Zero Waste - weekly news round up

18/06/2004

Maxitech.biz has launched an appeal for unused computers in a bid to rescue some of the 2 million that are annually dumped in landfill sites across the UK. To cut down on this pollution and help meet the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, to be introduced in August 2004, Maxitech.biz has joined forces with Age Concern Islington to collect obsolete PCs. The not-for-profit computer and electronics recycling enterprise has joined forces with the charity to provide older people on low incomes access to refurbished computers.

Peter Paduh, managing director of Maxitech.biz Limited said: "There are thousands of older people over the age of 55 on low incomes who cannot afford to buy a computer for home use but who could benefit from having one."

The re-elected Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone is to launch ambitious plans to make London the "green capital of Europe". Under the new programmes, lorries and taxis, which pollute the environment, are to be banned throughout the city, while sonar panels will become mandatory features of homes and buildings. Furthermore, Mr Livingstone's plans will urge commuters to share transport, building on the success of the congestion charges that have been implemented in the British capital recently. He has also called for citizens to embrace recycling and taken active interest in environmental concerns.

Environmental issues became a significant feature of the recent mayoral, local and European elections, with a number of political parties and leader putting the issue on their agenda. Recently the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe, Diana Wallis, called for measures to reduce the amount of plastic bags we use and waste every year. According to the Lib Dems, 15 billion plastic bags are distributed every year in the UK, and significantly contribute to the waste in landfill sites and harm wildlife. In 2002, the Republic of Ireland introduced a 10p levy on plastic bags, which reduced plastic bag consumption by 90 per cent and raised awareness of litter, pollution and recycling.

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