Waste Management » Sift Blog
Posts Tagged ‘Waste Management’
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 by Admin
Last week I posted about reducing waste to landfill through better work waste management systems and asked our readers to send in their new/innovative/creative waste management systems in their offices. My sister-in law happened across the blog post (cos’ she follows us on Twitter here too) and sent in the above photos and the following comment:
“At my workplace we have recently implemented a strategy which Crown Research Institutes have been doing for a while. In your office you get a large cardboard tray for recycling and a tiny wee box for rubbish. Then you have to empty these yourselves at one of the depots. Unfortunately we don’t currently have a strategy for organics, so the depots only have landfill, glass/plastic, and paper/cardboard. The cleaners no longer empty bins in our offices and only empty these larger communal bins.”
Thanks Nicola. This is a great example of in-office waste managment.
Tags: cardboard, diverting waste from landfill, glass, landfill, office, organics, paper, photos, plastic, recycling, rubbish, Waste Management
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Pratical Action, Sustainability in Action | No Comments »
Friday, April 30th, 2010 by Admin
 Baled Paper - Copyright - SIFT What a whirlwind week! We were at the WasteMinz conference earlier in the week and then spent yesterday in catch up mode. So, for today we have few cool things we have found that might be of interest and then next week there will be a bit of a run down on the conference and what we learned.
The most important thing learnt during the two days (it was a mix of Behaviour Change workshops and workshops on waste related issues) is that we need to act sustainably everyday – small actions will add up to make a big impact.
Here are the Friday Favourites:
- The toilet paper issue – how far will you go to reduce your paper waste – all the way to cloths?
- How about eating paper with no calories? As long as it is recycled!
- The biodegradable pen – love it!
- A new guide to buying sustainable paper for your office here launched recently by the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Government.
- A better recycling campaign was also launched this week by the Community Recycling Network (Sue Coutts presented a very informative presentation at the WasteMinz workshop about the launch and why we need to implement more effective and efficient recycling systems with less contamination and to increase onshore recycling). You read see more of what they do here.
- And finally, Envirocomp who compost nappies are still on a roll composting 15,000 nappies a day and looking to expand - more here.
Tags: behaviour change, Friday favourites, paper, recycling, Waste Management, WasteMinz
Posted in Friday favourites, Waste Management | No Comments »
Monday, April 19th, 2010 by Admin
 Source: Flickr Eric in SF's photostream
 Source: Flickr jdaisy's photostream 7% or 14,920 tonnes of the waste sent to Kate Valley landfill from Christchurch year end June 2009 was textiles/rubber waste. Things like old clothes and carpets and tyres and old foam mattresses. Once again there is definitely room for reduction here.
Nationally textiles makes up 4% and rubber 1%.
**Source – Christchurch City Council, based on % breakdowns of waste sent to landfill as sourced from the Christchurch City Council’s 2008 solid waste survey conducted between July and December 2008. The figures are indicative only.
National data from MfE here.
Tags: clothes, Kate Valley Landfill, landfill, rubber, textiles, waste, Waste Management
Posted in Waste Management | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 by Admin
 photo: SIFT One of our current long term projects is the financial assistance (in the form of a loan) we gave to Comspec in Hornby. We have written about them before on this blog but I thought it was time for site visit. Actually going to where the action takes place, talking to those who make it happen and being amongst the process gives a much thorough understanding of how we have helped.
So, this morning I met Robert and Stephanie Fowler at their plastic recycling plant in Hornby. After going through some background info on what they do I was given a site tour. At one end you have baled plastic milk bottles waiting their turn to be shredded, then washed and then the resulting flakes are formed into resin pellets that are then turned into irrigation piping. A very simplified explanation but in a nut shell that is it and in person it is pretty clear to see the process work from one end of the plant to the other.
 photo: SIFT  Shredded plastic Photo: SIFT In the past empty plastic milk bottles had been packed up and sent to China where they were recycled there. Now, with Compsec’s plant, plastic milk bottles can be recycled “on shore” and provide a feedstock of plastic resin for use in New Zealand (reducing the amount of virigin resin imported into NZ). On shore recycling (especially with New Zealand’s location in the world) will reduce the impact of transportation of materials going overseas thus reducing CO2 emissions from shipping. Plus, the Comspec process can save an average of 1 tonne of CO2 per tonne of plastic that is recycled, further reducing our impactful carbon footprint.
With a network of collectors around the South Island Comspec aims to recycle 1000 tonnes of plastic milk bottles each year. With a 110,000 milk bottles making up a tonne that’s a lot of milk bottles.
SIFT’s focus is to continue to help those who require financial assistance to develop a project that will reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills which will in turn help to develop a strong network of commerically viable businesses and individual projects throughout Canterbury that can sustainable continue making an impact. Not only will this make Canterbury a healthy environment to live in but will also help the Canterbury and New Zealand economies.
Thanks to Robert Fowler for taking time out of his busy morning to show me ’round.
You can read more about Comspec here.
You can also see all the photos from the Comspec launch here on Flickr.
Tags: carbon emissions, CO2, Comspec, Hornby, landfill, onshore recycling, plastic, recycling, SIFT, sustainable initiatives, waste, Waste Management
Posted in SIFT Projects, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
Monday, April 12th, 2010 by Admin
 Picture window from spmaxi on Flickr 5% or 11,579 tonnes of waste that went to Kate Valley landfill the year to June 2009 was a metal. Types of metals that end up in landfill are broken up into two types 1) Ferrous (steel based metal products) and 2) Non-Ferrous (Aluminium, Copper and Lead based products). For the Christchurch figures we work from the amount of metal that was sent to Kate Valley landfill in the year to June 2009 increased 52% and nationwide metal represents 4.5% (4% Ferrous and 0.5% non Ferrous).
Interestingly, the Scrap Metal Association stated that for 2006 between 495,000 and 550,000 tonnes of scrap metal was diverted from landfill in New Zealand.
Types of waste table and Scrap Metal Industry figure sourced from MfE here.
**Source – Christchurch City Council, based on % breakdowns of waste sent to landfill as sourced from the Christchurch City Council’s 2008 solid waste survey conducted between July and December 2008. The figures are indicative only.
Tags: diverting waste from landfill, environment, ferrous, landfill, metal, ministry for the environment, non-ferrous, Scrap Metal Association, waste, Waste Management
Posted in Waste Management | No Comments »
Tuesday, 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 »
Tuesday, 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 »
Thursday, 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 »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 by Admin
This week’s Green Collar Job Q&A is with Timaru District Council’s Senior Waste Management Officer Ruth Clarke. Ruth manages the waste contract for the Timaru District. It is a comprehensive contract covering kerbside collection, transfer station management, landfill, green waste processing and recycling processing. Ruth plans for waste minimisation activity and carries out all the administrative work associated with council. She also runs the waste exchange for Timaru and Waimate Districts.
Ruth says that her list of things to do is long and her days too short, but finds her job challenging, interesting and worthwhile.
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
We built an ecohouse of mudbricks with solar water heating, solar power, composting toilet with relatively small footprint. Most labour done by ourselves with help from 157 wwoofers and counting! (see www.earthwoodwaimate.blogspot.com)
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
We built the eco-house in Waimate and then I got the job in Timaru, so it is 100km commute but I carpool with two others. I walk to any jobs nearby or get my co-workers to pick up stuff I need if they are out and about. I duplex my printing.
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Canterbury/New Zealand?
Apathy-I just wonder if we are going to make the changes needed in time to make the difference for our children.
4. What makes you smile?
My girls
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People idling ( it doesn’t happen so much here but very common in Japan. I once crossed the lane and turned my neighbour’s car off after it had been idling for 10 minutes. Another time friends and I turned off the key of a car just sitting idling in the street with nobody about- then skedaddled!
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Orange/russet because I like autumn, especially maples in Japan.
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world?
Kyoto-I lived there for 4 years, the old places are so otherworldly, historic and Asian.
8. What’s your connection to Sift?
Collaborating on a project.
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
My German teacher, strict and scary, but somehow German was my favourite subject.
10. What do you want to leave behind?
Land and the adobe house to secure a living/lifestyle for the girls; the recognition that I have worked for a better end.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
Peak Oil, stronger communities, better use of technology, maybe a rude awakening…
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
I have a friend who left a business because she didn’t agree with the way they were heading ( more corporate) and started a business to pursue her own idealogy of business practice. I admire that she had the conviction to act on her beliefs.
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
The border collie is curled up, the steers are still eating (the one called “Stu” is getting fatter!). The pears and apple trees are loaded-bottling fruit on the agenda this weekend.
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Bacon and eggs.
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Take one small step at a time –it is a journey.
Tags: Green Collar Job, sustainable living, Timaru District Council, waste, Waste Management, woofers
Posted in Green Collar Jobs Q&A, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 by Admin
 SIFT CEO Linda Norris with her two boys James (R) and William (Bottom) in the Rangiora Cub Scouts Caravan Due to a few technical difficulties with our blog we are reposting SIFT CEO Linda Norris’ Green Collar Jobs Q&A.We thought it was about time to profile SIFT CEO Linda Norris in our Green Collar Jobs Blog post. Linda has been the CEO of the Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust for about three years and is a passionate advocate for sustainable living. She is always looking for innovative and creative ways for SIFT to have a positive impact on the community and to ultimately reduce waste going to landfill. You can find more information about Linda here.
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with low impact) in your life?
I live on a small farm in Loburn, North Canterbury, where we produce our own lamb and beef, as organic as it can be, and some of our own veges. We compost everything we can through EM Bokashi, and even our new home proudly displays a number of great features from recycled materials like flooring, doors, and of course furniture from the Christchurch Supershed – all good to go with a little TLC. We buy quality goods that last and use local businesses for services, employ local people, and we know most of our neighbours. I drive a low carbon emission diesel vehicle. We help out in our community by doing rubbish clean ups and with environmental projects at the local school. We recenlty picked up a massive 55kg of well concealed waste dumped in our hedgrows in one weekend, about 80% of it was recycled! I have taken a group of four 8/9 year olds to talk on community radio station Plains FM “Green Biz” about their fun waste diversion project through TradeMe.
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
Our office fitout used almost entirely recycled furniture and we use web-based business tools to minimise cost and maximise reach. We minimise paper usage, reuse what we can, and travel with good IT systems, and any one of us can work from home if need be, reducing emissions. We use suppliers that are carbon neutral as far as possible e.g. Digiweb and Green Cabs, and we use video conferencing instead of travelling out of town.
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
Maximise our Earth’s resources. We can all do our bit to help the environment. It’s just an excuse to say you are too small to do something.
4. What makes you smile?
My children! I have 3 boys, two at primary school aged 10 and 8, plus one aged 41 (sorry Dean!)
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Unncessary waste: Cheap and nasty “stuff” being sold in NZ that we all know will end up in our landfills. Buy quality that will last and buy a product that can be up-recycled or reused.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Forever Green of course! A sort of clear and sparkly green. I’ve always loved green – it reminds me of our Earth and is very grounding and so creative.
7. Do you have a favourite place in the workd? Describe why?
Ooh tough choice…La Paz in Bolivia, South America – it means Peace, or close to home Totaranui in the Abel Tasman National Park – great family holidays: walks, wildlife & water – we stay at the Dept of Conservation bach – we are soooo lucky, it’s such a special place.
8. What’s your connection to SIFT?
Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Initiatives Fund. I’m the chief waste minimiser!
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
Definitely Mr Calver at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. He taught me maths at high school level and always used to have a saying “a tick if it’s right, cross if it’s wrong, and if in doubt cross it out!” He was very inspiring; I still love maths as do my children. Teachers are so important as they influence young minds. I went on to train as an auditor with Deloitte; I think that Mr Calvert may have influenced my career choice!
10. What do you want to leave behind?
A greener, more peaceful and prosperous world. A happy and content family.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
Different political boundaries will emerge; technology will enable different groups of people to help solve world problems; and creativity will leapfrog a real opportunity for innovation in science and the environment. Technology and creativity have to be inextricably linked.
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
Duke of Wellington, the greatest soldier that every lived.
13. What is happending outside your window right now?
Beautiful night sky in Loburn, North Canterbury, it’s 1am!
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Homemade meusli, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (organic ofcourse), fruit, live yoghurt.
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Replicate SIFT into the North Island, so that the whole country can benefit from the “Canterbury waste model”. Keep the strong connection between business and community – nuture your people. It’s people that matter and will drive change.
Tags: community, consumption, diverting waste from landfill, Green Collar Jobs, linda norris, Loburn, SIFT, sustainable initiatives, waste, Waste Management
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
|
|
   find out more
|
