MAKING TWICE THE DIFFERENCE

The new academic year has begun and for thousands of schools around South Africa it means not only teaching and learning, but supplementing limited income. Most of us can remember the fun fairs, markets and cake sales of our youth, or as parents, the seemingly endless hours of organising, making, baking and selling. Innovative, time and energy-saving ideas were always welcome.

One of these is recycling, and in particular cans, which are easy and relatively clean to recycle. Not only do schools earn an income from collection, Collect A Can runs a number of annual competitions for schools as added incentive. Prizes totaling up to R250 000 are awarded for the most beverage cans collected within a certain time period, while October brings the annual attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most cans collected in one month. In 2009 they beat their world record set in 2007 by 2.6%, collecting a massive 2,122,238 cans. The Can Craze competition invites learners to let their imaginations run wild by using cans to create anything from a pterodactyl to a turtle, a spaceship to Superman.

A new competition this year is the Artistic Expression Competition. Learners who enjoy drawing or painting can create an artwork depicting “cans, in perfect harmony with nature”, with lots of prizes up for grabs. We challenge all readers, including those without school going children, to adopt a school for 2010 (within their local community or even a disadvantaged one) and not only help clean up the world, but also those who will inherit the outcome of our choices today.
Visit www.collectacan.co.za,
email info@collectacan.co.za or phone 011 466 2939

SA JOINS IRENA

South Africa has signed up as a full member of the International renewable Energy Agency (IrENA), which focuses on global use of renewable energy. The agency provides practical advice and support for industrialized and developing nations. South Africa will benefit by accessing information technology and capacity building in the renewable energy field.

GLASS RECYCLING ON THE RISE

According to The Glass recycling company’s general manager, Shabeer Jhetam, local glass recycling figures have climbed from 148 000 tons to 244 845 tons of glass per year – a massive increase of over 65% in the short three year period since The Glass recycling company’s inception.
www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za

WASHDAY SOLUTION

Asda supermarket chain has started a trial, funded by the Waste and resources Action programme, where fabric softener is piped from a 1 000 litre reusable container. Shoppers buy concentrated softener in pouches that can be refilled up to 10 times. Asda has said that the project engages customers by offering a great product that not only has a lower footprint, but also has a lower price tag.
source: www.edie.net.

WEDDING CANS

An unconventional US couple planning an unconventional wedding (potluck food, homebrewed beer, handmade décor, etc.) are financing it in a unique and environmentally friendly way – by recycling 400 000 cans. At the time of writing they had only 88 440 to go. Follow Andrea and peter’s inspirational adventure at
www.weddingcans.com or www.twitter.com/weddingcans

ARCTIC PERMAFROST LEAKING METHANE AT RECORD LEVELS

In a new study a massive spike in greenhouse gas emissions from Arctic permafrost has been recorded. Experts say methane emissions have risen by almost one-third in just five years. Sharply rising temperatures are to blame, and some regions have already recorded warming of 2.5°c, with a projected increase by more than 10°c if emissions continue to rise at current rates.
source: www.guardian.co.uk

NEW PLANT SPECIES DISCOVERED IN AFRICA

East and tropical Southern Africa yielded the greatest number of new plant species in 2009, according to the royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. one of the two new species found in South Africa is an aquatic plant Isoetes eludens, found in temporary rock pools. The minute specimen was found by Kew director prof Stephen Hopper in Namaqualand. Sadly the plant may be at risk from climate change, as the temporary rock pools in which it thrives are in danger of drying up. View a full list at
www.kew.org/science/new-discoveries
source: www.sagoodnews.co.za

GAUTENG ACTION FOR GOING CLEAN AND GREEN

The city of Johannesburg piloted its free municipal recycling collection in late 2009 in the Waterval area. 20 000 tons of recyclable waste was collected within the first week of the project in November 2009. Not only has environmental waste been minimised in these suburbs, but the project has also increased jobs through the door-to-door education campaign.

WIND IS CHEAPEST

Eddie o’connor, head of renewable energy company Mainstream renewable power, which is planning a r9.1 billion investment in wind farms in South Africa, stated that wind was the cheapest generating option for South Africa at present. This was in response to Eskom’s assertion that renewable energy was expensive and would require coal or nuclear back up. Doug Kuni, MD of SA Independent power producers Association said that a renewable energy project’s output over time is cheaper due to no primary fuel costs or carbon taxes.
source: www.busrep.co.za

IN THE BAG

As part of their re-use and recycle ethos, Sandton city used the fabric advertising banners from previous promotions to create 1000 limited edition shopping bags. These trendy, ecofriendly, limited edition bags, in a range of colours and designs, were given away to shoppers spending r250 or more during the Sandton city Summer Sale in early February.

SA WINE LOSES WEIGHT

As South African wine exports have increased in recent years, so have carbon emissions. Now, South African wine is about to become a lot lighter. From April 2010, red and white screw cap wine bottles will weigh 350g – down from the less environmentally friendly industry standard of 500g (and in a few cases as much as one kilogram). cork-sealed bottles have dropped from 570g to 460g. Add in the reduction in the carbon footprint and the wine industry has another winner.