Monthly Archives: January 2016

Fulfil The Wish Charity

Welcome to Fulfil The Wish

Fulfil The Wish

 

Fulfil The Wish is a registered charity, which was founded in 2000 by Mary Appleton, a registered nurse, to provide activity and sightseeing holidays for children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs.

Fulfil The Wish volunteers have the ability and the experience to help people with even severe disabilities – and their families – to enjoy a holiday which will live long in their memories.

Our holidays are about inclusion.

We have professional assistance and practical support on each holiday.

The holiday is planned around the needs of the disabled children.

Our assistance is also available to parents with disabilities who may have experienced difficulties when trying to holiday as a family, or who may need more support than would normally be available.

All our holidays and activities are family-based. They offer opportunities for children and their families to enjoy a wide range of experiences which others may take for granted.

Our holidays, days out and activities also offer an opportunity to make new friends and experience the company of people from across the UK. Over the years, many of the children and families who have been on our holidays have kept in contact and remain good friends to this day.

To donate to us:

Text ‘NEEN18‘ plus either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070 to donate that amount to Fulfil the Wish via Just Giving. For example, text:

‘NEEN18 £10′ to 70070.

to donate £10. Fulfil the Wish will receive every penny of your donation.

UK plastics packaging recycling lagging behind EU

UK plastics packaging recycling

UK plastics packaging recycling rate during 2013 was below the EU average, according to the latest data.
UK plastics packaging recycling
Paper and cardboard Packaging recycling rates performed far better, ahead of the EU average, and across all materials the UK ranked 15th out of 28 states.

Figures published via the European Commission’s data website Eurostat show that the UK recorded a plastics packaging recycling rate of 31.6% in 2013, compared to an average of 37.3% across all 28 EU member states.

The UK ranked alongside Estonia, Hungary and Luxembourg, which achieved rates of 28.1%, 30.8% and 32.2% respectively.

Better performing member states such as Sweden and the Netherlands recorded plastics recycling rates of 45.6% and 46.2% respectively.

However, plastics packaging recycling was up more than 6% on 2012 in the UK, the largest single 12-month increase in over a decade.

The figures come as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) consults on whether to amend the UK’s plastics packaging target for 2016 in the wake of market pressure.

The target currently stands at 52%, and is set to rise to 57% in 2017.

But under the proposals, the current target may fall to 48% – increasing by 1% each year until the end of the decade.

With glass recycling the UK performed far better but still failed to meet the EU average, recycling 68.3% of its glass packaging in 2013 against the EU’s overall total of 72.8%.

And on metals, the country also lagged far behind many of its EU counterparts, recycling 57.4% of packaging compared to an average of 73.9%.

The UK did however recycle more paper and cardboard packaging compared to many EU states, achieving an 89.4% rate compared to an average of 84.7%

Across all material streams, the UK performed somewhat better with 64.6% of packaging recycled – ranking it 15th out of 28 states. This compares to an EU-wide average of 65.3% for the year.

Take a visit to A&A Packaging’s new ebay shop Supplies Direct for more great products and prices.

McDonald’s Unveils New Global Packaging

McDonald’s restaurants are unveiling new carry-out bags, fountain beverage cups and sandwich boxes this month.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s the fast-food giant said the new look is simple, fresh and consistent with the company’s vision to be a modern and progressive burger company.

Added to this is the more visible branding on the packs, with bigger type faces taking up more space on the bags and cups.

The new packaging will initially roll out in the US this month before expanding worldwide to over 36,000 restaurants throughout 2016.

The company has also committed to sourcing 100% of all fiber-based packaging from recycled or certified sources by 2020.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and initiatives like this are important to our customers who care about the planet,” said Matt Biespiel, senior director of global marketing.

As part of the new packaging launch, two students from Miami International University of Art and Design were selected to create a couture collection using the new packaging.

A student duo created an assortment of ‘must-have accessories’ for McDonald’s, including the hat pictured below, by using 50 bags, 72 straws, 22 cups, eight sandwich boxes along with some ‘bling’, including rhinestones and pearls.

 McDonald’s

“McDonald’s is a fun and modern brand and this was a progressive way to turn our packaging into art and support a community where fashion is an expression,” said Biespiel. “Every day 69 million customers visit McDonald’s around the world and this new packaging will be a noticeable change. It was fun to join these ideas together and create playful pieces that connect our customers to the Brand.”

McDonald’s

Biobased Products What Are They?

Biobased Products

Biobased Products

Biobased Products, designated by the Secretary
of Agriculture, are commercial or industrial products
that are composed in whole, or in significant
part, of biological products or renewable domestic
agricultural materials or forestry materials.
Biobased products can include:
1. Adhesives
2. Construction materials and composites
3. Fibers, paper, and packaging
4. Fuel additives
5. Landscaping materials, compost, and fertilizer
6. Lubricants and functional fluids
7. Plastics
8. Paints and coatings
9. Solvents and cleaners
10. Sorbents
11. Plant and vegetable inks
A detailed description of each category can be
found at: http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov
Why Purchase Them?
1. It’s federally mandated. The Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm
Bill) requires Federal agencies to establish
procurement preference programs for
biobased products and to purchase these
products if they are reasonably available,
meet performance standards, and are
reasonably priced.
2. The Federal Government spends more than
$400 billion on goods and services each
year. This “green” purchasing program could
enhance the Nation’s energy security by
substituting biobased products for fossil
energy-based products.
3. Many biobased products are environmentally
friendly and can result in safer and
healthier workplaces.
4. Federal purchase of biobased products will:
a. Increase demand for domestic crops
for feedstock to manufacture biobased
products, and
b. Increase economic development in
Rural America by creating new markets
for agricultural products.
Who Is Required To Purchase
Designated Biobased Products?
All Federal agencies are required to purchase
designated biobased products, as defined in the
regulations to implement the statute for all items
costing over $10,000 or when the quantities of
functionally equivalent items purchased over the
preceding fiscal year equaled $10,000 or more.
However, any procurement, by any Federal
agency, which is subject to Section 6962 of
title 42 (Solid Waste Disposal Act), shall not be
subject to the regulations issued under Section
9002 of the Farm Bill, to the extent the requirements
of the latter are inconsistent with those of
the former.
Federal agencies may decide not to procure
designated biobased products only if the items:
a. are not reasonably available,
b. fail to meet necessary performance
standards, or
c. are not available at a reasonable price.

Bio Based industry calls for legislative push to develop bio-plastics

 

Bio Based industry

Bio Based industry calls for legislative push to develop bio-plastics

Bio Based industry and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) has called for a legislative framework to develop a UK bio-plastics sector.

Bio Based industry presenting a study carried out by Centre for Economics & Business Research (CEBR) at the House of Lords, it said the UK has the opportunity to develop a domestic bio-plastics industry able to support 35,000 jobs, produce £1bn in gross employment compensation and generate £2bn of gross value added to the economy, with a local production of 120,000 tonnes considering just relevant flexible and food-service packaging.

CEBR’S analysis shows that for the UK to fully capitalise on the industry’s potential, a supportive technological, legislative and commercial environment should be in place.

Key points included:

– The EU’s “Europe 2020” is an example of how support for the bio-plastics industry can be integrated into the continent’s strategy for achieving sustainable economic growth.

– Political support is crucial.

– Legislative support can drive growth.

– Unambiguous standards and labelling.

– A public procurement approach is needed.

“CEBR’s analysis, although limited to packaging, clearly shows the significant potential of a UK based bio-plastics industry” stated BBIA’s Chairman, Andy Sweetman. “The 5p bag charge, with a well-designed exemption for compostable carriers, represents an unmissable opportunity to develop a sector that can offer not just a wide range of benefits within the UK’s bioeconomy but also the ability to improve the country’s resource efficiency and sustainability.”