As SITA UK continues to search for methods that will cut down on waste and boost recycling, it has been concluded that education still remains the most effective way to breed avid recyclers. In a survey, sponsored by leading waste management firm SITA UK, education came out as the dominant tool to improving recycling. The results are released just a week after the new coalition government abandoned Labour's plans to implement fines in favour of a rewards-based approach. SITA UK will launch a second survey that will look at barriers currently facing the waste management infrastructure developments. In all 46 respondents participated ... Full Story

A charity worker in Burnley has saved loads of old school equipment from landfill in order to help kids in Africa. The Burnley-based charity has already made 25 shipments of desks, computers, blackboards, sporting equipment, and chairs to Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan. Terry Burns, former Lancashire County councillor, launched the charity, Furniture for Education Worldwide just over three years ago and since has made good on his promise to reach children in developing countries who need school supplies. Burns, 51, said that the 25th shipment, a 40ft container, will soon be on its way to various schools in The Gambia carrying tons ... Full Story

A new viewing platform was positioned at a Gloucestershire landfill site to encourage schoolchildren to recycling. The lookout, a city council initiative, has been placed at the Wingmoor Farm with the notion that children can see the devastating effects of burying rubbish underground. School groups were the ideal audience when the platform was built, but the landfill will also open up the viewing area to other educational tours. Visits to the lookout will require advance booking, and aim to promote green education and awareness about the negative effects of sending waste to landfills. Councillor Stan Waddington, cabinet member for waste, stated that it ... Full Story

Rome is pioneering the latest fad in eco-tourism with its new temporary hotel made mostly from rubbish. To raise awareness about beach pollution in Europe, the Italian capital has debuted the Save the Beach Hotel, a five room building with reception area lined completely with 12 tonnes of rubbish. Rubbish used to construct the structure consists of cans, car exhaust pipes, toys, and other waste. The faux-hotel will be left up for four days and is comprised mostly of the rubbish collected from the world's beaches. Danish supermodel, Helena Christensen stayed at the hotel, calling it a stunning work of art. She ... Full Story

As Plymouth continues to experience increasing amounts of household waste being rejected for recycling, Plymouth City Council has pledged to help better educate its residents. Since 2006, household waste in the borough that has been rejected for recycling has risen from 9.8 per cent to 21.5 per cent. Out of 14,856 tonnes in total during 2006-07, 1,450 tonnes were rejected by recycling plants. Furthermore in 2008-09 3,519 tonnes of an overall 16,332 tonnes were rejected. Every two weeks, the city council collects both recyclable and non-recyclable waste, but in two separate bins. After collections the waste is sorted at its waste facility. ... Full Story

A Durham University scheme is receiving high praise from an annual awards ceremony for its efforts to revert tonnes of unwanted student rubbish away from landfill. 'Green Move Out', sponsored by the university, has been developed to encourage students to recycle unwanted possessions at the school year's end rather than throw them into the rubbish bin. Launched back in 2005, the scheme has grown quickly with last year almost 20 tonnes of students' discarded items being recycled instead of dumped. Now its fifth year, the project won the 21st County Durham Environment Awards honour. Environmental bursar for Durham University, Michelle Crawford said ... Full Story

Popular furniture giant IKEA just launched a recycling initiative designed to encourage its employees to recycle more. The initiative, part of the retailer's overall zero waste to landfill programme, will aim to raise recycling awareness for its 700 employees that work in the firm's distribution centres. The scheme was launched at IKEA's Peterborough distribution centre last week in conjunction with Viridor. Viridor will be doing two roadshows, the first at the Peterborough site and a second in Doncaster later in the summer. The 'Recycle for IKEA' aims to improve recycling awareness, understanding, and efforts by offering employee training and awareness seminars. Viridor, ... Full Story

Cardiff University is being honoured for its efforts in encouraging reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and leading by example. The university has become the country's first Welsh higher-education institution to receive the Carbon Trust Standard recognising the school for its efforts to cut its carbon footprint. The university decreased its emissions output last year by 1.3 per cent, and by 14 per cent since 2005. According to university execs, a total of £1.7m has been spent on energy reducing schemes over the past three years. It has become one of the UK's first institutions to receive the prestigious award from the Carbon Trust Higher ... Full Story

According to Lancaster University, British students waste nearly £11million each year brewing tea and microwaving their favourite snacks. Figures released by the university show that a new green education programme could save tens of thousands in electricity bills and help the environment. Pot Noodle and a friendly cup of tea are costing students more in electricity than they realise, the study indicates. Now the scheme will aim to show students ways to reduce energy use when making these iconic student meals. It was revealed that the UK's two million university students waste approximately £10.8million-worth in electricity by overfilling kettles or leaving kettles ... Full Story

A new study reveals that nearly 80 per cent of IT products currently in the market have no apparent green credentials. The study, sponsored by Probrand, a technology services firm, drew from around 150,000 products from 11 manufacturers finding that only 22 per cent had any form of official environmental stamp. Of the sample, desktop computers and laptops registered as the highest form of IT equipment that had attained environmental accreditation from companies like Energy Star. However, less than one-fifth of computer monitors could tout the same credentials. Only one of every 10 printers had any form of green label. In addition the ... Full Story

A new State Government campaign, 'Love Food Hate Waste', has been launched to help slash food waste even further. Woolworths will join the Government in its campaign to help households, local councils, and businesses adopt ways to reduce food waste. Food waste has been identified as the largest sole component for NSW household rubbish. According to research, $2.5 billion in food is thrown out, roughly the equivalent of $1000 per household. Frank Sartor, Environment Minister, launched the Love Food Hate Waste scheme on 3 May at Westfield Eastgardens. According to Mr Sartor, food waste makes up 40 per cent of household waste ... Full Story

Colin Serjent, a prominent Liverpool artist, will stage an exhibition of his recycling-based photography from 26 April to 21 May. The event, entitled Focus on Recycle, will be held at the Liverpool Centre for Arts Development with free general admission. Mr Serjent's photographs depict a diverse pairing of unusual recycling initiatives taking place throughout the city. Examples include Urban Strawberry Lunch - a group that performs with musical instruments made from waste materials and collected items. CUTS (Communal Use Textiles Studio), located on Slater Street, is also featured in the exhibition. CUTS stages workshops for screen-printing and sewing using recycled materials. Red Dot, ... Full Story