UPM ProFi nominated as Green Hero

UPM ProFi Deck has been nominated as one of renowned architect and broadcaster Kevin McCloud’s 10 Green Heroes. Selected as an outstanding example of a new high performance and environmentally sustainable material, UPM ProFi’s low maintenance composite decking system will also feature in the Grand Designs Live Show Garden at London Excel 30 April to 8 May.

As the face of the Grand Designs brand, Kevin McCloud has documented hundreds of buildings over the past two decades. This has given Kevin an enormously wide knowledge of materials, the latest technologies and new sustainable practices out there in the construction market, making him a touchstone for innovative ideas and inventive products.

Bluesocket Joins the World in Celebrating Earth Day 2011

Bluesocket, the first and only provider of wireless networks with virtualized control, today announced numerous initiatives in celebration of Earth Day 2011. An ardent advocate of sustainability efforts and focused on “zero-waste”, Bluesocket revolutionized the wireless LAN industry with its virtual wireless LAN (vWLAN) solution, which brings all of the advantages of virtualization to the wireless network.

By removing 100% of the wireless LAN controller hardware, Bluesocket’s vWLAN reduces capital costs, decreases energy consumption by 80%, minimizes carbon emissions while at the same time producing significant gains in network capacity and performance over conventional controller-based solutions.

Organic Care Systems: Ethical hair products for Earth Day

Award-winning hair company OCS, recently name-checked in Vogue, New York Times, Wall St Journal and the Observer magazine, and winner of a Celebs on Sunday Beauty Survey award, are the perfect product choice for Earth Day. As well as using certified organic ingredients and carrying the Choose Cruelty Free bunny logo, they have implemented a number of clever green initiatives.

Factory

* Now uses shredding from the office as packaging material. They also shred cardboard boxes and use them instead of bubble wrap.
* IBCs (containers for bulk product such as peroxide) are now being removed by an interested party instead of being sent to landfill.

Offices

* Installed motion sensors on the corridor lights to reduce electrical usage.
* Windows in reception have been glazed with a film which filters the light and reduces heat loss in winter and negates the need for cooling in summer.
* Replaced the printers with more efficient ones with energy saving functions to save electricity. They now all have compatible consumables as well, so reducing consumable waste.

Fever-Tree have quinine and more at Chelsea Flower Show

While the co-founders of Fever-Tree have been risking life and limb to work with small specialist producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo or the Ivory Coast, visitors to the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show are offered a more theatrical and playful welcome from Charles Rolls and Tim Warrillow. The first Fever-Tree garden comes complete with Tree House (made partly from reclaimed Chinchona Ledgeriana wood – the perfect place for G&T drinkers to enjoy a summer cooler.

But there is little rest for Charles and Tim who travel to inhospitable and dangerous countries, ravaged by years of civil war, ethnic strife and widespread disease, to seek out a supply of only the highest quality natural ingredients for their range of premium mixers.

Proud to be the only drinks company going such lengths, Fever-Tree will showcase some of their inspirational ingredients in their ‘Tree House Garden’ at the Chelsea Flower Show, 24th–28th May 2011.

Organic Clothing Company Frugi Awarded Beacon Status

Frugi, the organic clothing company is celebrating their recent prestigious achievement of ‘Beacon Company’ status. It’s the first children’s clothing company to receive the accolade, having demonstrated outstanding achievement and significant performance. Lucy Jewson, co-founder, is also featured in Saturday Telegraph Magazine’s Eco Hero piece.

Following a rigorous and in depth validation assessment, Frugi is upheld as one of the south west’s most forward-thinking and ambitious companies. Particular strengths of the family owned company include export, fair trade sourcing, marketing and offshore manufacturing.

Exclusive Charter Featured in "Bid to Save the Earth" Auction

An unprecedented collection of "bragging-rights-for-life experiences" is now open for online bidding in the “Bid To Save The Earth” Green Auction. Bidders can choose from the star-studded list of exclusive events providing rare access to the world’s best known celebrities and icons and the chance to live their lifestyle, such as chartering a superyacht, all while helping four environmental nonprofits, including OCEANA. Bidding is open now until 7th April 2011 at www.charitybuzz.com/BidtoSaveTheEarth.com.

From a private jet excursion piloted by Harrison Ford to the ultimate couture experience in Paris with Karl Lagerfeld, all package participants are generously donating their resources, including BURGESS courtesy of the owners of the magnificent 57.9m(190ft) superyacht LADY SHERIDAN. Bidding is already heated for this four day luxury yacht charter in the French Riviera valued at US$200,000 and the priceless opportunity to make the ultimate statement at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

One of the stars of the BURGESS superyacht charter fleet, the remarkable LADY SHERIDAN accommodates up to 12 guests in six stunning ensuite staterooms and offers every conceivable amenity and five star service, including a professional crew of 15 and a world-class chef, all while cruising the world’s most fashionable yachting destination. For a full description and photos of LADY SHERIDAN visit the BURGESS website.

The complete LADY SHERIDAN auction lot includes: the 3 day/4 night charter of the luxurious private motor yacht (12 guests max); service of 15 crew; and 2 round-trip tickets courtesy of Delta Air Lines. Package validity is May 19-26, 2011 and the yacht’s operating expenses are not included.

Funds raised will benefit OCEANA, which is supported by BURGESS in its mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. For more information, please visit www.oceana.org.

Chinese New Year Celebrations Fuel Cooking Oil Recycling Bonanza

Chinese New Year celebrations get under way this week (Thursday, 3rd February). As communities prepare to cook up feasts fit for kings to welcome in the year of the Rabbit, what will happen to the tonnes of cooking oil used to produce delicious dishes like crispy Peking duck and spring rolls?

If you are one of the growing number of householders who take their recycling responsibilities seriously, you will already be taking the used cooking oil (UCO) to your local recycling centre where it can be safely placed in one of the collection tanks installed by renewable energy company, Living Fuels.

Living Fuels collects the cooking oil from sites all over the UK and converts it into a new green fuel called LF100 which produces clean electricity and heat. Just one litre of used cooking oil is enough to make 240 cups of tea


Dan Gillert of Living Fuels warns householders against the perils of tipping their used cooking oil down the sink. “Thousands of tonnes of used cooking oil are mistakenly poured down the drain each year, causing untold damage to our watercourses. Water companies spend at least £15m annually to clean up this damage,” said Dan. “By recycling your used cooking oil, you’re not only helping to solve this problem but you are also turning this waste product into clean, green electricity and heat that ultimately feeds into the national grid.”

After the Chinese New Year celebrations are over, why not do your bit to help build the country’s renewable energy future by taking the leftover oil to your local recycling centre? Every tonne collected by Living Fuels is enough to power the average home for an entire year.

To find out more about recycling facilities and the nearest centre in your area, visit www.livingfuels.co.uk .