It always pays to wave a flag

A while ago I noticed one of those pieces of passing PR that are so easy to let wash over you.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2387293/Mrs-Hastings-I-make-mend-addicts-But-todays-young-think-past-sell-date.html
(actually it was in the Telegraph, but they have a paywall limit so this'll do)

In this case I decided to pop the good Lord a missive:

"Reading your plans in yesterday's Telegraph, I can only wish you well.

There are of course many ways to encourage folk to 'save', both planet
and money, and more and more seem keen to embrace them.

What would be good is to further bridge the gap more between
manufacturers/retailers doing as little as they can in compliance,
often hiding behind the jargon of the CSR industry, and consumers who
tend to think more in terms of simplicity and end benefit."

It took a while but I am glad to say it has been replied to, in as nice a way as may be hoped:

Dear Mr Martin,

Waste reduction

Thank you for your email of 8 August to Lord de Mauley about waste reduction.  I have been asked to reply.

"As you may know, the Minister’s statement was linked to our publication on 6 August of a public consultation on our draft proposals for the Waste Prevention Programme for England (consult.defra.gov.uk/waste/waste prevention/).  The results of the consultation will inform the final Programme, which is due to be finalised in December.  We are grateful for your comments, which have been passed to the relevant policy officials and will be considered as part of the consultation exercise.

Preventing waste from being produced in the first place is not only good for the environment, but for the economy and household budgets too.  Research shows that businesses can make £17 billion in annual savings by taking simple steps to produce less waste.  Everyone has a part to play in reducing waste.  Our proposals in this programme will help individuals and organisations recognise the savings they can make by cutting waste and passing on items they no longer use.  It will explore ways to make it easier for individuals to reuse and repair items.  It also aims to ensure that products are designed to last longer, contain fewer hazardous parts and reduce the environmental impact of the waste they create."

Where it all happens - shed loads

The Telegraph asked, so...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/uknews/8926077/Shed-love-a-selection-of-images-of-readers-sheds-and-sheds-of-the-famous.html?image=20

Given the rather more interesting and historically significant other sheds featured in the series, my rather more prosaic place of inspiration seems a little sore thumb in such company, but I'll take what is offered!

Shame no Junkk.com mention, which is what I was gunning for of course!

BOOK REVIEW - Junk for Joy - Sian Berry - 'Fiendishly Good'

Well, OK. I can only testify to one, awesome chapter for now.

You may gather why from the above, if you look carefully.

Amazon has delivered the goods, so a few cosy nights' reading ahead.

The rest will follow.

If you can't wait (and that tantalisingly small thumbnail selection intrigues), then you can always buy the book too:)

PR COVERAGE - National Geographic 'Green' Special

This house is stacked to the gunnels with National Geographic Magazines. So many, in fact, that I must confess that not all have been read, though the unfailingly gorgeous photo essays have all been perused.

So imagine my (happy) surprise to be leafing through a 'green' special, and find that Junkk.com has been listed in a top 10 'waste not' collation of sites.

Mainly for our efforts in the area covered by JunkkYard, which is not as great as we'd hope(d), but another welcome bit of recognition and endorsement nonetheless.

With luck, there'll be food, too

As noted before, my family is a tough crowd.

Many's the time I have bounded into the living room with news of a nice bit of PR, or an award, but these days I usually get a 'Great. Well done. But... can we eat it?'

Well, this time, at least literally, eventually... yes.

There is a 'do' to go with the fact that we have secured yet another welcome award.

And I am rather hopeful, given the calibre of folk we're amongst, and where the ceremony is, there may be the opportunity to parlay this into even more of a tangible rent-paying, food-on-the-table nature.

For now, I am merely rather proud of another notch on the scoreboard that suggests that whatever we are doing, at least some nice folk agree we're still doing it quite well.

---
Letter from Organisers

PROJECT: RE: TIE PACKAGING

I am delighted to confirm that you have won a Green Apple Award in connection with the above project, and I hope you will be able to join us to be presented with your trophy at the House of Commons on November 14.

You have definitely won a Green Apple Award, but we never reveal who has won exactly what until the presentation ceremony itself.

Also enclosed you will find a draft News Release to help you publicise your success up to this point.  

Once you know exactly what you have won at the House of Commons, you can once again adapt the News Release to announce your level of success; and you will find most newspapers and radio stations are keen to carry positive news about organisations doing their best to help the environment.

Please convey our congratulations to everyone connected with your award-winning project and we look forward to the pleasure of your company at the House of Commons.

Yours sincerely,

Roger Wolens

Director

Press Release (Local use) provided by organisers (I hope they are right):

Media Advisory

THE GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARDS 2011

TEL/FAX: 01604.810507

LOCAL COMPANY ON THE WAY TO GREEN GLORY

Eco-website and second use design advocates Junkk.com, based in Ross-on-Wye, have won a Green Apple Environment Award in the national campaign to find Britain’s greenest companies, councils and communities.

They competed against more than 500 other nominations and will be presented with their Green Apple Award at a glittering presentation ceremony in the House of Commons on November 14.

As a result of this success they have been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their experience.

They will also be considered to represent their country in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries. 

The awards are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising and promoting environmental best practice.

Judges for the Green Apple Awards are drawn from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

Peter Martin, Junkk.com CEO comments: ‘Beyond a great honour to be in such great company at these awards, it is also another real endorsement for the concept on top of such as the International Exhibition of Inventions Gold  Medal with Congratulations of the Jury in Geneva. And with ‘triple bottom line’ innovation on top of any ‘green business’ agenda these days, we’re hoping this award and our latest new public 'two thumbs up' consumer market research will bring RE:tie’s global potential to the attention of ethical business folk who care about 'green'... in all its forms.

  

ENDS 

BACKSCRATCHING #101 - Friends in Deed

What a nice email greeting to start the day:

Junk or treasure?

Before you bin anything, stop! Find out if there is another use for your junk, and save money, time and the planet. Or maybe you have some suggestions for what other people can do with their junk? Browse some wacky ideas at http://www.junkk.com/ - just click on the 'Ideas' tab. Best Wishes, Rita @ Friends of the Earth

The FoE daily tips are nice enough - free, fun and useful - in their own right, but when one becomes the subject... better still!

Well worth signing up for.

Also linked opposite>>>>>

An important day for RE:tie

Karma is a funny thing.

With the 'brimming with vindication' consumer market research burning a hole in my filing cabinet, yesterday was supposed to be the day of a big meeting with a PR whiz to get the media, at least (hopefully followed by consumers, groups and government) to sit up and take note of RE:tie as a green, disability PR, CSR and sales dream come true.

Sadly, snow stopped (well, postponed, possibly until next year) play.

Suitably snookered, I was licking my wounds when I happened across this:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ianmcowie/100008829/grey-pounds-100bn-christmas-warning-to-retailers/

Bearing in mind that equal to RE:tie's 'green' cred is its contribution to enablement, this was not unfortuitous.

Of course I have weighed in:

'Retailers risk repelling some of their wealthiest customers with excessive and poorly-designed packaging which older people find difficult to open or use...

+

...Nearly half of more than 2,000 people questioned said they are sometimes unable to take lids or caps off products such as plastic milk bottles or jars because of the packaging

As one with more than a passing interest in PR & marketing, what surprises me is how resistant many brands are to initiatives designed not only to boost their CSR, but which may also confer more than a slight USP/sales advantage too, which one has to presume is the holy grail.

With luck it is but a matter of time before design initiatives such as http://www.retie.co.uk/ or http://www.squeezeopen.com/ get noticed, embraced and appreciated as much by those marketing whizzes (and their bosses forever on the TV claiming to be in support of 'innovation') as much as they may be by consumers.

I have also contacted the professional bodies cited, and downloaded a useful research aid:

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/record.jsp?type=publication&ID=80
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/files/pdf_pdf_155.pdf

PR COVERAGE - Little acorns

Did a little series of talks t'other week for local Cub & Scout groups.

Nice to be appreciated.

PR COVERAGE - And idea gaining traction?

Actually, this is more IP coverage.

But as it is a pretty nice article about what we're up to, I think it's worth sharing.

WIPO is not an insignificant force in global IP, so to be noticed and so covered is a very nice thing to enjoy.

Palming On

Funny old world.

A week ago I noticed the local Morrison's was again running the 'Let's Grow' promo, and pondered if we might again unleash the Voucher Palm again (click the links below for archive backstory)

Well, a bit like careless kings and troublesome priests, no sooner muttered than rushed out... without telling me! Nice 'n all, but I might have helped with the proof-reading too.

Plus actually delivering as promised.

Hence a bit of flashing around this weekend to get the new one up.

All's well that ends well....

--------

Don't Be Shy, Schools and Shoppers - Choose Your Coconut Today!

Voucher Palm Ready To Do The Business Again in 2010

Another Autumn, another Morrison's 'Let's Grow' Promo.

And, of course, in Ross-on-Wye at least, the Voucher Palm blossoms in complement again, made from all-reused materials by local eco-ideas website Junkk.com, to help shoppers around town 'post' their vouchers to donate to local schools.

Two have so far have asked to have their own coconut on the palm, but there is space for plenty more. Plus plenty of room inside each to donate vouchers to the school of your choice.

So when around town, if you have some vouchers in your wallet in danger of being lost in the back of the kitchen drawer, pop by the EnviroAbility Book Swap Shop, Cantilupe Rd to ensure they get to... and help make even nicer... some very good local home schools... and gardens.

Caption - Eleanor Bennett of the EnviroAbility Book Swap Shop, Cantilupe Rd, Ross-on-Wye, graciously demonstrates Voucher Palm 3.0

PR COVERAGE - Mate's Rates

As some may know, Junkk.com enjoys a healthy relationship with Poundland.

You know, the retail phenomenon that seems to be almost unique in going from strength to strength, somewhat against the trend?

The one that does seem to have pegged what consumers want these days?

But for all their commitment to value and savings on the pocket, they do ponder deep and long about ways to help make the planet a tad nicer place to be, too.

Which is why, a fair while ago, having seen a Junkk.com stand plugging RE:tie at a show, they liked what they saw enough to want to help in our mission to encourage reuse.

So they popped our URL on their packaging. And from this end, we can testify to just how that has caught on with their customer base. Folk like the notion... A LOT.

Well, just as we had a cheery call that made our Friday a while back, we've just had another.

Look who has pride (well, bottom left, but it's right next to the sign-up) of place on their website homepage:)

Nice to be loved. And to be rated so highly via such an endorsement, compliment and complement from such a successful business.

Maybe we are doing something right, as well as good, after all.

PR COVERAGE - Fast, moving, consumer-related.. and good

Always nice to be noticed.

Even better to be appreciated.

Top cherry to be thought amongst the best.

Junkk.com has been featured in this month's FMCG magazine 'Website spotlight'.

Which is nice.

Not too sure on the value as, so far, the phone has not be ringing off the hook. Early days?

Folk in this industry are pretty time poor, and I've only just found it after it hit the in-tray a few days ago.

Plus I can't help but notice on behalf of RE:tie a tamper evident packaging outfit just down the road. Reaches next for phone...

PR COVERAGE - Hurd, and quoted

If something interesting cops up locally I do like to visit.

So an invite from Conservative PPC Jesse Norman to Hereford to hear Nick Hurd (who was responsible for its passing) outline the Sustainable Communities Act was too good to pass up.

Can't complain if you don't take the pain (well, the hit of a round trip and a few hours).

Little did I know Junkk.com might also end up in print as well.

Nick Hurd MP visits Hereford city

My greater concern was that this might simply add more to an already crowded scene dominated by a frankly tiresome bunch who have already bored me away before, plus doubts on how those who love power might be persuaded to relinquish it.

However, there are some aspects that appeal, if they can be done right, and I will try to stay on top of it.

Bench Press - 3rd time lucky

START PRESS -

Well, it all worked out with some nice media sharing a nice story in a nice way.

Tx to Hereford Journal, Ross Gazette & Wyenot.com


Well, better late than never.

At long last we had our much postponed handover of the winning prize donated following the reuse competition.

The bench arrived by the skin of its teeth, and we duly set it up in the Market Square.

Then, at one stage we had press but no worthies, and then worthies but no press.

Anyway, one way or another we ended up with a bunch of shots of a bunch of folk and with luck this happy end to an epic competition will see a fair bit of PR, one hopes enough that the generous kids who made the donation will think it worthwhile and know how much it is appreciated.

With me are Stephen and Ian from sponsors BRP, flanked by Councillor Cutter from Hereford and Mayor Edwards of Ross.

Addendum:

After a chance conversation with a charming reporter from the Hereford Times, I have been forwarded the piece they carried, which I managed to miss:

Youngsters gift to town

A NEW bench made from
thousands of plastic bottles
has been donated to the
people of Ross.
It comes after local
teenagers won a national
newspaper competition in
association with Junkk.com,
a re-use ideas website.
Entries were invited to
suggest ways that plastic
items, usually thrown away,
might be diverted to
productive second uses.
"It turns out that a group of
teenagers had jointly come
up with the idea, and just
submitted it for fun," said
site owner Peter Martin.
"They frankly had no easy
use for such a thing, and
asked if they could donate it
to the community, to show,
paraphrasing their words
'that not all kids are all take
and no give, and we do care
about where we live'."
The seat was handed over to
councillors in a ceremony in
Market Square.

AWARD - Sustain Magazine Awards

Some things are worth getting out of bed for.

Last Thursday, I succumbed to man flu.

By Friday I was a death's door. The merest few moments in front of the PC was enough to have me dashing for the Lemsip and the Sky History channel.

Which was why a cheery call that day to invite me to submit for the Sustain Magazine Awards was just what the doctor hadn't ordered.

But hey, they had heard nice things and had been steered my way, and were happy to give me a last ditch, 11th hr chance if I was up for it.

What's not to love? I honestly have little recollection what I entered for, much less what I wrote ( a lot... the forms were extensive!) in my addled state, but I have just been told Junkk.com and RE:tie are now shortlisted, under the 'Waste' category' at least.

Which is nice. Sustain is a major player in the green world, so this is already a decent endorsement and the gateway to some major networking. And the folk there seem tops. Especially Adam, who has been coordinating the event.

And at least all this gives me an excuse to break out the tux, which is always well complemented by the Vac:Sac as one rubs the shoulder carrying it with those of the worthy and worth meeting who grace such events.

Who knows, we may even score a gong. Better yet, hook up with some complementary folk.

Maybe see you there?

I will also be attending Ecobuild, which is the same day and next door.

Nice reuse of a journey, at least:)

A subject dear to my heart

In so many ways!

Waste is a potential resource, not a problem

As a passionate advocate of reward over fine, nanny, guilt, scare, etc, all of which have worked so well with the public so far, I have to concede a cautious welcome to the principle at least.

But... shopping vouchers? To go and buy yet more stuff to throw away?

As some here have raised, reduction and reuse remain ahead of recycling in the waste hierarchy, so at the very least make the incentives as pertinent as they should be tangible. Discounts on energy saving schemes or items, maybe. Points towards big ticket items that lead to further savings, such as:

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=17149

Or, if legal, allow aggregation and/or transferability, for compo or as a donation. I'd be happy to allow my 'points' go to buying a match-funded boiler for a pensioner over most tax-gouging redistribution schemes in the name of green that seem to be flying about (or to Copenhagen) from many in high office and held in low esteem at the moment.

Also encourage reuse at every turn:

http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/10/reuse-exchange-sites.html

Better yet, encourage getting it designed-in:

http://junkk.blogspot.com/2009/09/idea-multi-use-large-container.html

All IMHO, better than an addiction to recycling which, as a last resort, is fine, if done properly:

http://junkk.blogspot.com/2009/10/bye-bye-rebox-hello-wheelie.html

I remain unclear on where all this box-ticking, target meeting recyclate ends up. Better than landfill to be sure, but... where?

RE:PAIR - Want tips with that?

Top 10 Clever Fixes for Your Broken Stuff

And if you ever need a place to go to find stuff to fix things with....

According to Plan?

Suitably 'inspired', I go off message...

Hey, what's the worst that could happen? They've ignored all my efforts at trying to engage thus far.

Marks & Spencer describes its journey from corporate social responsibility to sustainability

I'd like to think many brands/retailers are committing to environmentally sound initiatives and practices for more than pure bottom line as opposed to more laudable triple bottom line reasons. But the realities are few and far between.

Sadly, from personal experience, I have found too many managers (at least at mid, gatekeeper level) exist solely on what makes a margin. The talk from on high may be there, but the walkers lower down ain't hearing... or, frankly, being encouraged much.

And the retail world especially seems to make the Russian military look like a Woodstock reunion: the climate of fear at every level is palpable, from worrying about what might not make money to wondering if they guy above will get miffed at not having had a good idea.

The odd thing is that it IS possible to make green not just for the planet, but also your consumers AND yourselves.

Just stop thinking like buzz-word marketers and start empathising as human beings with shared values.

Marks & Spencer creates 'virtual patchwork quilt' for Copenhagen Climate Summit drive - Looking for tangibles... finding few. I imagine the presentation of the patch will attract a fair bit of PR come the day, mind.

Baby steps

Little increments.

Individually maybe not so significant, but cumulatively...

Got a call the other day from a lovely chap, who edits the newsletter for the IPO (Intellectual Property Office).

He was interested as much in my journey with RE:tie as much as the product itself.

Enough to stretch to two long chats.

With luck, it will result in some PR, and to some useful folk. Baby steps.

And in the course of this he mentioned some invention (especially 'green' related) resources I was not aware of, which I happily pass on here:

Low Carbon Innovation Centre. Good guys. http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200903/ipinsight-200903-3.htm

Plus some info on speed patents (which now apply to clean tech in particular): http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200905/ipinsight-200905-4.htm

And a recycling case study: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/news/newsletters/ipinsight/ipinsight-200901/ipinsight-200901-4.htm

The sound of a distant bandwagon being drummed?

Business Link: Lord Sugar is on the warpath!

How!... er... How?

How! was one of my favourite programmes; it showed you how to make things.

Warpaths are good. But other than saying the two sides are lacking, I'd be a tad more interested in the how of making things, and better.

With luck, one indeed hopes we might get to learn this too, in due course. Otherwise, it's just finger pointing, and for all the use of that, I have another way it might be directed.

And speaking of rubbish, I have an app for that... one that suggests it need not be a dirty word:)