White goods disposal
New Waste Electrical and Electronic Directive (WEEE) regulations come fully into force in August. Here, we explain what it all means and how it benefits us and the environment.
1. What is WEEE anyway?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment – and that means more or less anything with a plug or a battery that you no longer need. It includes all sorts of everyday electrical and electronic items, from old washing machines, vacuum cleaners or coffee machines through to computers, table lamps and even some children’s toys.
2. What does WEEE mean to me?
The WEEE regulations come fully into force in August 2007. They’re rules designed to make all of us – consumers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers – take a more responsible attitude to the electrical and electronic goods we throw away.
3. How big is the problem?
It’s the fastest growing waste mountain in the European Union. Last year in the UK we dumped two million tonnes of the stuff in landfill. A lot of that was large household appliances, known as ‘white goods’. It’s taking up valuable land and it’s harming our environment.
4. I’ve noticed a new symbol on some products. What does it mean?
That’s the crossed out wheelie bin logo. Every new electrical or electronic product has to be labelled with it. Anything carrying the symbol cannot be thrown out with the rest of the household rubbish. It must be disposed of separately.
5. Who’s responsible for disposing of my old fridge?
If you’re buying a new fridge, the answer is the retailer. For anyone who sells or distributes electrical and electronic equipment, either in store or online, has to offer customers a free way of getting rid of their old equipment when they buy an equivalent new item.
6. How will that work?
Retailers can run their own takeback schemes or join in the national scheme. Both run on a ‘like for like’ basis. You take back an old kettle when you buy a new kettle, an old fridge when you buy a new one, and so on. If retailers are part of the national scheme, they will give you information about free local collection facilities. If they are running their own scheme, they will take back equivalent items in the store.
7. What about heavy items?
Don’t worry, you’re not expected to carry your old washing machine back to the shop! For bulky goods, retailers have to offer a ‘collection on delivery’ service, taking away an old item of equipment when they deliver a similar new one. They can choose whether or not to charge you for this.
8. So, what is free?
The takeback service – which includes the transport of the waste equipment from the retail premises to the treatment plant, its storage, treatment and recycling – is absolutely free to consumers.
9. Can I take my old electrical and electronic goods to the local tip?
Yes, if it’s a designated collection facility. There may be one of these special collection points at your local waste recycling centre. You can either take the items yourself, or arrange for them to be collected and taken there. You may be charged for a collection service.
10. What happens after my old stuff is taken away? Is it recycled?
Wherever possible, items are refurbished and reused, and recyclable materials recovered. What’s left is disposed of in an environmentally safe way. The whole aim of the new regulations is cut the amount we send to landfill.
11. Is it worth the bother?
If you care about our environment, it is. The new regulations are part of a move towards encouraging all of us to reduce the amount of waste we create, and reuse, recover and recycle more. That includes WEEE.
12. What else can I do?
Buy good quality, longer-lasting electrical and electronic goods. They may cost you more but they’ll last longer. In the long term they’re better for your pocket and better for the environment.
Courtesy of miele.co.uk.
Green living
The green message is getting around – and eco-friendliness is touching every part of our lives, from how we live to where we live. Johnny Turner looks at some great homes and laudable lifestyle initiatives.
The idea
With recent reports of soaring water bills – some by more than four times the rate of inflation – homeowners and businesses are throwing money down the drain. Harvesting rainwater can save over 50 per cent of mains supply water and dramatically reduce water bills.
Rainwater harvesting specialist Rainpiper.com believes the majority of consumers are unaware of the benefits of harvesting rainwater. By capitalising on the recent heavy rainfalls, consumers could be collecting valuable rainwater which can be used for general washing purposes and watering the garden.
Leigh Middel, co-founder of Rainpiper.com, says, ‘Rainwater also has many advantages over hard water. Its composition and softness reduces the need for harsh detergents and it doesn’t contain chalk and lime deposits. Rainwater is also rich in nutrients and minerals, which is very beneficial to the garden.’
Rainpiper.com has just launched a hydrostatic rainwater harvesting system which holds over a tonne of natural rainwater. This cost effective device means homeowners and businesses can have instant access to rainwater to water their garden, wash their cars and outside areas without the worry of increasing water costs.Rainpiper works independently of the main supply therefore can be used during a hosepipe ban.
For more information visit rainpiper.com
The gadget
Ever wondered how much energy that little red light on your TV overnight is costing you? A lot, is the simple answer. So do something about it and green up your home.
Bye Bye Standby is a brand new energy saving product from Harmony Systems. Part of the company’s Domia Lite product range, Bye Bye Standby saves the energy that the device would normally use by being ‘on standby’ – a substantial waste of energy. The system made up of two parts, the Green Switch and Smart Sockets.
Simply plug each device that you wish to control into a Smart Socket. The Smart Sockets have large mechanical switches inside that operate when the Green Switch is pressed. Press the Green Switch down as you leave the room and the Smart Sockets switch their respective appliance
off. Press the Green Switch up and they all come on again. The Green Switch and the Smart Sockets communicate using radio signals so to and one Green Switch can operate as many Smart Sockets as you want.
Installation is simple and there are no wires. The system can operate a whole host of equipment but is designed ideally for electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, printers, DVDs etc. DEFRA has said that by turning devices off of standby, the typical house would save £38 per year at 2006 prices.
For more information see byebyestandby.com
The green home is the home of the future. Everyone from civic leaders to actors to politicians has something to say about why it is important to conserve and re-use. Global warming’s last few non-believers have been shown the facts and we homeowners and prospective buyers must factor into our decisions an awareness of the effect our home has on the wellbeing of the wider world.
In this feature we’ll look at the latest tips, trends, gadgets and – of course – homes that further the cause of green awareness and action.
Newly built homes are at the forefront of the march towards green-ness. Building a home, after all, takes a lot of energy and is a major source of CO2; any savings we can make as we build the next generation of dwellings is worth pursuing.
ZEDHomes Ltd is a sustainable development company, founded in 2003 by Michael Shwartz, managing director of the Michael Shwartz Group. Shwartz was listed at number seven in Property Week’s October 2006 listing of the top twenty green heroes.
ZEDHomes is committed to building homes and workplaces that recognise the changes in how we live and work; and that are environmentally sustainable and energy saving, with a strong accent on accessibility and community.
The company believes in providing infrastructure that encourages a more sustainable lifestyle and instigates greater social responsibility. It believes it is the most socially and environmentally aware developer in the UK. The aims of the organisation are to build affordable low- and zero-emission developments (that’s the ZED of the company name), homes and workplaces that are spacious, stylish, comfortable and filled with natural light. These homes are stylish, finished with natural materials and easy to maintain and clean; they are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Where possible, ZEDHomes’ developments incorporate local shops, pubs, cafes, retail, commercial and workspaces. Car pools are encouraged to reduce car dependency and both internet ordering and storage facilities will be provided to encourage home deliveries. These measures help residents spend less time travelling and more time living.
The company won planning permission (on appeal) for its first site, Packetboat House, Hillingdon, in late 2005, and the first ZEDHomes apartments are expected to reach the market within two years. There is already a healthy waiting list for these properties.
Find out more about an organisation at the vanguard of the green homes revolution by visiting zedhomes.com.
A brand new development in trendy Islington is embracing the need to limit vehicle ownership and use – a major issue, particularly in the crowded capital – by offering a year’s free membership in the in-house car club scheme. Inspace Homes will be officially unveiling Blue, a new development with joint venture partner Your Lifespace, on Thursday 2 August.
Set within a four-storey building that blends wood, brick and glass on Sherbourne Street N1, Blue has been designed by Grafik Architecture and comprises a collection of 28 contemporary apartments offering open-plan living that will appeal to young professional first-time buyers.
The properties range in size from 460 sq ft for a one-bedroom apartment and rise to 650 sq ft two-bedroom apartment on the top floor. The layouts feature contemporary open-plan living areas with laminate flooring and plenty of natural light provided by the extensive use of glazing.
Purchasers can choose between either high-gloss or wood fully fitted kitchens from Pepper, which come complete with a full range of integrated appliances including a Bosch stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood. White Porcelanosa sanitaryware, chrome fixtures and fittings including an electric heated towel rail and ceramic wall and floor tiling creates a tranquil and calming bathroom. The apartments have carpet in the bedrooms.
The location is perfect for access to the City and West End. Angel tube station on the Northern line and Highbury and Islington on the Victoria Line and WAGN route are very nearby.
Building work has already started and the first completions are expected in October 2008. Prices are still to be confirmed. For further sales information call Chestertons on 020 7288 0330. inspacehomes.co.uk.
Kingerlee Homes, one of the UK’s first dedicated eco- developers, is committed to creating homes that are as environmentally friendly as possible, reaching the highest EcoHomes Excellent standard. The company places the environment at the very heart of its business and every single home it builds, with a policy that only materials from renewable sources be used in construction, and waste during the building process is kept to an absolute minimum.
Kingerlee has launched its flagship scheme of nine eco Excellent homes at Lincoln Grove in Bladon, Oxfordshire, presenting a new benchmark for sustainable and environmentally friendly homes.
The developer will monitor not only the homes’ gas, electricity and water consumption but also the temperatures and humidity within the rooms using internal data loggers, for two years after their sale.
This important research will be carried out in conjunction with Oxford Brookes University and with the homeowners’ consent, using energy meters that can be monitored with no intrusion to those living in the property. Residents will complete a simple weekly log.
Kingerlee believes that education of the home-buying public, enabling them to achieve the best possible performance from their home, is key in the battle against carbon emissions.
Jonathan Kingerlee, Chairman of Kingerlee Homes, says, ‘We believe this is the first scheme in Oxfordshire to achieve an EcoHomes Excellent rating. We want to prove how energy-efficient our homes are through the ongoing monitoring of temperature and energy used, enabling us to learn about the habits of our customers and ensure the homes are performing as well as they should. ‘Part of the responsibility lies with the homeowner to use their home effectively – it is no good having high thermal insulation if the heating is left on high with the windows wide open. We hope to encourage our buyers to understand the homes they live in, and use them in the most environmentally friendly way.’
Houses at Lincoln Grove are available at £369,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom terraced house with a garden and £445,000 for a three-bedroom, end of terrace home with a garden. Contact selling agents Kemp & Kemp on 01865 510000 for further details.
Linden Homes is preparing to launch a second collection of homes at its Banstead Wood development in Surrey, on the site of a disused Grade II listed hospital.
Following Gordon Brown’s recent pledge to raise housebuilding targets to 240,000 new homes per year from 2016, with the release of more government-owned brownfield land, Linden is gearing up for the second phase of new and converted apartments in the grounds of the former hospital. The homes are surrounded by Surrey woodland, designated as a site of specific scientific Interest.
Banstead Wood is a shining example of the efforts already being made by developers and English Partnerships to maximise available brownfield land in the South East greenbelt and bring much-needed new homes to the area.
Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Linden Homes South East, says, ‘Conversion of these historic buildings into residential dwellings is the best solution to ensuring their preservation and survival. It is encouraging to see the new prime minister promising the release of public sector land for development, but it will need to be done with some urgency if housebuilders are to meet his new target of three million homes by 2020.’
There are six homes remaining for sale in the first phase at Banstead Wood. Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in the restored Elizabeth House currently start at £249,950. Phase two will consist entirely of refurbished homes, in a range of sizes and styles. Guide prices for the new range of 22 one- and two-bedroom apartments at Shaw House start at £225,000.
For further information please contact Linden Homes on 01737 357336 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.
Green also means literally that – green space. And developers that build in a beautiful and tranquil common space will find buyers are impressed.
Telford Homes’ prestigious Queen Mary’s Gate development in South Woodford is taking shape and apartments are continuing to sell well ahead of completion. There is a great selection of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments available, ranging from 689 to 920 sq ft, all with open-plan living/dining areas.
One of the main attractions of the landmark residential development is the expansive landscaped park with magnificent water feature, which will provide plenty of communal space for residents. The beautifully planted areas together with the water features will form a calm oasis, which residents can enjoy at their leisure.
Designed by architects BDG Design, the garden will include a stepped water feature. As the water flows out into the open spaces, it gathers pace and becomes a more informal stream that eventually reaches a semi-circular pool fringed with mature trees and shrubs and partially filled with aquatic plants.
Queen Mary’s Gate is an exclusive development of contemporary apartments and penthouses, formerly the halls of residence for Queen Mary’s College. Situated within walking distance of South Woodford Central Line tube station and the local amenities of the town centre, the development also offers the convenience of nearby road and rail transport.
The first apartments, along with the water gardens, are due to be completed and ready for occupation in November. Prices for one- and two-bedroom apartments start at £225,000. Call 020 8506 1955 or go to telfordhomes.plc.uk.
Bury St Edmunds, residents at Hopkins Homes’ development, Millgate on Cotton Lane in the heart of town, can leave the car at home, cut down their carbon footprint and enjoy the health benefits of walking and cycling to work thanks to the scheme’s enviable location right at the centre of town.
Claire Richards, head of sales and marketing for Hopkins Homes, says, ‘Buyers are increasingly looking for homes in locations that give them the option to do their bit for the environment, and their health, by using more eco-friendly means of transport. The central location of Millgate means that shops, services and all the attractions of Bury St Edmunds are just a few metres away. Some residents are even lucky enough to be able to cycle or walk to work. Hopkins Homes builds only in the most desirable locations, whether town or country, and Millgate is certainly testament to this.’
Millgate comprises two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom houses and three- and five-bedroom town houses, all set within a traditional Suffolk streetscape, with houses located on quiet, tree-lined boulevards and gently curving crescents. The 17 different house designs draw on elements of the local architectural vernacular and incorporate a variety of finishes, including red and yellow brickwork, timber cladding and crisp buttermilk rendering. Interiors offer the very best of classic design complemented by contemporary fixtures and fittings to create stylish, practical living spaces.
Just four two-bedroom coach houses remain for sale at Millgate. Prices start at £174,995. Call the marketing suite on 01284 700266 see hopkinshomes.co.uk.
Green initiatives at Expressions, Barratt’s development in Gravesend, include a range of special eco-features, such as a rainwater harvesting system that pumps water directly into the house, and solar panels on the roof for water heating.
Gravesend’s major regeneration programme and ambitious transport link plans are rapidly boosting the town’s popularity. And there’s nothing greener than a home that lets you dispense with the car for journeys to work. Just 25 miles from central London, Gravesend has excellent road links with London, Gatwick, the Channel Ports and the North via the A2 and the Dartford Tunnel. There is a very frequent train service into London’s Charing Cross taking less than an hour. Eurostar services begin from the nearby Ebbsfleet station this November this year, with regular services to Paris, Lille and Brussels and, from 2009, an amazing new 20-minute link with London St Pancras.
For further information and to view the homes call Barratt on 01322 287140 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.
A new book tells you how to make your home more green
The Eco House Manual
How to carry out environmentally friendly improvements to your home.
By Nigel Griffiths
Publication Date: End of July
RRP: £19.99, Hardback, ISBN: 1 84425 405 4
This manual is designed to help homeowners alter or renovate their properties in ways which will reduce their impact on the environment and, ultimately, benefit themselves!
Most of us want to help save the planet; many of us want to save money while doing so. In theory, there are many home improvements which could save energy and, potentially, save money. However, deciding what to do and how to do it are difficult decisions to make.
In keeping with Haynes' practical approach to a wide range of subjects (from cars and motorcycles to babies and washing machines), The Eco House Manual, offers concise up-to-date information about emerging renewable sources of power, along with the principles of eco-renovation, sensible advice and step-by-step projects for your home and garden.
A wide range of subjects is covered including construction materials, insulation, heating, electricity use, water supply, waste and pollution. There are sections to help you work out how well (or badly) your house is insulated and how long a wind turbine will take to pay for itself. Grants that may be available are covered as are building regulations and planning permission. A section deals with gardens - everything from composting to encouraging wildlife.
The author, Nigel Griffiths, ran his own building business for 15 years, specialising in conservation and green building, and has recently project- managed a development of 12 new eco-homes in Somerset. He is a building consultant, a visiting university lecturer on sustainability, and an eco-homes assessor for the Building Research Establishment. He writes in a clear, easy-to- understand style, which is complemented by many colour photographs and informative diagrams.
Whether you are contemplating simple environmentally friendly improvements or a major refurbishment, The Eco House Manual should be your first purchase. It costs just £19.99 (hardback) and will not only prove an invaluable resource but a money-saving investment.
This press release content, together with an archive of published press releases, is available for immediate download from Haynes Online PR and giving the PR site URL (http://www.haynes.co.uk/Press
Also available in the home improvement manual series: Garden Buildings Manual, Home Extension Manual, The 1930's House Manual and The Victorian House Manual
The celebrity activist
In her film career, Daryl Hannah has been everything from a landlocked mermaid to a one-eyed assassin. But it is the role she plays in real life that has been getting most of the attention. These days she is one of the more vocal green activists, willing to act as the eco-lobby’s blonde bombshell through direct action as well as television appearances.
One week we see her presenting a magazine programme on green issues for CNN, the next she’s up a tree to block the destruction of a farm in Los Angeles. Her car runs on used vegetable oil from fast-food restaurants and her house is powered by solar energy. She grows organic vegetables and speaks out whenever possible about how important it is to make your lifestyle more green – and how easy it is.
Check in with Daryl and her green message via her weekly eco web video reports on dhlovelife.com.