New bins for old

In November, my area swaps recycling systems.

Out goes the RE:box, a two-container system that I helped name, design and market, and in comes the now ubiquitous green wheelie.

I have mixed feelings on this. So, following an invitation in the local paper, I trooped off t'other day 'to get all my questions answered'.

Well, I got a leaflet (Polish and Portuguese also available) and a free pencil, so it was not a complete waste, but sadly the questions I had (about recyclcate quality at the MRF (materials Reclamation Facility), etc) were not on the list. Nor what these 'new products' might be.

Still, I did learn a few things.

By virtue of having a house on the street, I may not be issued with one. I think I will manage by virtue of having off road space, but the issue is me getting it out for collection without blocking the footpath. Even a few minutes if I get up and get it out early might be a hazard.

So that's pretty much our whole road out, then. Strikes me as already a step backwards as the alternative is to lob out black binliners.

I am also 'required' to rinse and clean everything... apparently. No bin liners in the wheelie means that in the two hot weeks of summer between collections... 'I would want to anyway'. Hmnnn. Oddly, we get to retain our bin liners for 'other waste'.

There's also a leaflet on what they will take and what they won't. I could not get much feedback on what steps would be taken in the event of incorrect placement, either by self or 3d parties. Hmnnn 2.

What is good is they will now take plastics, but again we are in label territory. The lady said 'if it's a bottle we'll take it'. Not sure she, or consumers, will be getting their heads round this one any time soon. They also don't want biodegradables. Good luck with that.

We'll see. But even after what I am sure will be an inevitably troubled settling in period, I remain to be convinced that this has been thought through.

And as one who helped deliver them, I wonder what will become of 20,000 heavy duty blue plastic RE:tie containers after just a few years. Landfill?

Descendants of King Tut?

Or should that be 'tat'?

I am naturally drawn to any piece that mentions 'junk', even if in less than glowing terms.

Like the Pharaohs, we’re getting buried by our own possessions

However, in my case, several years' worth of old packaging secreted around house, garden and shed might stretch to qualify as 'possessions'.

My name is URL... and Mud

You know that bowl of petunias in the HitchHiker's Guide?

'Oh, no; not again'

Last week the upgrades to the site went live. Tested every which way and looking well spiffy.

However, behind the scenes, there were 'consequences' brewing.

Because along with the change there was a change of server and, it turns out, that meant links elsewhere got lost.

So I noticed that Junkk.com was no longer getting emails.

However, in solving that, it then seems that the site was linking to an ancient incarnation held in the cache.

And now, in solving that in turn, I now no longer have access to the back end admin. There is something about a scrolling page headed 'Error Code...' that can really spoil a day.

Just needs sharing

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:)

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.

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

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 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.

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.

What's this button do?

Scientists 'kept at arm's length'

Explains a lot.

Solutions are rare

Hence I will make a rare exception and cite a poll (for all they are worth) on them.

Make your vote count in the battle against global warming

Won't tell you how I voted.

Interestingly, until this I had never heard of the current Number 1: Thorium nuke.

Which might reflect the methodology.

Guardian - TEDGlobal: The genius of the natural world

OK, it's political

But I clicked on it because of the picture.

They'll need a mass grave to bury this bad news

Now I share it because of what is crammed into 3 short(ish) paras.

Very little opinion. A lot of depressing fact.

CATEGORY - SOLAR

Articles

Observer - Why aren't we warming to solar? - Good question, and start to kick off with.
Observer - Solar so good for our house - It doesn't look like Nevada, so what's good enough for him...? Note the caveat, mind.
Guardian - Keep on the sunny side - Concentrating Solar Power
Junkk (et all) - o-solar-mi-o-mi
Got this in a forum: Is $339,000 For This Green Solar-Roof Home In Chicago Affordable? - Kind of depends what one means by 'affordable', I guess.The maths is pretty well laid out in the piece, though there are of course imponderables on future costs/values that make them best guesses. There's also whether you are 'affording' it to save and/or make money on operational costs & added value at resale over the duration of habitation, or 'affording' it to reduce one's emissions (after construction contribution) on an enviROI+ measure, without being so worried about money.
Greenbang - Carrot wins, Aussies go solar - It's worth repeating...'Carrot wins'
Indy - Solar panels 'not cost effective' - Hmnn. Do, should they mean yet? enviROI?
In reply - Letters
Greenbang - 208 years to pay back cost of solar panels? - Of course, making money need not be an issue at all to some, but this does seem to suggest the numbers on any count are hard to come by to make an informed decision.
Telegraph - What's the point of solar panels?
Mongabay.com - Solar cells, flat-panel screens are source of potent greenhouse gas - certainly a potential back-of-mind aspect in enviROI calculations
Indy - Solar panels 'take 100 years to pay back installation costs' - making a good choice is certainly not easy. Maybe procrastination pays.
Times - Greenhouse effects: Smarter Energy PV panels - Useful!
Times - Solar panels in the Sahara 'could power the whole of Europe' - I'd love to go along, but there's that word again. Promising, but I had read about this before, and there was some debate about the scouring effect of sand on the mirrors and the drop of inefficiency over distance the 'leccy gets sent. Any mention of that?
Guardian - Starving UK plc's green energy shoots - Normally I wouldn't link to such as this, as I share some thread posters' disquiet about the medium handing over an admittedly commentary-oriented piece to an author with a clearly subjective view, at least with no mention of what it might be. However, there are some interesting points, and numbers, especially in the thread.
Guardian - Concentrated solar power could generate 'quarter of world's energy' - Note my favourite word in that headline.
Telegraph - NEW - Why Whitehall hates solar panels - Perversely, part of me would wish they were actually smart enough to be that venal in support of their own petty interests. The piece, and some comments, does make me keen to see how solar has progressed to be viable on these shores which, let's face it, are not that sunny.

Grants

lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

Information

Smart Planet - NEW - How does a solar cell work? - I miss Tomorrow's World.. and Look & Learn.

Trendhunter - Top 100 Solar Inventions - Part I: Gadgets & Fashion (SUPER GALLERY) - heck of a start, I'd say!

Part II - Though how what gets in does and what doesn't hasn't I have no clue. I'll keep looking for more 'down to earth' examples as they come by.

Suppliers

Solartrac
Solartwin
Solarventi
trianco -
windandsun.co.uk -

See labels below, especially under 'Alt. Energy' for previous notes. If you have anything to add to the headings above... share 'em! Direct to info[at]junkk.com or via the comments on the blog.

GULP!

Bear in mind... you are reading this on a blog.

Blogs are big business…just not here

Not sure if I am in the wrong business... or country.

Double Take

I misread this at first:

Microsoft Chooses ‘Doing Good’ Over ‘Looking Good’

Silly me, I thought they were using the greenwash funds to reduce emissions.

I feel... done.

Nudge, nudge, and, er... another nudge

Hey, if the opportunity presents:

Unilever launches sustainability drive

The Cleaner Planet Plan sounds interesting and to be applauded*. I shall look forward to hearing more about its scope, and especially if it covers such as recycling and/or reuse (my personal favourite) beyond the commitment to reduction.

Reuse especially offers great opportunity to affect the habits of consumers on top of any feel good factor with tangible rewards to pocket as well as planet. A rare 'win-win' for all in the mix, from marketer to consumer. Even some often at the sharp end, such as LGAs, who too often are lumbered with wielding threat, guilt, nanny or scare: none of which are over-motivating.

*With a big eyebrow ready to crank.

And, while we're at it:

Tesco and Asda slip down WPP Green survey

I'm trying to get a scope and will report if anything interesting evolves.

Nudge, nudge...

Well, she asked:

Can sandals ever be fun?

And it seemed/s a good opportunity for a plug:)

I'd have hoped... thought that it is entirely possible to introduce a variety of functions into anything, if you use a bit of imagination.

Heavens, how many times to we hear the old chestnut that kids prefer to play with the box than the present?

Hence anything that adds value, and especially second use, to any packaging design should be desired, attempted... and applauded.

I have to say my two have rather outgrown the brief distraction of some packside imagery, but are still not above reusing all manner of boxes, tubes, etc in all sorts of creative ways.

ps: Speaking of sandals and fun, if you have a decent idea to add to the free online plastics reuse competition currently on Junkk.com, the runner-up prizes are... recycled plastic sandals!

Squeezing the most

I like low waste solutions.

Especially when they mean using less materials too:

Treehugger - Clever Toothbrush Stops Paste Waste with Haste

Leek investigations

Biology came third in my sciences, but this looks interesting.

Leeks to the rescue

SIR – Earlier in the year, Professor Steven Chu, America’s Energy Secretary, suggested that the roofs of houses should be painted white to combat global warming (report, May 28).
A more effective way would be to introduce the houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) to suburban roofs. These plants, of the Crassulaceae family, capture carbon dioxide at night and use it during the day – a method of photosynthesis known as crassulacean acid metabolism.

Now, how one configures roofs to sustain the load, maintain ('acid' being a word that sets up some red flags) and manage the crop is a whole new ball of enviROI, but if the claim is true it seems at first blush a better plan than some.

Joining up thinking?

Conservative think tank urges recycling reform

I fear I find almost anything from any political party (or the odd new breed of separation stages, be it think tanks or quangos) suspect, but this report smacks of common sense. At least, as summarised here. I'll get around to reading it (57pp) one day.

As, with renewables, there is much good, honest engineering thinking - 'Our waste system has developed piecemeal over the past 150 years without ever being reformed properly" - to assess the enviROI from instigation to operation that will be into many administrations hence, I just hope the number crunchers are up to the task and are allowed to do a proper job without 'influences' based on short-termism or lobbying from subsidy junkies.

I really hope it can be reformed, as the current piecemeal efforts are serving neither planet nor public understanding of what can be one to help it at all. But let's hope there is a political will to be honest about consequences without trying to please all, and right away, with fudges.

It will take an upfront hit to see benefits later on. But... have we the money now? There will always be...consequences.

Addendum

Telegraph Letters - Fine way to collect rubbish
SIR – At last saner voices seem to be prevailing in the debate over the best way to collect and recycle rubbish from the nation’s doorsteps (“Household waste bills warning”, report, July 20).
Policy Exchange is correct in suggesting that fortnightly collections encourage recycling as long as they are accompanied by a weekly collection for food waste. That is the system run in our part of north London, and we are now the second-best recycler in the capital, with an overall recycling rate of 44 per cent.
It is also right to highlight the punitive role of government fines for the extra rubbish we send to landfill. This is why councils put three wheelie bins on your doorstep. It is not because council managers like to torment residents with a baffling variety of bins, but because recycling at the earliest stage possible (on the doorstep) helps us to fend off government fines further down the line.