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Sustainable solutions: recycling polystyrene; Weather by the moon
Recycling Polystyrene
Polystyrene is one of the most difficult items to dispose of. It is bulky, kerbside recycling schemes mostly don’t accept it and it therefore becomes landfill.
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However, Mitre 10 and Expol have partnered to tackle this waste and it can now be recycled through one of Expol’s EPS residential polystyrene recycling ‘cubes’ at selected Mitre 10 stores.
Expol, a Kiwi-owned and operated business, manufactures a range of solid insulation and lightweight polystyrene construction solutions and uses recycled EPS polystyrene to make a range of products, including Tuff Pods, QuickDrain UnderFloor, ThermaSlab Sheet and StyroDrain which is made of 100% recycled content. The company diverts over 350 tonnes of EPS polystyrene from landfill a year.
Grant Fraser, Mitre 10’s sustainability lead says the
Free Healthy Homes Workshops
Community groups who want to help their members keep their homes healthy, warm and dry can request a free Healthy Homes on a Budget workshop from EcoMatters Environment Trust.
The 90-minute workshops provide tips on how to save money on power and water bills, and how to keep homes healthy, comfortable and dry, by minimising health risks such as mould. There’s something for everyone, whether they are flatting, renting or home owners. (There are energy-saving prizes up for grabs.)
Healthy Homes on a Budget workshops are supported by Henderson-Massey, Waitākere Ranges and Whau local boards. To find out more, email homes@ ecomatters.org.nz
(Photo: EcoMatters Environment Trust.)
partnership is an example of the company’s sustainability policy.
“By working with our suppliers to reduce packaging waste and implementing recycling solutions to help our customers live more sustainably, we’re contributing to a more sustainable future for our people and communities,” he says.
The Mitre 10/Expol polystyrene recycling trial began in August 2019 at Mitre 10 MEGA New Lynn and there are now 16 stores offering the free service. Since the trial began, it has recycled approximately 830 cubic metres of EPS polystyrene – around 30 rubbish trucks full.
There are recycling centres for residential use only at Lincoln Road and New Lynn Mitre 10 stores. Contributions of more than a 240L rubbish bin (per person) need to be managed directly through Expol. The company also operates a collection service for the building industry. Call 0800 86 33 73 ext. 521.
Note: There are two types of polystyrene (Plastic ID code 6) and the recycling centres are only for expanded polystyrene, the product that is made of little beads and used to protect fragile goods. Extruded polystyrene, which looks like a foam, is smooth in texture and often used for take-away food packaging, must still go to landfill.
Ken Ring’s predictions for May
May should be drier, sunnier and warmer than normal.
The first week may be the cloudiest and warmest, the second week the wettest overall, and the third the driest and coolest. The last week should see the most sunshine. The wettest days are at the beginning of the month and around mid-month. Winds will average from the southeast.
Atmospheric pressures may be highest around the 9th and 10th and again around the 26th. The month may average a high 1021mbs.
For fishermen, there are unusually high tides around the 27th. The best fishing bite-times in the West are at noon on the 9th – 12th and 24th – 26th. Chances are also good for dusk on the 2nd – 4th, 17th – 19th, and 31st.
For gardeners, pruning is best between the 3rd – 11th (waning moon descending), and sowing is best between 17th – 25th (waxing moon ascending). For preserving and longer shelf-life, pick crops or flowers on neap tide days on 6th and 20th. Allow 24 hour error for all forecasts. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2021.
weather by the moon
Linda CooperLinda Cooper
Councillor for WaitākereCouncillor for Waitākere
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