Europe - Call for wasteful goods to be 'taken off market'

The EC is calling for a ban on resource-inefficient consumer products across Europe to stimulate markets for goods and services that have lower lifecycle impacts, creating demand for products that are more durable and easy to recycle. One way to achieve this would be by progressively taking the worst performing products off the market and providing incentives to consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles through their purchasing decisions. The European Commission also wants to encourage more sustainable sourcing of raw materials, and argues the case for more private and public investment in resource-efficient technologies and skills, and suggests that SMEs will be important due to the ability to respond swiftly to market demands.

From Edie.net

UK- £50,000 For Reuse And Repair Initiatives

WRAP has launched a second round of its capital grant competition to increase the reuse and repair of textiles, furniture, and WEEE, with grants of up to £50,000 available. WRAP is currently in contract negotiations with 11 organisations from the first round of funding, which have the potential to deliver 18,000 tonnes of carbon savings, and create 58 full-time jobs, 21 volunteer placements, 16 apprenticeships, and 4 training places. Eligible expenditure can include:

- Equipment needed for collections and sorting;

- Equipment needed for equipment and testing;

- Cleaning, repair, and remanufacture equipment;
- Storage and stock management systems;
- Packaging systems for repaired and reusable products;
- Alterations to workshop or retail premises.

SMEs (including social enterprises) and local authorities can apply for the funding if they satisfy a number of selection criteria including value for money of their application against the amount of money requested; strength of the business case; financial and operational robustness of the proposal; and market demand of the products delivered by the project. The deadline for applications is the 10th January 2013. More from Edie.net

UK - A London borough, Hackney, recycles on the go (litter)

From Hackney Recycle on the Go link

DoItYourself: How to make gift bags from envelopes

From RecycleNow, more videos here