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Lights out Liverpool!
SOME of
Liverpool’s iconic landmarks will be plunged into darkness next week
to raise awareness of climate change. Liverpool Town Hall, St.
George’s Hall and the world famous Cunard and Liver Buildings are
among those joining in with the Lights Out Liverpool campaign to
highlight the issue of global warming.
Businesses who own some
of the most famous buildings in the city are being approached to
take part in the event, which will see parts of the world-famous
waterfront becoming pitch black.
Liverpool City Council is inviting residents to join in by turning
off their lights and non-essential appliances for one hour, from
7 to 8pm on 1 November 2008.
Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Clark, said:- ”Lights
out Liverpool is all about sending out a powerful visual message
about the amount of energy we needlessly waste. We’re asking
everyone in Liverpool to pledge their support and switch off all
non-essential lights for just one hour. It really is simple and if
residents continue to work together in reducing energy waste, it
really will make a huge difference. Research has shown that if
we remember to turn off lights when we leave a room, not only will
be helping the environment but our lighting bills will be around 15%
cheaper.”
A free energy saving light bulb is being given to everyone who
registers to become part of ‘Lights Out Liverpool’, along with a
free information pack from energy company E.ON containing top tips
about how you can not only save the environment but also save some
money. To register, just go to
www.liverpool.gov.uk/environment/energy
The city council’s executive member for the environment, Councillor
Berni Turner, said:- “Liverpool is aiming to be one of the
greenest city’s in the UK and this is a great way of getting
everyone involved as working together can really make a difference
to the future of our planet. It’s simple, turn off lights when
you leave a room, make sure your TV isn’t left on standby, if you’re
leaving work make sure the printers and photocopiers are switched
off – it really isn’t difficult.
I hope as many people as
possible take part and make this event a huge success.”
The ‘Lights out’ event has already taken place in London and
Sydney this year, where iconic buildings such as the Houses of
Parliament and the Sydney Opera House were in complete darkness.
Liverpool’s event is supported by the city council, in partnership
with E.ON and Radio City.
Energy Facts:-
Energy saving light bulbs use only a quarter of the energy of normal
light bulbs and last up to eight times longer
Reducing a thermostat by 1 degree Celsius could save between 8 and
10% on your gas or electric bill.
Lighting an office
overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 1,000 cups of tea
Switching off
non-essential equipment in an office overnight saves enough energy
to run a small car for 100 miles
A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to produce over
1,500 copies
Leaving a PC monitor
on all night wastes enough energy to microwave 6 dinners.
Energy tips:-
Replace normal light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.
Only put full loads
in your washing machine and reduce washing temperature
Defrost food in the
fridge – not under running water
Turn off lights, TVs,
radios, computers and other equipment when not being used |
Council aim to scrap the wrap...
LIVERPOOL City
Council are calling on internet retailers to cut down on excessive
packaging when sending out their goods. Liverpool City
council’s trading standards team carried out investigations into how
online retailers packaged their products and received some shocking
examples of excessive wrapping. One mobile phone arrived in a
box 20 times the size of the phone itself, and the box was also
filled with more than 15 plastic airbags to protect the phone. Small
printer cartridges were also sent in huge boxes large enough to fit
a child.
Liverpool city council’s executive member for trading standards,
Councillor Berni Turner, said:- “The boom in internet shopping
and trading sites such as Ebay has seen a huge explosion in the home
delivery market. But the amount of packaging many use is almost
criminal. It’s clear some retailers give no thought to the
sort of packaging they use to send goods out and they’re not taking
the environment consideration.
During the investigation we found several examples of unnecessary
packaging. Not only does this effect the environment in terms of
materials going to waste but the delivery vans will be full of big
boxes which are almost empty, and as a result will have to make more
journeys, pumping out more pollution into the atmosphere.
As a result of this survey, companies found to be using excessive
packaging are now being investigated and could be prosecuted. We are
aiming to be the greenest city in the UK and are determined to
crackdown on anyone whose actions are detrimental to the
environment.”
Trading standards officers bought 12 identical printer cartridges
and 17 mobile phones from well known and specialist businesses
across the UK. Some of the worst examples of printer cartridge
packaging were seven times the size of the cartridge itself.
Mobile
phone packaging ranged from 2 to 20 times the size of the actual
phone. One mobile phone box was covered in bubble wrap, then put in
a box and then put another protective plastic bag.
The companies responsible for the worst examples of mobile phone
packaging are shown below with the largest first:-
1. Mobile Place
2. Amazon
3. Mobile Fun
4.The Order (This was packaged in bubble wrap, box and plastic
envelope!)
The companies responsible for the worst examples of printer
cartridge packaging, again with largest first, were:-
1. PC World
2. Hewlett Package
3. Euro Office
4. Supplies Group Ltd
5. Recharge Inkjet Technologies
6. Cartridges2U
All other cartridges came in plastic envelopes or paper wrapping and
the packaging complies with the Regulations as it is not excessive.
During the investigation many organisations were hailed as good
examples to others as they either wrapped and sent products in recycleable brown paper or, if plastic mailing bags were used, they
were proportionate to the size of the product.
Packaging
legislation in the UK says that businesses should use the minimum
amount of packaging necessary to transport goods.
Traders who breach
these regulations can be fined an unlimited amount in the Crown
Court.
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