Green Matters August 2008
No time to waste
Residents are invited to take up a zero waste challenge to see just how much they can do as individuals to protect the environment.
Those who take part will be asked to monitor the amount of waste they produce in a normal week, then record how much they can lower that by reducing, reusing and recycling as much as possible.
The challenge is taking place as part of the first ever Watch Your Waste week from 4 to 10 October, and is supported by Hackney and six other London boroughs.
Once you’ve signed up, the Council’s recycling team will send out a pack containing great ideas, activities and initiatives to help you meet the challenge, plus top tips on composting.
If you are interested in taking part, sign up now by calling Ander Zabala on: 020 8356 3806; or email: ander.zabala@hackney.gov.uk.
Not so secret garden
A free gardening course has had residents queuing up to show their interest in growing and looking after their own gardens and green spaces.
Over 70 people registered their interest in the 10 week course run specifically for Hackney Homes residents at St Mary’s Secret Garden in Shoreditch.
Those who took part learnt about everything ranging from gardening tools to tips for tending communal green areas.
Christina Adams, from Stonebridge Estate, said: “I’ve really enjoyed this course and I’ve learned so much about how to plant and how to identify and remove unsightly weeds.
“Greenery can make such a difference on estates and can really improve the look and feel of an area.”
Deborah Chandler, from Somerford Grove Estate, said she enjoyed the course so much, she wanted to do further training. She added: “People tend to feel brighter when there’s flowers and colour around the place. I’d encourage other residents to try their hands at it.”
St Mary’s Secret Garden at 50 Pearson St, E2, is open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Plants and vegetables are sold on site.
More information
Visit: www.stmaryssecretgarden.org.uk.
Environmental Awards
Hackney are being urged to enter a prestigious new London-wide competition.
Schools, businesses, households, and individuals are invited to take part in the Archant London Environmental Awards.
It is an opportunity to recognise local initiatives that lead the way in helping make Hackney cleaner, greener, and healthier. Judges will be looking at waste and recycling; energy saving; low emissions; transport; water; and biodiversity.
There are 10 categories to enter ranging from best recycling project and young environmentalist of the year, to environmental business of the year and most environmental household.
A glittering awards ceremony is set to be held on 7 November at the Radisson Portman Hotel, central London.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Adviser for Environmental Sustainability, said: “It is up to everyone to do their bit for the environment, and these awards will encourage even more residents and businesses in Hackney to make a difference for the future.” This January, the Council signed the Nottingham Declaration, a pledge to work with residents, businesses and other organisations to cut emissions in the borough.
The Council has also overseen such innovative measures as introducing compulsory recycling; engine size-based parking permit fees; and the greenest refuse collection fleet in the country. The deadline for award entries is 19 September.
Contact Shakira Gordon on: 020 8477 3954; or visit: www.london24.com/environmentalawards
Reaping rewards
Land on Homerton’s Gascoyne Estate has been transformed by a share of a £1million fund for community spaces near the Olympic Park site.
Residents can now enjoy more than 30 different types of trees, shrubs and flowers planted by Hackney Homes.
The E9 estate is the first of six in the area to be improved by Hackney Homes’ estate environment special projects team. It was responsible for every stage of the Gascoyne revamp, from planning to planting. One resident said:
“This has completely transformed the area. It takes my breath away every time I walk past the new gardens.”
The makeovers are among 24 community projects in the Wick and King’s Park wards that were successful in bidding for a share of the Recreation and Environment Action Programme (REAP) fund, created as a result of land negotiations between the Council and London Development Agency.
Environment award winners
Hackney youngsters have been honoured for their green credentials at the London Schools Environment Awards.
Clapton’s Al-Falah Primary won a distinction and £2,000, while Tyssen Community School, N16, was highly commended and collected £1,000. Now in its fifth year, over 580 London schools entered the awards.
The theme for 2008 was learning how litter, graffiti and noise can have a negative impact on the environment.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, congratulated both schools. He said: “The enthusiasm shown by the young green champions in Hackney is really encouraging. Not only have they set a great example to all Londoners, young and old, they have, thanks to their parents and teachers, learnt at a young age the importance of caring for their environment.”
Awards host, TV presenter Chris Packham, added: “It’s encouraging to see the level of knowledge our school children are showing when it comes to improving aspects of London’s environment.”
The awards are sponsored by Thames Water, supported by EDF Energy, Capital Standards and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Save cash, save the world
Residents are leading the way in a new pilot programme to create the greenest estate in the borough.
The Hackney Homes scheme will help people on the Whiston and Goldsmith estate reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. It kicked off with a fun day on 12 July, where people learnt how energy saving products work and picked up helpful hints on recycling, transport, and solar heating.
Residents also received free, energy-saving light bulbs and an electricity monitor from npower, that show how much energy and money can be saved by not leaving appliances on standby, turning lights off and washing at lower temperatures. The Energy Savings Trust estimates households can save an average of £280 per year by using energy more efficiently.
Resident Doreen Emerick, said: “We are proud to be the first estate to take on the challenge to be the greenest in Hackney. We see this as a win win for us. Not only will we save money, we will also do our bit to save the planet.”
The scheme is supported by the Council, London Energy Efficiency, and npower.
Page updated: 9 Sep 2008