To check if your area is covered for a kerbside recycling scheme visit the website, http://www.recyclenow.com or contact your local councillor. Many councils also offer to collect glass bottles, jars, paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottle. These are the main items that are always in day-to-day rubbish.

Nine of ten households have access to this recycling scheme.

Birmingham currently recycles only 7.5 per cent of its domestic waste.

Learning how to correct your own waste will also establish good habits for young children in toward learning about how to separate it correctly.

Another way for encouraging children to find out more about the environment is to get them playing in the garden in the mud and asking them questions about the wildlife and plants. This will give them a great bond with nature and they’ll love getting messy. Putting them in charge of a recyclable material such as plastic and give prizes for finding another use for them.

Also more tips on keeping a greener home is through simple ideas, which could help, fight climate change and save cash.

The Energy Saving Trust is one of the UK’s leading organisations set up to address the damaging effects of climate change. Its aim is to cut carbon dioxide emissions by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy.

“Research shows the average household could save up to £340 a year by being more energy efficient” says Karen Lawrence of the Energy Saving Trust.

The energy saving trust shows that in an effort to save energy and money, Brits are more likely than other Europeans to share a bath.

This shows that a people are now thinking about the amount they are saving even when it comes to running a bath.

The West Midlands have now planning to install smart meters in and around Britain by 2010.

Simon Wright, head of the Energy Saving Trust in the West and East Midlands, said smart meters have the potential to help consumers manage their energy use better, save money and reduce carbon emissions.

These will help different homes on being more energy efficient as possible, which will also help technology get better in preventing this.

More tips on running a greener home:

• Only use the dryer and dishwasher when they are completely full so you do not have to turn it on again for just the minimum amount.
• Swap blinds for cosy curtains and draw them at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows. Plug draughty gaps in floorboards, letterboxes and keyholes.
• Since summer is approaching only turn the thermostat down or programme it to come on when you really need it. Reducing room temperature by 1c could cut your heating bills up to 10% and this could save around £60 per year.
• Leaking taps are always really annoying but a dripping hot water tap wastes enough water in a week to fill half a bath, fixing leaking taps will be ideal in saving water.

Do your bit for the environment and feel good about it.

Birmingham is getting involved in yet another project with the first hosting of the UK’s first national climate change with the CABE (Commission Architecture Built Environment) this June with the World Environment day.

This will help raise awareness and gain support for different targets towards the environment.

Climate change affects us all in the community it is now an important factor influencing new technology and methods.

The Green Week conference festival will be hosting a hot-house conference in order to reduce emissions. The New World Solar Installations team is also trying to cut down on co2 emissions.

Already the project is thinking about the future and launching the 2026 local area agreement targets.

By looking into the future this shows that Be Birmingham are taking control by what they want to achieve.

For the first time Birmingham has also agreed on a set of priorities which they all committed to resolving.

The local area agreement, the government and Be Birmingham are setting out targets to see at what timescales they will deliver.

Liam Byrne MP will speak at Be Birmingham’s, which takes place on 26 June and will focus on the economic downturn.

A whopping £7.5bn will help to improve people’s life’s in Birmingham this will be used efficiently and wisely.

Since the recession has been an on going issue throughout the UK £57 million will be placed in a programme to tackle unemployment in and around the City of Birmingham.

In the last year Birmingham has done so well involving new projects for the climate change these have been demonstrated through the new installations, through new partner ships and involving the public.

Sophia Christie, chief executive of Birmingham East and North PCT: “Through our partnership, we are seeking to improve the health and well being of all the citizens of Birmingham. We can only do this by working together with key agencies and communities to raise awareness and take preventative action.”

This event will take place at 11am sharp, for the first conference to happen.

To see map follow this link: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=B4%206AF

The event proceeds on Thursday 14^th May at the Birmingham City Council Chamber and is being jointly organised with Jubilee Debt Campaign in Birmingham.

Starting at 7:30 pm. 100-150 members of the public are already expected to attend.

Even June’s previous European candidates from the five main political parties will be giving their views and shall be joining this special ceremony.

 The MEP candidates will be:

Anthea MacIntyre (Conservative)

Felicity Norman (Green)

Anthony Painter (Labour)

Liz Lynne MEP (Lib Dem)

Nicole Sinclaire (UKIP)

 Ben Martin the campaign support worker for Birmingham Friends of the Earth said  ”We are currently facing a human and environmental crisis in terms of climate change and global poverty. If elected, these candidates have the potential to address these issues within the EU, so it is crucial to find out what their views are and what they plan to do.”

The evening will be an opportunity for campaigners and voters to put their questions forward to various candidates on issues concerning the EU trade agreements that are bad for developing counties and the environment.

 “The 2009 European elections are a key opportunity to put our opposition to EU trade deals on the political agenda and to help bring about a fairer approach to Europe’s trade with poor countries. Said Jubilee Debt Campaign (Birmingham). We hope this hustings event will bring our concerns to the election candidates and provide them with an opportunity to commit to a rethinking of EU trade policy that prioritises development, environmental sustainability and human rights.”

 The press will also be joining the event for and there will be opportunity for photographs to be taken.

For further information about this project please don’t hesitate to contact:

Ben Martin
Birmingham Friends of the Earth
0121 632 6909

If you are planning on a spring spruce up, check out the new eco friendly paints ensuring they are produced to a low VOCs.

Meaning volatile organic compounds free of lead and mercury for an environmentally protection and consumer safely.

They are just as affordable as any other types of paints that you would use to decorate in!

Eco paints are the new paints in for this season, helping the environment and your own homes. With an amazing range of funky colours, it will definitely bring a new style to rooms.

Companies such as Paint and paper library, Little Greene, and Farrow and Ball are now producing a wide range of paints bringing a brighter form to homes.

Wallpapers are being seen, as old-fashioned bringing paints to homes will give them an innovative design. Suiting your own style and taste into your home.

Subtle angel is a new colour for the season priced at £32 for 2.5 litres.

The paper its been made from is strictly from a certified Forest Stewardship Council sustainable managed forest.

Earth born paints are also promoting a healthier paint with all sorts of variety’s from up too an organic to a natural varnished paint. These paints are available in stores such as Homebase. These paints also benefit some asthma and allergy suffers because they are so natural.

As they are apart of the European Union (Eco-label) meaning the flower symbol is showing it has been tested and certified for the environment.

This label is important to no if the paint is doing what the label says clearing up any uncertainty.

The Eco Chic range has been voted as the best collection of the year by the magazine House Beautiful.

Oliver Health says “it gives customers an easy way to make an eco choice within the home” this just shows that these new paints that have made a difference to their homes and are satisfying a wide range of customers.

Even new solar projects in California have been undertaken and have been a worldwide new application.

Solar panels start to collect energy from the sun these ranges from solar hot water, PV systems and air source heat pumps, this is how the process begins.

The two main forms of these are solar electricity panels and solar hot water panels these let us generate electricity for our homes and to the heat the water that we use.

Solar hot water panels have been increasingly popular around the world, as it also can be seen as cost efficient.

So far this project has shown that new solar hot water systems can produce up to 50% of the homes hot water requirements.

These New world solar panels have been introduced to offer its best with consumers in making an environment and solar impact.

Electricity is such a strong intake that makes the world go round, households use electricity in such huge masses without even realising it. Through hair straightens, cookers, phone charges, television, computers and to even cooking appliances. It flows just like a running tap!

The idea came from The Summerfield residents for an eco village. They approached Family housing, which are the largest social housing provider in the area, who in turn approached the Council for funding.

Since the council are involved in such a big project this can potentially get others around involved such as local schools in the area and voluntary organisations. The new Eco Radio station based through the web has been recognized to promote the project further in order to communicate green information and issues with the residents that are raised. The Eco radio station is currently working with primary school children, which I think is such a good idea, as the children are getting involved with environmental issues.

Birmingham is now responsible for the solar water heating at Northfield Eco-Centre and the Summerfield Eco-Village.

Family housing association in Birmingham received a recent award of 2.3 million in recognition on behalf of their Eco village project in the summer field area of the city.

Working in partnership with the Birmingham city council, new world solar, urban living and some local residents. So far this project is the largest renewable technology to be build in the UK.

Since it is a huge project it is really important how local residents are getting there say in what they want improving in the environment, these can be bought up in regular meetings in the community with the main organisers to get points across.

Residents in the area have also benefited from the advice given by a Green Doctor who is employed by the council. The Green Doctor provides a service whereby residents can call him out to their house to assess any practical, small-scale improvements that could be made to make the house more energy efficient.

350 new world solar thermal panels so far have been installed in Birmingham and around areas like West Bromwich and Sandwell so far. Helping the area has made an improvement, helping people in the area to finally afford a modern central heating system.

It has really provided a mass of hot water and reduced household bills; the advantage about these solar panels is that they are not really noticeable so it wouldn’t change to what your rooftop looks like.

Harpal Singh a former resident aged at 22, living at home with his parents who is currently studying at Aston University said, “ The new solar world panels is an extraordinary idea, even people from here are pleased with the result”

Currently this project is now running in Lozells in Birmingham and Warwick aiming to install 23 solar hot water panels and providing 1500 homes with green information packs on recycling, water conversation and other green issues.

Family Housing is now focusing their work on South Lozells to help homeowners in this area receive the same benefits. This is great idea, as the project can develop further in order to keep it going in well-known areas in and around Birmingham. Helping the environment can ensure we are all happy from such great results.

Mark Clemson the director of the new world solar project does want this project to carry on meeting its expectations and keeping more residents aware about them his views are “If we are to meet the governments targets for CO2 reduction more people need to start thinking on how we use energy and alternatives”

Aston university students now have the opportunities to use a more sustainable and economical method of travelling around Birmingham.

Whizzgo, Birmingham’s first pay by the hour car club, has placed one of its easy to use and economical C4S on campus on Potter Street. Students can book this car for however long they please and get a special discount with up to a half price offer.

The main locations to pick up a Whizz go car in Birmingham are in China Town and in the Botanical gardens in Edgbaston.

This is a major stepping-stone for the environment as it is at prices reducing carbon. WhizzGo provides green car sharing which is easy to use by booking online or on the phone. The process is as easy as starting the car. It is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Research has shown that for every green car hire, up to 20 private cars are taken of the road; so far Whizzgo is the proud winner of two green fleet awards in recognition and green car hire scheme operates a fleet of low emission cars from Citroen, to help members tread even lighter.

Even though this idea is eco friendly how will students feel about driving in a Citroen? This does limit students or anyone not having the choice of car they want to riding in also paying by the hour means it could end up being pretty costly. But if the car is used for more then 10hours in a month you can then save money by using the value package from Whizz go, priced at £50.  It is still cheaper than owning a car for the people who cannot afford it. Whizz go could definitely go a long way for students and maybe could be as popular as ever.

If you do spot a Whizzgo car remember how friendly it can be to our environment research has shown members reduce the number of miles they drive 50% on average and with low emissions your reducing carbon footprint. Don’t be afraid to use one or find out information about it, it is as easy as starting a car up!

Whizzgo cars can save you so much money and can help the environment become a friendly place to be in.

Trishna Patel a former student aged 21 says, ” Aston University has been environmentally friendly throughout, the recycling bins outside the library are used immensely to separate paper and bottles. This will all then be collated to reduce waste and pollution. Students are always using them!”

Birmingham university recycling rates have always been up, Peter Larkin a worker in the ICT department says “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of staff who are supporting the paper and cardboard recycling schemes we have been managing over the last couple of years” there recycle rates have increased immensely with help of the students giving help back with paper that they do not use.

Birmingham City University has always been friendly area to study in; Perry bar the main campus has an environmentally welcoming atmosphere and is committed to preventing pollution through direct actions.

Smoking is not permitted directly outside buildings, bins are permitted around the campus to ensure students do not litter. Student accommodation is walking distance from the university, so students will walk rather then using a car to avoid pollution.

You can always make a difference to improve the environment to make it a happier place to work in students can always help by these top tips

• Think before the amount you print (is it really necessary to make print outs of papers you don’t need?)
• Double side printing saves paper and reduces cost.
• Turning of the PC when not using it.
• Use recycling boxes placed around universities.
• Try leaving the car and walk to university.
• Switch off lights in rooms when not needed.
• Turn off heating when not necessary