Changing PlacesÌýtells stories about greening Britain - initiatives byÌýindividuals, local communities,Ìýgovernment or multi-national corporations that contribute to a sustainable future.
Zero Waste
FridayÌý27 January
Households in the UK throw away over 30 million tons of waste every single year. In this programme, presenter Dylan Winter explores the growing problem of waste in the UK and how some local communities are doing their bit to try to tackle the problem.
Dylan visits the village of Chew Magna in North East Somerset to look at the "Go Zero" project which aims to reduce waste in all its forms - energy waste, domestic waste. Increasing recycling is an important part of the project.
The project wants to reduce carbon emissions too and traffic congestion by better using transport links in the area. They have teamed up with the nearby airport to use the spare capacity on its regular shuttle bus link service to Bristol , and the plan is to run small minibuses that run on biofuel to pick up people locally and take them to the airport to link up the shuttle.
A local business offers car diesel engine conversion to run on biofuels, and another recycles used vegetable oil for use as fuel.
The project also has a link with a community in Tamil Nadu, India and wants to help it buy a wind turbine to generate zero emissions electricity.Ìý
Other projects are springing up around the country - for instance the Cheshire village of Ashton Hayes are trying to become the first carbon neutral village in the country by firstly reducing carbon emissions as much as possible at source and then offsetting the remainder by planting trees.Ìý
Web link:
Industry has an equal role to play in reducing waste and Dylan visits a new restaurant in Bristol being built on the harbourside called "Bordeaux Quay" which is a leading example. It is built as sustainably as possible from recycled materials. Heating will be sourced from the harbour water, 60% of non-drinking water will be filtered rain water collected from the roof, and food will be sourced locally so that the "carbon footprint" on offer is as small as possible.
The Carbon Trust is a government-funded independent company, which helps businesses and the public sector to cut carbonemissions.
Web link:
Contact us
We're keen to hear your suggestions for future programmes via our or write to Changing Places, Â鶹ԼÅÄ Bristol BS8 2LR
