Horizons

Social banking: One of Europe's most prominent social lending institutions, Triodos Bank is about to set up an office in Ireland. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it lends only to organisations with a social or environmental value - charities, businesses and community projects.

It publishes a list of all projects, and to date, this list includes the Camphill Community in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, the Clondalkin Community Property Development Company in Dublin and Heron Quality Foods, a Cork-based speciality bread and confectionary business. It also offers investment opportunities in an ethical property company and savings accounts in which deposit holders can allocate a percentage of their interest to local charities. See www.triodos.com or contact Kieron Brennan on 086-8399358. E-mail kieron.brennan@triodos.ie

Bag-free beaches

Initial findings from the Coastwatch Ireland survey of the reduction in plastic bags along the Irish coastline, following the introduction of the plastic bag tax, are positive in rural areas but not so positive in Dublin. "In rural areas, we are finding a ten-fold reduction in the number of plastic bags along the coastline but in Dublin city and the coast north of Dublin, the reduction doesn't seem to be very big," says Karin Dubsky of Coastwatch Ireland.

"There seems to be a big difference between urban and rural areas. I think people living in the country may be more organised about taking their bags with them when they go shopping whereas in towns, there is more spontaneous shopping and occasionally, shoppers are still getting free plastic bags in convenience stores, which is against the law." she adds.

Preliminary results of the survey will be released on Tuesday, November 6th at the Coastwatch Ireland follow-up seminar in Trinity College Dublin. Tel: 055-25843. E-mail dubsky@iol.ie for more details. The full report will be available in January 2003.

It's in the bag

Superquinn has won an international award for its Green Bag programme from the Institute of Grocery Distribution. The award, given to a company which uses customer research to deliver an innovative business solution, recognised the Irish supermarket chain's work with customers in developing their longlife polypropolene bag. Superquinn is currently evaluating the production of a fabric bag made from jute to offer shoppers a biodegradable alternative.

Year of the Mountains

The Mountaineering Council of Ireland is celebrating the UN International Year of the Mountains with a gathering entitled: Tread Lightly, in Ennis, Co Clare, from November 8th to 10th. Lectures and workshops will examine the balance between enjoying the Irish uplands and the need to protect these areas. Guided walks of the Burren included. Contact John O'Callaghan, Clare Outdoor Club, 3 Brookville, Ennis, Co Clare, for booking details. Tel: 065-6867234. E-mail john.callaghan@roche.com