Business & Sustainability » Sift Blog
Archive for the ‘Business & Sustainability’ Category
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 by Admin
The funding that we provide from our trust funds is normally in the form of either a grant, a loan or an equity invesment (or a combination of all types). Because the loans that we make are to achieve our trust objectives (to reduce waste to landfill, improve the health of the environment and create sustainable development of Canterbury businesses) these are social loans or social lending (also called social finance).
Social Lending is a relatively new term to New Zealand, but growing in use as a term and in use by organisations. It has been utilised within the UK and USA for at least a couple of decades by such organisations as Triodos and Self Help. There is a solid group of social lenders in New Zealand (including Prometheus and the Tindall Foundation, to name a couple) who are focussed on helping their communities – rather than giving them a hand out focussing on giving them more of a helping hand through empowerment. I had the pleasure of meeting some of them at a social lender’s forum in December (organised by Philanthropy NZ).
Social lending is defined as “a tool to empower communities, organisations, families and individuals. It is a way to fund projects, buildings, businesses, ideas and dreams” ( Benedict, L (2010). Social Lending: A tool for grantmakers, an opportunity for communities, Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy).
And that is exactly what SIFT does. We fund projects and provide businesses and individuals with advice and support around achieving their projects. For some we start off by with a grant to fund a feasibility study or develop a commercial business model, for others it is a loan for a machine that will recycle a waste and for others it is an equity investment in their company that has a great idea or business plan to reduce waste in a new, unique and innovative way but just needs some capital to make it happen.
The future for SIFT is to focus more on social lending and equity investments to have more of an impact on the enviroment and to achieve our trust objectives. This may also require collaboration and co-funding with other investors and organisations to create even greater impact. We will still be a grantmaker and give funding that requires only a social and environmental return but social lending will continue to grow in New Zealand as a great tool for our communities to achieve a sustainable future, and SIFT will be apart of that.
An excellent explanation on social lending in New Zealand is Laura Benedict’s research report (below and referenced above).
Benedict, L (2010). Social Lending: A tool for grantmakers, an opportunity for communities
Another great read is Forces for Good: The six practices of highly impactful non-profits by Leslie R. Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant (2007).
Tags: co-funding, Ian Axford Fellowship, Prometheus, return, Self Help, SIFT, social finance, social lending, Triodos
Posted in Business & Sustainability, social lending | No Comments »
Friday, January 28th, 2011 by Admin
 Source: Re-Nest Roof made from recycled plastic bottles The year is streaming past already – it’s February next week – and we are in full projects mode here at SIFT with a new set of potential new project applications already! But, to have a breather this weekend here are our Friday Favourites (lots this week):
Have a great waste free weekend.
Tags: Beehive, Ben and Jerrys, Celsias, food waste, Inhabitat, printing, recycling, Rerip, surfing, The Age, Waste Minimisation fund
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Friday favourites, News on Sustainability | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 by Admin
 Plasback Scheme Mgr Chris Hartshorne & Agpac GM Chris Dawson Earlier in the week Plasback’s Chris Hartshorne (of the Agpac/Plasback project that SIFT funded – more here and here for the blog post on the TV3 story) announced that they have exported 30 tonnes of plastic resin to Australia and Korea. This plastic resin is made up of the on-farm waste plastics that they have collected, such as used baleage wrap.
Chris Hartshorne stated:
“Our on-farm collection service and the tonnage of waste plastic we collected grew considerably last year and we expect that trend to continue in 2011. More farmers and contractors have joined Plasback, and those who use the recycling scheme are learning how to maximise the efficiency of the collection service and minimise their costs. Plasback is a user pays scheme. There are no expensive levies placed on manufacturers or importers as we place greater emphasis on adding value to the waste stream as this in turn supports the collections from farms”.
“The government of NZ emphasises that product stewardship is the way of the future. The means manufacturers and consumers take responsibility for the full life of the products they use. The Plasback scheme plays an important role in helping the rural sector look after the environment that they and we all depend upon.”
Congratulations to Chris and the Plasback team – this is a great win for the environment and great leap forward for Product Stewardship in New Zealand.
14012011 Agpac Media Release Plasback resin sale
Tags: agpac, farm, funding, Plasback, plastic, Product Stewardship Schemes, projects, SIFT
Posted in Business & Sustainability, SIFT Projects | No Comments »
Friday, January 7th, 2011 by Admin
Yesterday TV3 interviewed me for a story on the Agpac Plasback Product Stewardship Scheme. Unfortunately, my bit and a mention of SIFT was not used in the story. But, it is still a good story from Jessica Rowe and great promotion for the Plasback Product Stewardship Scheme.
Story text.
Video.
Tags: agpac, farm plastics, Plasback, recycling, rural, SIFT, TV3
Posted in Business & Sustainability, SIFT Projects, Waste Management | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 by Admin
 Photo Canterbury Biodiversity website  Photo Canterbury Biodiversity Following the September 4th 2010 earthquake, many sites within the city which used to be home to large buildings, have been reduced to vacant lots – empty or occupied by rubble. Many of these sites have been turned into car-parking lots, but ECan’s Regional Biodiversity Coordinator, Wayne McCallum, has fronted an initiative which is avoiding the default car parking trend– turning vacant lots into native plant pocket-parks – Greening the Rubble. The initiative is largely community based, not only transforming vacant spaces into eco-friendly areas, but getting local businesses, schools and organizations, involved and channelling post-quake energy. Currently the vacant Asko area on Victoria Street and the old Para Rubber site on Manchester Street have been selected as pilot projects. Mr McCallum states that not only are the projects an eco-friendly venture, but they also are a good way to “Show community resolve” post-quake.
Keep up to date with the project progress here.
Tags: Asko, CCC, Christchurch earthquake, ECan, Greening the Rubble, native plant, pocket-parks, sustainable living
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Events, Sustainability in Action | 1 Comment »
Monday, December 6th, 2010 by Admin
 SIFT 2010 Christmas Tree The 100% Recyclable and Compostable Christmas Tree
Here at the Sustainable Initiatives Fund office we enjoy getting in the Christmas spirit while implementing our core values of sustainability and minimisation of wastestreams. For these reasons, it was fitting for our office Christmas tree to be one which embodies the three R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
The ‘tree’ is made from bamboo shoots and assembled with unbleached twine. We created our own decorations by using outdated business flyers: creating stars, Christmas chain and even a little angel. The decorations were held together and hung with cotton and we added small torn calico bows and finished the look off with a tree-topping star made from old office file dividers. Through creativity we have made a 100% recyclable and compostable* Christmas tree. The finishing product was so good that it will be the face of SIFT’s 2010 Christmas card!
Let us know how you are reducing your waste this Christmas.
Tags: Christmas, Christmas Tree, consumption, recycle, reduce, SIFT, sustainable initiatives, sustainable living, waste
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Pratical Action, SIFT Projects, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
Friday, December 3rd, 2010 by Admin
 Sail Christmas Stockings via ReNest Here are our favourites for this Friday. Happy reading.
All things Christmas:
o Some words to keep you environmentally friendly where possible this Christmas from Zen Habits
o Eco-friendly Christmas stockings.
o Inspirational ideas on how to create recycled gift bows and wreaths
National:
o Something to know about if you’re planning a trip to the local landfill!
o Exciting prospects for use of New Zealand landfill gas emissions
o Engaging consumers on sustainability, proving difficult for businesses from Celsias
International:
o 2.6 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. Some innovative MIT students have designed a programme which, if successful, will process sanitary waste in the slums of Kenya into energy! Follow their journey
o The piling of rubbish in Naples.
Have a great waste free weekend.
Tags: Celsias, Christmas, emissions, Energy, Friday favourites, Good, landfill, links, naples, sustainability
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Friday favourites, News on Sustainability | No Comments »
Friday, November 5th, 2010 by SophieR
Friday Favourites
Since it is going to be raining for the majority of the weekend, why not reveal your creative streak to friends and family, with some of these cool handmade gift ideas. DIY doesn’t need to be restricted to home decorating, with these tips, you can make soaps, bath bombs, candy and fudge, and plenty of recipes for baked goods. Pick your favourites, and use the wet weekend as an opportunity to do a trial run! Visit the Frugal Kiwi to get started.
http://frugalkiwi.co.nz/2010/11/homemade-holiday-gift-ideas/
Watch the trailer for wasteland. Set in Rio de Janiero, the documentary Waste Land follows artist, Jardim Gramacho as he creates portraits of the ‘catadores’ that work in the World’s largest landfill. To carry on the theme, the portraits are made entirely from junk that has been salvaged from the landfill. A meaningful display of the huge amounts of waste that are being created everyday, and yet some beauty can still come out of it.
http://www.good.is/post/watch-the-trailer-for-waste-land-a-documentary-about-beauty-and-trash/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+good/lbvp+(GOOD+Main+RSS+Feed)
Keeping on with the theme of creatively reusing trash, Electrolux has bought out an edition of five vacuums that have been made from materials that have been salvaged from the ocean. The purpose of the edition was to demonstrate the difficulties Electrolux has, finding the recyclable materials to manufacture the “Green Range’ and yet there is so much waste in the ocean. Would be a great way to jazz up your home appliances.
http://www.electrolux.se/Innovation/Campaigns/Vac-from-the-sea/
More Waste Minimisation Funding Announced.
“Environment Waikato, in partnership with Hamilton City Council and the Matamata-Piako District Council, will receive $159,000 over two years from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund,” Dr Smith said. “Working with Inghams Enterprises they will investigate the use of pyrolysis technology to convert problem waste into useful products like biochar and reduce methane emissions from waste going to landfill.
What do you get when you cross an old refrigerator and a derelict car? Well, a fridgecouch of course! As created by Canadian artist, Adrian Johnson.
There is now an ‘ebay of trash’. A site that has been set up to match up trash, with people who have a potential way to reuse or recycle it. The site is called Recycle Match, and is making a significant impact on reducing the amount of waste that is going to landfill. Some of the projects are of commercial proportions, but if you can reuse 1000 glass windows – then I am sure they will be happy to hear from you!
http://www.recyclematch.com/
Plastic Recycling Plant Planned for Timaru
There is a 1.3837ha site, behind the former Chargeurs Wool building, which is owned by Rooney Holdings and is understood to be the location of a new plastic recycling plant, which would produce road matting. The road matting creates a better surface for laying new roading. We are happy to hear of this exciting development.
A different way to regenerate Christchurch demolition sites.
Two schools— Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti and Discovery 1—are on the hunt for empty earthquake sites they can transform into green spaces. The schools are really keen to hear from any site owners who may be interested in converting their demolished sites into an inner city green space.
If you’ve got a space you’d like to offer, you can contact Tanja Grzeta on (03)374 1067.
Since it is going to be raining for the majority of the weekend, why not reveal your creative streak to friends and family, with some of these cool handmade gift ideas.DIY doesn’t need to be restricted to home decorating, with these tips, you can make soaps, bath bombs, candy and fudge, and plenty of recipes for baked goods. Pick your favourites, and use the wet weekend as an opportunity to do a trial run! Visit the Frugal Kiwi to get started.
Watch the trailer for wasteland. Set in Rio de Janiero, the documentary Waste Land follows artist, Jardim Gramacho as he creates portraits of the ‘catadores’ that work in the World’s largest landfill. To carry on the theme, the portraits are made entirely from junk that has been salvaged from the landfill. A meaningful display of the huge amounts of waste that are being created everyday, and yet some beauty can still come out of it.
Keeping on with the theme of creatively reusing trash, Electrolux has bought out an edition of five vacuums that have been made from materials that have been salvaged from the ocean.
The purpose of the edition was to demonstrate the difficulties Electrolux has, finding the recyclable materials to manufacture the “Green Range’ and yet there is so much waste in the ocean. Would be a great way to jazz up your home appliances.
More Waste Minimisation Funding Announced.
“Environment Waikato, in partnership with Hamilton City Council and the Matamata-Piako District Council, will receive $159,000 over two years from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund,” Dr Smith said. “Working with Inghams Enterprises they will investigate the use of pyrolysis technology to convert problem waste into useful products like biochar and reduce methane emissions from waste going to landfill.
What do you get when you cross an old refrigerator and a derelict car? Well, a fridgecouch of course! As created by Canadian artist, Adrian Johnson.
There is now an ‘ebay of trash’. A site that has been set up to match up trash, with people who have a potential way to reuse or recycle it. The site is called Recycle Match, and is making a significant impact on reducing the amount of waste that is going to landfill. Some of the projects are of commercial proportions, but if you can reuse 1000 glass windows – then I am sure they will be happy to hear from you!
Plastic Recycling Plant Planned for Timaru
There is a 1.3837ha site, behind the former Chargeurs Wool building, which is owned by Rooney Holdings and is understood to be the location of a new plastic recycling plant, which would produce road matting. The road matting creates a better surface for laying new roading. We are happy to hear of this exciting development.
Two schools— Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti and Discovery 1—are on the hunt for empty earthquake sites they can transform into green spaces. The schools are really keen to hear from any site owners who may be interested in converting their demolished sites into an inner city green space.
If you’ve got a space you’d like to offer, you can contact Tanja Grzeta on (03)374 1067.
Tags: Friday favourites, recycled art, recycling projects
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Friday favourites, News on Sustainability, Waste Management, art | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 by SophieR
e – Day – Time to recycle electronic waste.
This Saturday is e-Day, dedicated to the collection of recycling of electronic waste. We have received many emails this week from our many affiliates, a very positive indication that more companies are taking an active role in recycling office products. An email from our web provider ‘Hairy Lemon’, generously offers to collect their clients e-waste from your business on the Friday prior. However, not all e waste is of equal importance, the focus of e Day is on computer equipment and technology related to computer, game consoles, cell phones and fax machines. Televisions, stereos and software will not be welcome.
A little bit of info about e-waste. Consumerism is rife with electronic items, that have a relatively short shelf life (less than 5 years on average) – we want the latest editions with the fastest and biggest capacity to hold more data. Not surprisingly, e waste represents the fastest growing waste stream in the world. The stats in New Zealand are quite amazing as well – with 80,000 tonnes of e waste sent to landfill every year.
Currently, there is no legislation or industry related action to deal with e-waste, however there are some smaller local initiatives that will help you dispose of unwanted technology.
Until there is a permanent watch dog in this industry, or the development of product stewardship schemes, e-Day serves a fantastic annual service, by promoting the serious effects of electronic waste, and that there are other options that throwing your old computer straight into landfill.
You can read more about e-Day here http://www.eday.org.nz and find out what can be disposed of.
If you are happy to drop off your own equipment, the disposal point is CPIT Student carpark, between 9am and 3pm on Saturday 6th November.
This Saturday is e-Day, dedicated to the collection of recycling of electronic waste. We have received many emails this week from our many affiliates, a very positive indication that more companies are taking an active role in recycling office products. An email from our web provider ‘Hairy Lemon’, generously offers to collect their clients e-waste from your business on the Friday prior. However, not all e waste is of equal importance, the focus of e Day is on computer equipment and technology related to computer, game consoles, cell phones and fax machines. Televisions, stereos and software will not be welcome.
A little bit of info about e-waste. The consumer market is rife with electronic items, that have a relatively short shelf life (less than 5 years on average) – we want the latest editions with the fastest and biggest capacity to hold more data. Not surprisingly, e waste represents the fastest growing waste stream in the world. The stats in New Zealand are quite amazing as well – with 80,000 tonnes of e waste sent to landfill every year.
Currently, there is no legislation or industry related action to deal with e-waste, however there are some smaller local initiatives that will help you dispose of unwanted technology.
Until there is a permanent watch dog in this industry, or the development of product stewardship schemes, e-Day serves a fantastic annual service, by promoting the serious effects of electronic waste, and that there are other options that throwing your old computer straight into landfill.
You can read more about e-Day here and find out what can be disposed of.
If you are happy to drop off your own equipment, the disposal point is CPIT Student carpark, between 9am and 3pm on Saturday 6th November.
Tags: e-Day, electronic waste
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Events, General | No Comments »
Monday, November 1st, 2010 by SophieR
Organisations that received Waste Minimisation Funding
It is really exciting for SIFT to see which companies have been given funding through the latest Waste Minimisation Funding round. It demonstrates the direction of the Ministry for the Environment strategy, and that industry initiatives have a strong focus. We will keep updating this list as Nick Smith announces more successful applicants.
eDay (2020 Communications Trust, RCN Group and Community Recycling Network) – eDay is a community initiative designed to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling computers and the hazardous nature of electronic waste (e-waste), while offering an easy way for households and schools to dispose of old computers and mobile phones in an environmentally sound manner. eDay 2010 will be held in more than 40 centres throughout New Zealand on Saturday 6 November 2010. Organisers are aiming to divert as much as 1,300 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills, up from last year’s record of 976 tonnes. Total WMF funding $1.15million – The first grant of $750,000 is to the 2020 Communications Trust to run eDay on 6 November 2010 at more than 40 venues right across New Zealand. The second grant of $400,000 is a joint venture between the RCN Group and the Community Recycling Network towards developing a nationwide network of 20 permanent depots for e-waste as well as recycling facilities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
http://www.eday.org.nz/
Envirocomp Solutions – The company which launched the first commercial plant to compost disposable nappies and other sanitary hygiene products e fund will enable Envirocomp Solution Ltd to conduct a feasibility study to assess demand and identify a suitable location for installing a 2nd plant in the Greater Wellington region. Kimberly-Clark New Zealand which markets HUGGIES® Nappies, will support the study by conducting research with its Wellington based HUGGIES® club database as part of its ongoing sponsorship. The plant processes 15,000 nappies or incontinence products per day into compost. WMF Funding totals $30,000
www.envirocomp.co.nz
Scion Research Limited – Innovative thermal oxidation technology developed by Scion Research Ltd is designed to break down this waste and greatly reduce the amount entering landfills as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions. I am pleased to announce that Scion will receive $1 million from the Waste Minimisation Fund to pilot a process that reduces this waste.
Scion has named this project ‘Waste 2 Gold’ as the thermal oxidation process also generates useable by-products.
http://www.scionresearch.com/
Tyregone Processors Limited
The Auckland based company will receive $300,000 total WMF funding to expand operation of its pyrolysis plant, which converts tyres into carbon, steel, oil and gas. Once expanded, the plant will process more than 2000 tonnes of tyres in the first year.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is to receive $100,000 to investigate expanding its vermicomposting facility so it can process a wider range of organic material, including wood waste from the Tasman and Carter Holt Harvey mills.
Glass Packaging Forum The Glass Packaging Forum – (GPF) is a non-profit organization, which aims to ensure the ongoing performance of glass as environmentally acceptable packaging. GPF will receive $1.6 million to increase the number of recycling bins and bottle banks across the country for the Rugby World Cup. http://www.glassforum.org.nz/
It is really exciting for SIFT to see which companies have been given funding through the latest Waste Minimisation Funding round. It demonstrates the direction of the Ministry for the Environment strategy, and that industry initiatives have a strong focus. We will keep updating this list as Nick Smith announces more successful applicants.
eDay 
eDay is a community initiative designed to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling computers and the hazardous nature of electronic waste (e-waste), while offering an easy way for households and schools to dispose of old computers and mobile phones in an environmentally sound manner. eDay 2010 will be held in more than 40 centres throughout New Zealand on Saturday 6 November 2010. Organisers are aiming to divert as much as 1,300 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills, up from last year’s record of 976 tonnes. 2020 Communications Trust to run eDay on 6 November 2010 at more than 40 venues right across New Zealand will receive $750,000.
RCN Group and Community Recycling Network
The second ewaste grant of $400,000 is a joint venture between the RCN Group and the Community Recycling Network towards developing a nationwide network of 20 permanent depots for e-waste as well as recycling facilities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. http://www.eday.org.nz/
Envirocomp Solutions
The company which launched the first commercial plant to compost disposable nappies and other sanitary hygiene products will be giving funding to enable it to conduct a feasibility study to assess demand and identify a suitable location for installing a 2nd plant in the Greater Wellington region. Kimberly-Clark New Zealand which markets HUGGIES® Nappies, will support the study by conducting research with its Wellington based HUGGIES® club database as part of its ongoing sponsorship. The plant processes 15,000 nappies or incontinence products per day into compost. WMF Funding totals $30,000 www.envirocomp.co.nz
Scion Research Limited
Innovative thermal oxidation technology developed by Scion Research Ltd is designed to break down this waste and greatly reduce the amount entering landfills as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions. Scion will receive $1 million from the Waste Minimisation Fund to pilot a process that reduces this waste. Scion has named this project ‘Waste 2 Gold’ as the thermal oxidation process also generates useable by-products. http://www.scionresearch.com/
Tyregone Processors Limited
The Auckland based company will receive $300,000 total WMF funding to expand operation of its pyrolysis plant, which converts tyres into carbon, steel, oil and gas. Once expanded, the plant will process more than 2000 tonnes of tyres in the first year.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Vermi Composting
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is to receive $100,000 to investigate expanding its vermicomposting facility so it can process a wider range of organic material, including wood waste from the Tasman and Carter Holt Harvey mills.
Glass Packaging Forum 
The Glass Packaging Forum – (GPF) is a non-profit organization, which aims to ensure the ongoing performance of glass as environmentally acceptable packaging. GPF will receive $1.6 million to increase the number of recycling bins and bottle banks across the country for the Rugby World Cup. http://www.glassforum.org.nz/
Tags: Bay of Plenty Regional Council, eDay, Envirocomp, Glass Packaging Forum, Scion Research, Waste Mangement, Waste Minimisation Funding
Posted in Business & Sustainability, News on Sustainability, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management, social lending | No Comments »
|
|
   find out more
|
