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Sundial Spring 2008 (Text Only)
Sundial
Autumn 2007
The Newsletter for Local Agenda 21 in Stafford Borough
As part of its commitment to Local Agenda 21 Stafford Borough Council is working towards a sustainable Stafford, in partnership with all sectors of the community. We aim to improve quality of life for present and future generations by supporting sustainable development initiatives and LA21 groups across the Borough.
Big Boost for Recycling
A massive boost in recycling is forecast in Stafford Borough as a new and innovative collection scheme is introduced in 2008. We take a look at the new waste contract.
A new and welcome visitor will be arriving on the doorsteps of Stafford Borough residents soon. A new blue buddy who will take the sigh out of recycling and ease landfill blues, too. The innovative blue 'wheeled' bin is set to double recycling rates in the Borough and radically cut waste going to landfill.
The new scheme, which comes into effect in February 2008, will make recycling easier by doing away with the need to sort and separate so many different materials and provide a greater capacity for recycling.
The state of the art recycling bin will accept all plastic packaging including milk bottles, yoghurt cartons and coloured bottles as well as glass, textiles, cans, tins and juice (tetra pack) cartons. It will also have a special detachable caddy for paper recycling. Stafford Borough Council will be one of the first authorities in the country to supply the new style bin.
The new recycling scheme follows on from two trials set up in Parkside and Eccleshall that looked at different options. Both these trials showed a doubling of recycling rates, achieving over 60% whereas the whole Borough only achieved 29.7% in 2006/7. The extra recycling capacity in the trials also showed that residual waste - the waste left over after all recyclables have been taken out - only needed to be collected an alternate weeks.
Whilst the new blue bin is the most visible aspect of the new recycling scheme there are other changes too. The brown bin scheme for garden waste is to be expanded to cover the whole Borough and will be able to accept cardboard as well. There will also be more promotion of home composting.
The brown bin collection day will move to be the same as that for recyclables, which will alternate with residual waste. This means that blue and brown bins will be collected on the same day one week and the same day the following week the green bin will be collected.
Overall the new arrangements will make for a much more user friendly service and will encourage a major shift towards recycling, thus cutting our reliance on landfill and promoting waste reduction in Stafford Borough homes.
Contact Dave Hadley, Waste And Recycling Manager T: 01785 619356
Sustainability - We Can Fix It!
It's Awards season and Karen Davies, LA21 Co-ordinator sees Bob the Builder and local food as inspiration for Green Awards success.
I was lucky enough to attend the Taste of Staffordshire Awards recently. This important event, promotes the distinctiveness of local food and drink - and all its sustainable development benefits. With 86 entries it demonstrates an increasing interest in and support for local food. There is a growing array of local activity, from Farmers' Markets to Food Festivals, mirrored by national initiatives like the Year of Food and Farming in Education (see pg 3), led by FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) and supported by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health.
We have close links with FACE, who come to the Stafford Borough Eco-Schools Network meetings, to support teachers and schools to become more sustainable. The meetings bring teachers together with experts on recycling, wildlife and green transport etc. to share ideas, information, experiences and resources. One teacher e-mail described the most recent meeting as "very productive and dare I say, inspiring!". With this Network of support in place local schools will be in a strong position to meet the challenge of the Government's Sustainable Schools initiative - especially as sustainable development activities can boost performance in Ofsted inspections!
Environmental issues certainly seem to be reaching young people. According to a recent YouGov survey, children are more concerned about climate change (74%) than doing their homework (64%) or having a boyfriend or girlfriend (41%)!
As well as in schools, sustainable development messages are being conveyed to children in all sorts of 'constructive' ways - Bob the Builder has been busy this month building an eco-friendly town using locally sourced, natural materials and designing the buildings to harmoniously blend with the surrounding countryside - providing a lead on sustainable construction for all developers and planners!
It's no wonder that this year's Green Awards have attracted such high quality entries from local schools - the presentation evening takes place on 30 October - but you'll have to wait for the next edition of Sundial to discover the results!
Thanks Danny
Danny Averill has been working with the LA21 team as both a staff member and a volunteer since May 2006. As temporary Community Biodiversity Officer he was responsible for completing the externally funded Wildspace! project and organising events on the new Local Nature Reserves set up through the initiative.
Danny has provided the team with a wealth of ecological knowledge and has been involved in several other LA21 events and projects too.
Thanks Claudia
Claudia Miller-Williams has been volunteering with the Local Agenda 21 team on most Mondays for over a year. She has helped out at many of our events as well as working in the office but her main achievement was to carry out the annual survey of Public Perceptions and Understanding of Local Agenda 21 in Stafford Borough, in 2006 and 2007. Claudia has now left the team to take up a job with Birmingham City Council.
Contacting Local Agenda 21
For more information on Local Agenda 21 and Sustainability contact:
Local Agenda 21, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3AQ.
T: 01785 619408
Fax: 01785 619319
e: la21@staffordbc.gov.uk
Karen Davies,
Local Agenda 21 Co‑ordinator.
T: 01785 619408
e: kdavies@staffordbc.gov.uk
Sebastian Pearce,
LA21 Support Officer.
T: 01785 619408
e: spearce@staffordbc.gov.uk
Bill Waller,
Biodiversity Officer.
T: 01785 619676
e: wwaller@staffordbc.gov.uk
Next Sundial Deadline
Friday 9 November
Please send all articles, news and diary dates to Sebastian Pearce, LA21, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or spearce
@staffordbc.gov.uk
Year of Food and Farming
The field and farm-yard are going to be the focus for schools over the next year as they integrate food and farming into the curriculum.
Encouraging schools and school children to look beyond the food they eat, to how it is produced and the importance of healthy eating is the aim of the National Year of Food and Farming in Education. On 15 September Lord Stafford launched the campaign locally by joining farmers as they cooked a Staffordshire breakfast for local pupils, parents, teachers and governors in Lichfield.
The Year of Food and Farming aims to give young people hands-on learning experiences of the food they eat and what the countryside can offer, so that they can make informed choices about healthy eating. It will give them the opportunity to find out how food is grown and produced, explore the importance of food, and learn more about environmental and sustainability issues linked to food and the countryside.
Over the last five years schools in Stafford Borough have been learning about food and farming through the Farm-School Link project set up by Local Agenda 21. The project produced a teaching pack that introduces primary pupils to farming and food by looking at grain production. Pupils were then given the opportunity to visit a local farm where they saw both grain production and livestock.
The Stafford Borough Council Green Awards have also highlighted the commitment of the many schools to engaging pupils through food. Last year's winners of the Community, Youth and Education Award, St Michael's First School, have seven vegetable plots and a poly tunnel so that pupils can grow, harvest, prepare and eat their own fruit and veg.
Case studies like these will be promoted by the Year of Food and Farming so that more young people get to learn about their food and where it comes from. A 'Megamap' of events, resources, opportunities and activities is being created and is available on the national website, www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk, and a host of local events is being organised, including involvement in the Stone Food and Drink Festival and the Staffordshire County Show. Look out for more local events and activities on the Local Agenda 21 website. For more information on the Year of Food and Farming in Staffordshire contact Eunice Finney, Staffordshire Rural Hub
T: 01889 270294 office@amertonfarm.co.uk
Stafford Borough Farmers' Markets
Stafford Farmers' Market
2nd Saturday every month
9:30am - 4:00pm
Market Square, Stafford
| 10 November|
| 8 December |
| 12 January 2008 |
Stone Farmers' Market
1st Saturday every month
9:30am - 4:00pm
Market Square, Stone
| 3 Nov. | 1 Dec. |
| 5 Jan 2008 |
For more information on Stafford and Stone Farmers' Markets contact Jon Webb, Markets Co‑ordinator
T: 01785 245935
Eccleshall Farmers' Market
4th Saturday every Month
10:00am - 2:00pm
Royal Oak, Eccleshall.
Contact: Lindsay von Elbing
T: 01785 859026
Tixall Local Produce Sales
1st Saturday every month.
10:00am - 2:00pm
Tixall and Ingestre Village Hall.
Contact: Dr. Anne Andrews
T: 01785 246101
More information on Stafford Borough Farmers' Markets
is available at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21
Staffordshire Rural Hub has produced a leaflet detailing all Farmers' Markets in Staffordshire. Contact Pat Pimlott, Staffordshire Rural Hub Co‑ordinator T: 01785 278581 e: ruralhub@
staffordhire.gov.uk www.getrural.co.uk
We All Need Friends
Stafford Borough's newest Local Nature Reserve is looking to friends, both new and old, to help the wildlife return.
In February 2005 Kingston Pool Covert (South) was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This area of damp woodland on Weston Road near Beaconside roundabout is a haven for wildlife and especially fungi but used to be home for water-voles too.
The Friends of Kingston Pool Covert (South) LNR held a meeting in September to decide on future work on the reserve and to encourage involvement in its woodland restoration and enhancement programme.
Whilst fungi, woodland flora and birds thrive, the reserve is also a magnet for litter! Last November the Friends of Kingston Pool Covert (South) held a colossal litter pick, filling over 30 bags and dragging out years' worth of fly tipping.
To keep on top of the problem another litter pick is being held on 21 October. Anyone interested in helping out with the Friends should meet at the Weston Rd. entrance (by the wooden sign) at 10am. Litter pickers and other equipment will be provided but please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Volunteers can also help with woodland restoration work by removing 'rogue' sycamore saplings that may grow to crowd out the natural species.
To join the 'Friends of' group or to find out more contact Bill Waller (see pg2)
Next Generation for Stone Recycling
This Autumn, Stone will become cleaner and greener when a new recycling centre opens in the town.
A new generation of Household Recycling Centres for local communities is being rolled out by Staffordshire County Council to improve recycling and reduce the amount going to Landfill. The upgraded sites can deal with more materials, ensuring that more gets recycled. And they are having an impact already with recycling rates at the sites rising rapidly.
The new generation Recycling Centre at Stone will accept wood and timber, cardboard, fridges and freezers, used engine oil, scrap metal, TVs and monitors, textiles and batteries as well as the usual paper, bottles and cans.
The new Recycling Centre is situated on Beacon Road on the Stone Business Park off the A34/ A51 roundabout.
For more information contact Staffordshire County Council T: 0800 232323 recycling@staffordshire.gov.uk
Listed for Action
A new list that will guide future biodiversity action across the UK has been compiled. It contains species and habitats that are under threat and recognises the critical role of several habitats, including orchards and ponds that were not on the original list, compiled over 10 years ago.
The new list is the result of the most comprehensive analysis by experts ever undertaken in the UK. The species and habitats listed will be the basis for prioritising future implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). This will feed down through to local BAPs, such as that for Staffordshire and our own Biodiversity Strategy for Stafford Borough.
In addition to previously listed species such as the otter and red squirrel the revised list includes the garden tiger moth, house sparrow, grass snake and hedgehog. It now contains 1149 species, up from 577 in 1997, and 65 habitats.
Although the review was much more rigorous than in 1997 some species are included for the first time because they are in decline or under threat. However several species and habitats, such as the cirl bunting and lowland heath have shown increases and others, such as the Adonis Blue butterfly and the prickly sedge, have been taken off the list after successful conservation work.
Minister for Biodiversity, Joan Ruddock said: "Through the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, we have shown that we can be very successful when we target our resources at conserving particular species and habitats. The new list will help us to target our resources and efforts where they are needed, and demonstrates our commitment to publish new priorities, targets and plans for halting biodiversity loss by 2010".
Encourage hedgehogs in your garden by keeping untidy areas where they can hide and root around for insects amongst rotting leaves and wood.
Zero Waste to Landfill
The waste we produce is piling up but our local authorities are working together and aiming to stop it going to landfill by 2020.
At present the residents of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent create about 600,000 tonnes of waste each year and it's increasing. 210,000 tonnes of that goes straight to landfill, despoiling our landscape, creating pollution and contributing to climate change.
Together Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and the other local authorities in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have drawn up a strategy to send zero waste to landfill by 2002. Through the summer they have been conducting one of the biggest public consultations to be held in the county to find out everyone's views.
The Strategy sets out how the authorities intend to reduce the amount of waste we produce, increase re-use and recycling and divert more rubbish to 'waste to energy' plants.
Currently 210,000 tonnes of waste are recycled and composted and 180,000 tonnes used to generate energy with the remaining 210,000 tonnes going to landfill. By 2020 it is estimated that there will be 700,000 tonnes of waste - even after reduction strategies. The authorities have set a target of 350,000 tonnes of this to be recycled and composted and 350,000 tonnes to be turned into electricity at the Hanford Waste to Energy site and at a new facility that has yet to be decided on. At present the Hanford site produces 13 Mega Watts of electricity - enough to power 130,000 homes.
For more information call the information line 0845 300 6630 or visit www.staffswaste2020.info
Megaman at Wardstaff
Using energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is one of the quickest ways to become more energy efficient at home - it can also have the most impact. To help you to find the right bulbs while saving energy Wardstaff Electrics of Bridge Street Stafford are now stocking the latest Megaman energy saving bulbs.
These CFLs shine a warmer, softer white light rather than the usual harsh glow, they warm up quicker and there are options to replace candle, spot and households bulbs. They also have a longer life expectancy of up to 15,000 hours and there are dimmable versions available too.
So now you should be able to not only replace all your main room lights but also those in your table lamps, bedside lamps and even spotlights, whilst also supporting our local economy.
www.megamanuk.com
WalkWise Calendar
WalkWise Health Walks are brisk, led walks that take around 30-45 minutes to complete. If you are new to the Walking For Health programme please arrive about ten minutes before the start time. Contact the Local Agenda 21 Team for more information (see pg 2).
Wednesday Lunchtime Walks
Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford - 12:10pm
Oct. 3rd, 17th, 31st
Nov 8th, 22nd
Dec 5th, 19th
Central Clinic, North Walls, Stafford - 1:00pm
Oct 10th, 24th
Nov 1st, 15th, 29th
Dec 12th
Weekend Wildwood Walks
From Wildwood Park car park.
Contact Heidi Smith T: 07810 170783
Beaconside Walks
Every Tuesday, 12:30pm
Beaconside Sports Centre
Contact Karen Gretton T: 01785 353286.
Stone Health Walks
Every Tuesday 10:45am
Westbridge Park, Stone
T: 01785 813604
Gnosall Walks
10:30am every other Wednesday and middle Sunday of each month. Call Gnosall Surgery for meeting points and full programme of walking T: 01785 822220
Hixon Walks
Contact John Blount for a full programme of organised led walks supported by Salute. T: 01785 662160
Focus On...
WEEE Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment, by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of WEEE going into landfill. It seeks to achieve this by making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment, and by obliging distributors to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.
The Directive does not just apply to new products. Producers are made responsible collectively for goods already on the market.
Equipment will now be able to be taken back to stores or to facilities run by local authorities but funded by manufacturers.
RoHS Directive
The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of:
ˇ lead
ˇ Cadmium
ˇ Mercury
ˇ hexavalent chromium
ˇ polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
ˇ polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.
Importantly the restrictions are set for any 'homogeneous material', which means that each material that could be separated out during recycling needs to comply with the directive.
It is hoped that the RoHS and WEEE Directives will work hand in hand to make it easier to recycle equipment and protect human health and the environment.
Our Digital Footprint
Computers have become a familiar part of our daily lives but as we develop our technology is it blighting our future or can we make it sustainable?
Computers, mobile phones and other electronic equipment contain a host of harmful chemicals and their manufacture uses vast amounts of energy and resources. The careless way we use them - leaving computers and monitors on and chargers plugged in - drains unnecessary power. Finally we throw them away, on an all to regular basis, without a second thought. The electronics industry is the world's largest and fastest growing manufacturing industry yet it's green performance is only now starting to be taken seriously.
A report from the UN University in 2004 estimated that ten times its own weight of resources is used in the manufacture and use of an average PC. These complicated wonders of the modern age contain over 1000 different materials many of which are highly toxic or carcinogenic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, heavy metals, acids, plastics and plastic additives (see below).
Spurred on by increasing customer concern and new legislation (see left) electronics manufacturers have started to address the problems of manufacture and disposal of their products as well as their energy efficiency. Companies like Nokia, Dell and Apple have pledged to completely remove certain hazardous materials from their products from 2008/9.
But the resources are still being used up; the 'e-waste' is still piling higher and higher. In 1999 the average lifespan of a computer in the USA was 4 to 6 years. By 2004 this had dropped to less than 2 years. In the same way as we are now aware of the energy saving potential of light bulbs and the CFCs in old fridges we need to be aware the impacts on our world that buying electronic equipment has and find ways of minimising them.
Some of the hazardous materials in a Computer and where they are:
Lead in cathode ray tubes and solder in circuit-boards.
Arsenic in older cathode ray tubes
Selenium in circuit boards as power supply rectifier.
Polybrominated flame retardants in plastic casings, cables and circuit-boards.
Antimony trioxide as flame retardant
Cadmium in circuit boards, batteries and semiconductors.
Chromium in steel as corrosion protection.
Cobalt in steel for structure and for magnetivity.
Beryllium in circuit boards.
Mercury in switches, circuit-boards, LCD screens and computer housing.
We are using our computers more and more these days as technology brings us a wider world of functional and fun options. Whether it's to download music, watch TV, surf the net or just write a letter it all means our computers are spending a lot more time in use than they used to. But about 50% of the power that they use is wasted in heat and noise - and then, even when we are not using them, we often leave them on and they continue to drain power. All that power is costing us the earth - both in cash and environmental damage.
But there are simple things that we can all do to make how we use our computers more eco-friendly. Here are 5 easy ideas.
1: Turn I.T. Off
If you're not using your equipment, switch it off! This doesn't just refer to your PC. Printers, scanners, external hard drives when left connected to your computer and switched on still use up the watts. Wireless networks are tiny radio stations so if you're not routinely using yours turn it off - your system will be more secure, too.
2: Meet your Power Manager
Your computer's operating system, such as Windows, is able to manage the power settings for your computer. The most energy efficient option is to set your screen to go to standby or 'sleep' rather than to screen saver. Many screen savers can use more processing power and more energy providing complex patterns and 3D pictures than when the screen is in normal use!
Your Power Manager can also power down hard drives when they are idle and set your computer to 'sleep' after a period of no use.
3: Upgrade to LCD
Many computer upgrades use more processing power but changing your old bulky monitor for a modern LCD flat screen can really save energy. LCD screens can use just a third of the energy of older monitors when on and a tenth when comparing 'sleep' modes. When you are upgrading look out for the power consumption figures to get the most efficient.
4: Think Then Print
Only printing when you really need to saves energy, paper and ink. You can also print in 'draft' or 'economy' setting for most things.
5: Star Rated
When buying new equipment look out for the Energy Star logo. This means that the energy consumption is below an agreed level in 'stand-by' mode.
See How Much Energy You Save
If you want to see just how much power you are saving by getting your computer to power down when it's not in use then you can download a simple programme from www.localcooling.com. It's free and makes setting your computer's power saving options easy. Once installed it tells you how much energy you've saved and even how many gallons of oil it's equivalent to. It can be installed across companies system to cut carbon as well and you can join the Local Cooling Community and compete to save the most!
I.T.Energy@SBC
Stafford Borough Council's Technology Section are getting in on the energy saving act. Working through the Council's Energy Management Group they are cutting IT related energy requirements. A policy is in place to ensure computers and screens are turned off overnight and all screens are now low energy LCD. Photocopiers are set to turn off overnight and new replacement printers have a high level of recycled components. PC's are also being configured to save power and a software trial is underway to implement PC powersaving across the council.
Cabinet Office Minister Gillian Merron has recently called for public sector computer systems to become greener and more energy efficient, not only in their use of energy but also in how they are manufactured and recycled. The public sector is by far the biggest user of IT in the UK - the government alone spends £12 billion a year. At an eGovernment conference in Lisbon the Minister called on the Chief Information Officer's Council to work in partnership with industry to "reduce the carbon footprint of government computers and improve the sustainability of public sector IT".
The Borough Council's Energy Management Group promotes energy saving initiatives, advises on energy policy, implements measures and monitors energy usage throughout the Council. Contact Ted Manders, Head of Regeneration T 01785 619583
Save Your e-Energy
22 - 27 October is Energy Saving Week and the ideal opportunity to change your IT habits at home and in your workplace too. Set the week aside to really get a grip on your e-energy usage by following the tips on the left and encourage colleagues to do more as well. Let us know how you get on and the best ideas may just win an energy saving prize!
If your workplace starts a new e-energy saving policy look out for next year's Green Awards in April. See pg2 for contact details.
All Together Now
One World Week challenges us to make a positive difference in our communities and across our world by embracing ALL, learning TOGETHER and acting NOW.
The theme for this year's One World Week is "All Together Now" and succinctly evokes how we all need to respect each other and work together to solve our common problems now.
One World Week (21 - 28 October) is an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together to learn about global justice, spread that learning and to use it to take action for justice locally and globally - an essential part of sustainable development.
Local community groups, faith groups, schools and other organisations will be celebrating One World Week in a variety of ways (see below). Many of them will be coming together at a One World Jamboree on Saturday 27 October at Church Lane Evangelical Hall from 10am-3pm.
The Jamboree will feature a selection of world foods for people to taste, world dance and music and interactive displays on trade justice, global climate change, Fairtrade and peace.
There will be activities throughout the day for all the family and a Fairtrade café too. The free event is open to all.
This year the event has grown beyond the Hall and there will be dance and music in St Mary's Church gardens to entertain shoppers and spread the One World Week "All Together Now" message.
If you are involved in organising any One World Week events please contact Sebastian Pearce (see pg2) to be included in a list of events that will be published.
For more information on the One World Week Jamboree contact Maureen Alecock T: 01785 240432 www.oneworldweek.org
Putting Green Living into Practice
Sustainable Staffordshire is holding its annual "Green Living" seminar at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on Thursday 1 November.
The event concentrates on how each and every one of us can improve our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint and invites people who are leading a greener life to come and talk about their experiences. Last year's event was so successful that it sold out and a second repeat event had to be held.
This year's keynote speaker will be Prof. Tony Marmont, Director and Founder of sustainable energy advocates, Beacon Energy. His presentation will cover the causes and effects of climate change and the installation of micro-generation technologies in his home and office at Beacon Hill Farm in Leicestershire.
The event will also include a presentation from the residents of the Penkhull Eco Homes built by Peter Wilshaw and a showing of the Sustainable Staffordshire film, "Small Steps and Big Strides - the green Staffordshire Way".
For more information or to book a place contact Helen Swift, Project Co-ordinator for Sustainable Staffordshire at Staffordshire County Council T: 01785 277253 h.swift@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Eat for Hunger
Stafford Gatehouse Brasserie is joining in with One World Week (see above) with a week of special menus from around the world. The menus celebrate a diversity of flavours with unusual dishes such as Thit Ga Xao Dam Gung Sa (Vietnam) and lentils and Feijoda (Brazil). £1 from each meal will be donated to the Restaurants Against Hunger campaign, "Fight Hunger. Eat Out".
The Gatehouse will also be encouraging donations to the food lover's charity by placing donation envelopes and information on tables during the month long campaign.
Contact Stuart Boyd, Operations Manager, Stafford Gatehouse T: 01785 253295
Bananas Rebuild
Hurricane Dean caused widespread devastation across parts of the Caribbean, Belize and Mexico in August. The Windward Islands, who supply the UK with Fairtrade bananas, were particularly effected and farmers are now calling on consumers to support their recovery by continuing to buy Fairtrade bananas.
High winds and torrential rains caused devastation in the islands. The Windward Island of Dominica suffered almost total destruction of its banana crops and 75%-80% were lost in St. Lucia.
Plans to reconstruct and replant banana plantations rely on the Fairtrade Premium - the additional social payment made to Fairtrade producers. This is usually used for social programmes such as building schools and access roads. Some is kept in an emergency fund too, which will now be used to help clear trees and debris. In the future it will buy new banana plants to re-start devastated farms. www.fairtrade.org.uk
Have you noticed? Some Fairtrade bananas are now packed in compostable bags so you can reduce your waste too. If yours aren't - ask why not!
News In Brief
There is so much sustainable development action going on in Stafford Borough and Beyond that we can't fit it all in to Sundial, so here is a brief run down of some of the other items you may be interested in:
Litter Louts Lose Out: Stafford Borough Council is stepping up work to tackle litter in the area. A campaign is under way to warn people about fines for environmental crimes. Keeping the Borough clean costs around £1 million every year and now the Council is to use its enforcement powers to tackle littering, fly tipping and graffiti.
NW Passage Clear: The fabled Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific was clear of ice this summer. The European Space Agency reported that the Arctic ice pack had receded to leave the route open for the first time. Meanwhile US scientists confirmed that Arctic sea ice had shrunk to the smallest area on record.
Green Guys Get the Girls: 'Caring about the environment' is the number one personality trait women find attractive in men according to an online poll of 1,500 women conducted by Nuts magazine.
Doxey Marshes Works: Scrape creation, scrub control, ditch maintenance and spoil bank removal will be taking place on Doxey Marshes this Autumn. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust also run volunteer groups for all ages you can join in with.
Back to School: With the new school year just started try kitting your kids out in Fairtrade uniforms from www.cleanslateclothing.co.uk or the M&S recycled range that turns plastic bottles into eco-uniforms.
FT Wins Gold: Percol Fairtrade decaffeinated coffee has won gold at the 2007 Great Taste Awards - the only decaf coffee to win an award.
Feed the Birds Day: The RSPB is encouraging people to think about how they can help birds and other wildlife in their gardens on 27 October.
www.rspb.org.uk
Green Van Man: The Government is to invest a further £1.2 million in the Safe and Fuel Efficient Drivers (SAFED) scheme to train van drivers to drive more efficiently. The scheme has already trained 7,800 drivers and averages 16% savings in fuel use. www.safed.org.uk
Invest in Cycling to Save: A Cycling England report claims that a 20% increase in cycling would save the taxpayer £520 million by improving the nation's health and cutting congestion. www.cyclingengland.co.uk/
Fully Dimmable CFLs: The UK's first fully dimmable energy efficient light bulb was launched in September at 100% Design London as part of a Greenpeace initiative. The Digiflux bulb from Varilight can be used on a standard dimmer to go from 2% to 100% brightness.
Solar Staffordshire: Staffordshire County Council's Economic Regeneration team have installed £100,000 worth of solar technology on the roof of the new Lymedale Business Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme to attract jobs and investment.
SHA Eco-Homes
Staffordshire Housing Association has submitted plans to Newcastle Borough Council to transform two vacant shops into state-of-the-art eco-homes.
The housing association wants to convert the terrace properties in Victoria Street, Chesterton, into environmentally-friendly houses. The refurbished buildings will include solar water heating, increased insulation, additional living space and improved use of natural light.
The application is part of a £1 million project involving six properties in Victoria Street and nearby London Road.
Carton Recycling
Stafford Borough Council have set up a trial scheme for recycling cartons in conjunction with Tetra Pak Ltd. The trial is for 6 months and, if successful, will be rolled out to more areas in the Borough.
Cartoons for fruit juice and milk have been hard to recycle previously in the UK due to their mix of paper, plastic and foil. The rest of Europe, however, manages to recycle 30% of it's cartons and countries like Germany and Belgium manage 65-70%.
Tetra Pak has now implemented a national programme of recycling banks in conjunction with local authorities. www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk gives more details.
The local recycling banks for this service are to be located at Westbridge Park (Stone), Burton Manor (Stafford), and Sainsburys (Stafford). From February the new blue bins will also accept cartons (see pg1).
Contact Diane Barnard, Recycling Co-ordinator T: 01785 619633
A Bite of Life
'Life Bites' is a family Health Project run by Stafford Borough Council and Funded by The Children's Fund.
In January 8 Families were selected for the pilot project and took part in health walks led by the Council's Local Agenda 21 team, fitness classes and healthy cook and eat sessions. The children were encouraged to take swimming lessons and gymnastics, canoeing and other sports courses. Parents enjoyed the use of the gym, pool and 'Activo' passes at Riverside Recreation Centre.
The families were also given a supermarket tour, providing new recipe ideas, teaching the importance of fresh food and highlighting that healthy food does not have to be expensive.
The Life Bites families have made lifestyle changes that they can sustain as a family after the project and attitudes towards food and exercise, essential in improving family health, have been changed over the 6 months.
Due to the success of the project, Life Bites will continue in October with 8 new families. Contact Clare Newton T: 01785 619308 cnewton@staffordbc.gov.uk
Travel Survey
A bi-annual survey of travel habits at Stafford Borough Council took place over the Summer to assess the implementation of the Council's Green Travel Plan, launched in 2001. The Survey revealed a slight increase in walking and cycling and a good awareness (47%) of the Share-a-Lift car share scheme. People are also using public transport more for council business.
Overall the results show that it is still hard to encourage people out of their cars but there is an increasing awareness of the alternatives. The survey shows that people are more inclined to use green travel options as an alternative method of commuting and are doing so more frequently too. The full survey can be found on the LA21 webpages, www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21.
Post Bag
Please send letters, queries and comments to:
Sebastian Pearce, Sundial Editor, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ spearce@staffordbc.gov.uk
Dear Sundial Readers,
On behalf of Sustainability Matters in Stafford Borough I would like to invite you to a talk about saving energy in your home. Home energy efficiency enthusiast, Martin Normanton, will be sharing his experiences, answering questions and leading a discussion on the best ways to 'ecovate' your home. Martin has not done a major renovation, but rather a gradual energy efficiency upgrade which so far has reduced CO2 emissions from his Victorian semi in Walsall by 75%. As well as renovating the house to improve energy efficiency Martin has made sensible and simple changes to reduce his energy usage.
The event will be held at the St. Mary's Hall, St. Mary's Mews, Stafford on 7 November from 7:30pm. It will start with a short AGM for Sustainability Matters - a non party political umbrella organisation that lobbies for sustainable development in Stafford Borough.
Roger Oldfield
Dear Sundial,
I'm just writing to say how much we enjoyed visiting Shugborough Gardens last weekend and searching out the Bicycle Bugs. I think we found most of them - even the ones hiding up the trees! They were all most impressive and at times looked almost prehistoric creeping through the lovely gardens and undergrowth. Please pass on my congratulations to the students who made them. It was great to come across the Smokey Spokey dragon again, peering out of his dark lair under a yew tree, too.
I do hope that a more permanent place can be found to exhibit these beasts and to promote the recycling and nature messages that they so excellently communicate.
Mark Johnson
If you would like to raise any issues or queries regarding Local Agenda 21 or sustainable development, please contact the LA21 team T: 01785 619408.
For other important issues, for advice or to express your views, you can contact your local Councillor or Stafford Borough Council's Chief Executive, Mr David Rawlings.
Contact: Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ T:01785 619000
As part of its commitment to Local Agenda 21 Stafford Borough Council is working towards a sustainable Stafford, in partnership with all sectors of the community. We aim to improve quality of life for present and future generations by supporting sustainable development initiatives and LA21 groups across the Borough. This is a list of some of our current, main areas of work and groups we work with:
ˇ Bicycle Recycling Project:
ˇ Art from the Spokes
ˇ Back-2-Bikes
ˇ Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group
ˇ Cycling Working Group
ˇ Doorstep Walks for Health
ˇ Eco-Schools Network
ˇ Farmers' Markets
ˇ Farm School Link Project
ˇ Green Awards
ˇ Green Transport Strategy
ˇ Health Promotion
ˇ Local Environmental Quality Group
ˇ Local Food Directory Group
ˇ Local Food Links
ˇ Local Nature Reserves
ˇ OnTrent Partnership
ˇ SBC Energy Management Group
ˇ SBC Sustainable Development Officers Working Group
ˇ Stafford Area Action for Fairtrade
ˇ Stafford Area Save Your Energy Project
ˇ Staffordshire Orchards Initiative
ˇ Sustainability Matters in Stafford Borough
ˇ Sustainable Staffordshire
ˇ Sustainable Tourism
ˇ Walking the Way to Health Initiative (WHI)
ˇ Walking Working Group
If you would like to take part in any of these projects or would like more information, please contact Karen Davies, Local Agenda 21 Co-ordinator, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ Tel: 01785 619408 e-mail: kdavies@staffordbc.gov.uk
LA21 Bookshelf
Stafford Borough Local Agenda 21 has many publications available. Most are available from the Civic Centre. Alternatively contact the Local Agenda 21 team, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ T: 01785 619408 e-mail la21@staffordbc.gov.uk
Don't forget the LA21 website, too, where many of our documents are available along with lots more information about Local Agenda 21 and our projects and initiatives.
ˇ www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21 Local Agenda 21 Strategy for Stafford Borough
ˇ A Biodiversity Strategy for Stafford Borough
ˇ A Green Transport Plan for Employees of Stafford Borough Council
ˇ Sundial Spring 2001 - Winter 2006/7 editions
ˇ Eco-Watch, the Eco-Schools Network Newsletters
ˇ Staffordshire Local Food Directory
ˇ Farm - School Link Education Pack
ˇ Local Nature Reserve Leaflets: Stone Meadows and Astonfields Balancing Lakes
ˇ WalkWise - The Health Walks Programme
ˇ Doorstep Walks For Health Pack
ˇ Stone Doorstep Walks for Health (x3)
ˇ Stafford, Stone and District Green Pages
ˇ Farmers' Market Producers Application Pack
ˇ Stafford Area Fairtrade Guide - published by Stafford Area Action for Fairtrade
ˇ Gnosall and District Directory - published by the Gnosall LA21 Group
ˇ Faith for the Future Action Pack
ˇ Staffordshire Community Action Pack - published by SBC and Sustainable Staffordshire
ˇ Cycling in Stafford Borough (Map) published by Staffordshire County Council
What's On Autumn 2007
Do you want to get involved? There are things throughout Sundial that you can join in with.
You could also volunteer to help out the LA21 team with our many activities or in the LA21 office. Contact Karen Davies, LA21 Co-ordinator for more details?
See Above for Stafford Borough Farmers' Markets
October
Saturday 13th 9:30am
Family Mammals Day, Doxey Marshes (SWT)
Tuesday 16th 9pm - Wednesday 17th 9pm GMT
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Tuesday 16th 2pm
Back-2-Bikes Steering Group meeting, SDVS
Friday 19th 7:30pm
'Reptiles' Illustrated Talk, Eccleshall Parish Room
Sunday 21st 10am
Kingston Pool Covert (s) LNR litter Pick & Sycamore Clearing
Sunday 21st 10am
Stafford Cycle Route Volunteers - Stafford Greenway
Saturday 27th 10am - 2pm
One World Week Jamboree, Church Lane Evangelical Hall, Stafford
Saturday 29th 10am
Cannock Chase Autumn Sweep Litter Pick, Birches Valley Visitors Centre
Tuesday 30th 7pm
Stafford Borough Council Green Awards 2007 Presentations, SBC
November
1st - 3rd
Doxey - Operation Impact
Thursday 1st 9:30am
Sustainable Staffordshire Green Living Event, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas
Wednesday 7th 7:30
Sustainability Matters AGM & Home Energy Talk, St Mary's Hall, Stafford
Friday 9th
National Green Apple Awards, House of Commons
Tuesday 13th 2pm
Biodiversity Strategy Steering Group meeting, SBC
Tuesday 13th 2pm
Cycling Working Group meeting, SBC
17th - 18th
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Wolseley Christmas Fair, Wolseley Centre
Wednesday 21st 6:30pm
Volunteer Walk Leader meeting, Gatehouse
Thursday 22nd 4:15pm
Eco-Schools Network meeting, Weston Rd. High School
Saturday 24th
Victorian Market, Market Square, Stafford
December
Tuesday 4th 2pm
Back-2-Bikes Steering Group meeting, SDVS
Wednesday 5th 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Cannock Chase Management Plan Consultation Event, Walton Village Hall
Sunday 9th 11am-3pm
Christmas Coppicing and Willow Craft Day, Doxey Marshes (SWT)
January 2008
Wednesday 5th 7:30pm
Sustainability Matters meeting, County Staff Club, Stafford
Tuesday 14th 2pm
Cycling Working Group meeting, SBC
Visit the What's On page at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21
Contacts
Stafford Borough Council Switchboard and General Enquires Tel: 01785 619000
The Local Agenda 21 Team, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ
Local Agenda 21 Team:
T: 01785 619408
Fax: 01785 619319
e: la21@staffordbc.gov.uk
web: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/la21
Karen Davies, Local Agenda 21 Co‑ordinator.
T: 01785 619408
e: kdavies@staffordbc.gov.uk
Sebastian Pearce, LA21 Assistant.
T: 01785 619408
e: spearce@staffordbc.gov.uk
William Waller, Biodiversity Officer
T: 01785 619676
e: wwaller@staffordbc.gov.uk
Allotment Mentor Scheme, Alec Nunn T: 01785 252902
Back-2-Bikes, Steve Kean, T: 01785 257483
BTCV, Laura Price T: 01785 212410
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr. S. Highfield T: 01782 796257
Community Council of Staffordshire, T: 01785 242525
CPRE, T: 01785 277890
Environment Agency Pollution Hotline, T: 0800 807060
Friends of the Earth, Robert Hine, T: 01785 603387/ 253936
Friends of Riverway/Riverwoods Project, Richard Thomason T: 01785 814374
Pollution Hotline T: 0800 807060
Stafford Area Save Your Energy, Alison Crane T 01785 611768
Staffordshire Business and Environment Network T: 01785 277345
Staffordshire New Nappy Network, T: 01785 277682
Staffordshire Travelwise Road Safety Unit T: 01785 276610
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, T: 01889 880100
Action Organics, Alec Nunn T: 01785 252902
Sustainable Staffordshire, Helen Swift T: 01785 277253
Sustainability Matters, Roger Oldfield, T: 01785 664328
WWF Stafford, Paul Baker , T: 01785 259014