helping out in the area over the upcoming St Patrick's Day celebrations you can contact Trish at Bottle Out at trish@citychurchbelfast.org, or either of the student's unions: 

QUB: su.vpwelfare@qub.ac.uk

UU: su.edwel@uusu.org

Bottle Out Facebook Page

Just a Little Green...

Well, Christmas done and dusted, New Year out of the way, time to get back on the old posting horse. And what better way to start January, the month traditionally associated with fresh starts, detox, resolutions and revised healthy eating, than to take a look at the Little Green Allotments in Lisburn.

These private allotments, located on the top of Whitemountain (three miles out of Lisburn itself) make the most of organic soil, great views and a thriving local flora and fauna, and are ideal for individuals looking to grown their own and even voluntary groups and clubs, with plots and packages ranging from standard size: 20 ft x 30 ft £280/pa, larger plot size: 20ft x 40 ft £300/pa and corporate packages/voluntary sector packages. If you've ever fancied getting in on the allotment malarkey, but are exhausted by the wait for local authority plots, then the cost can be reduced by clubbing in with a few friends.

Little Green will also be starting up their Food and Craft Market from February to October this year and are currently looking for traders to take up stalls. This indoor and outdoor market is looking for people who can bring unique, fun, quirky and delicious stalls to market, at a cost of £15 per table. It starts on Saturday 4th February (10am to 1pm) and anyone interested in getting involved in the first one, should get in touch by 28th January. Each monthly market will also have a theme, so if your talent or craft relates to any of those listed below, you can make a point of getting in touch. 

FEB: Valentines Saturday 4th 2012

MAR: Mothers Day Saturday 3rd 2012

APR: Easter Saturday 7th 2012

MAY: Europe Saturday 5th 2012 

JUN: Fathers Day Saturday 2nd 2012 

JUL: Independence Day Saturday 7th 2012 

AUG: National Relaxation Day Saturday 4th 2012 

SEP: Comic book Day Saturday 1st 2012 

(October's Halloween date TBC)

Places are filling up fast and a short online booking form is available on request by contacting Grainne Philips woi555@yahoo.co.uk/07867568976 and for more information, as a trader, grower or potential market goer, check out the Little Green website and Facebook pages below. The market is free entry.

http://thelittlegreenallotments.com/

Facebook

I'm Dreaming of Vintage Christmas

I haven't been able to get on ebay for the past couple of weeks; neither my home computer running on Firefox or my netbook on Chrome have been able to find the .co.uk or .com versions, so when I started looking for vintage clothing ideas for a Christmas outfit, I've really had to expand my horizons beyond the default setting. Is anyone else having this problem or is it just me? It's a shame it also means that I can't link to Belfast staple Rusty Zip who sell online goods via ebay.

I'm by no means a fashionista. I like clothes and love fashion as an art, but I don't have the money or the inclination to shop regularly, and more often than not when I do I go for something second hand or nicked from my sister.

50's Red and Blue Check Dress 

 rockit.co.uk

But here's a few outfits I've spotted that I thought I'd share. These are authentic vintage rather than inspired by classic designs, meaning that for the most part they'll be unique and looking for a second life.

I've also a few tips for making the most of second hand and older items of clothing that might come in useful.

Smells and Odours: First up if the clothing you've bought comes with a stale moth ball odour, do not immediately reach for the spray-on fabric freshener. Older and more delicate fabrics are unlikely to take kindly to this, with staining and even damage in some cases. Obviously wash according to instruction if you wish, but in terms of adding a little extra scent, rely on good old fashioned dried flowers and pot pouire. A bag of tied scented foliage is good for drawers, but can also be left in a bowl at the bottom of the wardrobe. Failing that a magic tree car air freshener isn't a bad idea either and can be hung.

Casual Jumper   beyondretro.co.uk

Repairing Minor Damage: If shopping in store and you notice damage on an item of clothing, bring it to the attention of the sales person and you are more than likely to get a few quid of the item if you are prepared to repair. Basic skills like patching and darning are essential and if you don't know how to, you can check out videos on YouTube or ask a friend of relative who can to teach you. My personal tip for invisible, neat and lasting stitching would be to make sure you are using the right kind of needle and thread. Have a collection of various shades and colors, but also make sure that they suit the fabric you are repairing. If you are not sure what goes with what, ask someone at your local craft shop or haberdashery; I've always found them to be invaluable when it comes to inside knowledge. Also, invest in tube of fabric glue for any last minute solutions to loose beas, sequins etc, they can always be repaired properly later and it never hurts to have an old button stash somewhere in your home.

Reworked Men's Italian Jacket devoted2vintage.co.uk

Cleaning atnd Storage: This is a prime means of making sure all clothes, but especially older items, last longer and in good condition. Excess washing can make fabric breakdown, so only wash if you need to (this saves energy too). If something has a mark or stain on it, but is otherwise good for a few more wears, then attend to the stain only. What you use of course pertains to the fabric in question and you can get plenty of recommended stain pens by checking online, but a sponge and some water is often all you need for every day marks. You can also buy in a lint roller for dust and hairs, but remember a few strips of sticky tape can be just as effective. Clean your shoes regularly by hand though -  letting all kinds a shite build up just makes then harder to do later, and it can cover up small scuffs and holes so they aren't immediately noticeable, thus giving them time to develop into something more serious. If shiny finish shoes develop stubborn black scrape marks, these can normally be fixed with a little nail varnish remover on a cotton bud.
When it comes to storage, hang up clothes that are meant to hang and fold clothes tht are meant to fold. It's simple enough but it means that many clothes retain their natural shape. For more tips on making clothes last longer, I'd recommend checking out this article on the Wise Bread site.

Revamp: Finally, if you're looking for something special for a Christmas party, but can't see anything exactly right, then consider putting revamp skills to use. Adding a few bits and pieces to an existing item can turn it into something completely new. Gok Wan's Roadshow has been doing great things in showing people how to do simply upgrades on clothes and accessories. Even if you're not a fan of make-over shows, I suggest checking them out on 4OD for some handy tips. And if you are local to NI, keep an eye out on the Rethink, Revamp and Restyle Workshops for classes

Pear Tree Christmas Apron
stardustonline.co.uk

School Fair Bargains

So it was the Bethster's School Christmas Fair yesterday and we headed down to try and grab a few bargains. I was in luck, picking up several Doctor Who books and toys for the wee man's Christmas Box (thanks to my eagle eyed sister), a few children's books and toys, such as this 1980s Keypers Snail (I had one of these as little girl, so couldn't resist the nostalgia trip) and a wooden latches puzzle that the Shugmeister has not stopped playing with.

I've blogged before about passing on used toys and clothing rather than sending to landfill and school fairs are a great place to send your stuff, and if you're lucky, pick up some vintage toys of your own. But of course giving to charity is important at this time of year too, therefore I'm copying and pasting this post from the Nice to be Nice blog about the Day of Donation on behalf of the Simon Community:

"So it's December now, a time when most people will be getting ready to welcome a load of new stuff into their house. But what about the old stuff? Well, as it's probably a bit late for a Nice to be Nice fundraising event, I'm suggesting that Nice to be Nice members make a donation to one of the Simon Community Shops in Belfast, Newtownards, Ballynahinch or Bangor, on or around Donation Day: Thursday15th December. It's easy enough, gather up a few items that you no longer need or will be upgrading soon, and the Simon Community will pick them up from you. It really couldn't be simpler. If you'd like us to arrange a pick up for you, then simply get in touch in the comments section or via the Facebook event page here. Alternatively call 028 90 232 882 to arrange a pick up time that suits you.

This month will really started to see the cold weather hit, and thoughts start to go out to those who don't have the same comforts that the vast majority of us do. I know times are still hard for a few people, but even a donation of a few simple items can make a difference.

Or how about donating your time for a few hours in December? The Simon Community are always looking for volunteers and have a number of events lined up. Call the same number above or vistit the Simon Community website. http://www.simoncommunity.org/fundraising/volunteer/

Real Men Carry Plastic Bags? Observations from the retail front line.

I’ve been working in a convenience store for the past couple of months. It’s one of those familiar, country wide franchises; bigger than a newsagents but smaller than a supermarket, located in a suburban residential area with a mixed clientele in terms of age, gender and social background. A few weeks ago I was listening to Frank Mitchel on the radio talking about the proposed bag tax that is in the pipe line here in NI that follows in the wake of similar schemes in Wales and ROI. It was a very one sided feature, with a representative from a retail association talking about the unfairness of such a tax, the extra admin it would require and speculation about the possible charge (15p some say). What struck me was that the focus from the retail rep was not the alternatives that such a tax would probably offer such as bags for life, cardboard boxes etc, but that he was working on the assumption that everyone would be robbed blind by having no other alternative than to buy a bag or two every time they visit a shop. Thankfully there was some counter balance provided by one or two callers who praised their own bags for life, and I’m pleased to say that there are more than a few customers that already do so in my work.

However (and these are just observations rather than official study I hasten to add), I’ve noticed some definite trends when it comes to plastic bag usage. 

• Women are far more likely to bring their own bag for shopping than men. Either using their hand bag for odd items or having a shopping bag of their own. I’d say roughly about ten times more women do this than men. Though women are more likely to ask for things like detergent to be double bagged or bagged separately to the rest of their shopping.
• Men are more likely to ask for a bag, with men aged between 35-65 almost twice as likely than any other customer demographic, to ask for a bag for small, easily carried items such as a can of coke, newspapers and packets of crisps.
• Younger customers, under the age of 35, are less likely to take a smaller plastic bag for loose fruit and veg.
• By far the most likely to refuse a bag, and even pre-emptively state that they do not need a bag, are school children, aged from 10-18. They’ll either stuff their purchases into already bulging school bags or carry it with them.
• Bag usage for easily carried items increases if it is raining, even if these items are unlikely to be damaged in the rain.
• People on the whole are far more likely to consider their shopping, and ultimately refuse a bag, if you ask ‘Do you need a bag?’ rather than ‘Would you like a bag?’. 

So what have I gathered from this far from scientific study? Well first up, kudos to the kids, clearly environmental education in schools is making an impact. Secondly, there needs to be a drive to increase the number of men using their own shopping bags, particularly in the older age groups. Perhaps the image of a shopping bag is still that of a somewhat effeminate accessory (admittedly, the vast majority of designs are tailored towards traditional female patterns and colours), or perhaps women are still the principal shoppers in most families and as a result are better prepared? As to why men between 35-65 are more to likely ask for a bag for easily carried items, well that one stumps me and I'm resisting the urge to brand then lazy feckers. As this tends to happen more in an older age group, it might have something to do with a tradition of expecting a bag - 'shops have always provided them, so why shouldn't I take one?' and the associated resistance to change that comes with that attitude.

Probably what I've gathered most from my retail experience though, is that for reduction to be the key factor in how NI deals with the plastic bag levy (something that seems to be largely ignored in the endless debates about revenue and admin costs), there needs to be an effort to make people openly question whether they need or want a bag, and this has to be directed at the people who have enjoyed the luxury of an endless supply of plastic bags for the majority of their lives.

The observations noted cover the customer base in our shop; people who both walk and drive to the shop, all ages and from outward appearance appear to have no physical disability that would mean that they can't carry single or light items. 

Image: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Deck the Halls

Well first up, sincere apologies for the dip in posting. I had some security issues in November that interfered with my gmail and blogger, but they appear to be rectified now. Also, apologies to anyone who may have been trying to contact me about articles, ads and guest posts; emails regarding these things were more than likely affected too.

I've a few articles lined up over the next few weeks on the usual mix of EcoLife topics, but seeing as we're in the last week of November and people are starting to get that little bit Christmassy, I just thought I'd share a few of my current favourite Christmas decorations and supplies sites.

First up is Mrs Christmas. This amazing online store is a distributor of high quality baubles and decorations made by traditional methods in Germany and Poland. As well as featuring some really unique designs, they also stock retro look decorations that will have you rushing back to your childhood and welcoming ghosts of Christmas pasts to your door. They don't come cheap mind you (some of the more intricate hand blown gift set can cost upwards of £60), but they are the kind of long term investment that you can use time and again and pass down through the generations.

For something a little more modern and funky, then you certainly can't go wrong with the series of recycled tree ornaments from Nigel's Eco Store. Made from various bits and pieces  including old CDs and circuit boards, they prove that recycled doesn't have to exclude style, nor does it have to cost a small fortune, with most costing around £3. Even if you're not looking to top up your tree this year, I still suggest checking out the page as it's chocked with eco friendly ideas for gifts as well.


And of course, to save on the carbon footprint of mail ordering or shopping, you can always make your own decorations, with a little bit of help from the little people if you have them (that's children by the way, not elves). Youtube is a great place to get step by step instructions, like the one below, which should mean even those who don't consider themselves all that artistic can still give it a go.

Green your Halloween

Tips and advice on how to green up your Halloween from Whole Earth Packaging, suppliers of sustainable and renewable products.

There are many things to do before Halloween arrives, such as buying candy for trick-or-treaters, decorating the house and planning your costume. As you prepare, make sure you take the time to be friendly to the environment. There are many ways you can be eco-friendly during the Halloween season.

• Save on the garbage from candy wrappers and make homemade treats for trick-or-treaters. You can make simple chocolate chip cookies, or buy cookie cutters and make Halloween shaped cookies. Serve apple cider with the cookies for a treat they’ll remember for years to come. Pass out these memorable treats on environmentally friendly napkins and serve the cider in environmentally friendly cups.
• Halloween decorations don’t always have to be scary. Place pumpkins, gourds and bales of hay around your porch and the inside of your house. These decorations are compostable and safer for our environment.
• If you want creepy Halloween decorations, make sure you save them to use for next year. There’s no point in throwing out perfectly good decorations!
• Instead of turning on the porch lights to welcome trick-or-treaters, light the way with candles burning in tiny bags, or using carved pumpkins.
• Craft your Halloween costume out of something you have at home, or buy one from a second hand shop.

Whole Earth Packing has a variety of environmentally friendly products that can help you celebrate while staying green this Halloween. You can see all of our great eco-friendly products at WholeEarthPackaging.com. 

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Musical Food (organic, get it..?...I'll get me coat)

Root and Branch Organic is a means of bringing fresh, local and organic produce to people in Northern Ireland. Working with key organic farms across NI (Helen’s Bay Organic Gardens, Orchard Organics, Roy Lyttle, Farmlay Eggs and Hamilton Kee) Root and Branch works under the three principals of community, earth and wellbeing; supporting a sustainable, low carbon approach to food production.

Boxes of seasonal fruit, vegetables and eggs varying in size and price (including soup boxes and boxes designed especially for babies and infants) can be purchased online and delivered, but in keeping with the low carbon pledge, customers are offered a discount if they can pick up from collection hubs close to places they would frequently visit anyway, such as the farm shop in Helen’s Bay or Hedonist Hair and St George’s Market in Belfast.

And for those who are in the area this weekend, the Root and Branch Harvest Festival will be taking place this Saturday at Helen’s Bay Organic Gardens, featuring family yoga (thanks to the excellent Flow studio in Belfast) and live music in the afternoon, and Pot Luck organic dinner and Pumpkin Carving in the evening. Doubled up with the following day's conservation event in the Ormeau Park, it's a perfect green way to spend the weekend. For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

I’d also recommend checking out their excellent website for more information on produce, deliveries and a blog sharing recipes, nutritional and lifestyle advice. In the meantime, enjoy this Eilis Philips music video filmed in the grounds of the organic garden, from the Root and Branch YouTube channel.

http://www.rootandbranchorganic.com/

Stained Glass Window Hangings

Here’s a great DIY decoration that you can make with the kids, courtesy of my husband. It’s suitable as both a Halloween decoration and a Christmas one if you make a few simple adjustments. I suggest adding a black paper crescent moon and black stars to the wool of the Halloween one, and replacing them with a big gold star for the Christmas version.

You’ll need a glue stick, some wool, some clear plastic document wallets (try to go for spoiled or ripped ones rather than new, as that way they’ll be getting a second life) and a selection of transparent coloured sweet wrappers like the ones you get from boiled sweets, Quality Street and Roses.

Draw and cut out a six circles from your plastic wallets. You can vary in size and even shape if you like. On three of the circles stick down shards of cut up sweet wrappers to resemble stained glass or Kaleidoscope  patterns, then stick down the remaining three discs, one onto each, sandwiching the stained glass patterns between the two circles. Make sure the discs are firmly stuck together before moving onto the next step.

Then use a hole punch to make small holes in the discs. You will be arranging them so they hang down together in a cascade, so whatever disc you plan to have at the top of the cascade needs to have one hole at the top and two more at the bottom, like this:

Finally thread some wool through the holes, linking the discs together and hanging as desired from a window, doorway or fire place. You don’t have to stick to the circle shape and can of course use templates and shapes to mark a certain occasion, ditto for the colours of the sweet paper (you don’t necessarily have to use transparent paper or plastic either, this design with work with others textures, though the light shining through does make them look extra special). For Halloween why not get your child to draw around their hands and feet to make ghost and monster body shapes that can be decorated as you choose, and make use of craft box staples such as glitter and googly eyes.

And remember to save all of this season’s sweet wrappers for use next year.

Handymen, Austen and lots of cat's piss

Last winter’s heavy December snow meant that my in-laws held off sending over Christmas presents at the usual time, so it was a nice summer treat to pick them up when we were across the water for a visit a couple of months back. As well as the wee man being spoilt rotten as usual, I got a couple of house and home books dedicated to longevity and making the most of traditional methods and techniques, the highlights of which I’ll share with you today.

First up is Make It Last: 1000 Ingenious Ways to Extend the Life of Everything You Own. Written by Earl Proulx and the editors of Yankee Magazine, it is a comprehensive reference guide to ensuring that what you buy, salvage or make is long lasting and less likely to be heading to land fill before its time. Conveniently separated into 11 sections, covering Kitchen & Household, Fabrics & Clothing, Land & Garden and Cars and Motor Vehicles to name but a few, the book is well written ‘how to’ guide, complete with plenty of instructional illustrations so that even someone with a very basic knowledge of DIY can try the vast majority of the practices detailed. Proulx, a handyman with 65 years of experience shares a wealth of knowledge and insight, and the book comes with a selection of first-hand accounts and recollections, giving the whole thing a personal touch. Some elements, such as how to repair and secure roofing, are perhaps for the more adventurous, and the book has a distinct New England feel to it, meaning that not everything in it will apply to everyone everywhere (not to mention requiring a little bit of conversion knowledge for us metric folk). It was also written in 1996, meaning that some elements, such as advice on VCRs are dated. That said though, it is well worth keeping the book to hand and has the potential to be one of those publications that are passed down from generation to generation, as you never know what your childrens’ children might be in need of.

Top Tips:

• When repairing furniture with glue, mix a little sawdust with the glue to make it stronger. 
• Add uncooked rice to a salt cellar to prevent the salt from forming lumps. 
• Human hair (either your own if you’re a home cutter, or from a salon if you’re bold enough to ask for it) is a great addition to a compost heap, pre-mulched ground and in planting holes for fruit trees, as it builds up nitrogen levels in the soil.

Next, Illustrated Wise Words and Country Ways by Ruth Binney. If Make It Last is the more rustic of the two, then Wise Words is the more gentile. Think Jane Austin meets Mrs Beeton over tea and scones on a chintz chaise longue nestled in a candy floss cloud in the sky and you’re about half way to comprehending just how twee this book is. That’s not to say it isn’t very good, on the contrary, it’s a lovely read, but it is perhaps more concerned with history and culture behind the practices as much as the practices themselves and is a lot lighter in terms of practical usefulness than the other book. Of the tips included, there were more than few that I’d consider to be common knowledge, but in most cases you also get a snippet of information as to origins and history (much of which I’m sure will come in handy in a pub quiz situation one day), so instead of a ‘how to’ guide, Wise Words is really more of a record of traditional folk law and method. The best feature is definitely the intricate teal coloured drawings that decorate near enough every page and coupled with the easy reading style it makes this book the perfect coffee table companion.

Top Tips

• Diluted cat urine makes a great slug repellent. Yes, I don’t know how they discovered that ether, or how one goes about getting cat piss into a receptacle to dilute in the first place, but I challenge you to find out.
• Bagging and freezing expensive items of clothing for 10 days will help make them moth proof. Unfortunately nothing accept maybe Godzilla will make them Mothra proof.

Fairtrade Awards 2011

Belfast City Council are currently searching for the best people, businesses, dining establishments and employers who have done the most to promote and advance the spirit and ethos of the Fairtrade concept over the past year.

Nominations are now open, and you can recommend the following in the Belfast City Council Electoral area:

• Best Fairtrade independent retailer
• Best Fairtrade supermarket
• Best Fairtrade café
• Best Fairtrade employer
• Best Fairtrade bar or restaurant
• Outstanding individual contribution to Fairtrade

The closing date is 31st August, and you can nominate online at http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/AF/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=mqYgvZjZn4H

Sustainable Picnic

So the summer solstice is almost upon us (you remember summer don't you, the legendary forth season we used to have in Norn Iron, believed to involve sunlight and entire half hours without heavy downpours). Well anyway, if you're looking for a way to mark the occasion, hoof it on over to the grounds of Stormont Castle where Baglady productions will be holding A Sustainably As Possible picnic on the hill, from 12-3pm. For more information and poor weather contingency plans, visit the Baglady website or Facebook page.

If you haven't heard of Baglady or the ASAP possible campaign, then here's a brief outline. Working with schools to promote and educate on ideas for sustainability, and with governments to discuss and lobby for environmental issues, Baglady Productions also make films and organise workshops around Northern Ireland, with emphasis on what we can do to make our daily lives have less of a detrimental impact on the environment. The As Sustainably As Possible (ASAP) pledge campaign encourages people to sign up and agree to give up one unsustainable practice, whilst taking up another beneficial one, with pledges designed for both adults and children.

http://www.bagladyproductions.org/asap-world/pledge/

I've written about ideas for environmentally friendly picnics before here, but if anyone has any other tips, please add them to the comments section. Tomorrow I'll be doing a special feature on picnic friendly food, but in the meantime here's a Baglady Production video about the urgency of the sustainable message.

Airtricity for the home

Well after what seems like years of faffing about, deregulation for home electricity supplies in Northern Ireland has finally started to get off the ground, meaning that residents can now benefit from more choice in how we power our homes. For me it's meant that I have finally been able to switch to Airtricty, the wind turbine company that I was so impressed with when working on business properties and have been itching to get sorted on a domestic basis.

In many ways the launch of alternative power supplies in the home has been quite muted. It was only when a sales rep came to my door that I realised that this was now possible in my area, after years of being told that it would happen soon, so I thought I'd give them a wee shout out here for anyone who wants information on greener technologies.

Wind energy can still be a divisive subject, for those who question the extent it can meet our overall needs and for those people who simply don't like the look of them big 'ol turbines, but in many cases it can save money (up to £149 in some cases) and as it can be adapted to existing systems (NIE still own all the in house meters and delivery systems) it is a fairly straight forward process.

Along with sister company SSE, Airtricty has a total of over 800MW of onshore and offshore wind farm capacity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in construction or with consent for development. They also offer a yearly Community Fund, intended to support community projects in the locality of our wind farms, presenting £12,000 in March this year to  groups in the locality of the Bin Mountain and Tappaghan Wind Farms.


Obviously no one is under any pressure or obligation to change their suppliers, but its nice to know that the option is now there and if you'd like to find out more call Brian on 07837853573 or check out the Airtricty website http://www.airtricity.ie/uk/home 

Big Lunch Weekend

In 2009 the Eden Project started the Big Lunch, a national event aimed at getting as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. This year, due to a change in date, Northern Ireland is getting in on the act, with around 100 street parties, picnics and community events planned across the country this Sunday, the 5th June. 

Below are just a few of the featured events. You can check out the rest by visiting the Big Lunch website

.

Big Lunch, Big Picnic (12-2pm, Ormeau Park, Belfast)

The 5th June is also World Environment Day, and this Picnic in the Park will have an eco theme. Participating in the Big Lunch Big Bunting challenge, children and parents will have the chance to create unique and alternative bunting from old material, and spot prizes will been given out to those who can offer some of the best tips and ideas for green living. There will be music, story telling and demonstrations and samples from local businesses, traders and producers.

For more information check out the Facebook event

Playtrail Big Lunch Fun Day, (Starts at 12-5pm £5 per family, Racecource Rd, Derry)

Playtrail will host their 1st 'Big Lunch' Event to bring families together to inspire a deeper sense of community and build on existing community activities. The event will have a Family Fun Day appeal, offering something for all, from toddlers to grandparents. Activities will include play activities, bouncy castles, clowns & face painters, themed Forest School activities, international cookery demonstrations, team challenges and wildlife & well being projects.

The Consortium hopes to work closely with a range of local community groups and Derry City Council to highlight the wealth of local talent and the diversity within the rich and vibrant local community. The focus is on children & young people. Details are available through the Playtrail website and Facebook page.

Parkanaur Garden Centre, Dungannon

Parkanaur GC are organising a little get together as a Grow your Own Big lunch event. Along with the local college they have organised a day where people can learn a bit more about growing their own vegetables and get some free gardening advice. Please contact 07801 849884

The Problem with Packaging

Last week I wrote about the Rethink Waste event and mentioned the Eco Living discussion group. One of the issues raised within that group was the excessive amounts of packaging used by supermarkets and the disposal responsibility this imposes on the shopper. My advice would be to leave anything you think is excessive at the till, making the supermarkets aware of the fact that not everyone is happy with the methods they use, but even then this does not really address the initial problem of excess, unless people do this on mass and management really start to take notice. Damien Clarkson, wrote an excellent article last week on Tesco's Green Package, featured below:

On the few occasions that I wander into a Tesco store I feel agitated. There are a whole myriad of reasons for this; amongst them are the following:

1)      Self loathing because I am actually shopping there (rather than supporting small local businesses)

2)      The way they treat in store employees

3)      Poor quality vegetables from halfway across the world

4)      Greenwash (Tesco are main propagators of this)

5)      BUT most of all food PACKAGING!

Almost every item of food is caked in packaging in an attempt to try and entice us into purchasing the slightly more expensive product. You are encouraged to purchase bananas and courgettes in plastic bags and it seems that more packaging the more expensive the product. The main question this poses for me is why? I suppose the underpinning reason is profit.

Packaging itself has become a big business, with the global yearly foodpackaging industry  estimated to be worth around 100 billion dollars a year and growing at a rate of 10% a year.

Another reason for the amount of packing could be because as consumers we have become accustomed to excess packaging. Lack of packaging has become associated with cheap value brands in supermarkets. It appears we have become far removed from the food manufacturing process. If food is hidden in multiple levels of packaging it allows the consumer to detach themselves from buying inhumanely killed and processed food. Instead consumers go through the process of buying a package. Deep down we all know that to produce food on the grand scale that Tesco does and at the prices they can offer is going to mean some pretty unethical production.

Recently “Hugh’s Big Fish Fight” exposed Tesco’s reliance on unethically caught Tuna with the pressure leading to a switch to 100% pole and line caught fish for its own brand Tuna. This a prime example of unsustainable un-green practice Tesco specialise in...

To read the rest of this article click here

http://damienclarkson.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/tescos-green-package/

Image: Keattikorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Rethink, Revamp, Restyle: Rethink Waste Event

Last weekend was the Rethink, Revamp and Restyle showcase event as part of the DOE/Belfast City Council Rethink Waste initiative. Due to issues with Blogger going haywire last week, I wasn't able to advertise the event in advance, but here is a quick summary of what was involved, including a highlights of my key note speech, and issues raised in the Eco Family Discussion Group I hosted.

There were was an amazing showcase of work on display at the Europa Hotel, that came about as a result of the Rethink, Revamp and Restyle workshops held in Belfast over recent weeks. These 32 free workshops offered classes in various community centres in north, south, east and west Belfast, demonstrating how to restyle and re-purpose old clothes and revamp outdated items of furniture to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. Alyson McElroy Jaones, organiser of the Fashion and Home Souk events that have now become a staple part of the Belfast lifestyle, fashion and vintage clothing scene, was quick to highlight the wealth of talent and ingenuity displayed by those who took part, many of who discovered otherwise unknown or dormant talents, and have been able to apply these in the home.

There was also a chance for visitors to see examples of revamping in progress from the Salvage Sisters, who did a stage by stage make over of a piece of furniture, while other do-it-yourself stalls offered tips on natural cleaning products and home made crafts.

In my key note speech, entitles 'Rethink the Recession: Making Waste Work for You' I addressed the ways in which learning or developing a new skill can have both financial and environmental benefits. Discussing the current economic climate and how this can cause us to reassess the way in which we value waste, I also debated the need to retain certain skills such as growing your own, sewing and knitting, as a means of ensuring that these are not lost to future generations. In the Growing Green Children from Scratch discussion, myself, Belfast City Council representatives and attendees, discussed the challenges, frustrations and advantages of adopting an Green Living approach in young families.

"As the realities of the economic crisis have started to hit home, more and more people are beginning to realise that from an environmental and financial perspective, taking stock of what we throw away and realising what we can re-use can have long term benefits on our pockets as well as the planet. And I couldn’t be happier that the shift in thinking is being driven as much by the bank balance as it is by the conscience. Yes, as an environmentalist I’d love to say that the values and ideals of the Green movement will be what encourage a change in the way people behave towards the planet. But as a realist, I understand that wide spread adoption of the Green vision will only come about when people believe that it will make them more comfortable, right here and now."


Rethink the Recession: Making Waste Work for You.

For me the event was a fantastic opportunity to shares ideas and to get feedback from how other parents, grandparents and individuals go green in the home. It was also an great means of getting some professional insight from those who work in waste management, and kudos to Naomi Palmer from the Belfast CC Education Team on fielding some of the more specific industry questions.

If you would like to know more about Rethink Waste in Northern Ireland they have a great online presence via their website at http://www.rethinkwasteni.org/ or on Facebook.

This week they are observing Compost Awareness week, so for everyone who is looking for kitchen and garden tips, I suggest you get in touch.

To keep up to date with the Rethink, Restyle and Revamp program and any subsequent events organised by Alyson and her team, you can also apply to join the Facebook Group.

National Walking Month

Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians and works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, have launched Walk to School Week.


Running between today and Friday 20th, the initiative is part of May's National Walking Month, to encourage people to leave the car at home and walk whenever possible.


The Living Streets website is full of ideas for children, parents and teachers to get involved, through organising walk together pools and classroom activities, including road safety exercises and advice on the health benefits of trying to walk once a week.


While many of us may find the Northern Irish weather doesn't always provide the best conditions for getting out and walking, especially if you're in rush to get the kids to school, why not think about putting aside one day a week dedicated to walking when you'd otherwise drive or take the bus. You never know you, and the kids, might just enjoy it.


Photo Credit: Atif Farooq

Help us help you - organ and blood donation legislation.

An article in last week's Belfast Telegraph reported that less than 5000 people from NI have joined the NHS Donor Register since the beginning of this year, a paltry number when placed in context of the reduced number of donors from traditional groups such as road traffic victims and brain haemorrhage patients, who thanks to road safety and medical improvements are more likely to survive their ordeals.

So what influences the decision not to sign up to the register? For some there are personal reasons regarding post mortem organ ownership, however, for others it is the same old story (and one we're probably all guilty of in some aspects of our lives), we simply haven't gotten around to it / never thought about it / can't be bothered [delete as appropriate]. There will also be a fair few people who carry a card, but haven't signed up to the register and haven't expressed their wishes clearly to their family.

I've also heard a few people dismissively state that their organs wouldn't be worth anything due to the fact that they are smokers or drinkers. What few people realise is that in the case of a plentiful register, less than perfect organs still have their use. They can be used for research, or in some cases given to people who's transplants are not life saving but might allow them to undergo treatment for other illnesses. Under normal circumstances they would be excluded from transplant programs or be repeatedly overlooked.

So what of the op out system of donation? Will the future of a successful organ donation society rely on this or at least a comprehensive debate into it? When a person comes of age, should they be automatically added to the register, whereby it is up to them to remove themselves from it if they feel the need? The choice is still there afterall, no one is forcing anyone to donate, and you should be helped in any way possible by your local health adviser (GP, School Nurse etc) to make an educated and informed decision, along with the option to donate to medical research if you so wish.

The British Medical Association (BMA), many transplant surgeons, and some patients' groups and politicians are keen to see Britain adopt a system of "presumed consent", where it is assumed that an individual wishes to be a donor unless he or she has "opted out" by registering their objection to donation after their death. http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

So it appears the idea has some level of support, but what stands in the way? When opt out has been on the agenda before there have been concerns regarding personal choice, but also the practicalities. For example, seeking the consent of family members could reveal some important family medical history, perhaps not known to the donor, and for this reason many countries that have a 'presumed consent' policy still try to contact families before taking organs.

But it seems that at the moment UK legislation is putting the responsibility to sign up on the would be donor. To me this seems to be making the process of doing a good thing like donation that little bit harder. And that is before we even get to the quite frankly ridiculous limitations currently being imposed on gay men who wish to donate blood.

As if rubbing salt in the wounds of those want to help and adhere to the 'no excuses' advertising jargon, limitations on men with same sex partners were addressed recently, with the ban on giving blood apparently 'lifted'. Read the small print however and you'll find that there is a 10 year no sex clause (read Neue Politik and Stephen's Liberal Blog for responses to this insulting compromise).

Health care is on the election agenda this week in Northern Ireland. I've just outlined two examples that can easily be addressed to your local candidate if this is something that is important to you (it was certainly important to one dialysis patient I spoke to in the Village when canvassing this weekend). The time is here to tell our legislators, help us help.

http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/default.jsp
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/allow-gay-people-to-be-blood-donors-uk/

Demand for wind power on the rise

As the debtae about Nuclear Power continues, guest blogger Kristina Zelisko working with Redstone College (which offers a wind turbine training program), writes about the rise of a mighty wind...

As we all sit back and watch in horror as tragic events continue to unfold in Japan, quiet conversations are taking place all over the world about the future of nuclear power. The situation in Japan, the most earthquake prepared nation in the world, reminds us that when things go wrong in the world of nuclear power, they don’t just go a little wrong.

Alternate energies such as solar or wind turbine have been steadily gaining positive momentum through the years and a disaster such as a nuclear meltdown within a densely populated area only serves to put a spotlight on why. If one had to find a silver lining in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, it would be the heightened interest and new sense of urgency to implement these alternative methods of generating our power.

Businesses of all sizes that deal with alternative energy sources are suddenly becoming very popular around the world and this is excellent news for anyone currently taking training such as a wind energy technology program, solar energy or any of the other many green energies. As popularity increases, jobs and new careers are beginning to open up as are educational options. 

Reputable universities and colleges across the country are adding entire curriculum and degree programs based on wind energy training, water based technology, solar energy and many other natural methods for creating or capturing the energy that we need. Students that are getting on board early will find themselves in the fortunate position of near endless career opportunities. The emerging industries will very quickly need well trained professionals to service the growing demand.

Like any profession or business that experiences global demand, new education and programs like wind turbine training will begin to supply the industry with the new people that it will require to meet that demand.

Whether a tragedy like in Japan or an ever dwindling supply of the fuel and energy that we are currently using, the market is being forced to consider alternatives. Those alternatives mean a wealth of opportunity for us all, and also for the planet.

Kristina Zelisko // Web Promoter // W 1-888-818-4917 // kristina@buzzpromote.net // www.buzzpromote.net