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Posts Tagged “Ecology”

The Smoking Litter Police

Posted on October 6th, 2008 by Rich

Today at lunchtime I was alerted by a colleague, to an uncommon sight: a uniformed officer of the law, smoking. A smoking plod is probably just as likely as a smoking anybody, but I can’t remember ever seeing an officer smoking in uniform. This one wore little blue epaulettes and a bright yellow arm band [...]

The £86888 Auction

Posted on June 9th, 2008 by Rich

As the largest food retailer in Britain, what Tesco does has a massive impact on the rest of the British food industry, however, Tesco are not a charity and their primary purpose is to make maximum profit (supposedly within ethical guidelines).  The profit-vs-ethics problem is therefore one of ensuring that the right ethical guidelines are [...]

A few fairly witted stalls

Posted on April 3rd, 2008 by Rich

One of our favourite TV Chefs (and surrogate conscience for Tesco) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has just announced a Summer Food Fair at River Cottage HQ, this summer, naturally. Now, normally the idea of a fair, replete with wicker cutlery and forced vegetables is not my idea of heaven, but factor in the fact that there will [...]

I just work here

Posted on May 9th, 2007 by Rich

This is a true story. Two staff in a small convenience store are chatting as the queue I’m in slowly moves forward towards their dual tills: Shopkeeper 1: These plastic bags get thinner and thinner! Shopkeeper 2: Yeah.

Bulk Buying Eco-Friendly Products

Posted on May 4th, 2007 by Rich

Since we’ve owned our own home we’ve tried to always use environmentally friendly products for all cleaning and laundry tasks. This has been surprisingly difficult because the big four supermarkets in the UK have had a pretty poor record of having more than one “eco” product in any section at any time.

Whatever happened to the Kich’n Komposter?

Posted on May 4th, 2007 by Rich

According to the various fragments of promotional material I’ve seen the Kich’n’Komposter is a cross between a separating centrifuge and a waste disposal unit. It grinds up food waste, then separates it from the water so it can be composted. This may not seem particularly fantastic to some, but we try and compost everything, so [...]

Altitude Walker

Posted on March 20th, 2007 by Rich

A long time ago in a hamlet far far away, I shared a house, worked and drank an occasional beer with somebody who was slightly taller, but lamentably (for him) far less handsome than myself. His name was Andy and he was a rather impetuous boy: a life ruled by impulse and extremes, as evidenced [...]

One million road petitioners can’t be wrong, can they?

Posted on February 11th, 2007 by Rich

The experimental petition system that Downing Street is running has generated it’s first 1,000,000 signature petition: it asks the PM to “scrap the planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy” and it’s a great example of how public opinion is not necessarily good for the public.

Gifts for Geeks

Posted on December 18th, 2006 by Rich

What are the best alternative presents for a geek? The typical geek has carefully selected and purchased their gadgets of choice, has a computer that’s tuned to perfection and needs no software purchased (because their entire suite is open-source) – so aside from comedy tee shirts with clever slogans that can only be understood by [...]

Essex council turns off the lights

Posted on July 14th, 2006 by Rich

Q: How many Essex girls does it take to change a lightbulb? A: The same number as before, but the lightbulb lasts longer because its used less.

Turbo Vermicompost

Posted on February 26th, 2006 by Rich

For over five years now we’ve been actively composting almost 100% of our bio-degradable waste in a small bin that lives in the garden. When I say “we’ve been composting” I really mean it – it’s been a team effort between me, Em, and about ten thousand worms.

Dr. Jeremy “Custard Pie” Clarkson

Posted on September 12th, 2005 by Rich

Jeremy Clarkson, the journalist who is most famous for hosting the BBC motoring programme Top Gear received an honourary Doctorate in Engineering from Oxford Brookes University today.

Big Brother: Small Mind

Posted on May 29th, 2005 by Rich

Britain is once again graced by three months of watching self obsessed people making themselves look stupid merely by their very existence, with little hope of achieving anything other than profit for the production and broadcast companies involved. Why is Big Brother such a terribly wasted opportunity?

Eglu Chicken Coop

Posted on May 17th, 2005 by Rich

There are some things in life that are just plain cool. Totally bonkers, but cool.