Oil fuels war. We’re taking action.
Greenpeace activists have stopped a tanker carrying £30m of Russian diesel from docking in the UK.
Activists stop Russian tanker carrying an estimated £30million of fossil fuels
Oil and gas fuels war. And the war in Ukraine is no exception. The government promised to block Russian-owned ships coming into the UK, but Putin’s oil and gas is still getting through. So we showed them how it’s done.
Greenpeace aim to show the government it’s time to commit: reduce single plastic use by 50% by 2025. Everyone, including schools, can join in so if you don’t mind counting your plastic waste for a week and want to be part of it check out the website. I have signed up at thebigplasticcount.com
BBC Newsround explains simply that petrol and diesel are fossil fuels. When used they give off carbon dioxide (CO2). It is a greenhouse gas which is harmful to the environment. It causes global warming. In the government’s 10-point plan to tackle climate change the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned after 2030.
When you’re heading for a crash you instinctively put your foot on the brake. You don’t expect to have to wait 10 years to stop!
Local authorities vehicles, which do not appear to be included in the 10-year plan, use fossil fuels. Authorities can prioritise the waste collection services if there is unexpected pressure on resources.
I don’t know if they consider fuel one of those resources. If they do I hope they will look at ways to reduce usage because it has an adverse effect on the environment, climate change and authority spending.
In the publication, ‘Waste collection services: guidance for local authorities’, recycling is considered low health risk and collections may be weekly or fortnightly.
To reduce fuel consumption I suggest ALL local authorities should commence fortnightly collections as soon as possible and the government should begin research immediately to establish the interval between collections can be extended. Researchers may discover it is possible to extend the period to 3 weeks or more.
The publication states that if local authorities consider changing to fortnightly collections they must consider collecting recycling materials waste paper, metal, plastic and glass by separate collection.
A change like that might have a significant, favourable effect on recycling. Customers find it easier, the reprocessor may find quality improves and over-all the results could be positive. I have seen the 2018/2019 record of recycling rates of 345 local authorities. They range from 14.1% to 64.8%. I would hope that rates could be improved, more material baled and fit for recycling.
The publication states that if local authorities consider changing to fortnightly collections they must consider collecting recycling materials waste paper, metal, plastic and glass by separate collection.
Careful collection of those materials could ensure more recycling presented to reprocessors will be of better quality. A higher percentage of material will be fit for baling and reuse.
The publication shows that if changes are to be made contracts between authorities and reprocessors will need to be reviewed.
Conclusion
Those who are concerned for the environment, climate change and authority spending should find the suggestions in this document interesting. If these suggestions become recommendations and are acted on by government and local authorities the impact on the environment, climate change and spending will be significant.
Although the three objectives set out do not directly affect Ukraine, reductions in fuel consumption may help. Also, more thought could be given to green projects and training.
References 16.05.2022
Reference: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/54985070
Reference: https://www.letsrecycle.com
Reference: https://thebigplasticcount.com
Reference: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/russian-diesel-tanker-action/
When quoting this please refer to: https://www.recycleangel.co.uk THANK YOU.
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