Waste has an image problem. For many there’s a perception that it’s not in vogue, not as important or ‘sexy’ an environmental issue as climate change or water shortages. Yet agriculture is the world’s largest consumer of water, and the food miles required to transport food around the world contributes to climate change, which in turn disproportionately affects the poorest people in the world. Reduce food waste and you’re dealing with a multitude of environmental and moral injustices. I met with Chris Wilkie from London Citizens Greener Planet Action Team, to find out what they’re doing about all the food waste in London.
30-03-2010
Chris, can you tell us a bit about London Citizens, and the Greener Planet Action Team?
London Citizens is a charity with a large membership of faith groups, universities, schools, trades unions and other community organisations, working together on a wide range of important social issues across the Capital. In the couple of years I have been working with them I have seen amazing progress on issues including the London Living Wage, affordable housing, engaging communities in tackling street crime and immigration/asylum issues. London Citizens is not affiliated to any political party, so it can work independently with no political influence. Issues to be tackled are chosen democratically by the members.
The Greener Planet Action Team (GPAT) is a group within London Citizens, formed almost three years ago to tackle environmental issues across London. In May 2008 we held an event called London’s Green Future at Imperial College, featuring guest speakers and workshops with experts such as London’s Green MEP, Jean Lambert, and the environmental broadcaster Mark Dowd. In January 2009, together with Transport for London and the major newspaper publishers, we launched a publicity campaign on tube trains, in stations and on buses, encouraging people to recycle the free newspapers they picked up each day. Throughout 2009 we delivered a series of environmental training workshops for our member organisations. Last November we held a screening of the film “The Age of Stupid” followed by a discussion on which major issue to tackle in 2010. We decided that the problem of food waste was an area where we could make a real difference in our communities. This is how Plan Zheroes was born.
So what is Plan Zheroes and what does it aim to achieve?
Plan Zheroes is the name we have given to our food waste project. The aim is to prevent good food from becoming waste, ideally creating zero waste. Those achieving this would be promoted as “zero heroes”, hence Zheroes!
We want to create links between food donators (e.g. supermarkets, restaurants, schools etc,) and people who really need the food. Our aim is to inspire as many businesses as possible to help us solve this environmental and social issue.
Why do you think supermarkets, restaurants, schools or other businesses will want to be a part of Plan Zheroes? Will it help them to save money?
They will want to participate because they all recognise the problem of food waste, they aspire to be more environmentally and socially proactive and we will help them celebrate and publicise their successes. I think it is too early to say whether it will help the supermarkets save money but those who receive the food will certainly make savings.
Where will the food be directed and who will benefit most?
The idea is to redirect the food to organisations who help people on low incomes, the homeless, perhaps the elderly – in fact anyone who can benefit from it. We know that many families and individuals are struggling financially and cannot afford to eat properly every day. For example, we heard of one family which can only afford to give one member a hot meal each day, so they have to take it in turns. This is a really unacceptable situation when so much food is simply thrown away each day in London. The Greener Planet Action team is determined to help do something about it.
Which other organisations are you consulting for advice and support for Plan Zheroes?
We have already had discussions with The Green Alliance, Waste Watch, The Soil Association, FareShare, and Ealing Friends of the Earth. We will work together with these and other organisations as the project develops. Our aim is not to reinvent the wheel where good work has already begun but to add the considerable influence and power of London Citizens.
What are the timescales for Plan Zheroes to start taking shape?
We began the project in January this year and are currently gathering evidence about good and bad practice in food waste management, piloting surveys initially in West London. We anticipate this will take until May, at which point we will assess the success of the pilot and modify the surveys if required. After May we will use volunteers from our member organisations across London to continue gathering data and begin matching donators of food with organisations who can redirect it to those who need it. I would like to see some tangible results, i.e. systems in place where food is being donated and used, by this summer.
And finally, if readers want to know more, support or get involved, where can they find out more information, and who should they contact?
Further information will be available on the London Citizens’ website - www.londoncitizens.org.uk. Anyone interested can contact me by email at chris.wilkie@tiscali.co.uk or on 07985 306 832 if they would like to find out more or help us with this very important work. The more volunteers we have, the bigger impact we will make! Thanks, Atul, for giving us the opportunity to publicise Plan Zheroes.
Atul Srivastava
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
EcoSaving Property: Report from Ecobuild 2010
Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, bringing together more than 1,000 suppliers of sustainable construction products at Earl’s Court on 2 – 4 March 2010. I teamed up with cameraman Felix Gonzales and interviewed Emma from Buglife about green roofs and how they can save people money, at the same time as proving a high rise home for wildlife.
08-03-2010
About a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes. With fuel prices on the rise, there is increasing incentive for us to reduce our energy use in our homes and business premises. By undertaking straightforward measures like insulation, and simple actions like switching to low energy light bulbs, a typical householder would save about £300 a year, potentially over £500 a year.
The Energy Savings Trust is a major player in the eco property industry. They have quantified the following top tips for saving money in your property.
1. You can save around £55 per year for every one degree Celcius you turn the thermostat down.
2. Upgrade to Energy Saving Recommended appliances and save up to £36 a year.
3. Turn appliances off standby and save around £33 a year.
4. Replace single glazing with double glazing and save around £135 a year on heating bills.
5. Replace inefficient light bulbs with low energy light bulbs and save around £37 a year.
6. Save around £25 a year by draught proofing around windows and doors.
7. Insulate your loft to the full recommended depth of 270mm and save up to £150 a year.
8. Insulate your hot water tank and pipes, and save around £45 a year.
Total savings: £516 a year!
Over 1,000 suppliers were demonstrating their products at Ecobuild 2010, I couldn’t possibly get around to see all of them. In essence they were mostly trying to do the same thing: help us to achieve the ‘EcoSavings’ listed above. There were some innovative approaches, such as Mira Showers, who have invented an Eco showerhead that reduces the amount of water used by up to 75%, saving money particularly for people on water meters, as well as saving money on the energy required to heat the water.
Amongst the usual suspects of companies displaying their innovative ways to insulate your boiler or stop heat escaping from your windows, there were also some unexpected exhibitors. Buglife, RSPB and the Bat Conservation Trust were on hand to explain how property and nature are intrinsically linked. I teamed up with cameraman Felix Gonzales and interviewed Emma from Buglife about living roofs, also known as green or brown roofs. Emma explained that they can save people money at the same time as providing a high rise home for wildlife. Green roofs provide extra insulation to a building, improving its heat efficiency, which means lower energy use at the same time as supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife, from birds to beetles and rare bumblebees.
No wonder Ecobuild was buzzing this year!
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Sources and thanks to:
1. www.ecobuild.co.uk
2. www.buglife.org.uk
3. www.mirashowers.co.uk
4. The Sunday Telegraph Special Report: 31 January 2010
5. Fraser Winterbottom, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Saving Trust, quoted in The Sunday Telegraph Special Report: 31 January 2010
08-03-2010
About a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes. With fuel prices on the rise, there is increasing incentive for us to reduce our energy use in our homes and business premises. By undertaking straightforward measures like insulation, and simple actions like switching to low energy light bulbs, a typical householder would save about £300 a year, potentially over £500 a year.
The Energy Savings Trust is a major player in the eco property industry. They have quantified the following top tips for saving money in your property.
1. You can save around £55 per year for every one degree Celcius you turn the thermostat down.
2. Upgrade to Energy Saving Recommended appliances and save up to £36 a year.
3. Turn appliances off standby and save around £33 a year.
4. Replace single glazing with double glazing and save around £135 a year on heating bills.
5. Replace inefficient light bulbs with low energy light bulbs and save around £37 a year.
6. Save around £25 a year by draught proofing around windows and doors.
7. Insulate your loft to the full recommended depth of 270mm and save up to £150 a year.
8. Insulate your hot water tank and pipes, and save around £45 a year.
Total savings: £516 a year!
Over 1,000 suppliers were demonstrating their products at Ecobuild 2010, I couldn’t possibly get around to see all of them. In essence they were mostly trying to do the same thing: help us to achieve the ‘EcoSavings’ listed above. There were some innovative approaches, such as Mira Showers, who have invented an Eco showerhead that reduces the amount of water used by up to 75%, saving money particularly for people on water meters, as well as saving money on the energy required to heat the water.
Amongst the usual suspects of companies displaying their innovative ways to insulate your boiler or stop heat escaping from your windows, there were also some unexpected exhibitors. Buglife, RSPB and the Bat Conservation Trust were on hand to explain how property and nature are intrinsically linked. I teamed up with cameraman Felix Gonzales and interviewed Emma from Buglife about living roofs, also known as green or brown roofs. Emma explained that they can save people money at the same time as providing a high rise home for wildlife. Green roofs provide extra insulation to a building, improving its heat efficiency, which means lower energy use at the same time as supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife, from birds to beetles and rare bumblebees.
No wonder Ecobuild was buzzing this year!
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Sources and thanks to:
1. www.ecobuild.co.uk
2. www.buglife.org.uk
3. www.mirashowers.co.uk
4. The Sunday Telegraph Special Report: 31 January 2010
5. Fraser Winterbottom, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Saving Trust, quoted in The Sunday Telegraph Special Report: 31 January 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
Model Thinking: The Economic Benefits of Eco Fashion
After speaking to many of the 28 Eco Designers at London Fashion Week, I felt the 'Slow Fashion' movement could benefit from publicity as money saving for individuals - buying fewer clothes, perhaps at slightly higher prices, that last much longer and therefore save people money in the long term.
Many of the 28 Eco Designers within the Estethica Exhibition at London Fashion Week mentioned the term ‘slow fashion’ during our impromptu interviews. The slow fashion movement aims to slow down the fast turnover of clothing in the retail industry, reducing clothing waste to landfill, and moving towards eco friendly clothing that lasts more than one or two fashion seasons. Men’s suits are a good example of slow fashion; you can wear the same smart jacket 15 times and remain fashionable, as long as you wash it occasionally.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my experience in the environmental sector, it is to never forget the accepted and astonishingly simple model of sustainability. That model is portrayed by 3 interlinking ‘Olympic’ circles of sustainability: Environmental, Economic and Social. The central area where these 3 circles interlink is where true sustainability occurs. I’m yet to find an example where this model of thinking is not helpful.
I’d say the Eco Designers are all pretty sorted on the Environmental circle. Their eco clothing features organic cotton, recycled and up-cycled materials, pesticides free, etc. On the Social circle, a few of them quite rightly said the phrase ‘Fashion First’ – there’s no point being eco if no one wants to buy their clothes to look good for social occasions.
But what about the Economic circle? While some of the designers highlighted that slow fashion can save consumers money in the long term, my feeling was that this was not emphasised enough in their advertising strategies. Perhaps it’s the very labels eco, ethical or sustainable fashion themselves. These terms appeal to an altruistic sensibility that may make existing consumers feel good about wearing their clothes, but not necessarily reach new audiences concerned with economic self preservation during a recession.
If PR based on eco, ethical or sustainable fashion is preaching to the converted, how do they reach new customers?
As an environmentalist I’ve learnt to emphasise the economic and social benefits more than the environmental. Try emphasising your clothes as durable in your advertising, saving people money because they won’t need to buy new ones next year. If you make full use of all waste materials, try advertising this as efficiency and a means of keeping your costs low. If your materials are sourced within the UK, that’s a benefit primarily to the consumer who doesn’t have to ultimately foot the bill for the ‘fashion miles’ of flying materials around the world; the secondary benefit is reduced climate change.
Some of the designers were already using this model in their PR. I hope more Eco Designers benefit from this model of thinking.
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Sunday, 21 February 2010
10 Affordable Eco Fashion Designers
Eco Fashion may sometimes be slightly more expensive, but it tends to be more durable. Buy a winter coat from the high street for £100 and you may have to replace it in two years. Buy an eco winter coat for £400 and it may last you for 40 years. Eco fashion saves you money in the long term, as these designers show with their durable eco fashion items.
21-02-2010
www.anatomyfashion.co.uk
Under £400 for a tailored jacket designed to last for decades. Garments are made using sustainable sources such as organic cotton and bamboo.
www.ejfoundation.org
The Environmental Justice Foundation receives donated designs from established names such as Luella and Katharine Hamnett in order to keep their prices low. T-shirts from these designers would normally be considered high-end and retail for around £90, whereas EJF sell them for £30, and they’re made with organic and fair trade cotton. A great example of affordable eco fashion.
www.stamo.co.uk
Stamo features an innovative ‘half garment’ concept. For example, two half jackets of different styles are sewn together for form a whole, using various recycled and vintage fabrics.
www.minna.co.uk
Minna’s zero waste policy means that all waste remnants are used to embellish the garments. They are hand made using sustainable and organic fabrics.
www.thenorthcircular.com
The North Circular use Wensleydale sheep wool and other materials sourced within the UK. Their cashmere garments are up to £150 cheaper than you’ll find on the high street.
www.izzylane.com
Even if you forget about fashion, Izzy Lane is making an essential contribution to global biodiversity. They look after Wensleydale sheep and save them from extinction.
www.beautiful-soul.co.uk
Not only does Beautiful Soul use Wensleydale sheep wool, they also use up-cycled materials, and have won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s Innovation Award.
www.joannacave.com
Joanna Cave converted to being ethical, and found she didn’t need to increase her prices. 90% of her materials are recycled. For example, she found that recycled silver is the same price as buying it new.
www.ninadolcetti.com
These shoes are hand-made in London with recycled materials sourced in the UK. Heels are formed from sustainably sourced cork and wood, and soles comprise largely of recycled leather. The curvy collection has recently introduced vegetable tanned leathers.
www.elvisandkresse.com
Famous for having Cameron Diaz wear a belt made from recycled fire hoses, Elvis & Kresse Arts have stylish eco accessories in the range of £90-£300, affordable for an exclusive high end range.
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Monday, 8 February 2010
5 Eco Money Saving Valentine’s Day Gifts!
Valentine’s Day gifts are inherently somewhat personal, so there may be fewer conversations amongst friends or around the dinner table about ideas for eco money saving Valentine’s Day gifts. We English are happy to share tips about saving energy in the home or where the nearest recycling points are, but what about your love life? Here’s my no holds barred, top 5 eco money saving Valentine’s Day gifts!
08-02-2010
1. Pants to Poverty! These pants are made from fair-trade and organic cotton, starting at £7 a pair. Established in 2005, the company has a serious mission behind its comic marketing. Pesticide pollution, empowering women and economic empowerment for farmers in India. Pants to Poverty aims to “rid the world of bad pants”, saying “we want our pants to be completely transparent”. They mean in terms of the production process, of course.
www.pantstopoverty.com/
2. Eco Condoms! Yes, you read that right. A pack of 12 costs £8.99. French Letter have brought out eco friendly condoms made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified rubber, so the planet doesn’t suffer while you have fun! They carry the BSI (British Standards Institution) kite mark, so they are as safe as any other brand.
www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Eco_Condoms.html
3. For Her: BaByliss Eco Hair Dryer 5137U, £18.45 from John Lewis. Products in the home that heat things up tend to use the most energy. This hair dryer gives you the powerful drying performance of a conventional 2000 watt dryer, but uses only 1000 watts, saving you money on your energy bill. You could get her an eco kettle, but a hair dryer seems more appropriate for Valentine’s Day!
www.johnlewis.com/230476291/Product.aspx?source=14798
4. For Him: The Jimi Wallet, starting at £6. Made from 100% recycled materials, the Jimi wallet is water resistant and therefore already popular with blokes who enjoy their outdoor activities, particularly cycling and snow sports.
www.love-eco.co.uk/products/jimi-wallet
5. Bamboo Candles, starting at £9. Bamboo is a multi-purpose, eco-friendly grass that, when harvested, carries on growing again. Bamboo candles are filled with soy wax, an annually renewable resource which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and virtually soot and smoke free. It’s so soft, you can even use it as a massage oil when it’s warm.
www.myecostore.co.uk/bamboo-candle-p-293.html
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Eco Competition!
Which is the most worthy eco project? Six eco charities are locked in battle for a prize of 30,000 Euros! Who will you vote for? I voted for BTCV – you don’t have to register to vote. Just visit this link and click on the project you want to win!
www.livefortheoutdoors.com/News-Landing/Search-Results/Features/Vote-for-the-most-worthy-eco-project-right-here/
www.livefortheoutdoors.com/News-Landing/Search-Results/Features/Vote-for-the-most-worthy-eco-project-right-here/
Monday, 25 January 2010
5 Eco Money Saving Resolutions!
At the end of January many people start to notice that their New Year resolutions are starting to falter. Psychologists have noticed that New Year resolutions are rarely maintained throughout the year unless they were already deeply embedded in what you want from life, not just made up for New Year. Use the New Year to help reaffirm any money saving or eco resolutions you want to become habit. Here are my top 5 eco money saving resolutions for 2010.
26-01-2010
1. If you need to buy a car and can’t use public transport, convert to hybrid in 2010! Many hybrids are now cheaper than their full petrol counterparts by the same company. By definition, hybrid cars have the power there when you need it. Even if you’re not interested in the environment, you’ll pay less for fuel. And hybrids come with financial benefits beyond massive fuel savings. Hybrids often qualify for road tax and congestion charge exemption, car insurance discounts and parking permit discounts. Add it all up and you’re saving hundreds of pounds a year!
2. Walk or cycle in 2010! Jumping in your, hopefully hybrid, car might sound energetic, but it’s consistent walking and cycling throughout the year that will firm up your legs, bums and tums. You’ll look good on the beach, improve your life expectancy, save money on petrol, and save money on wear and tear on your car.
3. Eliminate gym costs in 2010! BTCV run Green Gyms throughout the UK, where you can get fit for free through conservation volunteering. Forget spending about £40 a month on that gym membership that you never make full use of anyway. You’ll burn up to a third more calories in an hour of Green Gym conservation than in a step aerobics class. Sessions are designed to work a variety of muscle groups. If you currently spend £40 a month on gym membership, join a Green Gym instead and save £480 a year!
4. Kill the ‘Phantom Load’ in 2010! The term refers to your mobile phone charger, computer cord and time-telling DVD player that all suck energy even when there isn’t anything attached on the other end, hence the spooky phantomness. Clock in the microwave? £50 a year added to your energy bill!
5. Holiday locally in 2010! Although some air fares are cheap, you will often save money overall if you take into account airport taxes, travel to and from the airport, insurance and other costs associated with foreign travel. You’ll also spend a smaller percentage of your time in transit, allowing you more quality time together.
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Sources and thanks to:
www.charteredpsychologist.co.uk
www.btcv.org
www.moneynews.co.uk/1994/more-than-hybrid-car-insurance-discount-prompts-reaction/
www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/oct/14/ethicalmoney.transportintheuk
www.parkers.co.uk/News/Road-tax/FREE-to-tax-cars/
www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=12418
www.mnn.com/local-reports/new-york/student-blog/dorm-friendly-eco-resolutions-for-2010
www.prx.org/pieces/15391-eco-resolutions#description
www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/new-years-resolutions-47121520
26-01-2010
1. If you need to buy a car and can’t use public transport, convert to hybrid in 2010! Many hybrids are now cheaper than their full petrol counterparts by the same company. By definition, hybrid cars have the power there when you need it. Even if you’re not interested in the environment, you’ll pay less for fuel. And hybrids come with financial benefits beyond massive fuel savings. Hybrids often qualify for road tax and congestion charge exemption, car insurance discounts and parking permit discounts. Add it all up and you’re saving hundreds of pounds a year!
2. Walk or cycle in 2010! Jumping in your, hopefully hybrid, car might sound energetic, but it’s consistent walking and cycling throughout the year that will firm up your legs, bums and tums. You’ll look good on the beach, improve your life expectancy, save money on petrol, and save money on wear and tear on your car.
3. Eliminate gym costs in 2010! BTCV run Green Gyms throughout the UK, where you can get fit for free through conservation volunteering. Forget spending about £40 a month on that gym membership that you never make full use of anyway. You’ll burn up to a third more calories in an hour of Green Gym conservation than in a step aerobics class. Sessions are designed to work a variety of muscle groups. If you currently spend £40 a month on gym membership, join a Green Gym instead and save £480 a year!
4. Kill the ‘Phantom Load’ in 2010! The term refers to your mobile phone charger, computer cord and time-telling DVD player that all suck energy even when there isn’t anything attached on the other end, hence the spooky phantomness. Clock in the microwave? £50 a year added to your energy bill!
5. Holiday locally in 2010! Although some air fares are cheap, you will often save money overall if you take into account airport taxes, travel to and from the airport, insurance and other costs associated with foreign travel. You’ll also spend a smaller percentage of your time in transit, allowing you more quality time together.
Atul Srivastava
Eco Expert
www.ecoexpert.tv
Follow me each day on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoexperttv
Sources and thanks to:
www.charteredpsychologist.co.uk
www.btcv.org
www.moneynews.co.uk/1994/more-than-hybrid-car-insurance-discount-prompts-reaction/
www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/oct/14/ethicalmoney.transportintheuk
www.parkers.co.uk/News/Road-tax/FREE-to-tax-cars/
www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=12418
www.mnn.com/local-reports/new-york/student-blog/dorm-friendly-eco-resolutions-for-2010
www.prx.org/pieces/15391-eco-resolutions#description
www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/new-years-resolutions-47121520
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