Daniella Radice will give an overview of the Green Party’s philosophy and principles and talk about the Bristol Green Party.

Please come – whatever your political views and hear what the Green Party [...]]]> Sustainable Bishopston invites you to a talk and discussion on Monday 14 May 2012 at 7.30pm at St Bonaventure’s Presbytery.

Daniella Radice will give an overview of the Green Party’s philosophy and principles and talk about the Bristol Green Party.

A great day out (despite the cold and damp), over 500 attended.

Lots more photos available online here.

Resource Futures is “a dedicated consultancy, offering all-round expertise in waste management and resource conservation”. You might [...]]]> Some notes on the meeting from Sarah Thomson:

Ella Williams, from Resource Futures, presented a very detailed and useful outline of the changes which are taking place to Bristol’s waste recycling, following the City Councilʼs agreement with May Gurney, which began last July.

Resource Futures is “a dedicated consultancy, offering all-round expertise in waste management and resource conservation”. You might see Ella and colleagues doing the rounds of local retailers, helping to answer questions about the changes.

The changes are taking place gradually across the city. Some areas are already using the new service but many are still waiting for their new bins. Most will have already noticed a change to their collection days. By July 2012, all parts of Bristol will have adopted the new system.

Some answers to questions asked at our recent meeting, from Ella Williams:

1. Wheelie bins not collected due to excess waste

Questions were raised regarding what will happen if people’s wheelie bins aren’t taken due to being overfilled – there was concern this would create a snowball effect for the following collections. May Gurney will empty the bin and then put any side waste back into the bin to be collected again in 2 weeks.  If the bin has no side waste but is “top hatting” (lid not closing) then we are assuming the crews will empty the bin and leave the one/two bags on top in the bin, although this may not be possible if the material in the bin is not bagged. It is hoped that by leaving waste, this could encourage residents to check their waste extra carefully to see if any further recyclables can be removed from waste/bin bags.

2. Grades of Plastic

Plastic that can go into the green box

• Type 1 PET – most plastics from the kitchen cupboard, bathroom and under the kitchen sink, and tubs, trays and pots.
• Type 2 HDPE – milk bottles, some toiletry bottles and pots
• Type 5 PP – bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt pots, margarine tubs
• Type 6 PS – vending cups, meat trays

Plastic not to go into the green box

• Type 3 PVC or V –  e.g. plastic pipes, hard plastics (garden furniture), plastic toys, CD/DVD cases, shrink wrap
• Type 4 LDPE – plastic bags and films such as carrier bags and bin liners, crisp packets, bread bags, frozen food bags, bubble wrap
• Expanded polystyrene foam, and flower pots (normally type 6 and type 5 respectively)
• Black plastic no matter what the type

As you can see some type 5 and 6 materials can go in and some can’t and this is part of the reason why this information will not be given to the residents when they receive their box as it is confusing. Finding and seeing the type number on materials can be quite challenging for those with visual impairment.

When you receive the green box a new service leaflet will be provided, please read this to ensure you are putting in the right materials into their relevant box.

3. Recycling labels

There was some discussion around recycling labels on packaging.

This link explains recycling symbols: http://www.recyclenow.com/why_recycling_matters/recycling_symbols.html

4. Can black plastics be taken to the supermarket recycling points?

Recycling points at supermarkets fall under a different contract and therefore are subject to different processes. I have tried contacting Tescos regarding this but have only had a vague reply saying all items put in for recycling are taken to a recycling plant where they are sorted into items which can be recycled and those that cannot, those that cannot would be sent to landfill.

Please contact the supermarket themselves, or read the information on the side of the recycling points there to find out exactly what can be recycled in there and what can’t.

5. How are Tetra Paks recycled?

These types of cartons are typically made of three main materials – paperboard, low-density polyethylene and aluminium foil. The cartons are dropped into a machine called a “pulper” where the cartons become “delaminate” (split into thin layers), the paper content can then be turned into new products like toilet paper, tissue and notebooks. The plastic and aluminium can also be recovered to make things like roof tiles or plastic pots. Tetra Paks from Bristol are taken off for recycling with cardboard to Sittingbourne in Kent.

6. Can greeting cards be recycled?

Either re-use old greeting cards as postcards or gift tags; or small amounts can be recycled with your paper in your black box or if you are on the new service put it into your green box.

The Woodland Trust team up with high street retailers such as WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer every January in a campaign to recycle Christmas cards – The cards collected in stores are taken to WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and M&S depots, where they are collected by their own recycling agents. The cards are then graded and taken to recycling plants where they are treated and eventually turned into new products such as tissue paper, photocopy paper or corrugated cardboard.

7. Textiles

Only wearable clothes should be put into the black box for recycling.  Please do not put in puffer jackets or coats; or any wet textiles. Shoes should be tied in pairs to keep them together. The clothes are sent abroad for people in developing countries to wear.

8. Jam Jar Lids

There was discussion around which box jam jar type lids go into. If you have received your green box they can be placed in there along with plastic tops.  If you have not received you green box yet they are put in the black box along with other metals.

Bristol City Council suggests that you could also re-use the jam jar lids to raise plant pots off the ground to let water drain away.

9. Wellies

There was discussion around whether wellies can go in the black box. Bristol City Council advertises that you can either re-use the wellies by cutting them down to use as slip-ons or you could plant things in them. Alternatively give them to your local charity shop.

An illustrated talk by Angela Raffle described complex systems. Overall the UK imports 40% of our food requirements. Supermarkets control over 50% of Bristol’s food retail business. The South West of England produces meat and dairy products, most of which [...]]]> In case you missed our meeting on 5th October, here’s a short precis from Ian Baker.

An illustrated talk by Angela Raffle described complex systems. Overall the UK imports 40% of our food requirements. Supermarkets control over 50% of Bristol’s food retail business. The South West of England produces meat and dairy products, most of which are bought up by supermarkets.

Angela focussed her talk on alternatives to purchasing from the ‘Big Four’. She spoke of the eleven local food myths in support of independent food outlets and the manner by which independents can maintain a service of processing, retail and catering. Much depends on the viability of St Phillips wholesale market, which is a regional hub for fruit and vegetables.

Community Supported Agriculture has promoted two farms in Chew Magna and Sims Hill, which depend a lot on volunteer labour and enter organic vegetable produce into box schemes and home deliveries. This labour can be a pleasurable contrast to urban-based work. More locally and as pleasurable is the produce gained from allotments, raised beds and gardens.

These initiatives help to overcome the threats to future energy supplies, degradation of soil and limitations to natural resources. Mostly, we overeat, some to the extent of overweight and obesity. Such consumption jeopardizes land use and food supplies of countries with less energy and resources. Food waste in the UK, up to 40% of that produced, distributed and sold, needs to be diminished.

We are to an extent at the mercy of advertisers who nurse our wants and breaking habits is difficult. Do we the consumer make choices or are they suggested for us? Our food and nutrition is important and a topic which needs a touch more circumspection.

How can the community of Bristol influence land use and food supply, food businesses and staple food availability (meat, dairy, eggs, fruit & vegetables, cereals, grains and bread)? This was Angela’s challenge. It promoted a lively discussion.

Some links to resources which Angela mentioned in the talk:

• “Who Feeds Bristol?” – the report and what the council is doing about it
• “Bristol’s Local Food Update” – excellent local food newsletter
• The Community Farm, Chew Magna
• Simms Hill Shared Harvest – a community supported agriculture project just off the M32, open to visitors Saturday afternoon 8th October
• Bristol Independents - Independent  shops in Bristol, keeping more money in the local economy and (often) providing an outlet for local goods

We need now to appeal for your donations. Our activities in 2010-11 are attached.

Please make a donation of £5, £10 or even more to Sustainable Bishopston, by one of the following means: