The new buzz word that is being used all over the world is upcycling!

def:// upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

Now you would be among the many that will be thinking this is just the same as recycling. It is very similar to recycling but the major difference with upcycling is that no energy has gone into developing the new product from the old one. When recycling paper, plastic, cardboard etc processes are in place to melt, cut and re-make the new products thus using energy. Upcycling products use man-power and time to produce pieces such as artwork, luggage, furniture, useful materials etc.

Several successful businesses have come from being based on upcycling and the huge benefits it offers. Rebagz is an eco-chic handbag company that use great design and sustainability to produce their fabulous products all by upcycling. The ‘Juicy handbag’ (picture) is made from weaving sections of juice cartons and is one of their biggest and most popular sellers. Rebagz is best know for being both eco and human friendly and only re-use materials to make their products.

Resurf, another well established company that is promoting and using upcycling is based in the US and re-uses broken surfboards and turns them into asphalt filer. The Resurf, surfboard waste recycling centres find solutions and homes for the communal waste as an industry.

There is a lot to be said for what one person considers to be junk and useless, to be another persons piece of artwork or furniture.

This scheme has been specifically designed to hit the top senior levels of large organisations to educate and bring awareness to the growing improvements to reduce energy use and therefore cutting back on carbon emissions. These targeted carbon emissions are separate to those already covered by climate change agreements and the EU emissions trading scheme.

For those wanting to participate and join the CRC the scheme is going to be run as a ‘cap and trade’ directive and will provide financial incentives to reduce carbon emissions from energy use. Based on annual emissions,  there will be allowances for each organisation which can be purchased, and on reducing the emission there funds get directly recycled back into the organisations.

Already in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Environment Northern Ireland, this newly named scheme is going to influence around 20,000 UK public and private sector organisations who are responsible for around 10% of the UK’s emissions.  

As the scheme moves forward the registration for organisations to join is now open. Click HERE to find out what the scheme is going to achieve and how you can be part of it.

Biofuels help combat climate change because the crops from which they are produced absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.  Carbon dioxide is released as they are burned, but absorbed by new crops again, making a complete cycle.

There will undeniably be a huge impact on the UK’s wheat producing farmers and concern about how they will cope in years of poor harvest.  Even environmental campaigners, Friends of the Earth are claiming that the potential deforestation to produce new farmland is just not worth it.  Ensus insists however that the wheat supply will be provided by EU countries only and will also contribute to animal feed, therefore reducing the need for soya meal which comes from areas of deforestation.

So are biofuels worthwhile?  On the positive side, they massively reduce carbon emissions and are cheap to the consumer.  On the negative side they could result in deforestation and the destruction of animal habitats. In addition to this, biofuel production is not yet energy efficient.

Do we need to look at the bigger picture and regard biofuels as a work in progress, living in hope that this is a step in the right direction?