Taking charge...

When it comes to improvements in mobile phones there is plenty to be thankful about. The days when owning a mobile phone was pretty much the same as carrying round a brick (minus the annoying ring tone) are long gone.

According to the Telegraph the latest mobile phone improvement will see the world’s biggest phone manufacturers adopt a universal standard phone charger in a bid to be more sustainable.

Most of the main manufacturers, including Nokia, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, have signed up to the scheme where the mini-USB plug will be adopted as the standard charger for all handsets.The new chargers will use half as much energy, and will be supported by the majority of mobile phones by 2012.

A standardised charger will also mean customers won’t need a new charger with every new phone but can just reuse the one they’ve got. This means there will be fewer redundant ones going to landfill which is good news.

Now we just need to get people replacing their mobile phone less often, and recycling old ones. Apparently less than 18% of discarded phones are recycled. Find out how to raise money for charity by recycling your phone here.

Could you go 'zero waste' for a fortnight?

Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is calling for businesses in the city to take part in a zero waste fortnight challenge.

The challenge is being held as part of Peterborough’s designation as one of the government’s six Zero Waste Places in October last year. These six places will go as far as possible in reducing the environmental impact of waste and their results will be used to help ‘green’ other areas in the UK.

Ian Tennant is project coordinator from PECT, he explains, “The Zero Waste Places project in Peterborough is already well underway. The idea of the scheme is to test different methods of reducing waste and see how much we can realistically reduce.

“As part of this we are holding a special zero waste fortnight challenge for businesses. Organisations can do their two weeks any time between January and March 2009. The challenge will allow people to test what it is really like to go zero waste in the workplace. We are calling for more organisations to take part in this challenge.”

Businesses that take part in the zero waste fortnight challenge will make a concerted effort, across the organisation to make sure all resources leaving their building are either recycled, reused or composted with absolutely nothing going to landfill. For example this, could involve staff carefully choosing where they shop for their lunch as a large proportion of non-recyclable waste is associated with food packaging.

Greater Peterborough Partnership, Scott Wilson, Anne Corder Recruitment and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire are amongst the organisations who have already signed up to take part.

The Zero Waste Places project in Peterborough has already achieved considerable success including reducing the waste produced from the re-development of Cathedral Square. PECT is working closely with Opportunity Peterborough and developer Osborne’s to minimise waste, re-home redundant paving slabs for use in community projects, and exploit opportunities for waste prevention in the supply chain. For example, the developer is demanding that new paving slabs are delivered with minimal packaging using materials that can be composted or recycled.

A set of guidelines is available to help any organisation wishing to take part in the fortnight challenge. If you would like to take part contact Ian Tennant, ian.tennant@pect.net, 01733 569875.

COUNCIL RECYCLING PROJECT IS NAMED BEST IN UK

A city project that reuses, repairs and recycles damaged fridges, washing machines and other white goods that are then sold back into the community has been named the best in the UK.

Peterborough City Council's Electrical Appliance Recycling Project (EARP) which is a partnership between Peterborough City Council, Indesit Company and other key organisations was awarded the prestigious Electrical and Electronic Recycler of the Year and was shortlisted for the Best Partnership Project for Recycling at the National Recycling Awards 2008 at the Telford International Centre.

The aim of the project is to increase the city's recycling rates, encouraging regeneration of used electrical goods and providing a supply of affordable electrical appliances back into the community. Used or damaged white goods and computers are recycled either by repairing the items where possible or dismantling them and recycling the individual components.

Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, cabinet member for environment, said: "To win this award is fantastic news and a testament to how the people of Peterborough have embraced this initiative since its inception in November 2004. The partnership between the city council and Indesit Company has created a unique project that increases our recycling rates and helps boost the city’s green credentials."