Want to do your bit for Climate action?

Ours to Protect on iRadio’s The Hub is a brand new feature where we’ll talk about the issue of Climate Change.

Join Aine Gillespie every Thursday at 7 pm to find out how we can make a difference.

We’ll talk about the small changes we can do to make a big difference – from changing to a reusable coffee cup to growing your own vegetables.

To track your progress over the year of how these changes help check out the global footprint calculator.

This is a unique and exciting audio project – a collaboration of local and regional broadcasters from across the country who have come together to tackle climate change, champion climate action, and inform and educate audiences all over Ireland about how they can make a difference.  

We’ll discuss topics such as the climate impact of Energy, Travel, Food, Waste, the Circular Economy, and Biodiversity, to name just a few.  

Also, you can take part in our survey here

Episode 15 iRadio Kildare: Meet new friends at the Environmental Society at Maynooth University

With the college term returning, what better way to make new friends than joining clubs and societies. We chatted to Emma and Daniel from the Environmental Society from Maynooth University. 

Three Facts: 

• Climate change is primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It gives substantial threats to global ecosystems and weather patterns. 
• Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Loss of species diversity can have far-reaching consequences, impacting food security and disease control, among other critical aspects of life on Earth. 
• While systemic changes are necessary, individual actions collectively contribute to significant environmental improvements. Your everyday choices, when aligned with sustainability can contribute to reduced carbon emissions and resource consumption. 

Three tips: 

• Adhering to the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra helps minimize waste and conserve resources. Start by reducing your consumption, reusing items when possible, and recycling materials responsibly. 
• Opt for eco-friendly transportation options such as walking, cycling or carpooling when feasible. If available, consider investing in electric or hybrid vehicles to reduce your carbon footprint. 
• Make conscious choices when shopping. Look for products with eco-friendly products, support companies committed to sustainability and select items with minimal packaging.

Episode 15 iRadio: How to dispose of your vapes correctly

Vaping has become a prevalent trend in recent years, with single-use vapes gaining popularity, especially with young people. The environmental impact of discarded vapes and their components has raised concerns. Because of this, discarded capes and their components have raised concerns. In response, initiatives like the Vape Redemption Project in Ireland aim to promote responsible disposal and recycling of vapes. 

Three facts: 

• The Vape Redemption Project is a recycling scheme in Ireland dedicated to addressing the environmental issues associated with single-use vapes. Their mission is to make it convenient for individuals to recycle vapes by strategically placing recycling boxes in high-traffic areas like universities, bars and festivals. 
• The project actively engages with events and festivals to collect discarded single-use vapes. For example, at Electric Picnic, where single-use vapes were prohibited, the project collected 1,078 vapes. They collaborated with event security and placed recycling boxes strategically to encourage responsible disposal. 
• Recycling vapes involves disassembling them into smaller parts as they contain materials like copper, lithium, and plasti. Battery recycling typically takes place abroad, for example in Germany, due to the limited recycling infrastructure in Ireland for these components. 

Three tips: 

• Avoid tossing single-use vapes in the bin, as they can pose a fire hazard when compressed. Instead seek out designated recycling boxes, like those provided by initiatives such as the Vape Redemption Project, to ensure responsible disposal. 
• If possible, consider reducing your vaping habit or exploring alternatives to single-use vapes, such as refillable or rechargeable devices. These options can be more environmentally friendly in the long run. 
• Get involved in or support recycling initiatives like the Vape Redemption Project. You can become a student ambassador, monitor recycling boxes, and help spread awareness about responsible vaping and recycling on your campus.

Episode 14 iRadio: VOICE Ireland call for a ban on single-use vapes 

Disposable vapes have gained substantial attention in recent times, particularly in Ireland, where they have surged in popularity among the younger generation. We talk with Tad Kirakowski CEO of VOICE Ireland about the growing concerns regarding their environmental and health impacts in relation to vapes. 

Three Facts:

Rising Popularity: In 2022, an astonishing 12.5 million disposable vapes were sold in Ireland, illustrating the significant uptake of these products, especially among young individuals.

Environmental Consequences: Disposable vapes are not only detrimental to human health but also pose a grave threat to the environment. They contain valuable materials like rare earth metals, such as lithium, that could be repurposed for more critical uses. Improper disposal of these vapes can lead to the leakage of these hazardous materials into the environment.

International Response: Several European countries, including France, have taken steps to ban or restrict disposable vapes due to concerns about their appeal to teenagers and the associated environmental issues. This international trend suggests a growing awareness of the problem.

Three Tips:

Consider Refillable Options: To minimize the environmental impact and save money in the long term, individuals who choose to vape should opt for refillable vape devices. These devices allow for multiple uses and reduce waste.

Think Circular Economy: Embrace the principles of the circular economy by asking yourself whether you truly need disposable items. Keeping materials in use for as long as possible and opting for reusable alternatives can benefit both the environment and your wallet.

Stay Informed: Stay updated on the evolving regulations and discussions around vaping products, especially disposable vapes. Organizations like Voice Ireland are advocating for stricter regulations, and being informed about these initiatives can help you make more conscious choices when it comes to vaping.

 

 

Episode 14 iRadio Kildare: Apple launches the new iPhone 15 and how it contributes to e-waste 

With the launch of Apple’s new iPhone 15 we get the reaction of Padraig Power from refurbed.ie and how this contributes to e-waste. 

E-Waste Growth: E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, with approximately 50 tons of e-waste being added every year. This contributes significantly to environmental problems.

USB-C Charging Port: The new iPhone 15 features a USB-C charging port due to EU regulations. This change aims to standardise charging cables across devices, reducing the need for multiple chargers and minimising waste.

ReFurbed’s Mission: ReFurbed is an online electronics marketplace specializing in refurbished devices. Refurbished devices are products saved from e-waste and restored to work like new, offering a more sustainable alternative to buying brand new electronics.

Tips:

Extend Device Lifespan: Use your electronic devices for as long as possible before considering an upgrade. This not only saves money but also reduces e-waste.

Responsible Disposal: When upgrading to a new device, consider donating, selling, or recycling your old device responsibly. This helps reduce the environmental impact of e-waste.

Consider the Necessity: Before purchasing a new electronic device, ask yourself if you truly need it. Avoid buying new devices solely for the sake of having the latest model and consider the environmental consequences of your choices.

Episode 13 iRadio: Tips on how to life a vegan lifestyle

This week we heard from James O’Donovan about his advocacy for veganism and the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle for the environment. 

Definition of veganism: Veganism is a belief system based on the understanding that animals are sentient beings with feelings and self-awareness. It advocates for not harming animals and striving to protect them and their ecosystems. Veganism is centered on non-violence, compassion, and respect for all species.

Environmental Benefits: James highlighted several environmental benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle:

• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: In Ireland, agriculture contributes to 38% of the country’s emissions. Transitioning to a plant-based food system is crucial for reducing these emissions.
• Biodiversity Preservation: Land use, including agriculture and fishing, has a significant impact on biodiversity. Converting agricultural systems back to native ecosystems is essential for preserving biodiversity.
• Efficient Resource Use: Plant-based food systems are more efficient in terms of resource use. For example, they can produce about 30 times more food calories per unit of land compared to meat and dairy systems.

Food Security: Contrary to the perception that meat and dairy contribute to food security, James pointed out that Ireland imports a significant amount of food to feed livestock. Shifting to a plant-based food system can help maximize food production from available resources.

Tips for Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle:

• Seek reliable sources of information on vegan nutrition and health, such as Plant Based Health Professionals and nutritionfacts.org.
• Gradually make changes to your dietary habits, one step at a time.
• Utilize meal planners and recipes designed for transitioning to a vegan diet.
• Consider the examples of Blue Zones, regions where people live longer and often follow predominantly plant-based diets.

Additional Resources: James recommended the Vegan Sustainability magazine and The Irish Vegan website as valuable sources of information and resources for individuals interested in adopting a vegan lifestyle.

Overall, James emphasizes the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of veganism and offers practical tips for those looking to make the transition.

Episode 13 iRadio Kildare: How can I protect the bees?

This week, we dived into the exciting world of bees and how we can help save these incredible pollinators. Check out these bee-facts and bee-tips to join the buzz for a healthier planet:

Three Facts: 

• Imagine 999 for bees – that’s Swarms.ie! They rescue bee swarms from tricky spots and connect them with beekeepers. It’s like a bee-saving hotline!
• Bees do this thing called swarming. When their hive gets crowded, they split into two: one half stays home, and the other goes on an adventure to find a new nest. It’s their way of growing families!
• Bees are not just buzzy buddies; they’re super important. They help plants make yummy food for us. One in every three bites you take is thanks to bee pollination. 

Three tips:

• Want to make bees happy? Plant native flowers like Hawthorn, Willow, or Holly in your garden. They’re like bee buffets, offering the best nectar and pollen around!
• Bees don’t like chemicals, and neither should we. Avoid using stuff like insecticides and herbicides in your garden. Be a bee-friendly gardener and let the bees do their thing naturally.
• Double-Check Wildflower Seeds: If you’re into wildflowers, go wild, but make sure they’re really native. Non-native wildflower seeds might look pretty, but our local bees can’t enjoy them. Go native to help the bees thrive!

Episode 12: How To Make Your Music Festival Trip More Sustainable

With the biggest festival of the year taking place this weekend, Electric Picnic, we caught up with Deirdre Duff from Friends of the Earth Ireland to give us tips on how to reduce our festival waste while still having fun. 

• Did you know that every abandoned tent at a festival has a carbon footprint like driving over 200km? 
• You plastic pint cup – that takes centuries to break down, and tiny bits of plastic from them can mess up our food chain. Say no to single-use plastic and yes to reusable alternatives. 
• Buying a trendy t-shirt might be cool but it takes a huge amount of water and resources to make and adds to waste and sweatshop impact. 

Three tips: 

• Share tents with friends or rent one- it’s better than leaving behind a plastic mess. 
• Bring reusable bottles, cups and food containers. 
• Instead of buying a souvenir t-shirt, capture memories on your phone by taking pictures and think twice about fast fashion.

In the world of music festivals, sustainable waste management takes center stage. We chat to Stephen Corcoran from Nifty Bins and his collaboration with Electric Picnic on his creative approach to waste disposal and how it can transform festival goers to be a bit more eco-conscious. 

• Nifty bins is a zero waste recycling system that uses symbols and colours to guide festival goers to depose specific materials into designated bins. This approach enables hassle-free waste separation. 
• The concept of proper waste disposal and recycling in festivals started with a simple idea in 2006 when Electric Picnic was just beginning. The initial practice of separating materials into piles paved the way from the ‘Bin Your Empties’ project, eventually evolving into Nifty Bins system that has expanded to various festivals and events. 
• Nifty bins tackle logistical challenges of waste management with its foldable, portable ‘soft bins’. Unlike traditional hard bins, these soft bins are easily transportable and adaptable to diverse festival settings, contributing to increased waste collection and proper recycling. 

Three tips 

• If you’re attending Electric Picnic you should pay attention to the symbolic system implemented by Nifty Bins. Each colour and shape correspond to a specific type of waste. Following these symbols ensures materials end up in the correct bins, making sure there’s efficient recycling. 
• Portable ‘soft bins’ offer an excellent alternative to traditional hard bins, Encourage your friends to make use of these easily accessible, foldable bins. By participating in proper waste disposal, you contribute to a cleaner festival environment. 
• While having fun at festivals is a priority, adapting a zero waste mindset can make a substantial difference. Be mindful of your waste generation and its impact on the environment. Participate actively in recycling initiatives, such as the Nifty Bins system, to contribute to a more sustainable festival experience. 

 

Episode 11 iRadio: Heading back to school sustainably with Jiminy

And just like that summer’s over and we’re back to school. Sharon Kielthy from Jiminy provides valuable tips on how to make eco-friendly decisions for a more sustainable back-to-school term. 

• Did you know that some of your favourite toys can actually be superheroes for the environment? Toys made from recycled plastic, wood or bioplastics help reduce plastic waste and save our oceans. 
• Imagine school supplies that come with their own stories! Pre-loved items are like treasures waiting to be discovered. You can find unique backpacks, cool pencil cases, and even sports gear from previous students who’ve outgrown them. 
• Have a chat with teachers to talk to them about more sustainable choices. Try swapping markers and twistables for cool pencils or if your classroom could use more recycling bins. 

Three tips: 

• TV shows and ads love to spark your interest in new toys. Next time you’re watching your favorite show, play a game by spotting the toys they’re promoting. 
• Before going on a shopping spree, check what you have at home. Dust off last year’s school bag, lunch box and stationary. Just because it’s a new term we don’t need to buy new. 
• School is where learning meets fun, and that includes learning about the environment. Spark a conversation with your teacher and use planet-friendly supplies.

 

Episode 11 iRadio Kildare: Heading back to school sustainably with Reuzi

As the new school term approaches, embracing sustainable choices offers an impactful way to reduce environmental impact. Pat Kane from Reuzi provides valuable insights on how to make eco-friendly decisions for more sustainable back-to-school term. 

• Choosing reusable items like water bottles, lunch boxes and coffee cups helps minimise the use of single-use plastics and promotes waste reduction. 
• Seeking secondhand or rented textbooks not only saves money but also reduces the demand for new resources, contributing to sustainability. 
• Participating in eco-friendly initiatives such as environmental clubs, tree planting, and beach cleanups makes a sense of community while promoting sustainable practices. 

Three tips: 

• Prioritise reusable containers like plastic lunch boxes as well as sustainable and durable school bags to minimise waste and replacements. 
• Explore digital note taking options to reduce paper consumption and consider notebooks made from recycled materials or FSC-certified products. 
• Look for second hand school uniforms through platforms like School Stuff AI and connect with parents to exchange uniforms, contributing to waste reduction and to save money.

 

Episode 10 iRadio: Where is our waste coming from?

Tired of drowning in waste and packaging? VOICE Ireland is on a mission to decode the mystery of your bins and figure out where all that waste is sneaking in with the National Bin Recycling Survey. 

1. This survey kicked off in July, as part of Plastic Free July. It’s like a treasure hunt through your bins to see what’s in there and why as they’re wondering where it all came from. 
2. Every year, each home tosses around 370 kilos of waste. Most of this ends up in the general waste bin but almost half of what’s in there could’ve been saved if we used three bins – general, recycling and organic waste. By using three bins you could drop 50% of your general waste. 
3. About 71% of plastic in our recycling bins ends up going to incineration. Recycling is plan B so how can we tackle this issue head on, right from the start. 

Tips from Tad at VOICE Ireland 

1. Next time you go to a food shop, go for loose and packaging-free options. Bag up your fruit and veg and choose items without packaging. This option also cuts down on food waste. 
2. Buying in bulk isn’t just about giant bags of rice and pasta. Think bigger yogurt tubs and use smaller reusable containers throughout the week. This shrinks your waste creation. 
3. Find more info from VOICE Ireland. They’re on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @VoiceIreland. The National Recycling Bin Survey is running until the end of August and they want households to help solve Ireland’s waste. 

To take part in the survey head over to voiceireland.org/nationrecyclingbinsurvey

 

Episode 10 iRadio Kildare: Give your outfits another day out with Grace O’Sullivan

Find yourself staring at your wardrobe, wondering what to do with a dress that you’ve worn only once. A place where occasion wear gets a second shot in the spotlight is at anotherdayout.ie

1. Anotherdayout.ie is about giving your debs dresses, race day outfits and wedding outfits a new lease of life that deserve more than one outing. 
2. Listing your item won’t break the bank either. For a small fee – as low as €3 you can display your piece on the website with the fee depending on the outfit’s price. 
3. Buyers and sellers get to chat directly to each other on the site. Got questions about how the dress fits? Curious about its history? Need details on delivery? You can ask the seller directly by cutting out the middleman. 

Three tips: 

1. Planning to sell? Make your pictures pop! Snap your outfit from all angles and in good lighting. The better the pics, the quicker your outfit will find a new owner. 
2. Whether you’re buying or selling don’t be afraid to slide into the DM’s and send a message. Ask about size, condition, or anything else you’re curious about. 
3. Did your prom/debs get cancelled due to covid? Or was you wedding postponed? Anotherdayout.ie is perfect for those occasions too. 

In a world where fashion is pricey and not great for the environment, Anotherdayout.ie is a place where you can find amazing outfits for a smaller price tag for your pocket and the planet.

 

Episode 9: iRadio Kildare – Get a natural glow while saving the planet and your money with The Refill Mill 

Eibhlin Fitzpatrick from The Refill Mill joins us this week to tell us about her eco workshops on DIY natural skincare, natural soap making and eco-cleaning 

The workshops not only teach practical skills for reducing waste and using natural products but they are a great social hub for you to meet like minded people and discuss climate issues in an empowering manner. 

Eibhlin also mentions that The Refill Mill offers corporate services where the hold workshops for businesses helping them become more eco-conscious consumers. 

Three key points: 

• Plastic-Free Solutions: The Refill Mill offers plastic-free alternatives for everyday items, helping people reduce single-use plastic waste in their daily lives. 
• Community Building: The workshops provide by The Refill Mill are designed to build a sense of community by bringing people together to learn practical skills for sustainable living while discussing climate issues in an empowering way.
• DIY Natural Skincare: The workshops feature DIY natural skincare making tutorials, encouraging people to use common household items like oats, honey, and coffee grounds to create personalised and eco-friendly skincare products.

Episode 9: iRadio – There’s a new set of wheels in Sligo town

We chatted to Aisling Dunne from Bolt e-bikes about the electric bike rental scheme they have launched in the north west. 

Three points about Bolt E-Bikes: 

• E-Bikes for Short Journeys: About 40% of car journeys in Ireland under 4km can be easily replaces by Bolt E-Bikes. These e-bikes are designed for quick trips, averaging around 10-12 minutes, making them perfect alternative to cars for short journeys. 
• No Membership or Unlock Fees: Bolt e-bikes offer a straightforward payment system. There are no membership fees or unlock charges. Users only pay for the minutes they ride. If you’re not using the service for a year, you don’t pay anything during that time.
• Wide Availability for Confidence: Bolt’s approach is to have a substantial number of e-bikes available in each area. This availability gives users the confidence to rely on the e-bike service for their daily trips, whether it’s commuting to work, running errands, or exploring the town. 

Three tips from Bolt E-Bikes:

• Get around easy: Bolt e-bikes are here for quick trips within Sligo town. They’re perfect for journeys under 4km, which is about 10-12 minutes of cycling. Use them instead of cars for eco-friendly travel, reducing traffic and pollution. 
• How it works: Just download the Bolt app, set up an account, and find available e-bikes on the map. Unlock with a QR code, ride to your destination, and park in designated spots on the map. It’s a one way ride, so no need to return where you started. 
• Affordable Adventure: E-bikes cost 18 cents per minute with no extra fees and you pay only the time you ride. If you use it more, for example, up to an hour or even a week, there are cheaper rates. 

Episode 8: iRadio Kildare – Friends Of The Earth Community Explained

 

 

Episode 7: An Mheitheal Rother run DIY workshops  to repair your bike. 

Do you have an old bike in the shed that could do with some tlc? Aine Gillespie chatted to Cathy Coote from An Mheitheal Rother about the DIY workshops they offer to repair your bike and give it that new lease of life.

Did you know? 

• It’s estimated there are over 1 billion bikes in the world. 
• In fact, bikes are produced at a rate two times higher than cars. 
• It’s estimated roughly 15 million bikes are discarded by their owners every year. And, unsurprisingly, many of these unwanted bikes end up in landfills. 

Why is recycling your cycle beneficial?

• Be a part of the circular economy. 
• You put bikes in the best environment space. It’s better to reuse an old bike rather than putting it into the metal recycling stream. 
• The social benefits of learning new skills off people and passing these onto others, gathering with people and having a chat at the DIY bike workshops offered at an Mheitheal Rothar. 
• An Mheitheal Rothar offer informal cycle mechanics programmes which help to grow our capacity as a community to address climate change and to be self reliant 
• By recycling your bike you are also contributing to economic benefits. If you send your bike to the metal recycling stream to be melted down – this isn’t done in Ireland. But taking your bike to be repaired keeps someone in a job.

 

Episode 7: iRadio Kildare. The Earthy Marketplace connects local, sustainable businesses. 

Are you looking to be more eco conscious but don’t know where to start? Aine Gillespie from iRadio Kildare’s ‘Ours To Protect’ chatted to Lorna Anne Tierney from The Earthy Marketplace which is a resource hub to support local, sustainable and ethical businesses.\

Things to remember when trying to be more sustainable: 

• Sustainability is about nuance and individual circumstance.
• There’s no one way to be sustainable. 
• We’re not born experts.

Tips for being more consumer conscious: 

• Pursue progress, not eco-perfectionism.
•  Pause before your purchase and use your money to vote for the kind of world you want to live in.
•  Combat eco-anxiety and feelings of hopelessness by taking action.

 

Episode 6: Retrofit Ready explain why it’s worth making your home warmer

Episode 6: iRadio Kildare. Sallins Bike Encourages Us To Get On Our Bike For The Planet

Episode 5: iRadio Kildare. Refurbed Offers Sustainable Phone Upgrade Option

Looking to upgrade your phone?  Aine Gillespie chatted to Padraig from Refurbed about how it’s cheaper and sustainable to buy second hand electronics.  

Did you know?

• Refurbed partnered with the prestigious Fraunhofer Institute to publish a study on the product footprint of electronic devices 
• When buying a refurbished Apple iPhone 11 the buyer’s carbon footprint is 15.7kg of CO2 compared to a new device which is responsible for 72kg of CO2. 
• An iPhone 11 requires 12,075 litres of water to produce compared to a refurbishment of one which requires 1,695 litres. 
• Overall you save 80% carbon waste, 70% e-waste and 90% of water usage when buying a refurbished good compared to buying new 
• Refurbed also plant native trees in countries all around the world – Ireland being one of those countries as it has one of the least forest covers in Europe. They plant a tree for every product sold. 

Padraigs Tips when buying refurbished electronic devices 

• Padraig tells us to look out for goods that have warranty and a trial service. 
• Refurbed offer at least 12 month warranty and 30 day free trial on products

Episode 5: SafeFood advice on cutting our food waste

Find yourself throwing out food every week? This week on Ours to Protect Aine Gillespie  chatted to Mairead McCann on how we can cut down our food waste.  

Episode 4: Plastic Free July 

As Plastic Free July has kicked off we chatted to Martin Wisely from Refillz and Eibhlin Fitzpatrick from The Refill Mill about cutting down our plastic waste. 

Did you know? 

• Only 9% of plastic produced is recycled. 
• Every minute of every day a truck load of plastic is dumped into the ocean which is killing marine life.
• 2 million plastic bags are used every single minute worldwide. 

Martin’s Tips to cut down plastic use: 

• Even if you do have plastic, try to reuse it by putting seeds in a plastic container, hold cosmetics in a used plastic container 

Eibhlin’s tips to cut down plastic use: 

• Pick one place to start – generally the bathroom is the easiest place to start, like a bamboo toothpaste, soap bars and shampoo bars. 
• We’re used to having our reusable coffee cup and water bottle but try adding some reusable cutlery and a glass jar. This will stop you using disposable cutlery when you’re out. 
• Repurpose plastic packaging that you already have

The Refill Mill in Mullingar Shares Tips On How To Ditch Plastic

Refillz in Kildare Want You To Reuse Your Plastic Containers To Help The Planet & Your Pocket

 

Episode 3: Trashie Treasures Transforms Beach Rubbish Into jewellery and crafts

Aine Gillespie headed to her local beach outside Donegal Town to go hunting for rubbish with Lorraine from Trashie Treasures who collects rubbish on Donegal’s beaches and transforms it into jewellery.

Everything from plastic waste, ghost nets, fishing rope, seaweed shells and sand are all put to use to make coasters, jewellery, necklaces and bracelets.

Lorraine combines natural products and man-made and has said that unfortunately there are a lot of plastics from bottle tops to lighters which she uses for her trashy treasure products.

Lorraine explains how ghost nets are a problem, accounting for 40-50% of the pollution in our oceans.

Listen Back 

 

Episode 3: Ours To Protect Kildare. Flossie & The Beach Cleaners 

This week, Aine Gillespie caught up with Flossie Donnelly from Flossie and The Beach Cleaners who is on a mission to help clean up our  canals around Kildare and the beaches in the  greater Leinster area.

Did you know? 

The surface of the sea is covered by 81% plastic pollution but that doesn’t actually mean plastic bottles and cans are floating on the water as it’s 81% we’d be able to see it. What that actually means is that the sea is covered in 81% micro-plastic because although it takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down, we have found bottles that are 80 years old already halfway broken down. So, bottles break down really fast but for them to break into nothing takes 450 years. 

On the east coast of Ireland Flossie and the beach cleaners find endless amounts of human pollution, like mens underwear and children’s toys, things that we accidentally leave behind on the beach. Whereas on the west coast it’s more ocean pollution, things that get blown in by the Atlantic and stuff fishermen leave behind. So one thing we find all the time on the west coast is coastal net which are commonly used by super trawlers 

Flossie’s tips to reduce plastic pollution in our sea:

• Flossie believes there needs to be more bins as there are not enough. This means bins are overflowing and this blows into our seas. This month alone Flossie and the beach cleaners collected 573.55kg of rubbish off beaches on the east coast and along canals in Kildare. So take your rubbish home if bins are overflowing.
• It’s helpful to understand what is in our seas. When you know what marine life is in our seas it makes you want to protect it.
• Even if you pick up rubbish one time on a beach from then on the rubbish on the beach will go unnoticed.

Listen Back

 

 

Episode 2 What are you wearing? 

This week on Ours To Protect Aine chatted to Siofra Caherty From Jump The Hedges about the fast fashion industry, and how to become a savvy shopper.

Jump The Hedges is an award winning sustainable design studio based in Belfast and founded by former Adidas designer Síofra Caherty.  The studio has a material and waste led approach to product creation as opposed to the traditional fashion industry ‘design led’ approach.  This approach ensures that waste material is fully utilized to create valuable and long lasting products.  Bags are created from reclaimed truck tarpaulin, airplane seat parts and waste leather.

Did you know? 

• Every second the equivalent of a rubbish truck load of clothing is burnt or buried in landfill.
• Every year the fashion industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all international flights and container ships combined.
• Less than 1% of clothes are recycled into new clothes.

Síofra’s three top tips to be a ‘savvy shopper’: 

• Read the labels on your clothes.  The clothing material label is almost always found on the inner left seam of the garment.  Here you can check what your clothes are made of.  Have a guess before you check it and see if the results are surprising.

• Avoid tumble drying your clothes.  This is particularly important for anything containing elastane (stretchy clothing) as it burns away in the tumble dryer.  Air drying is better for your clothes, the environment and your pocket!

• Find a good local seamstress.  Get into the habit of repairing your clothing.  Replacing a zip, turning up a hem or letting out/ taking in a seam will allow your to wear your clothes for longer.

For more tips listen back to ‘Ours to Protect’ below:

 

Episode 2: How People in Kildare can ‘Leave No Trace’ 

Aine Gillespie chatted to Pat Kane from Reuzi about how we can Leave No Trace when it comes to consuming products.

Reuzi is a minimal waste lifestyle shop and an educational hub on all things sustainable living with a store online and in Kilkenny Design store in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge. Reuzi helps people to embed sustainability across their daily routine, operations and decision-making processes. They offer corporate workshops, one-to-one sessions in your home and school visits.

Did you know?

• Food is the most wasted item in Ireland with the average household wasting about €60 a month by throwing out food which adds up to over €700 a year. 
• Everyone loves fashion but according to Oxfam half a ton of clothing every minute is dumped into a landfill in Ireland. 
• When it comes to general waste, we are heavily reliant on incineration and that’s because we’re only a small country. 

So how can we go about our lives generating as little waste: 

• Plan your meals. If you can shop less but more often, instead of filling up a big trolley, can you go basket by basket? Get what you need for the next two/three days and go back to the shop again. 
• Next time you’re looking for an outfit, can you ask friends for an outfit? Can you borrow? Can you rent? Or can you shop second hand? 
• Try reducing your use of plastics when possible. Grab a reusable water bottle, grab a coffee cup. Use something that you already have like a mug to see if the habit sticks.

For more info listen back to ‘Ours to Protect’ below:

 

 

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Ours to Protect brought to you by iRadio, the IBI and funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

For further info check out ourstoprotect.ie and if you’d like to get in touch contact us at ourstoprotect@iradio.ie