Horizons

Solving the waste crisisBy now, most people will have seen the Government's new shocking television advertisements warning us that excess waste will "bury the country". An accompanying website, www.raceagainstwaste.com, offers tips for reducing and recycling waste, but are these efforts enough?

While the number of people recycling glass and paper is increasing, we are still close to the bottom of the EU league table, with an overall recycling level of approximately 13 per cent of our total waste. A conference on Friday, run by three Irish non-governmental organisations, will look at low-cost solutions to the waste crisis. It will be held in Tailor's Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8, cost €75 per delegate. Booking through VOICE, 7 Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01-4750467, 087-2803010 or e-mail: avoice@iol.ie.

Making eco-building happen

A new association, formed by three leading architects and the industry magazine, Construct Ireland, aims to promote sustainable building in Ireland. Paul Leech from Leech-Gaïa Ecotecture, Duncan Stewart from RTÉ's About the House series and Prof Tom Woolley from Queen's University school of architecture, Belfast and Jeff Colley, editor of Construct Ireland, believe that products and techniques with environmental considerations, human health and energy efficiency at their core have enormous potential for application in mainstream construction. Leech and Stewart will make their case at a seminar entitled Ecological Building - Making It Happen on Sunday, November 23rd from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre, 15-19 West Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin. Their presentations will be followed by a Green Building Clinic where a panel of experts will answer questions. Admission €18. Booking on tel: 01-6746396. For more information on the Environmental and Sustainable Construction Association, see www.constructireland.ie.

An apple tree is for life . . .

There are now more than 150 varieties of native apple tree in the Irish Seedsavers' collection. Up to 100 of these will be on sale at the open day on Saturday next. The annual event, at the Irish Seedsavers' holding in Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare, also offers Christmas shoppers an unusual variety of craft and gift options. But, if it's an apple tree you're after, don't forget to wear your wellies. A bus service from Scariff town square will take people to the fair which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More details on tel: 061-921866.

Marlay Park project

Conservation Volunteers Ireland has just got the go-ahead from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for a three-year woodland management project in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin. The project will involve tree, wildflower and bulb planting, seed collection, the removal of invasive species and the creation of a new woodland area. It will also offer community groups and schools an opportunity to get dirt under their nails during the hands-on upkeep of this beautiful park. If you are interested in getting involved, contact CVI on tel: 01-4952878.

[ horizons@irish-times.ie ]