Sift Blog
March 9th, 2010 by Admin
 Source: Flickr the red chair #17 from Jasperroz
Reusing something that has become a waste item as a new item is a bit of a zig zag as ultimately it will end up in landfill at some point in its lifecycle.
One example is instead of using paper towels to clean up around the home or office cut up old clothes, tea towels and towels to a handy cleaning size. You can even hem them using a sewing machine (simple zig zag stitch) so they don’t fray. This gives the material once used as a sweater, skirt etc a new life as a cloth and will also cut down on paper waste (and the plastic film used for packaging).
Use materials made from natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool so that when they do get to landfill they will break down a lot faster than synthetic materials.
Tags: cotton, diverting waste from landfill, landfill, linen, Practical action, rags, sustainable living, textile waste, Waste Management, wool Posted in Sustainability in Action | No Comments »
March 8th, 2010 by Admin
 WasteMinz CEO Marion Short
Marion Short is the CEO of the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMinz). WasteMinz are an incorporated not-for-profit organisation that seeks to bring all the different interest groups together to “enable the achievement of an environmentally and economically sustainable waste minimisation strategy for New Zealand.” You can read more about what they do here. Below are Marion’s answers to our Green Collar Job questions.
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
We do all the usual good things at home and also try to buy well – a sort of smart shopping philosophy: buy quality (and environmentally friendly products) so that they last longer and also items that have less packaging.
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
At WasteMINZ we live and breathe our environmental policy in everything we do. Plus I also try to work from home during peak travel times so I can be both more effective and minimise the time I spend driving my car and adding to Auckland’s traffic congestion. The time saving for me is slightly over an hour a day (unbelievable)!
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
I still believe there is a lack of understanding and action in regards to living in a more environmentally manner. This requires a significant attitude shift by individuals, communities and industry. We need to encourage people to make that change now and preserve our beautiful country and the value of New Zealand as a brand.
4. What makes you smile?
I smile and laugh alot – I guess I enjoy the little things and am an optimist by nature. I love taking my dog for a walk – he is always so thrilled. I love sitting down to a big family dinner – my husband is one of six boys and family is really important to us. I love the huge hugs from my boys who are both over 6 foot tall. And I love results – when you look around and you say – wow that is done – great job!
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People throwing rubbish out of their cars, or just leaving it behind – what is up with that!
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
I love orange – I think because it is so bright and happy – you can’t feel miserable wearing orange.
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why?
My favourite place is with my family and closest friends, enjoying their company, great New Zealand food and a glass of fantastic New Zealand wine (either a chardonnay or a pinot noir). Hopefully it is a sunny day (I live in Auckland – so that doesn’t always happen) and we have a nice shady spot to sit and tell each other all our news.
8. What’s your connection to the Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust?
Sift are members of WasteMINZ and we share linkages in a network focused on great good outcomes!
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
My favourite and first teacher was my Dad and to this day he remains my favourite teacher. Growing up we had a saying ‘it can’t be that hard’ which was always said as we plunged into difficult and exciting projects and journeys. I think I was only 8 years old when Dad let me paint the VW combi van that he restored – so I always felt he had so much faith in my abilities to give something a go and not completely bugger it up. I hope I am teaching my children that lesson.
10. What do you want to leave behind?
I want to leave happy memories, I want to have made a difference in people’s lives and I want my children to grow up happy, healthy and strong contributors to a positive and more improved society/world.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
I believe that collaborative operating models are the way of the future. That in order to achieve the best results it requires multiple stakeholders working together on greater good (or at least common good) outcomes.
That in the future. closer attention and value will be placed on the importance of relationships, and that we will move away from having a short term focus to being focused on longer term sustainable strategic outcomes.
I want to have faith and believe that we will get it together and make the changes necessary for a sustainable world.
I want to believe that people will recognise that being environmentally sustainable is the only way, not just a green choice.
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
I admire many people for many different reasons. It is possible to admire someone for what they have achieved but not necessarily for who they are.
The group of people that I admire the most are the ones that make an effort to ‘pay it forward’. These people give something of themselves without expecting anything in return, in order to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around them.
A challenge – what can you do to ‘pay it forward’?
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
Sunny Auckland day – and I feel like everything is right in the world – but of course I haven’t hit the traffic yet!
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Coffee
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Sit down and think about who are your stakeholders – then think of them in terms of high and low interest and high and low power.
Those that have both high interest and high power are really important to what you are trying to achieve. Likewise those with low interest but high power need to be actively managed and kept informed, otherwise they could be potential roadblocks.
Are you communicating with your stakeholders? How often and how? Are there other communication tools that you could use, or leverage off your stakeholders communications tools (remember we are all part of a big network – you just need to use it).
Are the relationships working? Could they work better?
Do you have a communications strategy?
Do you know what your key messages are and your key points of differentiation?
People are so often scared of communication – and for no real reason.
Communication is such a powerful tool. Reach out and start improving your communication with your stakeholders today.
That’s two challenges (pay it forward and improving your communication) – good luck.
Tags: environment, Green Collar Job, Marion Short, new zealand, sustainable future, waste, WasteMinz Posted in Green Collar Jobs, Waste Management | No Comments »
March 7th, 2010 by Admin
 Source: Flickr Ed's Photostream 11 Butterfly
The Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust is a catalyst for change. We know (roughly) how much waste is generated, how much goes to landfill, what the negative environmental impacts are of that waste (leachate, toxins, global warming from methane emissions etc) and the amount of work and cultural behaviour change that is required to reduce how much waste is generated and sometimes that can be rather overwhelming and depressing. But, everyday we are reminded of those individuals, businesses and community groups who are doing good work and we are uplifted everyday by those we are helping to make the numbers better and improve the health of our environment – one step at a time, one day at a time.
Sometimes it can take a few years from the start of the relationship to the final outcome of the project. And that final outcome may just be the first step in many steps to creating a sustainable and commercially viable process that can help to significantly reduce the amount of waste that goes to Canterbury’s landfills.
It is about having a long term goal for our future – a sustainable Canterbury future where any waste generated is reused, recovered or recycled on shore first and where landfill and sending it offshore is the last resort (for all waste streams). But it will take time, patience, innovative ideas, advancement in technology, sound investment, collaboration (public and private partnerships), commitment, affecting cultural behaviour change, walking the talk, leading and being the catalyst for change. That is what SIFT is about – being a positive force for good as a social lender.
We have profiled a few businesses that are leading in waste management on our blog in the past and you can see some of the good and impactful work that we have done here. We have a number of super exciting projects on the go at the moment that will make a difference to Canterbury’s waste and will let you all know in due course about what they are and what good they will do.
If you are looking for funding for a project that will reduce the amount of waste going to Canterbury’s landfill or have a new idea that we could help with you can apply here.
You can check out our Flickr photos here too.
And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Tags: business, canterbury, community, consumption, diverting waste from landfill, environment, environmental sustainability, funding, landfill, public private partnerships, recycle, recycling, SIFT, sustainable, sustainable future, waste Posted in SIFT, SIFT Projects, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
March 4th, 2010 by Admin
Here are today’s Friday Favourites – have a great weekend.
And don’t forget if you have old whiteware tomorrow is the national Fisher and Paykel whiteware recycling day.The first 50 people through the gates will receive a $150 voucher towards some new (more energy efficient no doubt) whiteware. Below are the details for Christchurch:
 Fisher & Paykel Whiteware Recycling Day Christchurch details
Tags: clothing, consumption, Fisher & Paykel, Friday favourites, green design, landfill, M&S, Nike, paper, plastic, Re-nest, recycling, waste, whiteware, World Cup Posted in Friday favourites, News on Sustainability, Waste Management | No Comments »
March 3rd, 2010 by Admin
Monday’s Plains FM podcast with Mastagard Sales Manager Angus Winstone is now online here. You can listen to all the good things that Mastagard are doing with recycling our waste.
Tags: GreenBiz, Mastagard, Plains FM, recycling, SIFT, waste Posted in PlainsFM, SIFT, Waste Management | No Comments »
March 3rd, 2010 by Admin
 Tesco- From Somewhere for F&F recycled clothing
It is starting to happen – recycled clothing has hit the mainstream. UK supermarket Tesco have teamed up with ethical fashion company From Somewhere to produce a new line of clothes made in a LEED certified factory in Sri Lanka from old Tesco clothing stock that would otherwise end up in landfill. And prices start at an affordable £16 (NZD$35).
You can read more here from the Guardian.
It’s time for New Zealand fashion companies to start recycling their old clothing stock and become more sustainable (as well as providing clothing made sustainably, ethically and with low environmental impact).
We would love to know if there is anyone in New Zealand already doing this?
Tags: clothing, diverting waste from landfill, environmental sustainability, ethical fashion, From Somewhere, Guardian, landfill, Recycled, reuse, sustainable living, Tesco, waste Posted in News on Sustainability, Waste Management | No Comments »
March 2nd, 2010 by Admin
 Source - Flickr From youmakemehappywhenskiesaregrey
For Christchurch, in 2008/2009, nearly a quarter of all waste sent to landfill was kitchen waste. This is one of the waste streams that can be reduced the fastest and that each household and business in Canterbury can directly impact. Not only does wasted food impact the space in our landfills but also impact on global warming with the methane emitted as it breaks down (not to mention all the emissions from the production, manufacturing and transportation of the food that isn’t eaten before it gets to the consumer).
Reduce your food waste by firstly recognising what, when and how you are buying (maybe buying less more often will mean less spolied food), by planning your meals and using leftovers and then what is left over can go into a compost bin or EM Bokashi system breaking down and then providing much needed nutrients for your garden (or potted plants).
Or if you are a business in the food service, hospitality or produce industry look at how you can reduce the amount of unsold food that is wasted. Can it be reduced in price on or just before the use by date or can you set up a business composting system or give the food away to a community garden’s compost?
There are some great ideas for creative uses for kitchen scraps from Re-Nest.
Or check out the wonderful UK site Love Food Hate Waste for some excellent practical actions that you can do today.
Love to hear your ideas on how business can help to reduce food waste.
Tags: business, canterbury, community, diverting waste from landfill, environmental sustainability, food waste, sustainable future, sustainable living, waste, Waste Management Posted in Sustainability in Action, World Environment Day 2009 | No Comments »
March 1st, 2010 by Admin
One of our key contacts is Jane Parfitt from the Christchurch City Council. She is the General Manager, City Environment Group at the Christchurch City Council. Jane is responsible for the management of 300 staff, an operating budget of $154m and a capital budget of $120m.
Jane is responsible for such things as maintining the safety and quality of Christchurch City’s infrastructure services with a long-term sustainability view, maintaining our lovely parks and gardens, helping to ensure the Long Term Council Community plan is delivered and that there are organisation strategies, plans and structure to support it and the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) on behalf of the City.
Here are Jane’s answers to our Green Collar Job Q&A:
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
Walk whenever I can, use a shopping basket instead of plastic bags and use solar heating.
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
I don’t print emails and try not to make any more ‘copies’ than needed
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
Christchurch – to get people to use public transport, cycle or walk.
NZ – how and where we general energy.
4. What makes you smile?
Freddy – my new grandson
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Channel surfing!
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Yellow because it’s a happy colour
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why?
Christchurch of course! It’s a garden city by the sea, close to the mountains with an international airport which has great connections to the rest of the world.
8. What’s your connection to Sift?
Linda Norris
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
Miss Tait because she was an inspiring PE teacher who played music for us.
10. What do you want to leave behind?
A Scottish flavour for our family.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
This question is just too hard! – maybe pigs will fly
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
The Queen because she’s gracious, works hard and copes with a modern, independently minded extended family.
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
Our dogs are trying to get inside!
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Toast and avocado
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Be yourself.
Tags: Christchurch City Council, environment, Green Collar Job, infrastructure, Jane Parfitt, waste Posted in Green Collar Jobs, SIFT, Waste Management | No Comments »
February 25th, 2010 by Admin
It’s a beautiful sunny end-of-summer day here in Christchurch (New Zealand). Back to blog posts now after concentrating on the new website. If you haven’t already go for a spin and check out what SIFT is all about. Lots of great projects that are making a difference to reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. We also have a few projects in the pipeline we are really excited about.
The deadline for the government’s Waste Minimisation Fund is 5pm on Monday. If you miss out and have a project focussed on Canterbury try applying to SIFT.
In the meantime here are the favourite links we have found from around the world:
That should keep you all going for a while. Have a great weekend.
 Suitcase Chairs via The Violet Hours via Apartment Therapy
Tags: community, consumption, diverting waste from landfill, environment, environmental sustainability, landfill, plastics, recycle, recycling, SIFT, sustainability, sustainable living, waste, Waste Management Posted in Friday favourites, Sustainability Resources, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
February 25th, 2010 by Admin
On Monday’s Plains FM GreenBiz segment I took Sheree Grant along to talk about paper and sustainability. You can check it out here.
Tags: consumption, diverting waste from landfill, environmental sustainability, GreenBiz, paper, Plains FM, recycling projects, sustainability Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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