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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 by Admin
Although there will be no council led Earth Hour event in Christchurch this year there is still a lot happening close by, with many doing there own thing with others or at home. For those lucky enough to now have power switching off the lights for an hour might not be the most fun thing to do but it would be worth getting out and about and joining others.
If you can’t do anything for Earth Hour at least start to think about how we can start to make plans to mitigate and adapt to global warming here in Canterbury. Christchurch has an excellent opportunity to create a new highly sustainable and low impact city and ready for 100 years of warming (and sea level rise). Once we have had enough time to recover we should think about this. Go beyond one hour a year and think of the Earth and our place in it for the next 100 years.
What is the best that we could do?
Earth Hour NZ Facebook
Some Lincoln Envirotown Earth Hour events:
A listing of all of the Selwyn Earth Hour events.
Tags: Barn Dance, climate change, earth hour, global warming, Lincoln Envirotown, Selwyn Earth
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Friday, January 14th, 2011 by Admin
 Wallpapered Rubbins Bins from Re-Nest At the close of another week here are some of the cool/interesting things we have found from around the world:
Have a great waste free weekend.
Tags: books, camp, clothing, eco-index, go green games, love notes, planet green, plastic, Recycled, reduce
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 by SophieR
We having been building up our phone book this year with some really interesting new contacts. One really exciting new addition that we will be keeping a close eye on, is The Sustainable Futures Institute.
This is a research based group, made up of masters students, academics and experienced professionals that all work collaboratively towards sustainable solutions to current environmental issues. The aim is to use research to proactively guide sustainable development, so that the best decisions can be made to protect the future of New Zealand.
One great element is that the institute is entirely independent, which offers a fresh perspective to waste and sustainability research. The group is entirely funded by donations which are received through the institutes charitable trust status. This adds further integrity to the cause, as the research and reports can be read knowing that the conclusions are entirely with the best resolutions in mind.
The resources page is fantastic, with guidelines and suggestions for businesses and educators.
The projects, timelines and publications offer a realistic point of view of New Zealand, in terms of industry, current environmental trends, and a fast forward into the future – if we do not address current threats to our ecosystems.
To get more information of the Sustainable Futures Institute, visit the website at www.sustainablefuture.info
We having been building up our phone book this year with some really interesting new contacts. One really exciting new addition that we will be keeping a close eye on, is The Sustainable Futures Institute.
This is a research based group, made up of masters students, academics and experienced professionals that all work collaboratively towards sustainable solutions to current environmental issues. The aim is to use research to proactively guide sustainable development, so that the best decisions can be made to protect the future of New Zealand.
One great element is that the institute is entirely independent, which offers a fresh perspective to waste and sustainability research. The group is entirely funded by donations which are received through the institutes charitable trust status. This adds further integrity to the cause, as the research and reports can be read knowing that the conclusions are entirely with the best resolutions in mind.
The resources page is fantastic, with guidelines and suggestions for businesses and educators.
The projects, timelines and publications offer a realistic point of view of New Zealand, in terms of industry, current environmental trends, and a fast forward into the future – if we do not address current threats to our ecosystems.
To get more information of the Sustainable Futures Institute, visit the website at www.sustainablefuture.info
Tags: environmental sustainability, research
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Sustainability Resources, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, October 8th, 2010 by SophieR
Environment Minister Nick Smith has announced $1.15million in grants from the Waste Minimisation Fund for eDay 2010 and new e-waste processing facilities. NZ needs to recycle 80,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year to recover resources and reduce pollution.
http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+steps+e-waste+recycling and more here http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=58879
5 fantastic recycling ideas for used tyres – tyre swings and shelters for seedlings are some easy and fun to make solutions.
http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20101007/5-fantastic-recycling-ideas-for-used-tyres
Barak Obama has informed the public of his intention to have solar panels installed on the roof of the White House. Solar panels had previously been installed by President Jimmy Carter, but then removed when Ronald Reagan was in office.
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/news/obama-to-install-solar-panels-on-white-house-in-spring-2011-morning-news-128997
Video dedicated to the opening of the Oikos Theatre in London - the construction of the pop – up theatre has been nicked named junkitecture. A fantastic dedication to the arts taking a leading role in sustainable building.
www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2010/oct/06/recycled-theatre-oikos-london-junkitecture
India has been touted the ‘world’s toxic waste dump for electronic goods’ – and fantastic example of how the West need to further consider the implications of the every rising rate of consumption of electronic goods.
http://www.celsias.co.nz/article/true-cost-indias-e-waste
100 days without oil – a blog that takes a critical look at oil consumption, that as the resource is going to become harder to come by, the writer considers the huge dependence we have on oil in modern society.
http://100dayswithoutoil.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-29sorting-waste.html
This site allows you to give away unwanted household items, or request items that you really want! Check out the website to see how successful freally has been overseas. A huge range of items are advertised from washing machines to skateboards!
http://www.freally.com/
Small towns in France swap lorries in favour for horse and cart as their method for collecting household waste!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/01/french-recycling-horse-and-cart
Writer Annie Leonard has completed a book based on her questioning of where does trash come from and where does it go.
http://www.plumtv.com/videos/annie-leonard-author-of-the-story-of-stuff/index.html
We come to the end of another week at the SIFT office – we have included a mixture of tid – bits for this weeks Friday Favourites. Have a great weekend, and remember, Sunday is dedicated to activities focused on reducing carbon emissions – visit www.1010nz.com to see what’s happening in your area.
Environment Minister Nick Smith has announced $1.15million in grants from the Waste Minimisation Fund for eDay 2010 and new e-waste processing facilities. NZ needs to recycle 80,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year to recover resources and reduce pollution. Click here for more beehive news.
5 fantastic recycling ideas for used tyres – tyre swings and shelters for seedlings are some easy and fun-to-make solutions to keep you busy this summer!
President Barak Obama has informed the public of his intention to have solar panels installed on the roof of the White House. Solar panels had previously been installed by President Jimmy Carter, but then removed when President Ronald Reagan was in office. Click here for more information.
An insightful video dedicated to the opening of the Oikos Theatre in London - the construction of the pop – up theatre has been nicked named junkitecture. A fantastic dedication to the arts taking a leading role in sustainable building.
India has been touted the ‘world’s toxic waste dump for electronic goods’ – This article is a fantastic example of how the West need to put further consideration into the implications of the every rising rate of consumption of electronic goods.
100 Days Without Oil – a blog that takes a critical look at oil consumption, that as the resource is going to become harder to come by, the writer considers the huge dependence we have on oil in modern society.
This site allows you to give away unwanted household items, or request items that you really want! Check out the website to see how successful freally has been overseas. A huge range of items are advertised from washing machines to skateboards!
Faster is not always better! Small towns in France have changed their means of waste collection by swapping the contemporary lorries in favour for horse and cart as their method for collecting household waste!
Writer Annie Leonard has completed a book based on her questioning of where does trash come from and where does it go.
Another viewpoint to consider – this blog article was presented to SIFT by one of our blog readers “Recycled Reads: 50 Freegan Living Blog Posts we can all learn from”.
Posted in Friday favourites, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 by SophieR
Quick – Fire Thursday
Any one you would like us to press for answers? Send your interviewee suggestions and questions to
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Q and A with Gareth James – General Manager of Transpacific Waste Management South Island. Topic: Post Earthquake Waste Management.
1) One week after the earthquake, how well do you think the Canterbury region has dealt with the clean up from the earthquake?
Extraordinarily well. It is a credit to all involved, who have stepped up and ensured that Christchurch avoids major potential health issues from rotting food waste.
2) Was there an action plan in place to deal with waste following a natural disaster?
For many aspects there was, but the food waste “mountain” was probably not expected. A plan for the tens of thousands of tonnes of spoiled food waste was quickly developed between Transpacific Waste Management, CCC2, and the perishable food waste haulers early last week and is working well. The Christchurch kerbside collection system continued as per normal, will full collection services around even the damaged parts of the City.
The perishable waste is being moved out of the City through a 24 hr per day operation involving transport haulers, transfer stations, CWS waste transport to Kate Valley and the landfill itself. Drivers and operators have been brought in from around NZ to allow trucks and the landfill to be double-shifted (ie essentially non-stop), and this will continue for at least another week.
3) Has there been more demolition waste/materials disposed of than what was initially anticipated?
The waste mountain from Sunday onwards into transfer stations and thence to the Kate Valley Landfill has been almost exclusively perishable food waste from distribution centres, supermarkets, breweries, etc who have to remove the contaminated food waste urgently from their premises. The earthquake demolished most high rack storage systems in these large warehouses, and bottles smashed, spilling alcohol, sauces and the like over all of the other products, creating a stew of vile smelling putrescible waste. This waste has taken priority over all other waste material and will continue to do so for the next two to three weeks (as the cool stores start getting cleaned out).
There has been little demolition waste at transfer stations as this is all going to cleanfills in and around Christchurch. The public had a steady stream of demolition type waste material into the three CCC2 public transfer stations over the weekend, but not a lot more than on a normal weekend. This material goes to cleanfill, not landfill.
4) Was/is waste management made enough of a priority following a natural disaster? and do you think that with an urgency to cleanup and demolish unsafe buildings, the effects on the waste streams are too much of an after thought?
It was a major priority of Transpacific Waste Management, CCC2 (Christchurch City owned company), Civil Defense, and Christchurch City. Civil Defense gave urgent dispensations from consents and other legal impediments to moving all types of waste materials away from the damaged sites, which assisted greatly. The priority accorded was what was needed.
5) Are there any key waste tips that you can suggest for people who are still cleaning up their houses and properties?
Don’t rush to take the rubble type material to transfer stations, as we need to get rid of the putrescible waste first. Don’t put rubble into wheelie bins, as they become too heavy to lift.
Quick – Fire Thursday
Q and A with Gareth James – General Manager of Transpacific Waste Management South Island. Topic: Post Earthquake Waste Management.
Q) One week after the earthquake, how well do you think the Canterbury region has dealt with the clean up from the earthquake?
A) Extraordinarily well. It is a credit to all involved, who have stepped up and ensured that Christchurch avoids major potential health issues from rotting food waste.
Q) Was there an action plan in place to deal with waste following a natural disaster?
A) For many aspects there was, but the food waste “mountain” was probably not expected. A plan for the tens of thousands of tonnes of spoiled food waste was quickly developed between Transpacific Waste Management, CCC2, and the perishable food waste haulers early last week and is working well.
The perishable waste is being moved out of the City through a 24 hr per day operation involving transport haulers, transfer stations, CWS waste transport to Kate Valley and the landfill itself.
Q) Has there been more demolition waste/materials disposed of than what was initially anticipated?
A) The waste mountain from Sunday onwards into transfer stations and thence to the Kate Valley Landfill has been almost exclusively perishable food waste from distribution centres, supermarkets, breweries, etc who have to remove the contaminated food waste urgently from their premises. The earthquake demolished most high rack storage systems in these large warehouses, and bottles smashed, spilling alcohol, sauces and the like over all of the other products, creating a stew of vile smelling putrescible waste. This waste has taken priority over all other waste material and will continue to do so for the next two to three weeks (as the cool stores start getting cleaned out).
There has been little demolition waste at transfer stations as this is all going to cleanfills in and around Christchurch.
Q) Was/is waste management made enough of a priority following a natural disaster? Do you think that with an urgency to cleanup and demolish unsafe buildings, the effects on the waste streams are too much of an after thought?
A) It was a major priority of Transpacific Waste Management, CCC2 (Christchurch City owned company), Civil Defense, and Christchurch City. Civil Defense gave urgent dispensations from consents and other legal impediments to moving all types of waste materials away from the damaged sites, which assisted greatly. The priority accorded was what was needed.
Q) Are there any key waste tips that you can suggest for people who are still cleaning up their houses and properties?
A) Don’t rush to take the rubble type material to transfer stations, as we need to get rid of the putrescible waste first. Don’t put rubble into wheelie bins, as they become too heavy to lift.
SIFT would like to thank Gareth for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information on waste management in Canterbury visit:
Posted in Business & Sustainability, Questions & Answers, SIFT, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 by SophieR
Country Road with the Red Cross launches Fashion Trade, 1 July
Following on from Olivia’s blog on the Lyttleton Harbour Festival of lights and the ‘clothing swap-o-rama-rama’, we have found out that there is another opportunity for eco-friendly fashionistas to pay it forward with their well worn duds.
Introducing the launch of Fashion Trade on 1st July, being run by Country Road in co-operation with the Red Cross. Fashion Trade is a clothing donation program that focuses on rewarding Country Road customers, and their social conscience, by giving a $10 Country Road voucher to be spent in store on any item over $50 in value, when clothes are donated to the Red Cross (must include at least one Country Road item of clothing). Country Road is an international brand with 11 stores throughout New Zealand. The clothes are going directly to the Red Cross which has 6 shops in the Canterbury region, so you can be sure that your donation is reaching people in who are in need. More information on Fashion Trade here. or to find out more about the work of Red Cross visit www.redcross.org.nz
Spare a thought to the effects textiles have on local landfill every year: Textiles waste accounted for 4% of all waste to landfill in the 2007/08 year, which to make more tangible equates to approximately 126,000 tonnes. Think about every time you overfill your suitcase to go on holiday (it is about that much added to landfill per person per year).
Follow Country Road’s lead, and ask your favourite clothing retailers what they are doing to minimise the amount of textile waste that is landing in Canterbury’s landfills. As the consumers, our power is in our wallets; by preferring to spend with the brands that instill a social conscience and are actually reducing their impact on the environment, than less environmentally aware brands who are sure to follow suit.
This got us thinking of all the cool ways to reinvent your current wardrobe, or tips to reduce the amount of textile waste that is being sent to landfill.
1) Have a swapping session – (This really is one for the ladies!) – but it requires no money to change hands, just a big enough lounge to sprawl all of your no longer worn clothes, and sitting room for who ever else is invited to swap your clothes with. Beware, it can get ugly!
2) Quality over quantity. In a buy now society, sometimes it is hard to resist opening up the wallet and splurging on the current must haves. Restricting your buying to fewer, higher quality purchases, will ensure that they last beyond one winter and will take a lot longer before they reach landfill.
3) Be environmentally conscious when choosing what your clothes are made out of – We have wools from numerous animals, bamboo, mercot, cotton and hemp to name a few, these natural fibers wear beautifully – and if you shop carefully, a lot of labels are now listing their fair trade inclusion – so you know the farmers and manufacturers are getting a just deal too. So you no longer need to buy anything with poly in the ingredients list.
4) Buy vintage and second hand. There are lots of great second hand and vintage stores around Canterbury including places like Save Mart and also online like Trademe.
 Fashion Trade - www.countryroad.com Following on from Olivia’s blog on the Lyttleton Harbour Festival of lights and the ‘clothing swap-o-rama-rama’, we have found out that there is another opportunity for eco-friendly fashionistas to pay it forward with their well worn duds.
Introducing the launch of Fashion Trade on 1st July, being run by Country Road in co-operation with the Red Cross. Fashion Trade is a clothing donation program that focuses on rewarding Country Road customers, and their social conscience, by giving a $10 Country Road voucher to be spent in store on any item over $50 in value, when clothes are donated to the Red Cross (must include at least one Country Road item of clothing). Country Road is an international brand with 11 stores throughout New Zealand. The clothes are going directly to the Red Cross which has 6 shops in the Canterbury region, so you can be sure that your donation is reaching people in who are in need. More information on Fashion Trade here. Or to find out more about the work of Red Cross visit www.redcross.org.nz
Spare a thought to the effects textiles have on local landfill every year: Textiles waste accounted for 4% of all waste to landfill in the 2007/08 year, which to make more tangible equates to approximately 126,000 tonnes. Think about every time you overfill your suitcase to go on holiday (it is about that much added to landfill per person per year).
Follow Country Road’s lead, and ask your favourite clothing retailers what they are doing to minimise the amount of textile waste that is landing in Canterbury’s landfills. As the consumers, our power is in our wallets; by preferring to spend with the brands that instill a social conscience and are actually reducing their impact on the environment, than less environmentally aware brands who are sure to follow suit.
This got us thinking of all the cool ways to reinvent your current wardrobe, or tips to reduce the amount of textile waste that is being sent to landfill.
1) Have a swapping session – (This really is one for the ladies!) – but it requires no money to change hands, just a big enough lounge to sprawl all of your no longer worn clothes, and sitting room for who ever else is invited to swap your clothes with. Beware, it can get ugly!
2) Quality over quantity. In a buy now society, sometimes it is hard to resist opening up the wallet and splurging on the current must haves. Restricting your buying to fewer, higher quality purchases, will ensure that they last beyond one winter and will take a lot longer before they reach landfill.
3) Be environmentally conscious when choosing what your clothes are made out of – We have wools from numerous animals, bamboo, mercot, cotton and hemp to name a few, these natural fibers wear beautifully – and if you shop carefully, a lot of labels are now listing their fair trade inclusion – so you know the farmers and manufacturers are getting a just deal too. So you no longer need to buy anything with poly in the ingredients list.
4) Buy vintage and second hand. There are lots of great second hand and vintage stores around Canterbury including places like Save Mart and also online like Trademe.
Tags: canterbury, diverting waste from landfill, Fashion Trade, recycle, sustainable living
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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 »
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