Horizons: Recyclers of plastic will be aware that many of the plastic containers used by supermarkets to package fruit, vegetables, meat and other perishable foods are not accepted at recycling centres.
According to Race Against Waste, the national recycling information service, approximately 14 per cent of household waste is made up of plastic, and while all forms of plastic are recyclable, currently only plastic with codes one, two or four is accepted at recycling facilities. Ireland currently has no recycling outlets for the other forms of plastic (codes three, five, six and seven). The problem is that these forms of plastic (found in yoghurt containers, margarine tubs, grocery store meat trays and egg cartons) often make up the majority of an average householder's waste plastic and it is currently going straight into landfill sites. Sounds like a problem that needs to be solved before plastics are introduced to the green bins in the near future. E-mail queries about waste to info@raceagainstwaste.ie.
Who'd like to be under sea?
An exhibition designed to stimulate young people's curiousity about the role of water on the planet is open to the public this weekend. Today and tomorrow, Planet Aqua offers young visitors to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin a chance to take a virtual scientific mission undersea. "With more than 7,500km of coastline, a seafood industry employing more than 15,000 people, the National Seabed Survey and the Water Framework Directive, the children of Ireland have good reason to learn more about water," says Mark Norman, director of the Aqua TT, the co-ordinators of the educational initiative. The exhibition, which was open to school groups earlier this week, includes live seahorses, clownfish, starfish, dogfish and crabs. Admission is free. Open 10am-4pm today and tomorrow. See www.planetaqua.ie.
Clinical composting courses
The first of four composting clinics (where you can learn how to compost organic waste) organised by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council takes place this morning in the Ballyogan Recycling Park. Forthcoming composting clinics - for beginners and those who need help to sustain their composting efforts - run in Dundrum Library on Thursday, March 9th from 6-7.30pm, Stillorgan Library on Wednesday, March 15th from 10am-noon and in Deansgrange Library on Tuesday, March 21st from 2-4pm. Admission is free. Advance booking on tel: 01-2054817, e-mail environ@dlrcoco.ie.
Conservation and the catwalk
Eco-friendly, organic, fair-trade and recycled vintage fashions were showcased last weekend at the Trinity Arts Festival Future Fashion show in Cultivate, Temple Bar, Dublin. Some of the most striking clothes came from charity shops and among the once-off pieces were a dress made from Luas tickets and another made from CDs. Considering the human and environmental cost, eco-friendly clothes manufacturing can produce clothes that are "fun, edgy, hyperfeminine and cool", the audience was told. The event also promoted Peace Child International, a youth-led charity devoted to sustainable development. www.peacechild.org
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