Green Matters June 2009
New fleet cleans up
Eight new vehicles have been introduced to Hackney’s waste services in an effort to provide a fleet with among the cleanest emissions in the capital.
The two 12-tonne compact refuse collection trucks, five road sweepers and a street washer were the first of 20 new vehicles to be delivered as part of the Council’s ongoing investment in the fleet.
Cllr Alan Laing, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“We’ve listened to our residents and have done a lot of work to reduce carbon emissions and improve cleanliness across the borough.
“The new vehicles are a significant investment in equipment that will support the excellent work of our street cleaners, as the Council strives to make Hackney cleaner and greener.”
The Council is in the process of renewing and modernising the existing street cleaning fleet to improve efficiency overall.
The next step is to operate more vehicles on biodiesel fuels from sustainable sources. It is also looking into the possibility of introducing electrically-powered rubbish collection vehicles.
Bottles bank up water for Africa
Hackney is the first council in London to fund the installation of a water pump in southern rural Africa through buying charity water.
The ‘elephant pump’ is being built in the village of Mthwalo, in Malawi, to provide a constant supply of clean water.
The Council has been buying water in bottles – recycled after use – from charity Thirsty Planet for the last three years.
Thirsty Planet donates funds from sales to partner charity Pump Aid, which works with communities in southern Africa.
The Council has bought enough bottles to reach the –250 required to install a pump, and is on its way to a second.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “The Council is committed to sustainability, not only in the borough, but also in the way the Council is run.
“This is an example of what can be done when organisations choose to buy goods from responsible sources.”
Paul Martin, managing director of Waterbrands, which owns Thirsty Planet, said: “The support that Hackney Council is giving to Pump Aid is tremendous.
“Simply by choosing Thirsty Planet it is helping improve day-to-day living and even save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.”
Exotic ladies make a flying visit
Winged creatures have been spotted making the most of the good weather in Hackney.
A group of Painted Lady butterflies has been enjoying the pink Valerian and sage on the roundabout junction of Lauriston Road and Victoria Park Road. They are usually found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and are thought to be resting before they fly on to the next part of their journey.
Meanwhile, a family of ducklings has been making themselves at home in Clapton Pond under the watchful eye of a mother duck.
More information
If you’ve seen some of these Painted Ladies visit: www.butterfly-conservation.org to record your sighting, as well as find out more about this amazing migration.
Roof on the up
A rooftop at Frampton Park Estate, E9, is set to come alive with wildlife after being covered with a blanket of greenery.
The top of Tradescant House has been transformed as part of Hackney Homes’ Decent Homes programme.
It is now covered with a blanket of sedum, a plant similar to everyday grass, which will improve the building’s thermal performance.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability said: “The roofs improve Hackney’s landscape, and the added insulation could help cut energy costs, can encourage wildlife and help our drive to make Hackney greener and cleaner.”
Like most plants, sedum can also help reduce pollutants and dust particles in the air. An influx of birds is also expected once the plants have flowered. Ian Palmer, project surveyor for roofing waterproofer Bauder Limited, which funded the planting in partnership with Hackney Homes, said:
“The sedum blanket retains 40 per cent of rainfall which slows down and reduces the levels of rainwater entering the drainage system to lessen the risk of flash flooding.
“Another benefit is that, because the waterproofing itself is protected by the sedum blanket, the life expectancy of the roof is extended.”
Once the roof coverings have settled, residents should expect white, pink and purple flowers blossoming during the summer.
Look on the light side of life
Street lighting in Hackney is set to get brighter and more energy-efficient as trials for new products begin.
Using light emitting diodes (LEDs), will make footpaths brighter and aid safety after dark. Lanterns illuminated by LEDs burn for up to 100,000 hours, which could also significantly reduce annual maintenance costs.
Alleys and communal areas with low lighting have already been identified as the first sites that could benefit from the new technology. The latest trials follow smaller installations of LED street lighting in Homerton Terrace and Shoreditch Park.
Five manufacturers of LEDs have been invited to supply equipment. The product that provides the best levels of lighting and most favourable feedback from residents is likely to be used in the long-term throughout the borough.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“We have been using LED lanterns to illuminate highway bollards and traffic signs in Hackney for a number of years and are keen to make use of new technology.
“We want to lead the way on introducing more green and sustainable lighting as we know residents want us to play our part in reducing global warming.”
Wood you like to walk or ride?
More than 50 people took part in a spring evening walk in Abney Park, N16, organised by local voluntary group the Tree Musketeers.
Focusing on biodiversity, member Russell Miller led the walkers, and talked about the wide range of creatures that coexist in trees.
As an example, he explained how the fungus sooty bark disease, found in sycamore trees, acts as food for mice; and the mice then become food for tawny owls nesting in the trees.
Russell also spoke of how the impact of global warming is affecting the trees in the park at a local level.
On 21 June the Musketeers plan to celebrate the longest day of the year with a free Solstice Tree Wheel cycletour of Hackney’s trees.
It will start from the Gascoyne Road side of Well Street Common, E9, at 11am and will last about two hours.
All are welcome but under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants should bring water and a snack.
More information
Visit: www.hackneyenvironment.org.uk/TM
Green fingered children
Children at Harrington Hill Primary, E5, are getting stuck into learning about vegetables – by growing their own.
Eight pupils aged between 10 and 11, helped by teachers and a local gardening enthusiast, started the project by planting seeds in February.
They have asked teachers, friends and family to ‘adopt a vegetable’ by providing sponsorship to help the small garden along in return for some of the produce.
The harvest should include a variety of beans, root vegetables, and some fruit.
Mac, the school’s retired volunteer helper, explained that the garden had been built because some of the children did not have one of their own.
He said: “Food just doesn’t get any fresher than this. There are fruit trees and some flowers. It is really proving to be a big success. Once the vegetables are ready there will be some cooking classes. The students will have gone from seed to plants, and plants to plate in just two terms!”
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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