Building a windmill in Africa from scrap
No reason why one can't do it here too.
Well, there's planning, of course.
Then there's 'elfinsaftee...
But Afrigadget is a find:)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Ponderings
Don't recall signing up, but I thought this that just came in was interesting:
WHY WE STILL DON’T BELIEVE IN CLIMATE CHANGE
What I liked was the relatively measured way it was argued.
Having shared it, I'll still keep quiet on the bits I agreed with, and, possibly, do not.
WHY WE STILL DON’T BELIEVE IN CLIMATE CHANGE
What I liked was the relatively measured way it was argued.
Having shared it, I'll still keep quiet on the bits I agreed with, and, possibly, do not.
CATEGORY - Packaging
For more 'informational' packaging-related sources:
ARTICLES
Gaurdian - Supermarkets failing to reduce packaging
LetsRecycle - Councils call for urgent action over packaging
Indy - From tomatoes to yoghurts, soap powder to beer, the packaging that infuriates you
...and for the rest, there's Junkk.com. There are some.. too many examples of egregious excess packaging.
But it is worth asking... why do it? And challenge the answers. It may be the additional costs, and bad PR of having such things may have a valid, eco-supportive reason. If not... are they bonkers? This stuff costs them, and hence us... extra money. Odd sales model.
And while reduction is tops (where possible/enviROI-sensible), before we get to recycling may I insert a small flag for reuse and repair... and a funny little notion to help them along on http://www.junkk.com
Sometimes it is possible, to work with what we've got, change what were getting, and in so doing help pocket and planet... whilst having some fun.
INFORMATION
scrapthispack.com - Not exactly 'pro', but a worthy source of what is out there, especially to excess.
WRAP - What packaging does - Silly billies. They have forgotten to mention us... again. Tempting as it is to return the compliment, we will mention them.
packagingnews - Environment Report 2009 - oddly, little industry comment at all, as yet. Let's see what I can do:)
Introduction - Reuse gets a mention:) Junkk.com does not:( I have tried to rectify that:
"reusable packaging is a great idea that hasn’t really hit the mainstream"
Indeed. But its time is coming.
'Is now the time to bring back reusable packaging'
Yes, along with packaging with second use designed-in, in complement. As has Gillette, evidently. I'd love to see it.
'the packaging is designed to be kept then more time and resources can be dedicated to it.'
Worth it, I'd say. As you mention ecover, they do too. Even without designed-in, for now. They have uploaded all their packs to Junkk.com, with reuse ideas attached.
"The packaging still represents the brand when it is being reused'
A key point. Imagine the value of valued, branded, packaging, retained.
'To encourage customers to keep and reuse their empty packaging... requires changes in customer behaviour.'
For sure, but worth it, IMHO.
'It requires retailers to give up shelf space'
Or... not at all.
Review of the year
Fears of recycling meltdown, bin taxes, carrier bags - all the environment stories that have hit the headlines over the past 12 months
Where waste really goes
Forget the sensationalist headlines and recycling naysayers; we visit a London borough to discover the truth about our kerbside collections
Drinks industry calls time on CO2
Beer producers are working hard to manage the sector's environmental impact. But what is the best material for the job?
A burning question
Energy from waste continues to be a contentious issue, but with the size of the population only going one way, now could be the time to invest
The space race
As online shopping increases the need for products to keep purchases safe in transit, many new eco-conscious void fillers are coming to market
How green is the material world?
As lighter packs and cutting carbon footprints remain at the top of the industry's green agenda, how do the major packaging materials stack up?
Of course, another acorn in reducing the impact of plastic materials is designed-in reuse, possibly with such as RE:tie?
The benefits of bioplastics
Myles Barker of cereals body the HGCA argues that using the controversial plastics could help the industry, and the country, tackle emissions
Worthy of linking to the Plastics, Composting and Plastic Bags links below.
The age of the green machine
Is a lack of clear information and dearth of support from the big players stifling the development of ‘eco' machines?
See the light and cut energy costs
As firms search for new ways to tighten their belts, energy-efficient lighting could bring vital savings
Packaging's environmental impact
Eco-design consultancy Giraffe Innovation's Rob Holdway examines the benefits of managing the carbon footprint of packaging
Refills get on-shelf road test
Reusable packaging has fallen out of favour due to issues with convenience and conformity, but that could be set to change
ARTICLES
Gaurdian - Supermarkets failing to reduce packaging
LetsRecycle - Councils call for urgent action over packaging
Indy - From tomatoes to yoghurts, soap powder to beer, the packaging that infuriates you
...and for the rest, there's Junkk.com. There are some.. too many examples of egregious excess packaging.
But it is worth asking... why do it? And challenge the answers. It may be the additional costs, and bad PR of having such things may have a valid, eco-supportive reason. If not... are they bonkers? This stuff costs them, and hence us... extra money. Odd sales model.
And while reduction is tops (where possible/enviROI-sensible), before we get to recycling may I insert a small flag for reuse and repair... and a funny little notion to help them along on http://www.junkk.com
Sometimes it is possible, to work with what we've got, change what were getting, and in so doing help pocket and planet... whilst having some fun.
INFORMATION
scrapthispack.com - Not exactly 'pro', but a worthy source of what is out there, especially to excess.
WRAP - What packaging does - Silly billies. They have forgotten to mention us... again. Tempting as it is to return the compliment, we will mention them.
packagingnews - Environment Report 2009 - oddly, little industry comment at all, as yet. Let's see what I can do:)
Introduction - Reuse gets a mention:) Junkk.com does not:( I have tried to rectify that:
"reusable packaging is a great idea that hasn’t really hit the mainstream"
Indeed. But its time is coming.
'Is now the time to bring back reusable packaging'
Yes, along with packaging with second use designed-in, in complement. As has Gillette, evidently. I'd love to see it.
'the packaging is designed to be kept then more time and resources can be dedicated to it.'
Worth it, I'd say. As you mention ecover, they do too. Even without designed-in, for now. They have uploaded all their packs to Junkk.com, with reuse ideas attached.
"The packaging still represents the brand when it is being reused'
A key point. Imagine the value of valued, branded, packaging, retained.
'To encourage customers to keep and reuse their empty packaging... requires changes in customer behaviour.'
For sure, but worth it, IMHO.
'It requires retailers to give up shelf space'
Or... not at all.
Review of the year
Fears of recycling meltdown, bin taxes, carrier bags - all the environment stories that have hit the headlines over the past 12 months
Where waste really goes
Forget the sensationalist headlines and recycling naysayers; we visit a London borough to discover the truth about our kerbside collections
Drinks industry calls time on CO2
Beer producers are working hard to manage the sector's environmental impact. But what is the best material for the job?
A burning question
Energy from waste continues to be a contentious issue, but with the size of the population only going one way, now could be the time to invest
The space race
As online shopping increases the need for products to keep purchases safe in transit, many new eco-conscious void fillers are coming to market
How green is the material world?
As lighter packs and cutting carbon footprints remain at the top of the industry's green agenda, how do the major packaging materials stack up?
Of course, another acorn in reducing the impact of plastic materials is designed-in reuse, possibly with such as RE:tie?
The benefits of bioplastics
Myles Barker of cereals body the HGCA argues that using the controversial plastics could help the industry, and the country, tackle emissions
Worthy of linking to the Plastics, Composting and Plastic Bags links below.
The age of the green machine
Is a lack of clear information and dearth of support from the big players stifling the development of ‘eco' machines?
See the light and cut energy costs
As firms search for new ways to tighten their belts, energy-efficient lighting could bring vital savings
Packaging's environmental impact
Eco-design consultancy Giraffe Innovation's Rob Holdway examines the benefits of managing the carbon footprint of packaging
Refills get on-shelf road test
Reusable packaging has fallen out of favour due to issues with convenience and conformity, but that could be set to change
Just, don't walk inbetween the two?
Wireless power system shown off
I'm quite easily impressed, so this appealed. And it seems a nifty evolution from my electric toothbrush being charged soaking wet by sticking on a plastic spike.
So I can see applications that may be worthy one day, for instance sorting out the vandalism problems I foresee with electric car charging posts and their tempting cables (remember late night BT phone boxes and their forlorn handset on the floor?)
Not sure about the heated dog bowl, mind.
Forbes - Look Ma, No Wires
I'm quite easily impressed, so this appealed. And it seems a nifty evolution from my electric toothbrush being charged soaking wet by sticking on a plastic spike.
So I can see applications that may be worthy one day, for instance sorting out the vandalism problems I foresee with electric car charging posts and their tempting cables (remember late night BT phone boxes and their forlorn handset on the floor?)
Not sure about the heated dog bowl, mind.
Forbes - Look Ma, No Wires
I love to say 'I told you so', so...
Drivers 'don't trust' road taxes
...I (ok, and a few others) told them so!
And this from a 'pay to pollute' (within limits) advocate! Mind you, I was about the only young flat dweller in London who didn't see the big problem with Poll Tax. Which, by my recollection, would have saved me money, too.
So... '...taxes have been handled so badly that [people] no longer trust what ministers say the charges pay for..'. Well, D'uh. And '...tarnished the image of environmental taxes'. Well, double D'uh'.
I don't claim it's easy to resolve ('Taxing drivers according to how much they use their cars remained the fairest method' - Uh... not so fast. What about rural vs. urban, where taxes have been used to provide public transport system that favours one - that would be the Metro types who have a tube at every corner to whisk them to their next interview, whilst claiming for taxis - over the other. Plus a host of other issues) , but boy, have they made it 10x more difficult for any green initiative in the future.
And as for this: '...drivers were given "no clear explanation" of what they got in return for around £45bn paid in taxes each year'. Farcical.
...I (ok, and a few others) told them so!
And this from a 'pay to pollute' (within limits) advocate! Mind you, I was about the only young flat dweller in London who didn't see the big problem with Poll Tax. Which, by my recollection, would have saved me money, too.
So... '...taxes have been handled so badly that [people] no longer trust what ministers say the charges pay for..'. Well, D'uh. And '...tarnished the image of environmental taxes'. Well, double D'uh'.
I don't claim it's easy to resolve ('Taxing drivers according to how much they use their cars remained the fairest method' - Uh... not so fast. What about rural vs. urban, where taxes have been used to provide public transport system that favours one - that would be the Metro types who have a tube at every corner to whisk them to their next interview, whilst claiming for taxis - over the other. Plus a host of other issues) , but boy, have they made it 10x more difficult for any green initiative in the future.
And as for this: '...drivers were given "no clear explanation" of what they got in return for around £45bn paid in taxes each year'. Farcical.
Bugging Nature
Insects to be brought in to control Japanese Knotweed
A knotty problem: Could a tiny insect help rid us of knotweed?
As one who used to have a natural but nice garden, now a tad over-run, I have to state an interest.
But let's not forget it was bringing in a foreign organism that caused the problem in the first place.
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