The task would involve operating it your local neighbourhood offering advise to fellow residents concerning new schemes developed to help them manage there waste better.

The main concerns that are need to be addressed by the city council, are issues concerning kerbside collection and food waste reduction, this is where the recruited volunteer will come in and help the city council.

Only those who consider themselves as passionate recyclers should consider volunteering as you will be working alongside the Recycling team at local events, although full training will also be given to ensure you feel confident enough to represent the Birmingham recycling team.

The need to improve the state of the countries waste management has become widely recognised in many cities which schemes such as colour coded bins for seperate wastes, more recycling centres opening for recycling a number of items such as paper, glass, drink cans and textiles. And Birmingham city council is not falling short of this drive to improve the environment and is keen to include members of the community when possible.

If volunteering is something that interest then register via email at recycling@bimringham.gov.uk
or telephone the recycling team on 01216755490.

The neighbourhood bats project aims to asses the current quality/habitat available to the bat committee and in particular will look at factors influencing the usage of ponds across the west midlands area by bats.

What you can do to help the project gain the answers they need to these questions is to survey the selected areas. The surveying will of course take place at dusk and each volunteer will be given a bat detector to listen to their calls and to observe their flight behavior.

You may be wondering how observing bats has any reflection on the quality of wildlife in the area, but research shows that bats are the ideal animal to judge this as they use a variety of habitats, the mere presence of them shows a healthy environment.

Adam bates Community scientist for the West Midlands commented:

”I too will be studying the how the distribution of green areas in Birmingham influences the and type of species that live and nest there, this project will also require the help of a large number of volunteers if its to be successful”.

So to start your bat watch this summer or to take part in any of the projects have a look at the Birmingham Bat Group events calendar!

The scheme has been succesfully running nationally for numerous years and has seen great results, with approximimately 55,000 projects having been completed so far.

The projects put foward range from smaller tasks such as clearing church yards, removing grafitti to fullly restoring abandoned areas and bulidings back in to safe public use.

A requirement of the offenders working on projects is to wear orange jackets with ‘Community Payback’ clearly visibly as to allow the public to see what kind of work they will be doing.

Caroline Edwards, Probation’s Community Payback officer in Manchester commented:

”The offenders are constantly learning new skills and working as part of a team not only to improve thier employability but with the communities also benefiting from the work they have completed when they visit the areas.”

To nominate or suggest projects you would like to see the West Midlands probation area to get involved in visit the site and fill in a quick form.
The winners will be announced early June.

The idea of the extension is to allow larger aircrafts to fly none stop to long-haul destinations in the far east and to the west coast of the US. Current measures include limits on night flights, which will in turn lower noise control and keep local residents content.
Other positive targets of the proposal are to help create more jobs through this boost in the economy. The longer runway will help allow Birmingham International airport to participate in the economy on a higher global level.

However the plans have not gone ahead without its fair share of controversy particularly from Environmental campaigners who fail to regonise the positive contribution the scheme will have on the environment.

Spokesmen Chris Crean for the West Midlands Friends of the Earth told the Birmingham post:

” While the airports continuing commitment to mitigating the environment impact of its opeartions and development is welcome, we remain concerned that the Section 106 agreement as it stands allows for a considerable growth in aircraft noise pollution, night flights and greenhouse-gas emissions”.

The auhority had previously postponed a decision in December due to voiced concerns of noise and pollution, however last night the commitee voted for the plans to go ahead and now await for the final approval from the goverment.

The firm sets out to deliver new sustainbale techmologies such as air source heat pumps, biomass biolers and heat power systems to clients throughout the Midlands.

To launch this scehme the Birmingham based constuction company has joined forces with the additional Energy organisations such as ,E.ON Energy UK Worchester Bosch and the West midlands Centre for Constucting Excellance(WMCCE).

The push to create this sustainable energy solutions partnership comes from recent goverment legislationwhich is urging organisations specifically local authorities like Thames Vale to help make a start contributing in reaching the UK’s bold environment targets of reducing the accelerating carbon emissions.

Thomas Vale has also highlighted the benfits of investmenting in sustainable technologies that could bring to society as well as the local job market particularly in todays current economic climate.

Thomas Vales renewable technologies director Paul Dockerill commented to the Birmingham Post:

”Local investment in small business can create a new manufacturing era for the West Midlands in micro-technologies which will help support local communities  in sustaining and developing jobs local people.

This constructive and encouraging partnership of Thames Vale construction with the more notible energy coporations mentioned will launch on the 4th April.

The TTX01  bike was  designed and built by British engineers and is the most advanced emission free bike of the verge of commercial production, its already road legal in the UK and its makers claim it can reach a top speed of 125 mph. The TTX01 runs on two battery powered electric motors, each weighing 11kg designed by Brighton based Agni-motors attached t its rear wheel. It is rated at around 86 break horse power.

The only other bike close to competing with the TTX01 is the  American company Brammo’s Enertia which is no where near its commericial production.But since both bikes are aimed at the same commercial commuter market they both have signifiacntly smaller motors and and tops speeds 50/60mph.

Azhar Hussein,organiser of the TTGXP event commented:

”Theres a perfect opportunity here to move the science and technology forward and to deliver a meaningful change to the environment at a meaningful time. The TTX01 is the big step forward in the right direction as its moving things from the utilitarian electric transport that we’ve seen before to something that many Uk motorists liek myself and use for both leisure and pleasure”.

Only a Limited number will be sold at 20,000 in early May so be sure to save up for yours.

The lozells area which has developed somewhat of a gloomy and unpleasant reputation due to its appearance and recent press coverage of gangs and murders means it’s  in desperate need of a reshape.

Being the vast task it is NLP will gain help from the birmingham archeology team, who will help provide input on the historic evolution and archelogical significance of the area and aid the NLP group to give  Lozells residents  an area that they’ve been lacking which is an environment to feel secure and pleased in.

Associate Director Judith Livesly commented to Birmingham Heritage :

” We are delighted to be working with the Birmingham City Council on this project. The areas pathfinder status and pressure for regeneration and change will make this a crucial and significant mission”

The aim of reinventing the Lozells area is not simple to make it look fresher and brand new but to build and enhance on the currnet conservation area and construct it to suit the community.

For further updates on the conservation plans visit www.birminghamcouncil.com/projects

After the success of a new pilot scheme which involved giving five demographically representative areas two wheelie bins, a grey wheelie bin for rubbish and a green wheelie bin for garden waste resulting in a 15% reduction in waste,the new proposal has been ordered to be introduced throughout the country.

The plan will allow each resident to be given one of each colour wheelie bin and a booklet containing helpful information on the most sufficient way of managing their waste as well as useful tips on how to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

Before the system was tested residents all over were able to leave out as much waste as they wanted, knowing it would all be collected, meaning no care was given into trying to reduce the amount of waste put out. Whereas in this proposal each wheelie bin would be checked to ensure the correct waste is deposited into the correctly designated colour bin or it wont be collected.

Manager of the pilot scheme Alex Luz  told Waste Watch:

” The results speak for themselves, residents are so poistive about the new system and it is set to achieve a collosol reduction in waste”

So watch out for the new wheelie bins coming to your area and ensure you welcome the idea to your household and help improve the environment.

Last year, over 80,000 people attended the larger than life annual event held for Birmingahms gay community, and this year’s number is set to be even greater with the event taking place on the 23rd and 24th of May.

Regular pride attender Twiggy commented to the BBC:

” It’s a great way to publicise the cause, meaning we get to stand up and be counted as members of society and not just be seen as a gay community. We have semi-equal rights but are still forgotten about or left out when it comes to areas being developed in gay villages.”

The aim of uniting with the Environment agency and implementing a change in colour scheme is to help raise more awareness in the fight to reduce the environmental impact and of our individual carbon footprints especially when holding events like these. Reducing the green affect of this event and its carbon footprint is the perfect start.

Birmingham’s Pride festival is the Midlands annual event and it is aimed to celebrate the gay, lesbian and trans gender community. The Pride festival is held over the Bank holiday weekend and takes place in the heart of Birmingham’s gay village which is largely based around Hursh Street, Bromsgrove Street and Essex Street.

Regional Director Mark Sitton-Kent of the Environment Agency commented to the Birmingham Mail:

”We’re proud of our track record in the midlands and we want to send out a clear message to our staff and customers alike that the Environment Agency is a diverse and inclusive organisation. Sponsoring this event will give us both the opportunity to spread a green message to thousands of  festival-goers  and marks our commitment in the village to go from pink to green”.

Pride organisers are eager to hear your suggestions for a greener festival and help make this year’s festival better than ever, so if you want to join in with fun suggestions or maybe you want to sponsor the event log on to the website and make your mark.

This one day event at Birmingham City Council Football club on the 28th Febuary will increase understanding of the social and environmental inqualities and introduce ways in improving the qualities of life through environmental recovery.Porosals can be made from anyone, including residents, local communty groups, council employees and elected members.

Be Birminghams new director Jackie Mould commented to the Birmingahm post:

”As  a city we are lucky to have some of the most  vibrant communites in the country. This summit brings together startegic leaders from teh public, private, voluntary, faith and community sectors which work across Birmingham with a common goal of improving this city for its resident”.

To find out more about how you can get involved and voice your opinions and suggestions visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/sca where you can download a form to submit an idea and see if its elible.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 13th April 2009