Binning obsolete technology: Under an EU initiative, the first of five collection points for Dublin IT waste recently opened in Shamrock Terrace, North Strand, with others to follow in Balbriggan, Ringsend, Nutgrove and Ballyogen.
Companies can ring SwITch (Saving Waste IT Can Help Ltd), a non-profit, social-economy enterprise operating a pick-up service for IT equipment which can be repaired and recycled for use by community groups (tel: 01-8393003 or www.uswitch.ie). SwITch also has vacancies for long-term unemployed people interested in learning to dismantle and repair computers.
Biodegradable plastic
The US company Cargill Dow has developed a new 100 per cent biodegradable bio-plastic container. The containers are manufactured from polylactide (PLA) - produced by fermenting the sugar in corn syrup into lactic acid, which is then refined into fibres. Not only is waste reduced, but emissions during production are 15 to 60 per cent less than for petroleum-
manufactured plastic. Although current production costs are 50 per cent higher than for traditional plastic, they are expected to fall as production increases. The bio-containers are currently used in the US, where they are recycled into organic soil for resale, and Italy.
Whale Watching
Tomorrow is Whale Watch Ireland Day and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is holding watches in nine counties. Weather permitting, experienced whale watchers will show you how to observe and identify some of the 24 species of whales and dolphins in our waters from 2 p.m. to
5 p.m. at: Old Head of Kinsale, Co Cork; Dunmore Head, Co Kerry; Loop Head, Co Clare; Downpatrick Head, Co Mayo; Carrick-A-Rede, Co Antrim, Whitehead, Co Antrim; Howth Head, Co Dublin (meet at Balscadden car-park); and Hook Head, Co Wexford. See www.iwdg.ie for details of the meeting points and don't forget your binoculars.
Sowing seeds in autumn
It's only the start of August, but Conservation Volunteers Ireland is already planning its autumn seed collection season. In the run-up to the annual event, CVI is holding a seed collection exhibition which will show how to identify native tree seed, explain the techniques for propagating and storing the seed, and provide activity sheets for children at ENFO, St Andrew's Street, Dublin 2, from Tuesday until September 19th. Anyone interested in organising a seed collecting event in their own area should contact CVI at 01-4952878.
A roof on the dirty old town
Dublin city streets are polluted and noisy, yet above our heads lie rooftops which could be transformed into tranquil green oases. As Sustainable Ireland points out: "An urban rooftop garden supports urban food production, improves air quality, reduces CO2 emissions and creates job opportunities." Sustainable Ireland is drafting a proposal to create a street-level rooftop at Cultivate in Temple Bar and asks anyone with skills or energy which could benefit the project to get in touch: info@sustainable.ie or tel: 01-6746415.