Recycle Crisp Packets at Boldmere Library

If you enjoy a bag or two of crisps, but wish you could recycle the packets, then a library in Sutton Coldfield might have the answer.

Sutton Coldfield’s Boldmere Library has teamed up with TerraCycle to provide free crisp packet recycling.

Whilst crisp packets would normally be thrown in general waste, Boldmere Library are able to collect the empty packets and pass them on to be recycled - and earn more for the library for doing so.  For every kilogram of crisp packets sent to TerraCycle, the library will receive a small amount of money which they can then use to buy new items for the library, based on Boldmere high st.

This is part of the UK's first nationwide recycling scheme for crisp packets, where any brand of crisp packets are able to be donated, but sadly popcorn bags, crisp tubes and meat snack bags are not able to be accepted.

For more information, pop into Boldmere Library, call them on 0121 464 1048 or visit https://www.terracycle.co.uk/en-GB/brigades/crisppacket 

Views on a plastic-free Commonwealth Games

Birmingham Friends of the Earth are asking people for their views on on plastic waste at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Birmingham.

Digbeth-based Birmingham Friends of the Earth are looking for the views of people on ways in which the Commonwealth Games can minimise their use of single-use plastics and create a legacy which lasts beyond the games themselves.

They want to gather opinions from the general public, both from Brummies and non-Brummies, to help inform their campaign, which aims to have zero plastic waste from single-use food and drinks containers at the Games.

Running since 1973, Birmingham Friends of the Earth is one of the biggest groups in the Friends of the Earth network, the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, with affiliates in over 75 countries worldwide.  Based in The Warehouse in Digbeth since 1977, Birmingham Friends of the Earth have covered so many issues in and around Birmingham, as well as campaigning on national and global issues as part of the Friends of the Earth network.

To take part in the plastic free Commonwealth Games survey please click here.  Or for more information, visit the Birmingham FoE website: http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk

Zero waste supermarket wins award

The UK's largest zero waste supermarket, based in Birmingham, wins a business grant to expand internationally.

The Clean Kilo in Digbeth was announced as the winner of FedEx Express’ Small Business Grant UK.

The £20,000 grand prize won by the team will help them further expand their reach on a larger, international scale.  The Clean Kilo impressed the judges by outlining plans for international growth.

The Clean Kilo is the UK’s largest zero waste supermarket, which allows customers to reduce unnecessary plastic waste by bringing along their own containers to fill up on everyday items like coffee, bread, eggs and vegetables.  The store also helps customers reduce the food miles as items come from producers and growers from in and around Birmingham, like organically grown salad leaves from Aston.

The FedEx Small Business Grant UK, has been running for three years in Europe and aims to provide small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with the support necessary to achieve their dream of growing worldwide.

“We are over the moon to have won the FedEx Small Business Grant, 2018,” said Tom Pell and Jeannette Wong, of The Clean Kilo. “The £20,000 grant will enable us to reduce plastic pollution on a far greater level and help open the door for a second plastic free supermarket. The ability to replicate our shop gives us the foundations to help realise our long-term dream. We want to offer our knowledge on environmental issues and plastic-free shopping in the world’s most polluted developing countries. With the FedEx grant we can have a greater impact to turn off the plastic pollution tap.”

The Clean Kilo is located just inside Birmingham’s iconic Custard Factory at 1 Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA and their website can be found at https://www.thecleankilo.co.uk/ 

Volunteers needed for Refill Birmingham Action Day

Refill Birmingham Action Day is looking for volunteers to help encourage businesses to offer free tap water

Severn Trent is looking for volunteers to help improve Brummies access to free tap water.

Refill Birmingham Action Day will take place Tuesday 19 March.  Volunteers will be provided everything they need for the day, where they will be out and about in pairs approaching local businesses to spread the word about the Refill campaign, and hopefully signing them up to the free Refill app, and putting a Refill sticker in their window.

Refill aims to reduce single-use plastic usage by making it easier to refill reusable water bottles.  With over 600 businesses already signed up in the region, the water company is hoping to encourage more venues to become Refill Stations.  These stations provide people with free access to tap water to encourage healthy hydration and a reduction in single-use plastic.

Severn Trent estimate that if customer refilled just once a week instead of buying a bottle of water, the region's plastic consumption would be reduced by 400 million bottles in just one year.  Not only are single-use plastic bottles are expensive to produce and therefore to bu, they are a large contributor of plastic pollution in our rivers, seas and natural habitats.  

If you would like to get involved please email Refill@SevernTrent.co.uk 

Find out more about Refill at www.stwater.co.uk/refill