Dealing with commercial waste is an issue for many of our customers. Most businesses that use our services would want to know that the stuff they throw away is dealt with in the most planet friendly way possible. That’s why I was so pleased and excited to hear of the plans that Brighton Paper Round have for the future. They have partnered up with Magpie, whom I’m sure you all know and love, and offer excellent recycling solutions for businesses across our city. They are working towards a Zero-to-Landfill service, with plans to recycle almost everything, including food. Stuff that can’t be recycled will be sent to an Energy from Waste facility to create electricity. All cost effectively. What’s not to like! More info on their website.

I’ve blogged before about people glazing over the minute you mention you’re any of the following:

• Green or Eco
• Fairtrade
• Sustainable
• Ethical

They’re thinking the following:

• Expensive
• Boring
• Preaching
• Hippy
• Why should I?

Well recently I attended a Green Group meeting organised by Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce. It was the idea of local business owner Clare Hall who worked with the Chamber to bring together 20 or so local businesses and organisations who have that ‘Green’ slant to what they do or the way that they do it. In a room full of like minded people, there was great passion for creating a focal point and information hub to benefit other businesses, and the city as a whole.

I also went to the Brighton and Hove 10:10 campaign first birthday celebrations, where we were treated to presentations from business and education sectors, local community groups and home improvement experts. They all described the steps they had taken in the last year to reduce their carbon footprint, and the plans and targets for the future. Again, it was a room full of like minded people all applauding the efforts made, all feeling positive about what can be achieved.

At these events, we’re kind of preaching to the converted. We need to find away to help the cynics see why we are doing these things. Why people like Clare Hall give up their time to try to bring about change. It’s easy to get excited about all the things we can do and the ways we can help. But local businesses have to want to be helped and to want to change their often deep routed habits.

For me, the message should be a simple one. Do what you can.

Not all of us can have a wind turbine in the back garden, but we can switch things off if we’re not using them. Not all of us can replace our boiler for a more efficient one, but we can turn the thermostat down a notch. People shouldn’t feel they’re being told off, or that they’re not doing enough. But they should be pointed in the right direction to make a start on the right path. They should be encouraged to make greener choices. And the Green Gang will hopefully make that easy for all by being encouraging, approachable and supportive. Sharing knowledge and experience and making it simple for habits to be changed to new, cleaner, greener habits.
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Ooo I’ve just met the nicest chap. He does eco friendly carpet cleaning.

He was telling me how he’d once had his carpets cleaned and had to evacuate dogs/kids/grown ups until the chemical fumes cleared!

No need for that now that we have the lovely Paul at Scrub to clean our carpets, upholstery and mattresses using only nice things and leaving no chemical residue (it’s all a lot more technical than that, but I’m easily blinded by science!).

He was also talking to me about allergy sufferers and how much having carpets cleaned annually, and mattresses cleaned twice a year can help. Makes sense doesn’t it. (To be honest, I didn’t really want to know about the dust mites in my mattress, or hear Paul’s awful story about the scalp monster that wanders about on our faces at night to drink from our eyes - thanks Paul - I may never be able to sleep again!)

Anyway, check out the Green Mop services page for more info:

http://www.greenmop.co.uk/erol.html#692X0

Is there really a way to be clean, green and have time to relax on the couch drinking organic wine? Jaynie Ralph investigates the latest urban miracle.

Supermarkets are full of cleaning ranges that profess to care about our family. These products often contain substances that have a skull and crossbones in the small print. Chlorines (bleaches), phosphates and other dangerous chemical substances are toxins that enter the atmosphere and waterways, causing environmental and wildlife destruction. It’s important to find services and solutions which cause as little ecological harm as possible.

Lynne Edwards, a successful sales director, is concerned about her imprint on the environment – she also wants a spotless kitchen floor that she knows is fastidiously germ free. At the end of a day she wants to relax with a glass of Sancerre and the latest episode of Desperate Housewives, not get out the scrubbing brush. Greenmop is a cleaning service based in Hove, whose ethics are cleanliness, customer service and eco-friendliness. Racheal Hughes started the company after becoming tired of her IT business and deciding to spend more time doing what she loved – cleaning.

“As an eczema, asthma and allergy sufferer, I can feel chemicals and toxins burning my skin, inhibiting my breathing and irritating my eyes,” she says. “The harmful effect the chemicals and toxins have on our homes and workplaces, and on plant life, animals, rivers and oceans simply isn’t necessary. Natural, bio-degradable, non-toxic alternatives are available and are just as effective.”

Doubtful the green products would be as efficient as conventional cleaning products, Lynne was surprised to learn that they were and at a cheaper price. Lynne was delighted with her sparkling kitchen and gleaming slate floor and realised she could now throw away her collection of chemical products to opt for the more natural ones.

“I would like to say that the soda crystals and spray was all that was needed to clean the oven, but Racheal had to use some elbow grease too,” Lynne says. “She finished off the job with a little vinegar mixed up with the soda spray which made the front of the oven positively sparkle.”