Green Matters
Big waterways clean up 2012
Residents are being encouraged to get their wellies on and help clean up Hackney's waterways.
A six-month Big Waterways Clean Up 2012 campaign kicks off this month at a launch event next to the Lee Navigation in Hackney Wick. Organisers Thames21 aim to train thousands of volunteers to transform East London's rivers and canals by the end of July.
Activities will include clearing litter from water courses; removing invasive species; bankside vegetation management; enhancing wildlife habitats; improving access to rivers and canals; and educational activities with schools. There will also be family-themed events that engage children with the environment.
Debbie Leach, Chief Executive of Thames21, said: "It will be exciting to see so many people joining up with neighbours and friends to transform their local rivers or canals and turn them into somewhere people of all generations can use and enjoy.
"Our rivers and canals frame our city - let's get them ready and show them off to the world in 2012."
The launch event will take place at 10.30am on 8 February, alongside the Lee Navigation, near the Olympic Stadium. Access is from White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9. To register, visit: www.thames21.org.uk/project/bwcu2012
To get involved, call Ben on: 07920 230 970; or email: ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk
6 February 2012
What a drain - Hackney's flood warnings
While flooding because of heavy rainfall is unlikely in London, Hackney - along with all other boroughs in the capital - has been working towards identifying risk areas to ensure the Council, residents and businesses are prepared.
Local flood planning work, which is part of the Greater London Authority's overall Drain London project, aims to understand what causes flooding, where it may be a risk, and how boroughs can manage any potential impact on residents and businesses.
The Council has collected data from local and national sources in order to develop a clearer understanding of the flood risks across Hackney.
Its initial report includes maps showing areas at risk of flooding, and aims to give comprehensive information to allow residents and businesses to be better prepared and make informed choices.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "All councils have a responsibility to prepare for and manage possible flood waters. Although there has not been any serious flooding in Hackney for more than 60 years, it is important that the Council is prepared."
For more info about Hackney's flood planning, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/emergency-planning-floods
6 February 2012
Recycle food waste campaign
Thousands of residents will receive visits in the coming weeks as part of a campaign to
help more people recycle food waste.
From 7 February, Council staff will be travelling round the borough, handing out a six month supply of free compostable bin liners, and replacing broken or unused kitchen caddies with more sturdy models.
The new blue bins, which hold food waste, are clean and secure and collected weekly with other recycling.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "Recycling more of our food waste can help
lower the amount of greenhouse gases created at landfills and can help reduce climate change. It will also help save local taxpayers money, as it currently costs around £2million a year to get rid of food waste in Hackney.
"With the free liners and new caddies, residents see how simple it is to take part in food recycling."
Food waste recycling helps to make Hackney a greener borough and produces 200 tonnes of compost each year, which is used by local parks, gardens and community groups.
In total 62,000 homes will be visited as part of the drive, and residents will be shown how to use the blue bins, the full range of food that can be recycled in them, and given the free liners.
Compostable liners help keep kitchen caddies clean and tidy, and break down easily in the composting process, unlike other plastic bags which shouldn't be used in blue bins.
For more info, or to order a kitchen caddy, call: 0208 8356 6688; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/recycling
6 February 2012
Say 'no' to unwanted mail
People living in the North London Waste Authority area, which includes Hackney, are being offered help to reduce the amount of junk mail they receive.
Figures show the average household in the UK receives around 650 pieces of unwanted mail each year, which in North London equates to 18kg of waste per household.
To stop unwanted mail, follow these steps:
- Place a 'no junk mail' sticker on your letterbox to tell people delivering flyers you don't want them hitting your doormat. Get a free one at: www.nlwa.gov.uk/nojunkmail
- Use the free Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to stop addressed mail being sent to you, where your details have been pulled off a mailing database. Register online at: www.mpsonline.org.uk
- To stop all unaddressed mail distributed by Royal Mail's door-to-door scheme, email: optout@royalmail.com
- Avoid joining new mailing lists. Be sure to tick the opt-out box on forms, including your electoral register form, to stop your address being passed on
- Return unwanted mail. Write 'return to sender' on the envelope and put it back in the post unstamped.
6 February 2012
Going natural
Clissold has become the first Hackney leisure centre to install an innovative energy saving system expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 100 tonnes each year.
A Combined Heat and Power Unit (CHP) uses natural gas to generate electricity, which in turn heats the swimming pools and the building, while reducing carbon emissions. The move is expected to save up to £15,000 a year on electricity bills.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: "The Council is working hard to ensure that
we operate all our buildings - from offices and libraries to leisure centres - using the most sustainable methods."
Social enterprise GLL, which manages Hackney's leisure centres on behalf of the Council, is in the top 10 per cent of UK companies striving to cut carbon emissions, according to the Government, which published a Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Performance League table.
The table assesses organisations on the steps they have taken to reduce carbon emissions over a three-year period. Over 2,000 organisations - including supermarkets, retailers, restaurants and hospitals - are ranked in the CRC league table.
Jeremy Gould, Energy and Environment Manager at GLL, said: "Ranking in the top 10 per cent of the league table is fantastic recognition of the hard work that has gone into developing a framework for reducing carbon emissions.
"In 2007, we launched GLL Green, our strategy for carbon reduction, ensuring that we operate in the most environmentally friendly way possible. As part of this we offer environmental awareness training to all staff
and have invested in energy and carbon saving technologies."
23 January 2012
Recycling electrical items is a buzz
People living in the North London Waste Authority area, which includes Hackney, recycled over 1,180 tonnes of small electrical items last year - the equivalent in weight to 147 double decker buses.
To boost these levels even more, unwanted items like old kettles, radios and toasters can be taken to a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling bank in the borough. Items are collected and sent to a sorting factory, where different resources such as copper, steel and plastics are recovered and reused. An iron, for example, contains enough steel to make 13 food cans.
Hackney WEEE Banks can be found at:
- Old St, Fire Station, EC1
- Thurtle Rd, E2
- Chatsworth Rd, E5
- Spring Hill, E5
- Kenninghall Rd, E5
- Kingsland Shopping Centre car park, E8
- Well Street, E9
- Morning Lane, Tesco, E9
- Eastway, E9
- Downham Road jct with Southgate Road, N1
- Green Lanes, near Health Centre, N4
- Lordship Rd, N16
- Stamford Hill, Morrisons, N16
- Butterfield Green, N16
23 Janaury 2012
Turning over a new leaf?
Hackney's Sustainability Team has suggested a number of small yet significant ways in which residents can make a difference to the environment in 2012.
- Pledge 1 - Donate unwanted clothes to charity shops or take them to the nearest recycling bank
- Pledge 2 - Leave the car at home and walk or cycle if travelling short distances
- Pledge 3 - Use less power by contacting Hackney's energy advice service
- Pledge 4 - Shop locally
- Pledge 5 - Volunteer in your local park
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability,said: "A new year is often thought of as a good time to make positive changes in our lives. Doing a bit more to look after our environment even in small ways can provide major benefits to the borough as a whole if everyone plays their part."
For more info, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/greenerliving.htm
23 January 2012
Carry on cycling throughout 2012
Cycling is a great way to travel, whatever the time of the year. Not only is it a green mode of transport, but residents can also save money while keeping fit - a real incentive after the excesses of the festive season.
The Council, in partnership with the Met Police, is hosting a cycle pit stop on 19 January, from 4pm to 7pm, at Martello Street, by London Fields.
Cyclists can get a free on-the-spot bike health check and bike marking. They can also exchange places with an HGV driver to better understand how to cycle safely and confidently, especially around lorries and large vehicles.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "Cycling is a popular method of transport in Hackney, not only for its health benefits, but because it's also faster and cheaper than many options. Our cycle pit stop events offer free bike checks and expert advice, and demonstrate how simple and necessary it is to make sure that bikes are in a roadworthy condition so they can be used all year round."
For more info, email: movegreener@hackney.gov.uk; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/movebybike
23 January 2012
The people's kitchen
Residents who feel they have overindulged during the festive period can develop a different attitude towards food - with help from the People's Kitchen.
Every Sunday over the past year, people have gathered in Dalston to connect with each other while producing affordable meals. The aim is to strengthen community spirit by working with local food producers, suppliers and growers to use surplus food to feed people.
Local shops donate food that would otherwise end up in landfill sites, while other ingredients are foraged from Hackney. Meals are served on a 'pay as you want' basis, with the proceeds invested back into the kitchen.
Cooking meals with surplus food highlights the topical issue of waste - estimates put the level of food waste in the UK at 20million tonnes.
The Mayor of London's funding scheme recently awarded the People's Kitchen a £1,000 cash injection, which will go towards a street party on Mare Street with the aim of improving community cohesion.
Five other green focused community initiatives in Hackney also received funding including:
- Cordwainers' Garden Association - a club for the over 50s
- Reduce the Pressure - runs educational programmes for young people
- London Fields User Group - helps the Council look after one of Hackney's most popular green spaces
- Friends of Homerton Station - volunteers plant wildflower meadows
- Star Ward - funding a green non-smoking area
The People's Kitchen runs from 3-7pm every Sunday at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston. To get involved, call: 07853 239 281; email: daniel@thepeopleskitchen.org; or just show up any Sunday.
9 January
Worming its way to the top
An innovative way of putting your food waste to good use is to turn it into compost in a wormery.
The Council provides heavily discounted compost bins and wormeries to help residents get started.
To ensure worms survive the cold winter months, follow these simple tips:
- Move the wormery to a shed or anywhere under cover, to help protect it from the wind, frost
and rain - Place a moisture mat on top of the wormery, like a small pile of old newspaper or bubble wrap, to keep the worms dry, warm and active
- Keep an eye on the wormery sump and empty it to reduce the risk of drowning worms.
Soso, 31, from Homerton said: "I was so pleased that I covered the wormery with bubble wrap and placed it under a small tree as it snowed at the start of last year. When the snow melted I checked on the worms and they seemed to be sleeping on the rich compost."
The Council provides a choice of compost bins and wormeries at up to 70 per cent off the original retail price.
For more info, call Hackney's Wasteline on: 020 8356 6688 or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/composting
9 January 2012
Top borough for growing food
Hackney boasts more food growing sites than any other London borough, according to new figures.
Hackney now has 125 Capital Growth sites, including allotments on once derelict land and in schools - as well as 14 new community projects like those at Pembury Estate Eastside and Westside, E5; London Fields Primary School, E9; and Rhodes Estate, E9.
Capital Growth is a charity which offers help, training and support to community groups which want to grow their own food, as well as advice to landowners.
The Council has also pledged to support food growing projects across the borough.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, said: "Growing your own food is a great way to teach your children about healthy eating and it can save you money."
For more info, visit: www.capitalgrowth.org/apply/ or call: 020 7837 1228.
9 January
Nappuccino is back!
Nappuccino, a free coffee morning where advice is given about using real nappies, is back! These real nappy events are the best way to find out all the information you need about real nappies in Hackney, plus you can obtain a £54 voucher towards the cost of real nappies and redeem it all under the same roof.
See below for dates and venue information; to register please email Leonor Barricarte Bulnes or call her on 020 8356 7930.
Nappuccino dates
All Nappuccinos take place from 10am to 12noon - with the info talk starting at 10:30am - at Queensbridge and Mapledene Children Centre, London E8 3LE. The events will take place on the following days:
- Friday 27 January 2012
- Friday 24 February 2012
- Friday 30 March 2012
- Friday 27 April 2012
- Friday 25 May 2012
- Friday 29 June 2012
Around 6% of waste in Hackney comes from disposable nappies. By using real nappies, you can make an important contribution to waste reduction in the borough.
Page updated: 10 Feb 2012
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