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Posts Tagged ‘sustainable living’
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 by Admin
Not just any movie of course. The best way to learn, recognise and to become aware is expand your knowledge of what has been done, what is being done so you can make changes in your own world – whether at home or in your work.
Invest some time in these great films (some we are inspired to see) and it will help to build a more sustainable world:
- Garbage Warrior – eco-architect Michael Reynolds and his fight to build sustainable homes (also called Earthships).
- We Feed The World – Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer looks into where his food comes from and where it goes. In Christchurch 23% of the waste that goes to landfill is “kitchen” waste or food. This is food from households and businesses (especially stock that is beyond it’s sell by and use by dates). This film looks into the flow of food in a world where there is enough but it is being wasted.
- Story of Stuff - can’t go beyond this for a great tutorial on how our “stuff” is produced and wasted. You will also find the recently launched The Story of Bottled Water here too – to help reduce plastic bottle usage don’t buy bottled water.
- Continuing with the Bottled Water theme is this movie Tapped – makes you think.
- No Impact Man – this one we are hanging out to see. A Manhattan man (Colin Beavan) and his family spend a year living with No Impact. A great look at the positive and lasting changes we can make to live more sustainably. If a New Yorker can do it we (in Christchurch, Canterbury) certainly can.
- Trashed – A look at America’s waste problem and Food Inc – a look at America’s food production industries – issues in both movies that we can learn from here in New Zealand.
Watch alone or with many either way watch and become more aware.
If you know of any other waste or sustainable living movies that are worth watching we would love to know.
*Image: Source: Flickr When I was a Bird’s photostream
Tags: environment, food inc, garbage warrior, learn, movies, No Impact Man, story of stuff, sustainable living, trashed, waste, we feed the world
Posted in News on Sustainability, Sustainability Resources | 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 »
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 by Admin
 Tesco- From Somewhere for F&F recycled clothing It is starting to happen – recycled clothing has hit the mainstream. UK supermarket Tesco have teamed up with ethical fashion company From Somewhere to produce a new line of clothes made in a LEED certified factory in Sri Lanka from old Tesco clothing stock that would otherwise end up in landfill. And prices start at an affordable £16 (NZD$35).
You can read more here from the Guardian.
It’s time for New Zealand fashion companies to start recycling their old clothing stock and become more sustainable (as well as providing clothing made sustainably, ethically and with low environmental impact).
We would love to know if there is anyone in New Zealand already doing this?
Tags: clothing, diverting waste from landfill, environmental sustainability, ethical fashion, From Somewhere, Guardian, landfill, Recycled, reuse, sustainable living, Tesco, waste
Posted in News on Sustainability, Waste Management | 2 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 »
Friday, February 19th, 2010 by Admin
 Pete Dungey Pothole Garden Here are this weeks favourite links:
Tags: clothing, Friday favourites, glass, plastic, recycling, sustainable living, waste, wisdom
Posted in News on Sustainability, Sustainability in Action, Waste Management, art | 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 »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010 by Admin
An often blogged about business that is taking a lead on selling products with little or no packaging is London’s Unpackaged store. Set up in 2006 to provide a better way to sell food you can only purchase items if you bring your own refillable storage containers with you. There are some items in cans and glass that can be recycled for purcahse and we love the wooden crates and super large paper bags that contain a range of fruit and vege. They only stock products that are good for the environment. As they say on their website recycling will not be enough to reduce the amount of packaging waste that goes to landfill so we need to consume items with little or no packaging first – again it’s about reducing our consumption to reduce our waste.
 Source: Unpackaged  Source: Unpackaged  Source: Unpackaged  Source: Unpackaged For those living in Christchurch Piko (and Lyttle Piko in Lyttleton) is probably the closest wholefoods store that we have that also has a policy of bring your own refillable containers. Last year they celebrated their 30th birthday and are now a favourite of many who live sustainably. As well as great bulk produce (some organic) they have a great range of seeds (for growing your own produce – no packaging), fair trade goodies and organic goods. There is some packaging but most can be recycled. If you need to use a bag they have brown paper bags which can go straight in the compost.
Keep a look out for other ways to shop with less packaging – visit farmer’s markets, fruit and vege stores that package in old cardboard boxes, grow/make your own, reusable bags for the supermarket (especially reuse those plastic bulk bin bags) and recycle what packaging you do get. And for businesses – start looking at the amount of packaging you produce for your product (or service) and think of ways to reduce or provide packaging that can be recycled (or returned to you for recycling as part of a Product Stewardship scheme) or better yet – can you do without packaging?
Reduce First, Reuse Second, Recycle Third and then only landfill if you really have to.
Tags: community, landfill, packaging waste, Piko, recycle, reduce, reuse, sustainable, sustainable living, unpackaged, waste
Posted in Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 by Admin
A growing trend amongst households in New Zealand is making cleaning products and skincare. Not only does this eliminate nasty, toxic chemicals (both for humans and the environment), it can save money and reduce packaging waste. And this is not new. For hundreds of years herbs and flowers were used to produce skincare and clean houses (as well as basics like baking soda, vinegar and lemons). But, with a growing desire to live more sustainably more people are taking back control and making there own products again. Books such as New Zealander Wendyl Nissen’s Domestic Goddess on a Budget and the UK’s James Wong’s Grow your own Drugs are only a couple of great sources of recipes and ideas that are available.
Recently, Linda brought in her own homemade goodies made with essential oils so they smell divine – washing liquid, fabric softener, room sprays, spray cleaner, moisturisers and a scrub. She said it is really easy and you can make it in bulk. And if you reuse old bottles you cut down on packaging waste – which we love!
The simplicity of this way of living and the cost savings is what is attracting householders to do it. As well as the better quality product, there are environmental benefits. A great example of this is a story about Loburn resident Lesandre Paris in last week’s Northern Outlook. The story, written by Laura Melville, talks about how Ms Paris is making her own cleaning and beauty products (including toothpaste and shampoo) to save money and reduce her family’s impact on the environment. She hopes to run some classes for members of the community too. She is quoted as saying “I wanted to do this and I wanted to teach other people and to stop throwing away recyclable products…I think it is really important that lots of people are coming back to the basics”.
So, if householders can think innovatively to develop a sustainable future for New Zealand can businesses? We need everyday businesses with clever, simple ideas like this that will reduce waste to landfill and create a healthier environment for us all to live in. Householders’ attitudes are changing but what about businesses? Would love to hear any stories you might have.
All photos copyright SIFT.
Tags: beauty, businesses, cleaning, community, homemade, James Wong, landfill, linda norris, Northern Outlook, products, reduce, skincare, sustainable living, waste, Wendyl Nissen
Posted in Sustainability in Action, Waste Management | No Comments »
Monday, January 25th, 2010 by Admin
 SIFT Trustee Dixon McIvor SIFT Trustee Dixon McIvor is a long standing member of the recycling industry and the owner of a local commercial recycling operation Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Limited. Here are his answers to our Green Collar Jobs Q & A.
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
I sort out the rubbish better at home and recycle more.
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
Think before printing emails and other online correspondence.
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
Home Insulation.
4. What makes you smile?
My grandchildren.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Supermarket plastic bags.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Blue (like the flag of Scotland)
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why?
Marlborough Sounds (you need to go there to understand why).
8. What is your connection to SIFT?
Board of Trustees member.
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
Mr Thorpe (Standard Four, Linwood Ave Primary School)
10. What do you want to leave behind?
Happy Children.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
More wars and more sadness.
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
John Key because he is a self-made man.
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
Nothing (it’s lunchtime).
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Meusli and fruit.
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Learn to live and respect each other.
Tags: Dixon McIvor, Green Collar Jobs, recycling, resource, SIFT, SIFT Trustee, sustainable living, waste
Posted in Green Collar Jobs Q&A, SIFT | No Comments »
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