PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Getting your butt in gear: Harvesting rainwater

EIGHTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED

‘Getting your butt in gear’ Harvesting rainwater

In partnership with Jersey Water, the National Trust for Jerseyis delighted to announce the launch of its eighth pledge as part of the Green House Project.
For the month of August the Trust has promised to install water saving devices, such as aerated shower heads and taps, dual flushing systems and water butts in all their tenanted properties. 

The Trust has also installed rainwater harvesting systems at two of their properties, Brook Farm and Sous Les Bois. They have utilised the redundant slurry tanks for the main water storage area, water from which is then used for the flushing of toilets and washing machines.  New sanitary ware with aerated taps and shower heads has also been fitted in the two properties.

Speaking on behalf of Jersey Water, Howard Snowden commented:

“We are delighted be supporting the National Trust in the 8^th Pledge of its Anniversary year – by encouraging people to reuse rainwater in the garden.”

“By catching rain which falls on house, garage, shed or greenhouse roofs – through using water butts or rainwater harvesting – and using it in the garden, to clean cars or wash windows; people are contributing both towards saving water and to alleviating the pressure on the mains water network at times of heavy demand, particularly in the summer.”

Celia Jeune, President of the National Trust added:

As Islanders we must all be aware that the precious life-giving element WATER is a finite commodity. This Spring we can remember lawns turning yellow and stunted young plants unable to grow because of the lack of water. The Jersey Royal potato crop was underweight due to drought but if you have a garden you can harvest the rain water with a well placed butt and give your vegetables and flowers that regular drink to keep them going. Rainwater is the best fertiliser and is FREE!

Rainwater is supposed to be superior for hair washing results and is certainly good for
getting an extra sparkle on the car. At the National Trust for Jersey, with the kind sponsorship of Jersey Water, we are providing water harvesting butts at all our properties! (So can you.)

Facts and Figures For Saving Water whilst caring for your garden :

• The best time to water your garden is early morning or in the evening when the
  weather is cooler.  Avoid watering in the midday sun, or when it’s windy, as a lot of the water will evaporate.
• Outdoor water accounts for around 7% of the total water use, but in the summer this can rise to over 50% of the peak demand for mains water in theIsland.
• To stop water dripping away from a hanging basket, cut the bottom off an empty
  plastic bottle. Leaving the cap on, make a few small holes in the sides of the
  bottle and place it in the basket upside down. Simply fill this bottle every
  time you water. It will spread water more evenly and you won’t spill water all
  over the floor.
• A watering can is better than a hosepipe for watering your plants, especially one
  fitted with a ‘rose’ head. It creates smaller droplets, like raindrops, which
  sink into the ground better.
• Hosepipes can damage fragile vegetation and wash away the soil.  Aim the water at the roots not the leaves, otherwise the water runs off and evaporates.
• A sprinkler can use as much water in an hour as a family of four will use in a
  day.
• Installing a water butt can be one of the easiest ways to save water – plus rainwater is better for plants as it is softer!
• Reuse dish water on outside plants and water indoor plants with the remains of unwanted glasses of water.
• To go a step further, rain harvesting systems for washing machines and flushing
  toilets can replace up to 50% of a household’s mains water consumption.

For more information please visit www.jerseywater.je sponsors of the National Trust for Jersey. Or visit www.nationaltrustjersey.org.je

Please note that The Green House Project is being run in association with ECO-ACTIVE – for additional information on further initiatives please go to: www.gov.je

SEVENTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Design a bag competition

In May the National Trust for Jersey launched a competition sponsored by Ashburton open to 11 to 18 year olds asking them to create a design for a ‘bag for life’.

The winning entry by Jacques le Breton, age 18 from Hautlieu School, was printed on 2,000 bags as part of the Trust’s July pledge ‘Free gifts for you: Reuse and Refill’.

In association with Ashburton the ‘bags for life’ and reusable water bottles sponsored by Jersey Water were distributed at the Trust’s Sunset Concerts over the first weekend in July.

In accordance with their July pledge the Trust is able to offer a bag and a reusable bottle to all their members available from the Trust office at The Elms, St Mary.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR ‘RE-USING & REFILLING’

•  Re-use shopping bags.  Say ‘no’ to unnecessary bags, always keep a cotton bag with you for shopping trips.
• Don’t buy bottles of water.  Use a reusable bottle like the one provided by Jersey Water.
• Wash and save glass jars for handy use as storage, vases and leftover food containers.
• Re-use paper. Printer misprints make great scrap paper for to-do-lists.
• Use cloth napkins and towels instead of disposable ones.
• Shoe boxes and yoghurt containers can be turned into herb planters, file storage and more.
• Donate unwanted clothes and furniture to local charity shops.
• Recycle garden and kitchen waste by starting a compost heap.
• Buy reusable batteries for electrical goods.
• Choose to buy products that come from reusable packages, e.g. pens, razors, cleaning products.

‘DID YOU KNOW’

• The bottled water industry produces 33,200 tonnes of carbon per annum from transport alone.
• In some instances bottled water costs 500 times more than tap water, this is the equivalent of paying £1,500 for a pint of beer or a glass of wine.
• Globally we throw away 150 billion water bottles every year.

SIXTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Down the plug hole: Saving water & energy

SIXTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED

‘Down the plug hole’ Saving water & energy

In partnership with Jersey Water, the National Trust for Jersey is delighted to announce the launch of its sixth pledge as part of the Green House Project.  For the month of June the Trust has promised to install water saving devices, such as aerated shower heads and taps, dual flushing systems, and shower usage monitors in all their tenanted properties.  This year the Trust has connected two of its properties to mains water, Sous Les Bois and La Vallette, and are committed to working alongside Jersey Water to ensure that all their houses are connected to mains water in the foreseeable future.

Speaking on behalf of Jersey Water, Rozena Pedley, commented:

“We are delighted to be working with the National Trust in its 75^th Anniversary year and contributing to its environmental initiatives. Over the next three months, we will be supporting the Trust with its Pledge programme, by looking at different ways of saving water throughout the summer.

“The particularly dry conditions at the moment remind us how precious water is and reinforce the need for us all to be aware of the how much water we use – and how much we waste. Making a few simple changes can help us not only be more efficient in how we use water on a daily basis; but also save water resources and reduce costs to customers.”

Celia Jeune – President of the National Trust added:

“Following our recent dry weather this month’s pledge could not be more apt as gardeners and car washers can testify.  Together with our sponsors, Jersey Water, we are all too aware that water is a valuable, finite commodity and must always be used with respect.  This year we can see the devastating effect on the environment that the lack of water causes.  It only takes a few careful steps to collect or save water from being sent down the plughole.  With only a well at my home, I have had a brick in the loo cistern for years and rainwater butts to water my vegetables and flower borders.”

So why not consider using leftover water from washing fruit and vegetables to water
plants; it will help the environment and, if you are on a metered supply, save
you money.

Facts and Figures For Saving Water & Energy

• Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine or dishwasher – half-load programmes still use around three quarters of the water and energy of a full load.
• Lower the heat setting to 30oC on washing machines as this will save energy and clean your clothes as well as a normal 40oC cycle.
• Use the minimum amount of water needed to boil water in saucepans and kettles, helping to save energy as well as water.
• Avoid rinsing dishes in the sink before loading them into the dishwasher, scrape them clean instead.
• Always try to use the plug and don’t let the tap run when you’re washing your hands or washing up.  Better still, use a washing up bowl in the sink.
• Keep a bottle or jug of water in the fridge, instead of leaving the tap running while it gets cool.
• Take a shower instead of a bath.  A shower uses 2-3 times less water than a bath.  This can save up to 400 litres of water per week.
• Avoid leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth, as this wastes between 5 and 9 litres of water a minute.
• Finally, use natural resources.  By fitting a water butt to your down pipe you can collect and recycle rainwater to water your garden and household plants.

 

For further information please visit: www.jerseywater.je

Please note that The Green House Project is being run in association with ECO-ACTIVE – for additional information on further initiatives please go to: www.gov.je

 

FIFTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Feeding your garden: Composting

FIFTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED

COMPOSTING TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME GROWN PRODUCE!

In partnership with the Transport and Technical Services Department, the National Trust for Jersey is delighted to announce the launch of its fifth pledge as part of the Green
House Project.  For the month of May the Trust has promised to install composting bins in all its tenanted properties within the next 12 months.  The Trust currently has composting facilities at its office at The Elms which is cared for by volunteers.  The superb fruit and vegetables produced in their walled garden demonstrates the benefit of composting whether it be in a small or large garden.

Emma Richardson, Recycling Manager for Transport and Technical
Services commented :

“By home composting, you see that your kitchen and garden waste has a value, rather than seeing it as rubbish, as it can be turned into free compost for your garden.   Changing
behaviour so that waste is seen as a resource is at the heart of our work to increase recycling and so we are delighted that the National Trust is focusing on home composting this month and that they too will enjoy the benefits of composting a third of the waste generated at their tenanted properties.  The results of the Jersey Annual Social Survey, 2010, indicated that a fifth of islanders are already composting their kitchen and garden waste and we are hoping that with this initiative numbers will increase. Composting kits are available from most local Garden Centres for just £10.00.”

Mike Stentiford MBE – President of the National Trust commented:

 ”ANOTHER month, another pledge and another promise from the National Trust to keep up the momentum of their year long Green House Project. With five pledges duly completed and seven more waiting patiently in the wings, this creatively green initiative is definitely beginning to show dividends. This month, the focus is on composting which, although already well established islandwide, can always benefit from a little more personal effort. Compost is not only one of nature’s best mulches and soil improver’s, its creation is cheaper than cheap.

Ask any gardener what the true value of composting is and the reply is likely to be
that this rich, dark, earthy material improves the soil as good as any
commercial fertilizer. By correctly making and using home-grown compost, border plants and vegetables are guaranteed to thrive in a remarkably healthy environment.

The message therefore is never to throw away materials when you can use them to
improve your garden – small, medium or large.It truly is surprising what a little bit of composting can achieve – just ask any compost-fed onion patch!”

Facts and Figures For Composting ‘Feeding your Garden’ :

•  Kitchen and garden waste makes up to 30% of household rubbish weight.
• Composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all the CO2 your kettle produces annually or your washing machine produces in three months.
• Making compost is free and saves you buying compost, mulching materials and commercial soil conditioners.
• Making compost is very simple, the first rule to remember is that ‘if it used to be growing, it can be composted’.
• Compost is an ideal mulch to suppress weeds – thus saving you work and freeing up time for you to enjoy your garden.

For further information please visit : www.gov.je/recycling

 

Please note that The Green House Project is being run in association with ECO-ACTIVE – for additional information on further initiatives please go to www.gov.je

FOURTH PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Dig Deep: Grown Your Own

Dig Deep – Grow Your Own

The National Trust for Jersey, in partnership with Jersey Plants Direct, is delighted to announce the launch of their fourth pledge as part of the Green House Project.  For the month of April the Trust has promised to install a vegetable plot in all of their tenanted properties within the next 12 months.  Jersey Plants Direct are providing a starter kit for one of the Trust’s tenanted properties and also providing a further starter kit as a prize for one JEP reader.

The National Trust hope that Islanders will seek to follow their initiative and, when possible, plant out a vegetable plot.  Home-grown vegetables, herbs and fruit, freshly picked and full of flavour and nutrients is a wonderful way to enjoy the recommended ‘five-a-day’.  Growing your own does not have to be difficult and you do not need to have a large garden, great results can be achieved in a courtyard or a balcony.

Senator Freddie Cohen – Minister for Planning and Environment adds:

 ‘Over 40% of CO2 emissions come directly from what we do as individuals in our everyday lives. Partnering the National Trust for Jersey with their 12 pledges is a great opportunity for our Eco-Active campaign to reinforce the message that environmental responsibility is about individual choices and behaviours as well as tackling sustainable resource management in government, businesses and schools. We all have a crucial role to play in reducing our impact upon the environment and reducing travel and transport is one of the easiest ways. Growing your own, and thereby cutting food miles and waste is a great way to contribute. Even those of us who have to travel for business or choose to travel for our holidays can still mitigate the carbon effects through carbon offset programmes such as the excellent Durrell scheme’.

 Managing Direct of Jersey Plants Direct, Tim Dunningham commented :

 “Jersey Plants Direct is delighted to be involved with the National Trust for Jersey’s Green House Project.  We hope that by providing the Trust with all they need to create their own vegetable plot we are helping to promote the benefits of sustainable living through ‘growing your own’.  We wish the National Trust every success in promoting and partaking in 12 simple pledges to become greener during their 75^th year.”

 Mike Stentiford MBE – President of the National Trust commented:

 ‘What with roof insulation, eco-friendly light bulbs and outdoor washing lines, few could argue that Jersey’s National Trust are not keeping enthusiastically true to their promise of delivering twelve green pledges for 2011.

It could be said that April’s Pledge No 4 has something of a distinct flavour about it being that it is fresh, wholesome and likely to be rather on the tasty side.

Although the process of growing our own fruit and vegetables is certainly nothing new, those who have recently taken to the spade, fork and hoe are now reaping the healthy fruits of their labour in every sense of the word. With the promise of veg on the table and extra cash in the pocket, we hope that more islanders will feel inclined to join the Trust and their generous sponsors Plants Direct in digging for a green, fruitful and, above all, a sustainably healthy future.’

Facts and Figures For Growing Your Own :

• The basics – the key to successfully growing your own fruit and vegetables is sunlight, good soil, adequate watering and sufficient drainage.

• Seeds – if time permits grow from seeds which is less expensive and a provides a wonderful opportunity for children to observe their crops growing.

• Expensive products – where space is limited grow more expensive products such as asparagus, raspberries and strawberries.

• Onions – growing onions along side your roses will help to keep green and blackfly away.

• Tagetes (Marigolds) – these pungent French marigolds are confusing to a range of flies that would otherwise be intent on vegetables.  They are particularly useful grown around carrots.

• Herbs – a variety of herbs are available which can be grown quite easily in a sunny spot either in the ground or in containers.

• Potatoes – recycled plastic tubs are perfect for growing potatoes particularly the expensive salad varieties.  Just three to five sprouting potatoes will produce 2.5ky (5-6lbs) of new potatoes.

• Reuse – containers do not have to be expensive, recycled buckets, washing up bowls, old sinks or anything that is more than 30cm (12 inches) wide and 45cm (18 inches)  deep can grow herbs, vegetables and fruits such as strawberries or blueberries.

• Watering – use harvested water instead of a sprinkler attached to mains water.

For further information please visit www.jerseyplantsdirect.co.uk 

Please note that The Green House Project is being run in association with ECO-ACTIVE – for additional information on further initiatives please go to www.gov.je

THIRD PLEDGE IS LAUNCHED – Drip Dry: Washing Lines

The sun has got his hat on

It’s time to come out and play

So put your washing on the line

And have a very green day!

 In partnership with Marks & Spencer the National Trust for Jersey is delighted to announce the launch of its third pledge as part of the Green House Project.  For the month of March the Trust has promised to install washing lines in all of their tenanted properties within the next 12 months.

The National Trust hope that Islanders will seek to follow their initiative and, when possible, use a traditional washing line instead of a tumble dryer and thus save energy and money.

Managing Director of Marks and Spencer Jersey, Nick Steel said:

M&S PLC has its own five year eco and ethical plan called Plan A. During the past three years Plan A has helped M&S improve its environmental performance, develop more sustainable products and services and improve the lives of the people in the communities in which we trade. The Green House March project will encourage islanders to dry their clothes naturally instead of using tumble dryers, not only will they lower their carbon footprint, they’ll also lower their energy bills. We wish The National Trust for Jersey every success, and hope more islanders will lead Greener lives as a result of this project.

 Mike Stentiford MBE – President of the National Trust commented:

 If there’s one thing that’s always guaranteed living on an island it’s the expectation of all those regular fresh sea breezes.

This is especially so here in Jersey where our temperate climate ensures the existence of some wonderfully fresh winds. Such seasonal conditions prove ideal for outdoor washing lines when natural elements can so easily replace the ever increasing cost of running a tumble dryer. The advantages of an outside line can be truly immense. 

Fresh clean air helps kill bacteria, clothes are guaranteed to smell a whole lot sweeter and, money-wise, there’s no ongoing energy costs.

If we only stop to think about it, it really is surprising what advantages two poles and a length of cord can bring! 

Facts and Figures For Drying your clothes

• An ordinary washing line is the most eco-friendly way to dry your clothes and it is free!

• If everyone in the UK used washing lines in the summer months we could save £180m per year and remove the equivalent amount of CO2 produced by 270,000 cars.

• Tumble dryers can guzzle upwards of 6% of our household electricity whilst line drying our clothes can provide good exercise, nice-smelling clothes and avoid the risk of shrinkage.

• When it is necessary to use the tumble dryer run full-loads, dry similar fabrics together and clean out the lint filter for greater efficiency.

• If you require a new dryer, try to find one with a moisture sensor that will depower the dryer automatically when all your clothes are dry.

• Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than at higher temperatures uses around 40% less energy. Modern washing powders and detergents work just as effectively at lower temperatures so unless you have very dirty washing, bear this in mind.

• Spinning your clothes on the washing machine’s highest spin cycle will remove as much water as possible, so they will dry more quickly on the line or in the tumble dryer.

•  If you have a washer/dryer make sure you don’t accidentally use the tumble dryer function when you don’t need it.

• Make sure your tumble dryer’s filters are fluff free.

• Wash in cold water.

Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer. Unless you’re dealing with oily stains, washing in cold water will generally do a good job of cleaning. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.

The Green House Project in partnership with ECO-ACTIVE

Second Pledge is launched – Being Brighter with Eco Light Bulbs

The National Trust for Jersey Media Release

22^nd February 2011

In partnership with Jersey Electricity, the National Trust for Jersey is delighted to announce the launch of its second pledge as part of the Green House Project.  For the month of February the Trust has promised to install, wherever practical, energy saving light bulbs and eco-managers in all of its tenanted properties within the next 12 months.  To get the ball rolling the Trust will be installing an energy monitor and over 40 eco light bulbs, of all shapes and sizes, at La Vallette, a wonderfully secluded C17 granite farmhouse located in the heart of St John.

 

The current tenants have very much welcomed the initiative and will be closely monitoring their electricity usage and hoping to see a reduction in their consumption, thus helping not only the environment but also their bank balance.

 

Chris Ambler- CEO at Jersey Electricity said:

 

Jersey Electricity has always been committed to helping customers become more energy efficient while providing them with sustainable, low-carbon electricity. We are therefore very pleased to be involved in the National Trust for Jersey’s high profile Green House Project by providing the Trust with energy saving lamps and electricity monitors for its tenanted properties. We wish the Trust every success in bringing the important message of sustainability to as wide an audience as possible.

 

Mike Stentiford MBE – President of the National Trust commented:

The Green House Project is very much about demonstrating how small simple pledges can make a huge difference if we all join in together. Never can a truer word be said about the humble light bulb which is such an integral part of our everyday lives. Simply changing one or two light bulbs in every household in the UK would enable us to close down a power station, whilst changing 24 in your own house can save you over £200 per annum. The return is enormous both financially and environmentally and we are delighted that Jersey Electricity is helping us to make this happen in our very own properties.

 

Facts and Figures For Energy Saving Light Bulbs :

• A light bulb costing £1 can save you up to £60 in energy costs over its lifetime which can be 10 times longer than a standard bulb.

 

• Energy saving light bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than ordinary bulbs in order to generate the same amount of light.

 

• If every UK household installed 3 Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs enough energy would be saved in a year to supply all street lighting in the UK.

 

• An area three times the size of the Isle of Wight would need to be planted with Sitca spruce to absorb the carbon resulting from the annual UK use of domestic electric lights and appliances.