Enviro News Nov 2008

The bells of doom and gloom are still ringing as Christmas approaches, but life really is what you make it. It’s time to be practical rather than extravagant and look for gifts which are appreciated and not just something else to clutter up the cupboard. Cutting costs may begin with a garden starter pack consisting of a copy of ‘Tropical Food Gardens’ by Leonie Norrington, a moon planting calendar for 2009 and a variety of non-hybrid seeds, or maybe a compost bin or worm farm to get some biology working in the soil.
At Enviromart Australia, there are also many books about sustainability and self sufficiency. I’m not suggesting that you give up your corporate job, grow a beard (or hairy legs) and join the peace love and mung bean brigade, but….hmmm well actually, that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea really. Work? Well someone’s got to do it!

 

It's Party Time

Did you know that a polystyrene cup will never decompose? I’m not sure about plastic cutlery but if it takes 40 years for a plastic bag to biodegrade then I’m guessing that the party litter of today will be around long after I’ve left this life. Even most paper plates are coated with a plastic film to make them water proof.

We now have a range of bio-plastic cutlery and biodegradable plates. The cutlery is made from a cornstarch and chalk polymer and the clear cold drink cups and drinking straws are made from cornstarch also. Hot drink cups and plates are made from unbleached sugar cane waste (bagasse) and coated with cornstarch to make them waterproof.

After the Christmas party everything can go into the compost bin or worm farm.  You can feel guilty about all those extra calories that you've consumed, but you no longert have to feel guilty about the disposable party ware.

Wet and Forget

Wet & Forget can be applied to concrete, paving, gutters, garden edging, shade sails, beach umbrellas, outdoor furniture virtually anything.  It will kill moss,mould, algae and gunge which is worn away by the action of the weather.  There is no rubbing or scrubbing required!  The surfactants in this product will assist in the continued prevention of mould for about 1 year after application.  Each time you use a pressure cleaner, you will wear away the surface of the concrete, creating more surface area for more mould to grow.  Bleach is harmful to the environment and although it will give an instantly clean surface, the mould will grow back very quickly.  Wet & Forget takes far less time to apply than using a pressure cleaner and is easier to use too.  This product is being used by councils, tourist attractions, medical centres, business, industry and many private homes. 

Tropical Food Gardens

It's always a challenge to find what will grow in the tropics where you can experience a metre of rain in 3 days and then the sun comes out to a balmy 38 degrees.  There is really only 1 book which will guide you, and that's Tropical Food Gardens.  The author, Leonie Norrington was born in Darwin and grew up on an aboriginal community. She is a third generation tropical gardener and learned to garden at her grandmother's knee when the only fresh food available was home grown.  Leonie blends horticultural science with personal experience to create a book full of sound advice, enthusiasm and a genuine love of the natural world. 

Tropical Food Gardens was first published in 2001, and reprinted with amendments this year.  It is a very popular book and a must for every tropical gardener.

Who's Who In FNQ

The local chapter of ATA regularly meet at our shop at 2 pm on the the 3rd Saturday of each month.  This month, Sarah Hoyle will be the guest speaker. As you may all know, the ATA does volunteer work in East Timor, installing energy efficient lighting and Hot water systems. Sarah has just returned from one such project and is eager to share her experiences with us. For those of us who are stuck at home (for whatever reasons), this will be a great opportunity to share in the excitement of rebuilding a country. The meeting starts at 2:00pm and, as usual, will be followed with a cuppa.  Don't forget to BYO a chair.

The ATA (Alternative Technology Association) is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation, promoting sustainable technology and practice. The ATA provides services to members who are actively walking the talk in their own homes by using good building design, conserving water and using renewable energy. ATA advocates in government and industry arenas for easy access to these technologies as well as continual improvement of the technology, information and products needed to change the way we live.  For local ATA information contact Daryl on daryld@tpg.com.au