Most Recent Blog Posts

• Food for Thought Food for Thought

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Whilst I don't subscribe to Vegetarian or Vegan dogmas (after all this world wouldn't have the societies it has without us meat eaters) there is some not so surprising evidence to show some benefits in the Eco world for a few changes in how we live.

    On a personal note you might be interested to know there's some payoffs for your health. Compared to meat eaters, vegetarians have lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and obesity.

    On an environmental note though, did you know livestock accounts for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of water use - and a meatless diet is 50% more effective at cutting CO2 than switching from a standard car to a hybrid. No prizes for guessing where some of those emissions come from directly.

    As I said I don't subscribe to giving up meat all together, but you could try for a happy medium - go meatless at least once a week for a substantial effect on environmental and health benefits. Eating a sustainably raised beef burger might be better for the environment, but occasionally NOT having that burger you crave for can be even better.

    If only we could get the USA to reduce the standard size of a meal (be it burger or steak). That would be an interesting project.

  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
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• Chickens a year on Chickens a year on

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Well... if anyone remembers we got some chickens last year, and purchased a thing called an Eglu which is nicknamed a chicken caravan by many of our friends. Its plastic and easy to clean. It also has wheels so if you have a large enough garden you can move it round so that when the chickens are in the run they don't destroy the patch of grass too severely.

    All good in theory, but with 6 chickens at the time and a small garden, we found out within days there was no way of stopping the chucks from devouring everything and turning the ground into a barron mud heap!

    So why did we bother... and more's the point why are we still going at it!? Simple.... the eggs are wonderful and in most people's opinion better even than the free range eggs you can buy from the shop. They all develop their own personality, and in my opinion watching their interactions is much better than playing a computer game like the Simms. They'll be friendly with you (especially if you have food) and they'll even let you pick them up when they're used to it.

    We started with 6 chickens but unfortunately over last year we lost two of them through natural causes. I response was to add another 6 making a total of 10! But recently again, we're lost two more, so we're left with 8 chucks now. Getting real about it, I have had to dispatch two of them myself out of being humane.

    Here's the reality check: They poo everywhere, eat everything edible, and desttroy anything that's not. Where we used to have a lawn, I had to ring-fence them in and they turned it into a field of mud. If you've got a garden you're proud of I wouldn't recommend you let them have free range of all of it. Mucking them out is not the nicest of jobs, but with the Eglu being plastic its a much easier job... and you can hose the whole thing down every so often.

    That said, we're really glad we did it. With 8 chickens now, we're averaging about 7 eggs a day. OF course we can't eat all of them, so our neighbours and friends gladly help in that part of the process in return for a small donation towards their food.

    We're lucky we work from home, so we can keep an eye on them at all times, but they're quite happy to run around on their own as long as you can lock them in at night and let them out again in the morning... oh and obviously the odd treat to keep them happy with you!

    So all in all, if you're considering chickens we'd recommend it to everyone, and with them being more eco-friendly than most its a bonus!

  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
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• Volcano in Iceland Volcano in Iceland

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Maybe not a direct issue with being eco friendly, but what happend with the Volcano in Iceland (Eyjafjallajokull) proves a point about how dependent on mother nature we are. We all know the obviously direct effects on air flights through europe, but there's plenty of economic knock-on effects where for example, business bound by delivery agreements are going to get penalised for not delivering on time. And I'm sure we've only just touched the tip of the economic iceberg on that one.

    BUT then there's the awe inspiring side of what actually goes on when a volcano erupts. I'm in two minds about wanting to be there at the moment, but someone put a load of pictures together and even made it a screensaver.
    You won't believe how incredibly these pictures are, and they're even asking for more images if you have them.

    http://yourownscreensaver.com/screensavers/free-screensavers/alternative/257-volcanic-events

    Oh... and I'm impressed if you can pronounce "Eyjafjallajokull" as I'm still having problems with Reykjavik.

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
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• Wonderful walking bus! Wonderful walking bus!

  • From: ClaireRussell
  • Description:

    I have been utterly inspired recently when observing our good friends and neighbours, along with other neighbours on our street arranging a 'walking bus' for taking their respective children to school.

    As it happens we live on a street with a number of families of similar age groups and with children of similar ages - and some of the children on the street attend the same school.

    The concept of a walking bus was discussed by the parents involved as all the parents wanted to avoid where possible driving their children to school, both to reduce their emissions and to keep the children fit and active - not couch potato children. As most of the parents go out to work, they have agreed a rota and the parents each take responsibility for walking all of the children to school - in 'walking bus' fashion, on their allotted day or days.

    I will often look out of our window and it really is lovely to see this little troupe of children walking together to school, chatting animatedly to each other as they do, along with their 'responsible adult'. What better way to start the children's day and what a wonderful example they are being set at this young age.

    Our children are not quite yet at school age, and I certainly don't want to wish the time away until they are. However  - I have to say that I am actually really looking forward to being able to walk our children to school and I hope that there will be other families close by with whom we can have our own 'walking bus' !!

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 189
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• Fever Fear Fever Fear

  • From: ClaireRussell
  • Description:

    As a parent of young children I worry as much as the next person about my little ones becoming poorly - especially during the winter months when there seem to be a plethora of bugs and nasties doing the rounds.

    We seem to have more than the usual coughs and colds to worry about at the moment with the dreaded 'swine flu' lurking around every corner and on every door handle. (I'm not actually sure where I stand on swine flu but that's another story...)

    I was very interested to read an artice in this month's Ecologist about childhood ailments and in particular our reliance on 'Calpol' as a bit of a cure-all for our little angel's various sicknesses. I have reached for the Calpol on numerous occasions to combat a fever or to help ease the discomfort of chicken pox, or some such illness. So imagine my horror on reading this article and realising what is actually lurking WITHIN the Calpol bottle.

    I think sometimes as parents we fail to see what is staring us in the face - in this case the ingredients - and  become reliant on what we come to believe is good for our children. Calpol, a paracetamol suspension, is the number one selling child pain relief medicine - accounting for over half of all sales. Worryingly a recent paper has suggested strong links between children given paracetamol from a young age and development of asthma, eczema and other allergies.

    In addition to paracetamol, Calpol contains a cocktail of E-ingredients including E122 (a suspected carcinogen banned in Austria, Japan, Norway, Sweden and and US).

    And this is what I have given to my babies when they have been unwell? :(

    We are lucky that both of our children are robust and healthy. We feed them fresh, home cooked food and avoid processed foods. I'm sure that it is no co-incidence that they are rarely ill and I will be making an even greater effort to sustain their bodies and build their immunities in this way - in the hope that 'prevention is better than cure'. Hopefully when they are ill we will feel able to let their immune systems do the work, along with cuddles from Mummy and Daddy - rather than reaching for the Calpol.

     

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
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• Eco home...? Eco home...?

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Whilst surfing the net (as you do) I came across this site, which I thought was "quite good!"

     

    http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

     

  • Blog post
  • 12 hours ago
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• Bamboo Bicycles. Bamboo Bicycles.

  • From: adeymoore
  • Description:

    On the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, next year's crop of bicycles is being watered by Benjamin Banda.

    "We planted this bamboo last year," he says, "and now the stems are taller than me. When it's ready we'll cut it, cure it and then turn it into frames."

    Mr Banda, is the caretaker for Zambikes, a company set up by two Californians and two Zambians which aimed to build bikes tough enough to handle the local terrain.

    Co-founder Vaughn Spethmann, 24, recalls how it all started with a game of football.

    Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world

    "We were here on a university field trip and we organized a match against some locals. Afterwards we asked them what they did, and they said: 'Nothing'. They didn't have jobs.

    "So we decided to come up with a business which would be a source of employment and provide a useful product."

    That product was the rugged, bright yellow Zambike, assembled at the firm's smart red-brick workshop set in sun-browned farmland.

    Other projects followed as the mechanics' skills improved: a sturdy cargo bike, a bike trailer and a bike-drawn "zambulance", now in use at 10 clinics around Lusaka.

    Good vibrations

    Meanwhile Santa Cruz-based bike designer Craig Calfee was experimenting with bamboo as a material for bike frames.

    His prototypes proved that the strength and lightness of the plant made it a great substitute for metal.

    As a bonus it had excellent vibration-dampening properties, making it comfortable for riding over long distances.

    It was eye-catching too - Mr Calfee's stand was besieged when he unveiled his first bamboo frame at a bike show.

    Mr Calfee hatched a plan to manufacture the frames in developing countries, distribute them in the US and share the profits.

    He had already set up a workshop in Accra, Ghana, and started looking for more bike producers, nicknamed "bambooseros".

    The industry telegraph started humming and soon he was talking to Zambikes.

    "We were so excited," says Mr Spethmann. "The thought of Zambian-made products being sold in the USA. That just doesn't happen."

    There are many reasons why it's so unusual: capital is difficult to raise in Zambia; tools and raw materials - if available - are expensive; skilled labour is in short supply; and bureaucracy isn't.

    In this context having a low-cost raw material on the doorstep is a godsend.

    "And of course there's very little impact on the environment," says Dustin McBride, the other American on the Zambikes management team.

    Growth market

    Inside the workshop, bike mechanic Elastus Lemba is setting up treated bamboo pieces on a jig made from plumber's pipes and bicycle parts.

    It looks low-tech, but that's intentional.

    Mr Calfee wanted a production process that did not require sophisticated machinery.

    With wood glue holding the frame in place, Mr Lemba binds the joints using sisal - tough cord made from plant fibre soaked in epoxy.

    Hand-making the frames in this way takes at least a week.

    After a final sanding and coat of varnish, each batch of bamboosero bikes will be shipped to the USA, tested, fitted with wheels, pedals, handlebars and brakes, and put on sale.

    So will the bike be a success?

    Mr Calfee thinks so, based on all the enquiries and advance orders he has received.

    "Hundreds of people have asked when they can buy one. From a bike messenger who wants an affordable fixie to a wealthy collector who wants one from each bamboosero location."

    He is convinced the price tag - $475 (£290) for road or mountain bike frames, and more than $900 (£550) for a finished bike - won't put people off.

    "The only criticism I've had is that they might be too cheap.

    "After all, buyers are helping to get self-sustaining businesses off the ground in developing economies, and they're getting a unique bike into the bargain."

    The mood is optimistic at Zambikes too.

    Operations co-ordinator Divilance Machilika, watches company cook Fabian Mumba taking a finished bamboo bike for a spin around the yard.

    "I can see these selling well in America. They'll like them because they're natural," he says.

    Mr Machilika lived in a tent on the site for a year while the workshop was being built.

    A quick learner, he soon mastered construction skills and bike mechanics. Now he oversees day-to-day running of the workshop.

    Benefit to the community

    One of the founders, Mwewa Chikamba, says Mr Machilika is an example of what Zambikes wanted to achieve.

    "It was never just about bikes. We wanted to give our workers practical skills and reward their dedication. We want to change lives," he says.

    Assistance is also offered in the form of business coaching or discretionary loans - Mr Machilika used one such loan to buy a plot of land.

    "I want to build three houses there. I'll use the rent money to start other businesses and employ people myself."

    Instead of charging interest, Zambikes asks staff to demonstrate that the investment made in them is benefiting their community.

    Perseverance and an innovative approach to product design and working practices have helped Zambikes put down strong roots.

    But in a business environment that leaves much to be desired, it is no surprise that they have not yet seen a profit.

    If the bamboo bike shoots out of the shops as fast as Mr Calfee predicts, that may be about to change too.

    Thanks to the BBC

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 379

• Eco Cars Eco Cars

  • From: adeymoore
  • Description:

    Being half of Click4Carbon, we knew we had to get rid of the polluting Land Rover Discovery we had. 

    Yesterday we got a Volvo C30 drivE. 

    The most environmentally friendly diesel production car in the world. 

    In UK, cars are taxed on the amount of CO2 emissions, the Land Rover made us pay £400 per year and got an average of 32 mpg.

    The Volvo cost us just £35 per year to tax and we can get upto 76.3 mpg !!!!!  Massive saving both environmentally AND financially.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 306

• Chickens - Day 32 Chickens - Day 32

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Well its day 32 of chickens and they're happily plodding around making a mess of everything.

    We finally lost our cool about letting them roam the whole yard. Our poor dog no longer had anywhere to lie in the sun (while we've got some this year) without being in chicken doo doo.

    So... off I went down to the shop and got some chicken wire. We cordoned off 2/3 of the grass so they can happily make a mess of that area, and I spent 2 hours with a power jet hosing down the decking and pavings.

    Poor dog now has a bit of grass and all the walkways to himself, so he's cheered up a bit.

    The eggs are still wonderful and people are now asking if they can buy a few off us weekly.

    We've has a small problem over the last couple of days with two of the chickens (Korma and PAsty) suffering from (we think) being egg bound. I checked them this morning and they're looking a lot more perky but I don't think its over yet.

    Anyone with any ideas to help them please let me know. There's plenty of stuff on the internet about it, but not so much about helping them.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 289
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• C4C v Google C4C v Google

  • From: peggleg
  • Description:

    Another reason to use C4C.

    http://go.infopackets.com/e20090602-04

     

    Dave.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 219

• National Liftshare Day - 9th J National Liftshare Day - 9th June 2009

  • From: JohnRussell
  • Description:

    If you want a sociable way to reduce local congestion and pollution - and save yourself money - check out LIFTSHARE.

     

    Car Sharing is taking off in the UK: over 330,000 people have already joined the FREE LIFTSHARE NETWORK. You can either offer a lift, request a lift, or take turns driving. There are tens of thousands of journeys on Liftshares database which people want to share, so the odds are that someone who lives near you is also going your way.

     

    The typical commuter who car shares every days cuts C02 emissions by about a tonne a year. And for every driver that starts car sharing, another car is taken off the road. It's also great from bringing communities together - friendships are made that last long after the car sharing arrangment is no longer needed.

     

    Tuesday 9th June is National Liftsahre Day - what better day to give it a try!?!

     

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 233
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• Chickens - Day 16 Chickens - Day 16

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Well, we've had them for a while now.. yep... 16 days.

    They're great, but we have had to spend some money on the extra little things, like plastic sealable tubs for the food pellets, and making sure our pressure hose was working properly to shift the "fertiliser" off the walking areas.

    Thy've settled in now too. We can just open the Eglu door in the moing and let them alone til dusk. They then naturally want to go huddle up in the sleeping area and they keep quiet too.

    A word of warning to anyone thinking about getting some... they seem to wander around aimlessly, eating anything and with their rear orifice seemingly permanently open. Yep... there's s**t everywhere.
    
    What grass we had is slowly turning into marsh land, though I reckon we could probably grow anything we wanted in the soil this summer.

    We don't let this put a dampener on things though. The eggs are lovely, and all our neighbors so far have been over the moon with the sample eggs we've given them.
    
    We've had a letter of thanks addressed to us AND the chickens from one neighbor; and another has bropped some newspaper clippings about chickens round to us. Two of them have already offered to look after them if we go away too!

    An omlet tonight I think!

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 263
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• Time to Repay Time to Repay

  • From: GregRuf
  • Description:

    Peter Schiff, president of Euro Pacific Capital Inc., predicted in 2006 that we were heading for an economic downturn. “Experts” didn’t take him serious. It’s 2009 and some of the biggest companies have collapsed like a house of cards and the “R” word is on everyone’s lips.
    
    For most of us, seeing is believing; for others, the symptoms of impending disaster are sufficient to elicit preventive action.
    
    A similar scenario of denial and indifference is being re-enacted in the case of climate change and global warming, which has been stealthily creeping up on us for the last 25 years. Read more at: WNS Global Services

    
    

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 287

• Chickens - Day 3 Chickens - Day 3

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    A little bit late on posting, but its worth the wait. lol.
    
    Well, I spent about 2 hours levelling a piece of ground at the back of our garden so we could give this Eglu chicken roost a more permanent home. Wasn't sure if it would fit at first. Our garden is a little on the small side.
    
    After 2 hours of sweat and toil, digging through tree roots to do it, I finally managed to get what looks like a reasonably level piece of ground, and we wheeled the eglu into it. Trust me...that's the most back breaking work I've done in a very long while, and I'm still acheing all over.
    
    Reading up on it, we went and got some wood bark chips and filled the ground with it.
    
    While we were doing all this we actually let the chickens out for 5 minutes.... the problem was they loved it so much we spend 10 minutes trying to round them back up and into the Eglu run. They do tell you not to let the chickens out for 5 days so that they know where home is and don't just dawdle off. I say dawdle rather than "run off" because they're so thick they just wouldn't know.

    So, here's a pretty pic of the now permanent Eglu:

    We got another 5 eggs today! they're a bit small, but hey, they're only small chickens. They made enough noise trying to get them out so I think they're glad they're pretty small.
    
    We've given a few away already.... and people want more!
    
    Eventually we'll put a price on them so that it covers the costs.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 241
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• Chickens - Day 2 Chickens - Day 2

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Yes!
    Well...last night, I had to man-handle the daft birds into the Eglu but they were pretty happy with that after sitting dumbly in the closest corner to the light eminating from the house. Allegedly as dusk comes they're meant to naturally pop themselves into the Eglue, but as a suggestion I put a torch in there to help them on their way.....but NO!...they're just too thick.
    
    So this morning at 6:30 I opened the door and believe it or not they understood to come out all on their very own.
    
    They were clucking quite enthusiastically by 9am and by 10am I had a peek in at the roosting area and quess what!!!!!!!!! All that clucking was from the hard work of extricating eggs!
    
    We got 5 this morning... but they didn't last long as we had a friend round and by 11:30 they were being globbled down by us in the form of fried egg butties!
    
    They were absolutely yummy and didn't taste a bit like little chicklets!!!

    I suppose what I can't believe is exactly how clean they were for me to pick them out!

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 258

• Chickens - Day 1 Chickens - Day 1

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

    Well...they're here!

    We've got 6 clucking chickens, and even the dog is excited, but being very sensible.

    Took 1 hour to build and put them in. We clipped their wings (one side only) and we're keeping them in the Eglu for a few days til they get used to their new home. Then... we'll see what happens when we open the door.

    They guy said they were already laying, which is great as we were expecting it to be a few weeks yet. We will see if we get anything by tomorrow. Yuo never know.

    We've not named them yet... but we will, although they're NOT pets... no point in making yourself feel guilty by eating the egs or them dying or shown the oven.

    Until my next blog, here's a few snaps of them on the right:

    
    
    
    

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 278

• 3rdwhale's Greenest Person on 3rdwhale's Greenest Person on the Planet Contest

  • From: BobCarbon
  • Description:

    Who is the Greenest of them all?
    April 22, 2009 - Earth Day, launched this year's Greenest Person on the Planet Contest.

    Last year's contest was a huge success, with international coverage and over 600 applicants from 24 different countries.

    This year they're going to reach even farther, and inspire even more people to act to create change in the world!

    Whether you enter the contest, or want to have your say in who will get to the next level and be named the Greenest Person of 2009 - we'll get you the inside scoop at every step of the contest.

    
    www.GreenestPerson.com

    ---

    Matthias Gelber 2008 Winner
    

    Last year we supported Matthias.
    Check out what the Green Man has been up to!

     And Blog to let us know if you think others are worth supporting. 

     
    
    

    ---

     

    Watch the Launch Video Now!
    Brought to you by National Geographic Canada
    

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
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• Buy Eco Friendly Knickers! Buy Eco Friendly Knickers!

  • From: JohnRussell
  • Description:

    It all began as a student project - but now GreenKnickers looks set to stay.

    The undies which are kind to the planet, have proved so popular that the zero carbon pants have sold out and a new wedding range is to be launched.

    Sarah Lucy Smith came up with the idea for her final project while doing the Eco Design course at Goldsmiths university.

    She then teamed up with her school friend Rose Cleary-Southwood, and GreenKnickers was born.

    Sarah said: "We started GreenKnickers to prove that ethical can be funny, beautiful and sexy.

    "The fabrics are so gorgeous, and super-duper green.They're selling extremely well.

    "Some customers say they're the comfiest knickers they've ever worn."

    The knickers are made from environmentally friendly fabrics, like organic cotton, hemp and silk. Goods from abroad are shipped by sea and staff travel by bike.

    Each pair arrives in a box made from recycled paper and printed with organic vegetable based inks.

    The global warming knickers are printed with thermo-chromic inks, and change colour as they warm up.

    There is also a range of cycling smalls with removable padding to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint.

    At the moment GreenKnickers operates online, but Sarah said: "If the business continues to be successful I would love to open up a boutique."

    Around 80% of the wholesale value goes to the suppliers.

    But at a cost of up to £25-a-pair, plus £3 postage and packaging, you will have to pay the price to do your bit.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 318
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• Chickens Chickens

  • From: RobLyons
  • Description:

     

    Well, believe it or not, me and my partner have decided to invest in some chickens. What for? Simple...Eggs. What I decided was to start keeping a blog to let you know of the trials and tribulations of doing this from a person who willing to give it a go but has no idea what is in store.
    
    We only have a small garden, and frankly its only just big enough to swing a cat (or our dog) in. We're not going on a self-sufficiency crusade, but if this blog helps sway anyone out there to get the courage to do this, then I've done my job.

    First things first.... we needed housing for them. We considered trying to build a chicken coop, but as we seem to spend longer and longer working at the computer these days, we thought we'd cheat and buy something in. We're also not the "Smiths vs Jones" type either, but on this occasion we found something that made a pretty cool and trendy statement and even become a feature in the garden.

    The product is called an Eglu Cube. Its made of plastic and comes with a chicken run of a couple of metres. And here's a picture  of it:
    
    So, where are we now?

    We ordered the Eglu Cube along with 6 chickens. The company, if you're interested is Omlet, and can be found by Omlet Eglu Cube.

    Here's the crunch.... the one we bought just cost us in the region of £600. So this is as much of a lifestyle choice as it is an economic decision. It will take us a while to recoup (pardon the pun) the monies invested by accumulating and even selling the eggs. But before you lose interest due to the pricing rememer this:

    • We got 6 chickens
    • a raft load of accessories
    • A delivery guy who is going to install, the Eglu Cube and show us how to clip the wings so the chickens don't fly over to nextdoor too often.

    Our delivery date is 5th May 2009 so we are waiting in anticipation on our new fine feathered friends.

    Hopefully in the next few weeks and months I'll have plenty to say on the trials and tribulations of a chicken farmer (Is there a technical term for someone that does that?). So please keep coming back, and give me your thoughts too.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 361

• Landfill and Easter! Landfill and Easter!

  • From: adeymoore
  • Description:

    What's the most egregious offender in the matter of excess packaging? There are some who think it's the Easter egg, spewing waste plastic and foil into our landfill.

    What is an Easter egg?

    Is it a chocolate egg, perhaps accompanied by some mini chocolate bars or truffles?

    Or is it a combination of the items above with gaudily coloured, glossy card, a plastic box and shiny foil, all jumbled into one seductive whole.

    That's the issue that the giants of the confectionery industry have been wrestling with for the last few years.

    On the one hand there are voices from the environmental lobby that single out the Easter egg as quite the most outrageous piece of overpackaging in the realm of retail. On the other there are consumers whose eye needs to be drawn to products that make them feel like they want to give them as a gift.

    Jo Swinson, Lib Dem MP for Dunbartonshire East, has been campaigning against excess packaging for several years.

    "Easter eggs are obviously one of the worst examples of excessive packaging you can find. It is going to taste the same whatever box it comes in. It doesn't make any sense to pay for excess packaging."

    Boxing cleverer

    Last year she named and shamed various overpackaged eggs including one from Nestle. This year the confectionery giants have seen which way the wind is blowing.

    Nestle has eliminated many of the plastic inserts - used to hold the egg in place and protect it - from its boxes and reduced the amount of cardboard used.

    BIG REDUCTIONS

    • Cadbury's: Treasure eggs which have no box, other eggs' carton sizes cut by 25%
    • Nestle: Many plastic inserts removed, packaging reduced 30%
    • Mars: Carton weight reduced 42%, plastic insert weight reduced 35%
    • M&S: Packaging reduced 30%

    
    Mars is using print ads to trumpet its reduced packaging, and Cadbury's is shrinking boxes, having also introduced its Treasure Eggs range that don't come in a box.

    But Ms Swinson says the confectionery giants still have some way to go and that further reductions in box size are required.

    Andy Dawe, from waste and recycling action group WRAP, says it is important to remember that there is a functional element to egg packaging.

    If packaging prolongs the shelf life of an egg, then waste is avoided. If packaging stops eggs being damaged in transit, then again waste is avoided.

    "But one of the biggest concerns for consumers is when they can't recycle the packaging that is presented to them."

    Bulky boxes

    What you can and can't recycle varies from borough to borough, but there will be many people unable to recycle plastic inserts and even the foil on the egg can probably only be recycled by about 50% of households.

    Then there is the environmental cost of transporting bulky egg boxes containing, well, very little egg. 

    "You are paying to transport air," says Ms Swinson. "There is still a lot of empty space in them."

    But it hasn't always been this way.

    Robert Opie, curator of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in London, and author of Sweet Memories has been in a position to chart the history of Easter egg packaging.

    "In the 1920s smaller eggs might be wrapped in foil and then brought to the shop in a sturdy wooden box that would then act as a display, but there would be other larger, fancier eggs [in their own boxes]."

    By the 1950s the use of light bulb style card boxes became widespread for eggs, Mr Opie says, before in the 1960s and 1970s eggs started on their journey to today's flamboyant boxes.

    "Cartons became increasingly more complicated, more gifty, more wonderful, more voluminous."

    But of course, Easter egg packaging cannot be stripped down totally. The logical conclusion from an environmental perspective would be an egg in a brown paper bag, or perhaps no egg at all.

    "You have to bear in mind what you are giving somebody is not just a hollow egg, it is a gift," says Mr Opie. "The packaging is as much a part of the gift as the egg itself.

    "Why not just give somebody a bar of chocolate of the same weight? We like the difference in texture. It has a different kind of crunch moment."

    So assuming that Easter egg packaging is a compromise between attractive design and minimal environmental impact, how green can it be?

    St Asaph-based product design consultancy Design Reality, which recently completely Easter egg packaging design work for Duc d'O, a Belgian chocolatier, tackled the idea.

    "There are several factors that should be considered when designing such a product," Mr Evans says. "These include consumer expectations and needs, durability and strength in order to avoid damage to the fragile egg, its practicality in terms of palletisation and shelf stacking, an attractive graphical appearance and structural design, and an increasing desire of the consumer to purchase a product that is either ecologically sourced, or able to be recycled."

    Design Reality's hypothetical Eco Egg would attempt to minimise the amount of material wasted.

    "This involved creating a simple-sided pyramid that would fold up around the egg, with built in tabs to secure the egg inside," says Mr Evans. "The pyramid would be tied together at the top with a ribbon, thereby negating the requirement for gluing or tabs that would complicate the assembly process. The design would not require an inner plastic shell either.

    "This design would inherently present a novel element to its 'unwrapping', intended to delight and surprise the consumer.

    "Its four-sided pyramidal shape would also tessellate, fitting together into a pallet or shelf either by slotting together 'side by side', or using a simple punched cardboard sheet that would separate the different layers of pyramids on the shelf."

    Hence, fewer lorry journeys and less fuel used.

     

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