Energy saving
Barnet council is consulting its residents about planning rules it's proposing that will encourage builders only to install showers and not to provide baths.
The rules would apply to house extensions and developments of less than 10 homes.
Planning committees will look at whether water flows to power showers have been restricted, water meters have been fitted and a water butt installed, but ultimately the council could refuse planning permission to developments that unnecessarily include a bath.
Presumably the subjective term of 'unnecessarily' allows them to wave
through things like housing developments for people of restricted
mobility. As a new father, however, I might even argue that I need the
bath to wash my daughter, since I doubt she would appreciate a shower
at her tender age. (Not that she enjoys baths either.)
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Energy saving
Tameside council "is to fine its own departments £30 for every computer left on overnight in a bid to save energy." The council reckons a computer left on all day costs £37 a year to run, £27 more than it would cost if users simply switched if off at nights and at weekends.
When the council left warning stickers on PCs which had been left on overnight in a kind of trial run, the resultant change in behaviour saved £4,000 in one building in three months. Leaving aside the obvious environmental benefits, I'm sure council tax payers will be happy to see that kind of saving.
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Utilities, services & misc
Another week, another portal that wants to help you do your ethical shopping more easily. MagicMonkee aims "to encourage users to explore the good causes and ethical businesses promoted on the site and find ways in which they can help others."
It looks like a fairly basic search engine page when you first check in but look carefully and you'll see headings for 'Ethical' and 'Give'. The ethical section provides information on a host of ethical business where users can purchase this year's Christmas presents, while also benefiting others and the environment.
This altruism is a result of the two co-founders having personally
benefited from the help provided by a number of the listed charities. Katherine Roberts has multiple sclerosis and James Randall survived
cancer at the age of four. James Randall says, "Through MagicMonkee, we're hoping to return the kindness people have given us."
You can find out more about MagicMonkee's ethical and charitable stance on the main site and on their MySpace account.
Related stories: £5 off at the Ethical Superstore | Litegreen shopping directory | Dreaming of a green Christmas | London Remade's green Christmas
Utilities, services & misc
Need a number? Now you can dial with your conscience. 118 918, is a new directory enquiry service that donates 9p from every call to Oxfam.
The 118 918 service costs exactly the same as the market leaders, so you get to give to a worthwhile cause without dipping into your own wallet.
This could work out as a nice little earner for the charity. In the last 12 months UK callers spent £180 million on directory enquiry services. If everyone who called 118 services last year, had called the new
118 918 number, over £32 million could have been donated to Oxfam.
Related stories: Services and utilities
Utilities, services & misc
Say good bye to filthy lucre, say hello to reciprocal living!
Swap a Skill invites you to "step into a new world of giving, fun and friendship." If you can get past that, however, this service promises a nifty way of bringing barter power into your life.
Rather than, say, ringing twelve plumbers on a daily basis until one of them comes round and over-charges you for bashing your pipes around, you can do a favour for a plumber in your home area, and then they will come and sort out your pipes for free. Brilliant!
Although, presumably, it will help if you have some skills that other people want, too.
The service goes live on the 11th December, but you can register now here
Reviews
Last week I drew your attention to a story about supermarkets selling their green credentials. One of the things I mentioned was how your local grocer was likely to be hugely more energy-efficient than the supermarket, and someone very kindly drew my attention to curiously-cased theSHOPPERSbible.com.
theSHOPPERSbible was set up by a businessman who goes by the delightful name of David Croissant. His favourite local shop (we're not told what it sold but I like to think it was a boulangerie) shut down after competition from the larger stores nearby proved too much for it. As a result, he decided to fund and promote the creation of theSHOPPERSbible, which acts as a kind of portal for independent retailers. Shoppers can use the site to search for local shops for local people in their local area, and use the site to contact the retailers directly if they have any questions.
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Food & drink
Barnet Garden Project is now harvesting! Club members are eligible for a box containing large variety of high-quality chemical-free produce, including huge, mild onions, and high quality salad potatoes. Those who work at the Barnet Project are adults with disabilities who, through this, can supplement their stipends without having their benefits affected. They can also gain valuable work experience that enables them to go on to other endeavors (though many choose to stay on with the garden). The garden is primarily irrigated with a drip system and rainwater, and fertilized primarily with compost. [GT]
Barnet Garden Project
Related stories: Los Angeles urban farm bulldozed | A Midsummer Night's Flower Dream | Allotmental
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