Biodegradable plastics

I thought I'd touch back on this topic again this week, as I have learnt some more on biodegradable plastics.

Basically it accelerates the breakdown to years rather than hundreds of years but it still exists as microfragments.,  its just not the same visual contaminant as other plastics.  However it is still a major problem.  

This article provides a nice description of the difference between biodegradable plastics (made from petrochemicals and bioplastics.   

So biodegradable plastics are not the answer and we need to be looking for alternatives to these products where a cyclic process can be created.  In the mean time, say no to plastic bags, take your reusable shopping bags and where possible choose alternatives that are truly biodegradable to safe byproducts that can be used again or where there is a collection system for them to go back into use again.  

For those that are really interested in the topic of packaging, there is a series of free seminars this month on smart packaging which you may be interested in registering for.  Click here for more details.  They are being held around the country. 

Have a great weekend
Francesca

PS As you would already know from reading the links above, the plastic bag in my compost bin, remains as it was.  

Chocolate

Since its Easter and there is an abundance of chocolate I thought I'd post a very short and sweet posting today regarding Fair Trade chocolate or in particular the cocoa .  

A sustainable future is as much about the social aspects, as the environmental aspects.  

Read this link re: Fair Trade chocolate

So while you are out buying chocolate please consider the chocolate you are buying and try where possible to purchase fair trade chocolate.  

In terms of fair trade on other commodities, check out the Fair Trade website  - as well as cocoa; bananas, coffee, cotton and sugar are all common things we access that we should try to source Fair Trade products.  

Have a very Happy Easter.  See you all after the break.

Kind Regards
Francesca

Transport......................have a think about your choices

A little late this week on the blog!  I've just finished a 4 days stint on the Christchurch Year 2 distance veterinary nursing block course.  First time we've run that one in Christchurch for a few years - great to have it back!  

This week just some food for thought on transport.  The motivation for this topic was speaking with one of our lecturers, Steph Mann this morning and she said that she has started driving her daughter to school each day on her carriage.......maybe just like our grandma's went to school!

The road Steph lives on is too busy for her daughter to safely bike to school but Steph was feeling increasingly uncomfortable about doing the drive twice a day for pick up and drop off so she decided to take her daughter to school in style.  Not only does she save carbon emissions and get out in the fresh air, she also gives the children enjoyment at school as they rush to meet the pony and carriage. 

I personally have started biking to work on a Monday (this is the only day I work away from home most weeks).  I bike the 14 km each way to the veterinary clinic I work in every Monday, rather than driving.   A couple of weeks back I did take the car because it was raining, but the frustration I experienced being stuck in traffic will make me think twice again before not biking.  I can bike that 14 km faster than I can drive it!  And not only that but I am getting fitter and saving fuel therefore money and carbon emissions. 

Each day at my local school I am constantly astonished at the number of kids driven to school from a relatively short distance away  - there must be a better way. 

Am I saying this is what you should all be doing?  No definitely not, but the message is we should examine our transport methods.  We have blogged on this topic before, but I thought it was a good time to mention it again.

1. Could I walk? or bike? or ride my horse?
2. Do I really need to make the trip?
3. Could I save the jobs up and do them all at one time in a few days?
4. Do I have to drive all the way across town for that activity/haircut etc or is there a local alternative?  - I recently started getting my haircut locally rather than driving 40 odd minutes.  Saves time, money, petrol, carbon emissions all in 1 easy step!!
5. If there aren't local alternatives - is there a need in the community that we could meet by setting up the activity/service?
6. Are there other people near me that are making the same trip - could we share?
7. Is there public transport I could use?

At the polytechnic we are asked to ask the following four questions for everything we are doing.  I think they could equally be applied to anything we do:

1. Why is this being done?
2. Does it need to be done at all?
3. Why is it being done in this particular way?
4. Could it be done better?

 I look forward to your thoughts and comments!!

Have a great week

Francesca