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Archive for the ‘News on Sustainability’ Category
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 by Admin
Though June has rushed by, SIFT did not want to neglect the well deserved attention owed to the recent winners at the Green Ribbon Awards. Held on June 9th, the Honorable Nick Smith described the awards as “Recognizing the efforts of New Zealanders who are taking action to address environmental challenges” (Beehive Press Release).
Comprising of eleven categories, individuals as well as companies and organizations, were recognized for their contribution within an array of environmental issues. The overall supreme winner was Eco Stock Supplies. Collecting food waste previously destined for landfill, Eco Stock upcycles the waste to stock feed. It is estimated that through the 25,000 tones of food waste utilised by Eco Stock within the last year, the production of 13,625 tonnes of CO2 has been prevented. While not only preventing green-house gas emissions, Eco Stock also offers a local alternative to imported stock-feeds.
Here is the full list of categories and the respective winners – all deserving for their commitment and effort towards New Zealand sustainability.
Category 1: Protecting our Biodiversity (joint winners)
Pomona Island Charitable Trust, Kiwi (Tokoeka) Crèche (Te Anau) – For its outstanding work in creating pest free sanctuaries on Pomona and Rona Islands in Lake Manapouri, Fiordland.
and Tuhoe Putaiao Charitable Trust (Opotiki) – For its outstanding commitment to environmental protection work in the Bay of Plenty, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, local iwi, the Regional Council and forestry operators.
Category 2: Protecting our Coasts and Oceans
Sustainable Coastlines Incorporated (New Zealand-wide) – For its outstanding commitment to improving the New Zealand coastal environment through public education, beach and coast clean ups and removing debris and rubbish that poses a risk to coastal and marine flora and fauna.
Category 3: Caring for our Water
NZ Landcare Trust (New Zealand-wide) – For their outstanding contribution to improving fresh water management across the country by engaging private land owners in environmental protection work.
Category 4: Reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Wellington City Council (Wellington) – For its 2010 Climate Change Action Plan, and demonstrating outstanding commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in collaboration with all sectors of the community.
Category 5: Small Businesses Making a Difference
Eco Stock Supplies (Auckland) – For the development of an innovative commercial operation making a measurable difference to waste minimisation and reducing food waste.
Category 6: Community Action for the Environment: Young People
Brittany Packer (Nelson) – For her outstanding commitment to raising the profile of environmental issues, locally and internationally and demonstrating leadership for other young people.
Category 7: Community Action for the Environment: Volunteers and Not-for-profit Organisations
Mana Recovery (Porirua) – For its outstanding commitment to volunteer resource recovery services and providing a supportive environment for members of the community to learn and grow.
Category 8: Minimising our Waste
Conscious Consumers (Wellington, Auckland) – For its outstanding commitment to reducing waste and raising consumer awareness of waste issues.
Category 9: Environment in the Media
Emma Heke (Nelson) – For her outstanding contribution to environmental education through her DVD “OURS” that teaches children about conservation, sustainability and environmental care.
Category 10: Environmentally Responsible Large Organisations (joint winners)
Downer NZ (New Zealand-wide) – For its outstanding work in setting an example in environmental responsibility by implementing an environmental sustainability programme across its company operations in New Zealand.
and Meridian Energy and Department of Conservation, Project River Recovery – For their outstanding commitment to improving and protecting the unique braided river habitat around Twizel, Tekapo and Omarama in Canterbury and Otago.
Category 11: Central and Local Government Stepping Up
Kapiti Coast District Council (Paraparaumu) – For its outstanding contribution to reducing their environmental impact beyond statutory obligations and providing measurable benefits for the environment and the community of Kapiti Coast.
Supreme Winner Green Ribbon Award Winner 2011
Eco Stock Supplies (Auckland)
For the development of an innovative commercial operation making a measurable difference to waste minimisation and reducing food waste.
Congratulations to all of the winners. No doubt there were many more that entered but did not win that are working hard to create a more sustainable future for New Zealand.
Tags: EcoStock, environment, Green Ribbon Awards, mfe, sustainability
Posted in Business & Sustainability, News on Sustainability, Other Sustainable Initiatives | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 by Admin
Following the February 22nd earthquake, Greening the Rubble is back in full-swing utilising derelict urban properties. Established after the earthquake in September 2010, Greening the Rubble has successfully established a pocket-park on the corner of Victoria and Salisbury Street. Although previous projects were put on hold due to February’s quake, Greening the Rubble has confirmed two future park additions for the city, one located on Riccarton Road, and the other on St. Asaph Street.
The organization is largely volunteer based, with local businesses donating products, design students lending their vision and many giving their time to create the relaxing spaces within Christchurch. If you would like to know more on the progress of sites, or if you are the landowner of a site that could be utilised, browse the website here.
They have a great resource of links as well to keep you informed about the Christchurch Rebuild and you can follow the organisation on Facebook too.
Tags: christchurch, Earthquake, Greening the Rubble, rebuild
Posted in News on Sustainability, Other Sustainable Initiatives, Pratical Action, Sustainability in Action | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 by Admin
If you know of someone worthy of the title of Environmental Champion then consider entering them or the project into the 2011 Green Ribbon Awards through the Ministry for the Environment. There are twelve catergories and entries must be received by 5pm Friday the 15th of April.
The categories are:
- Protecting our biodiversity
- Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions
- Caring for our water
- Minimising our waste
- Improving our air quality
- Protecting our coasts and oceans
- Community action for the environment: Young People
- Community aciton for the environment: Volunteers and Not-for-Profit organisations
- Environment in the media
- Small businesses making a difference
- Environmentally responsible large businesses
- Central and local government stepping up.
Press Release
Green Ribbon Awards Nomination form
Tags: air quality, champion, environment, Green Ribbon Awards, mfe, waste, water
Posted in News on Sustainability, Other Sustainable Initiatives, Pratical Action | 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 »
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 by Admin
 Love your coast Tomorrow, Wednesday 8th December 2010, is Christchurch’s turn to take part in Love Your Coast day – an ongoing movement to clean up our coastlines. A lot of waste (lots of plastic) washes up on our shores each year endangering the local flora, fauna and wildlife. This is an opportunity for all to get involved and give our beautiful coast a clean-up. The Heathcote and Avon Rivers, the Estuary and New Brighton are the focus. Join the masses and help keep our coasts clean. The events are supported by Keep NZ Beautiful, Sustainable Coastlines, Te Wai Pounamu Foundation and The Sir Peter Blake Trust.
More information here.
Posted in Events, News on Sustainability, Pratical Action, 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 19th, 2010 by Admin
 Sustainable Spoon Mug Wall via Re-Nest It is a lovely 26 degrees (C) in the garden city today and no doubt the rest of Canterbury will be enjoying the lovely weather as well. Here are a few tid bits from home and abroad to tide you over till Monday.
Have a great waste free weekend (start making Christmas presents from things around the home, second hand goods or baking).
Tags: canterbury, diy, e-waste, environment, Good, Hot Topic, laptop, lead, mfe, Nick Smith, recycling, Resene, SIFT, Signs of Change, social justice, spoons, Sustainable Business Network
Posted in Friday favourites, News on Sustainability, Pratical Action | 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 »
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 »
Friday, October 22nd, 2010 by SophieR
Yet another week is over, and I do believe that it is nine weeks until Christmas (exciting or doom pending – depending on your level of Xmas spirit). I always think that Labour Weekend is perfectly timed in the Calendar, arriving just before we hit the busiest time of the year. To take some of the stress off, there are plenty of festivities and concerts on in Canterbury over the long weekend. Head to Hagley Park between 1pm and 8pm on Saturday, to catch a glimpse of some of New Zealand’s biggest music names, all to raise funds following the earthquake. There is the Rangiora A & P show, and also the Big Band Festival. Plenty of activities to get you out and about this weekend.
We are a patriotic bunch. One eyed Cantabrians, truly believing that we have ‘one up’ on the rest of NZ. So I really like it when outsiders compliment our wonderful city. I like it even more when the outsider is Saatchi CEO, Kevin Roberts. A feel – good blog, smile as he waxes eloquently about our marvelous Hagley Park and Botanical Gardens. Gosh we are a lucky lot.
http://krconnect.blogspot.com/2010/10/hagley-park-new-lovemark.html
Making organic dairy products hip. A two minute advertisement that we found through the
Futerra Sustainability Communications blog. Never did we think that a rap song would preach the benefits of organic dairy products. Look for the head bobbing cows. You will not be able to watch this without a smile on your face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOHAUvbuV4o
Annie Leonard’s Stuff for Kid’s Series – These videos are seriously cool. They take quite complex ideas such as recycling, and materialism – and convert it into short cartoon videos that are simple enough for little people to understand, but can still be enjoyed by big kids too.
http://www.good.is/post/annie-leonard-s-new-story-of-stuff-like-series-for-kids/
Finally, the vuvuzela may actually become more resourceful than annoying. One competition that aims to find the most creative way to recycle the Football World Cup noise makers.
http://gardenwindmill.brighterplanet.org/garden-windmill/the-garden-windmill/vuvuzela-recycling-competition-gives-new-life-to-south-africas-favorite-noisemakers
WWF has released the 2010 Living Planet Report. The conclusions are quite simple really, our demands are exceeding Earth’s capacity to sustain us. This is a great resource to show what we are using, how we compare to other countries, and what we can start doing better today.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/
Brazilian designers are paving the way for innovative homeware, with a collection made from entirely recycled aluminium. 98% of aluminium produced is recycled, and it is cheaper to produce a ton of recycled aluminium than it is the produce the same amount of new aluminium.
http://www.busybeingfabulous.com/index.php/2010/10/brunno-jahara-upcycling-trend/
It has been a busy time at the beehive lately – we have three fantastic links for you. One is the speech made by Nick Smith at the 2010 WasteMINZ conference last week, where he launched the 2010 waste strategy.
http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech+wasteminz+conference+auckland Click Here to link directly to the Waste Strategy Report.
http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/new+waste+strategy+launched+today
We also have a press release from the Environment Minister, outlining the recycling initiative for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/2+million+recycling+initiative+2011+rwc
A realistic take on our recycling efforts. We may be collecting more recycling waste, but how much of it is actually being recycled once it leaves the curbside? According to this article, it all comes down to our mingling of recyclable items.
http://www.celsias.co.nz/article/mingling-mayhem
I like to think I am creative. Sometimes my creative projects end up in the back of the cupboard or in the garage. Luckily, we came across re-nest.com – full of awesome ideas to reuse house hold items – and eco-revitalise your house. The wire-hanger idea is just too cool.
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/creative-reuse/reuse-revamp-a-wire-hanger-into-a-multifunctional-vessel-emily-anderson-of-ecochic-home-129339
Lessons in consumerism – no this isn’t a blog teaching you how to become a better shopper. The writer has returned from travels in India, with a fresh outlook on Western consumerism and what we deem to be luxuries versus life necessities.
http://re-be.com/blog/redirecting-consumerism-tips/
Yet another week is over, and I do believe that it is nine weeks until Christmas (exciting or doom pending – depending on your level of Xmas spirit). I always think that Labour Weekend is perfectly timed in the Calendar, arriving just before we hit the busiest time of the year. To take some of the stress off, there are plenty of festivities and concerts on in Canterbury over the long weekend. Head to Hagley Park between 1pm and 8pm on Saturday, to catch a glimpse of some of New Zealand’s biggest music names, all to raise funds following the earthquake. There is the Rangiora A & P show, and also the Big Band Festival. Plenty of activities to get you out and about this weekend.
We are a patriotic bunch. One eyed Cantabrians, truly believing that we have ‘one up’ on the rest of NZ. So I really like it when outsiders compliment our wonderful city. I like it even more when the outsider is Saatchi CEO, Kevin Roberts. A feel – good blog, smile as he waxes eloquently about our marvelous Hagley Park and Botanical Gardens. Gosh we are a lucky lot. Click Here.
Making organic dairy products hip. A two minute advertisement that we found through the Futerra Sustainability Communications blog. Never did we think that a rap song would preach the benefits of organic dairy products. Look for the head bobbing cows. You will not be able to watch this without a smile on your face.
Annie Leonard’s Stuff for Kid’s Series – These videos are seriously cool. They take quite complex ideas such as recycling, and materialism – and convert it into short cartoon videos that are simple enough for little people to understand, but can still be enjoyed by big kids too.
Finally, the vuvuzela may actually become more resourceful than annoying. One competition that aims to find the most creative way to recycle the Football World Cup noise makers. Click here to see some of the ideas.
WWF has released the 2010 Living Planet Report. The conclusions are quite simple really, our demands are exceeding Earth’s capacity to sustain us. This is a great resource to show what we are using, how we compare to other countries, and what we can start doing better today.
Brazilian designers are paving the way for innovative homeware, with a collection made from entirely recycled aluminium. 98% of aluminium produced is recycled, and it is cheaper to produce a ton of recycled aluminium than it is the produce the same amount of new aluminium.
It has been a busy time at the beehive lately – we have three fantastic links for you. One is the speech made by Nick Smith at the 2010 WasteMINZ conference last week, where he launched the 2010 waste strategy. Click Here to link directly to the Waste Strategy Report. We also have a press release from the Environment Minister, outlining the recycling initiative for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
A realistic take on our recycling efforts. We may be collecting more recycling waste, but how much of it is actually being recycled once it leaves the curbside? According to this article, it all comes down to our mingling of recyclable items.
I like to think I am creative. Sometimes my creative projects end up in the back of the cupboard or in the garage. Luckily, we came across re-nest.com – full of awesome ideas to reuse house hold items – and eco-revitalise your house. The wire-hanger idea is just too cool.
Lessons in consumerism – No this isn’t a blog teaching you how to become a better shopper. The writer has returned from travels in India, with a fresh outlook on Western consumerism and what we deem to be luxuries versus life necessities.
Tags: eco design, environmental sustainability, Friday favourites
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Events, Friday favourites, General, News on Sustainability, Pratical Action, Sustainability Resources, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management, art | No Comments »
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