The Green Jubilee 2012

Many of you, like me, will be digging out the bunting to celebrate during the extended bank holiday for the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

But how can you make your patriotic celebrations green? Well if the weather stays anything like it’s been for the last week I’m sure thousands of people will be taking to the streets for parties whilst sunning themselves in gardens and local parks across the UK! 

Take a look at these Jubilee-themed innovative creations reported by Treehugger: “Recycled Stamps, Trash, and Cookies Celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond” 

Hot tips to make the Jubilee Green –

Food and Drink

Plastic dinner plates and cups are by far the best as they are easily reusable, but if you are hosting a large party with a lot of people you may prefer to use paper plates and cups. Ensure all food and drink is removed before taking them to your nearest bring bank. (See http://www.wasteconnect.co.uk for local sites).

If you prefer, why not drop them at your nearest school or nursery so that the children can reuse them to make faces or re-decorate?

Empty plastic bottle tops can also be recycled, see this post for more details.

Bunting and Patriotic Decoration

Why not check out your nearest charity shop? A close family friend did just that and now has a decorated garden, with the money going to those in need.

Alternatively, reuse coloured cardboard or paper, an activity keeping the children occupied, re-decorating as they please.

Check out sites such as Ebay or Freegle, but be sure your products can be posted in time.

Organise a street party- saving on resources, sharing food and drink and with the added possibility of meeting new people!

Save on fuel emissions and save the planet by walking or biking to your destination. This reduces fuel costs, increases health and entitles you to a glass or two to celebrate.

Become a Green Achiever - If you are not as patriotic as some and prefer to rest during the weekend, why not sign your company up as a Green Achiever. It is FREE to sign up for 3 months, and only takes 5 minutes. There is no charge after the 3 months and no obligation, but an option to renew on a higher level for a fee if you please. More information on our site: http://www.greenachiever.co.uk/

So have a fantastic long Bank Holiday Jubilee Weekend, we would love to know what you have planned, and if you have any other hot tips, please let us know J

GA Team

Olympic Torch Reaches Shrewsbury

Today the Green Achiever team, along with hundreds of others, gathered on the streets of Shrewsbury to watch the Olympic Torch relay.

It was a once in a lifetime oppurtunity that we will never forget, as it head over the Welsh Bridge at about 12.20pm and then off towards Wenlock Road. The runners were escorted along bby many policemen on bikes and sponsor vehicles such as Coca-Cola and Lloyds playing music to warm up the cheering crowd.

Fran was the best photographer within the team, taking this photo of our section runner, Georgios Alexandris.
http://www.e4environment.co.uk/general-news/the-olympic-torch-arrives-in-shrewsbury---300512

Is “Shwopping” the new way to shop?

 Let’s face it, we Brits are pretty good at shopping, but what if there was an incentive to give back whilst spending our money?

 “Shwopping” is the new craze which invites customers to hand over an old item of clothing every time they buy a new one.

 Marks and Spencer’s are in partnership with the Oxfam Charity to help stop one in four items of clothing brought in the UK ending up in the bin. Ab Fab actress Joanna Lumley is helping to launch the cause and in doing so has positively grabbed the media’s attention.

 Customers are encouraged to donate their old clothes in M&S stores bins provided next to the tills in the many stores across the UK when picking up a new item of clothing. (Although you don’t need to buy in order to donate). The clothes will then be recycled and then resold by Oxfam charities in their shops, to reduce landfill whilst helping those in need.

 So if you’re in need of a good clean out in the home, or simply fancy helping those who are less fortunate, then take your unwanted clothes to one of the 342 M&S stores across the UK, and become an honorary “shwopper”.

 To find out more information on recycling unused textiles or shoes, visit Wasteconnect’s factsheet HERE

 Hope you're having a good week, its very gloomy here in Green Achiever HQ, the rain won't seem to ease-off and its very chilly! 

Sources:

• Joanna Lumley launches Marks & Spencer's Shwopping campaign: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/phong-luu/TMG9228252/Joanna-Lumley-launches-Marks-and-Spencers-Shwopping-campaign.html

• M&S launches 'shwopping' scheme: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/apr/26/marks-spencer-shwopping-scheme?intcmp=122

Green Gathering 2012

Fancy an Eco-holiday this summer? Then why not attend the Green Gathering in Piercefield Park, Chepstow from the 2^nd-5^th August.

View Ticket Prices Here

 The Event:

“The Green Gathering 2012 will promote and platform sustainable lifestyles by combining education with entertainment, and follows the tradition of environmental and ethically conscious events established in the UK for over 30 years. The gatherings have developed into the main ‘green’ events in Britain if not the world, showcasing future technologies and alternative energy and inspiring people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.”

“We will showcase the latest developments in green technology, with internet cafes, solar showers and extensive entertainment all powered by the wind and the sun. There will be a larger markets area, incorporating ethnic and holistic enterprises of the highest environmental standards with a number of different organic catering establishments.”

The Green Gathering aims to encourage people of all ages to re-think the way they live their day to day lives, to inspire them to become greener by recycling, reusing and reducing. It sounds like a fantastic couple of days out for all the family and should be an all round interesting and invigorating time! 

Have A Cracking Good Easter!

 It’s finally spring, and at Green Achiever we are looking to the remaining year ahead. With yesterday’s budget announced, it can be argued that the outcome on the government’s incentives for environmental sustainability is pretty negative. The guardian’s Damian Carrington’s sums up the 2012 budget in his Environment Blog here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2012/mar/21/environment-budget-2012-osborne-planning?newsfeed=true 

 So it’s nearing the end of March and with Easter just around the corner; I thought I’d share some of my tasty Easter treats and info with you all.

 When researching the most popular Easter Egg brands, both Nestle and Cadbury seem to be taking the environment into great consideration when designing their Easter Egg packaging.

 This is fantastic news for the environment, as approximately 80 million chocolate eggs are sold in the UK at Easter which generates around 4,370 tonnes of card and 160 tonnes of foil waste. Most of the plastic packaging used is still not recyclable yet, which means it will end up in landfills.

 So this Easter why not make a card out of recycled card and personalise it for that special someone, or even an amusing e-card.

NESTLE

Nestlé Go The ‘Eggstra’ Mile for Easter with 100% Recyclable Eggs

Today, Nestlé UK & Ireland is the first major confectioner to announce its entire Easter egg packaging is 100% recyclable by replacing rigid plastic with cardboard in its mug eggs.

With Easter eggs creating 3,000 tonnes of UK waste each year*, the manufacturer of SMARTIES®, KIT KAT® and AERO® Easter eggs, has become the first major confectioner to remove plastic packaging from all its eggs – the culmination of a six year process that has saved 726 tonnes of plastic waste going to landfill per year**.

http://www.nestle.co.uk/media/pressreleases/Pages/NestleGoTheEggstraMileforEaster.aspx 

CADBURY

Supporting our environment at easter

In 2008, we launched the award winning Eco Egg range; yummy Easter eggs wrapped simply in foil. The range includes Cadbury Treasure Eggs, with a 68% reduction in packaging and the Cadbury Egg Heads, with a 39% reduction.

We have also been reducing the amount of packaging used in our Medium, Large and Giant boxed Easter Eggs ranges.  For example, we now use 40% less packing for our Medium boxed eggs.Our Easter packaging reductions across the range to date have enabled us to remove over 2,290 Cadbury lorry loads from the road.

We also continue to work with the National Trust on Easter Egg Trails that support family time together. Since 2008, there have been 2.9 million attendees to the National Trust & Cadbury Egg Trails. For more information, visit www.eastereggtrails.com

http://www.cadbury.co.uk/cadburyandchocolate/OurCommitments/Environmental%20Commitments/Pages/EnvironmentalCommitments.aspx

For information on exciting gift ideas and more information on how to have a green Easter, visit HERE

 

Green Achiever has it's benefits -

We hope you've all had a lovely weekend! This post is all about the Green Achiever Scheme and how it can help you and your business show off your green side. Let us know if you have an requests for future blog posts; what you want to see from us and what we can do for you...

A scheme for Green Business
If you are, or aspire to be, a Green Business with Green Credentials, why not show your customers, suppliers, shareholders and anyone that’s interested in your business, what you’re doing for the environment?

Totally FREE – Register Now

FREE Registration with the following benefits :-
1) Environmental Health Check of applicable legislation and suggested areas for action
2) Inclusion in public Business Directory
3) Fortnightly newsletters
4) Use of Green Achiever logo
5) Reduced rate access to E4e-manager

Go Self Assessed - £120 + VAT

All the benefits from Registration PLUS :-
1) Review of in-depth self-assessment to produce star-rating and develop bespoke Environmental Declaration of Commitment to include recognition of current good practice and identification of areas for action for next 12 months
2) Free access to E4e-manager on-line information bank
3) Higher level listing in public Business Directory

Go Silver –

Less than 20 employees £330.00 + vat & expenses
More than 20 employees £660.00 + vat & expenses

All benefits from Registration and Self-Assessment PLUS :-
1) Full on-site environmental audit conducted by Principal Consultant. Establishes the legislative compliance and a baseline carbon footprint.
2) Provide detailed guidance for a 12 month action plan to reduce environmental impacts.
3) Support for Local trade press articles

4) Use of Silver Green Achiever logo

Go Gold –

Less than 20 employees £330.00 + vat & expenses
More than 20 employees £660.00 + vat & expenses

All benefits from Registration, Self-Assessment and the Silver Award PLUS :-

1) Full on-site environmental audit conducted by Principal Consultant. Review of progress in committed silver award actions. Establishes continued legislative compliance
2) Re-calculates carbon footprint and looks for improvements
3) Considers targets and actions for the next 12 months, including off-setting at least 25% of carbon emissions
4) Use of Gold Green Achiever logo

Mothering Sunday Made Green

Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 18^th March this year, so how about making this Mothers day green, with only little expense?

After the last few wintery months we’re finally beginning to see some sunshine here in the UK. So, why don’t you take your mum out on a nice countryside walk, a bike ride or a picnic? Here you can spend quality time together whilst enjoying the fresh outdoors.

If that isn’t your cup of tea, how about treating your mum to breakfast in bed, a nice cooked meal and/or a bottle of wine?

Below are some great green gift ideas I’ve gathered for all the special mums out there!

Beauty, cosmetics and healthcare

Fancy treating your mum to a gorgeous pamper, minus the expense? Well, luckily for you, I have gathered the best online green beauty stores and some of their most popular products:

Natures Boutique is a company I found whilst on twitter. They have the perfect gifts for mother’s day including beauty hampers, hair products and fragrances, all of which are natural and organic. http://www.naturesboutique.com/

Skin Organics use natural and organic ingredients for their cosmetics and healthcare products. Their organic make up looks gorgeous! http://www.skinorganics.org.uk

The Body Shop is a worldwide company who I have purchased from in the past. I love their natural, fair trade products which I think are perfect for your mum this Mother’s Day. My favourite is the Pink Grapefruit gift set for £20! http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/content/bundles/bundles.aspx 

Lush Cosmetics are a favourite of some of the girls in the office. There is a Mother’s Day page on the website, my favourite gift being the tin of treats – Lovely! https://www.lush.co.uk/category/380

Green Gift Ideas

How about some other great green gifts for your special mum? Here’s a few innovative ideas, courtesy of Nigel’s Eco Store, The Ethical Eco Store, Amnesty Store and Love-Eco.

How about visiting Nigel’s Eco Store for Mothering Sunday gifts if you’re struggling for ideas? From flowers, to cosmetics and bags the online shop stocks many eco-friendly products at affordable prices - http://www.nigelsecostore.com

The Ethical Eco Store also stocks plenty of eco-friendly gift ideas for every occasion. http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com

The Amnesty online shop sells fashion jewellery and clothes. These are made from recycled materials, are organic and many are Fair Trade. http://amnestyshop.org.uk/

Love-Eco are a company who sells gifts for any occasion, stocking ethical and eco-friendly alternatives.

http://love-eco.co.uk/

Cards

‘Just a card will do’ is a phrase I’ve heard many times from my own mum, and many of you could probably say the same about yours. So this year, why don’t you bring out your creative side by making your mum a unique Mother’s Day card? Using recycled paper or card you could cut out your own images from old magazines or newspapers and use photographs of you and your mum to stick on – she should really appreciate your personalised effort!  It is reuse after all, and will bring back floods of memories for your mother!

What are your plans?

Have a lovely Day! Let us know your gift ideas!