More than 500 Plastic-filled parcels mailed to MPs
- : plastic2parliament
- :
More than 500 letters and parcels filled with nonrecyclable single-use plastics have now been mailed to MPs in Parliament via freepost.
This week alone, the plastic2parliament initiative mailed over 130 plastic-stuffed letters to NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft to ask if her Party has a single-use plastic reduction policy.
“Plastic waste is essentially environmental change in solid form,” said Wade Bishop, initiator of plastic2parliament.
The plastic2parliament initiative encourages the public to include non-recyclable plastics in their mail to MPs to illustrate the problem.
“The problem with these plastics is that once they’re in the environment they don’t go away but continue to break down into smaller and smaller particles.” Wade Bishop said.
The letters ask MPs to support the Product Stewardship changes to the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (WMA) proposed by the Government which includes many categories of plastic packaging but also ask for bans of avoidable plastics and for all political Parties to have a plastic-waste reduction policy.
“Plastics are now in our water, our air, our food and we now eat about a credit cards worth or more every year. There’s plenty of research making its way into media about endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastic packaging and most recently to type 2 diabetes in research out of Australia.” Mr. Bishop said. “One could say that the cost of over-production of plastics is more than just the economics of dealing with the waste alone.” (Ref. sciencedirect.com; and baker.edu.au)
Plastic2parliament is encouraging citizens concerned about the growing epidemic of avoidable and single-use packaging plastics to engage in penning letters to MPs in Parliament via the Parliamentary Freepost address. The initiative asks politicians to focus regulation on the producers of plastic packaging, while urging the public to stuff their large envelopes full of nonrecyclable plastics to make the point.
The plastic2parliament initiative continues to grow quickly with membership numbers of the Facebook Group now more than 900 people since the initiative began in early October.
“People are tired of plastic pollution being framed as a consumer issue, or one that is simply a matter of better collection and recycling.” Wade Bishop said.
“The fact is, it’s more about unfettered production of higher and higher volumes of single-use plastics. It’s a production issue driven by the economic benefits of cheap plastics, which are cheap only because the true lifetime cost of those plastics is not currently carried by those producers.”
The global oil industry is investing US$180 billion in new plastic production plants, over this coming 10 years, with the aim to increase production by 40% from the 348 million tonnes per year presently. Some estimates suggest that plastic waste volumes will quadruple by 2050. (Ref. theguardian.com; and sciencemag.org)
“We already know that plastic waste and pollution is an enormous problem here in New Zealand, and globally. The current investments to increase plastic production exponentially in the face of the problems we already see is criminal. It’s foolish to think that New Zealand will not experience a massive increase in plastics given this mounting global supply pressure.” Mr Bishop said.
Media Contact: Wade Bishop
https://www.facebook.com/groups/plastic2parliament/
M: 021 432045
E: plastic2parliament@gmail.comABOUT PLASTIC2PARLIAMENT
Plastic2parliament is a letter-writing initiative started by Wade Bishop of Christchurch which encourages citizens concerned about the explosion of single-use plastics to include these products with their letters to MPs using the Parliamentary Freepost address. The purpose of the initiative is to creatively emphasise how these nonrecyclable products cannot be avoided by consumers and that the actual cause of plastic waste is over-production and use by manufacturers.- NZFirst_jennymarcroft_210219_MORE POPULAR THAN SIMON BRIDGES
- : Wade Bishop
- : Initiator of plastic2parliament
- : plastic2parliament@gmail.com
- : 021432045
- : https://www.facebook.com/groups/plastic2parliament
- @plastic2parliament | @plastic2parlia1
Simon Bridges asked to put aside politics on plastic waste
- : plastic2parliament
- : 06/11/2019
This week the plastic2parliament initiative mailed well over 130 plastic-stuffed letters to National Party leader Simon Bridges asking him to “do something crazy” and put aside party politics on plastic waste.
The letters asked him to support the Product Stewardship changes to the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (WMA) proposed by the Government including plastic packaging.
“A massive opportunity to get on top of New Zealand’s plastic waste problem was lost during the 9 years of a National Government where they essentially sat on the powers contained in the WMA and did absolutely nothing to deploy them. Now Simon Bridges can act constructively to support the Government’s proposed changes and announce a meaningful plastic reduction policy of his own as well.” said Wade Bishop, the initiator of the letter writing to MPs.
Plastic2parliament is encouraging citizens concerned about the growing epidemic of avoidable and single-use packaging plastics to engage in penning letters to MPs in Parliament via the Parliamentary Freepost address. Citizens are also being asked to stuff their large envelopes full of non-recyclable plastics.
“I see this as a creative way to physically take this unfettered, over-production of single-use plastics directly to the desks of MPs where they can’t ignore it.” said Mr. Bishop.
“MPs need to acknowledge that plastic waste is a production problem, not a consumer issue, and advocate for meaningful plastic reduction policies (within their respective political Party) and to regulate the producers of these plastic products,” he said.
The plastic2parliament initiative shows no sign of slowing down. Membership to the Facebook Group now growing beyond 800 people. In turn, its members have delivered more than 350 letters and parcels of non-recyclable plastics to MPs since the middle of October.
“This might seem like a frivolous thing to be doing, but we are drawing attention to very serious issues that the public and MPs need to be fully aware of,” Wade Bishop said.
“The fact is, while we already now know that plastic pollution is an astonishingly big problem, global oil companies are investing US$180 billion in new plastic manufacturing plants aiming to increase virgin plastic production by 40% before 2030.
“This is the true cause of the explosion in single-use plastics around us here in New Zealand. This clearly illustrates that it is a production issue and not a matter of consumer choice as we always seem to hear.” he said.
Plastic2parliament is advocating that waste policy and legislation focus on the source of single-use plastics by regulating the producers of them to reduce volumes of plastic packaging entering the economy and then the environment.
“Setting measurable reduction targets on the import of virgin plastic resins, used for packaging, and, on import volumes of new plastic packaging, would be one clear way of measuring the success of any regulations that are put in place.” Mr. Bishop said.
“Only about 20% of plastics are recycled each year and many are not even recyclable for various reasons. With plastic production set to increase 40 percent in the coming 10 years, recycling is clearly not the solution to the plastic waste problem. The best solution is making less in the first place.” he said.
ENDS
- p2p mailing_simon bridges 2
- : Wade Bishop
- : Initiator of plastic2parliament
- : plastic2parliament@gmail.com
- : 021432045
- : https://www.facebook.com/groups/plastic2parliament/
- @plastic2parliament
South Waikato District Council’s LED Lighting Upgrade Ready to Improve Public Safety and Air Quality
- : NZ IoT Alliance
- : 02/10/2019
A smart LED lighting project for South Waikato District Council (SWDC) will be featured by Auckland business NB SmartCities at the IoT half-day conference on Thursday 3 October in Auckland.
The second annual IoT Conference event, hosted by the New Zealand IoT Alliance, will showcase how Internet of Things (IoT) applications are creating smart cities in New Zealand and improving industrial productivity.
IoT Alliance Executive Council member John McDermott says the project for South Waikato District Council demonstrates how IoT technology provides multiple benefits for councils and the public.
“The South Waikato District installation is a standout example of how IoT solutions can provide long-lasting advantages and create new opportunities,” McDermott says.
“The new system is using less than half the power of the legacy street lamps and is providing better lighting for many more local roads. Also important for the council is that maintenance calls have more than halved, underlining the reliability and lower maintenance costs of the new technology.”
The system, which uses open network standard technology, can also support future applications such as air pollution monitoring, traffic analysis, smart parking, and remote water metering.
“South Waikato District Council has received very positive feedback from our community on this improved street lighting,” says Ted Anderson, SWDC’s Group Manager Assets.
“Tangible benefits include people being able to exercise and participate in other outdoor activities, like walking the dog, much later in the evenings especially during winter; and the safety improvements have been highlighted by many of our residents.”
In addition to the SWDC case study, McDermott says the IoT Half-Day conference event will showcase a variety of IoT solutions focused on Smart City and Industrial use cases. “The conference is featuring applications that help deliver better public services, improve health and safety, and enhance manufacturing performance”.
Spark is the gold sponsor for the IoT Conference and Spark Future of Connectivity Lead Renee Mateparae says the company is thrilled to be sponsoring an event that will bring the tangible benefits of IoT to the forefront so businesses can realise what it could do for them.
“The benefits that new Internet of Things technologies deliver are compelling when implemented correctly. They deliver better services, greater value and improve efficiency. Spark is pleased to support the New Zealand IoT Alliance in connecting the people and businesses that are implementing and deploying IoT applications with the decision makers and leaders that need to understand the impact and value that can be achieved”.
Also speaking at the event is Melissa Lee, National MP for Mount Albert, and National spokesperson for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media & Ethnic Communities
The event is supported by gold sponsor Spark and silver sponsor LEAP Australia.
The IoT Half Day Conference is taking place at 12 Madden St, Viaduct, Auckland from 8.30am on Thursday 3 October. For more information and tickets, visit the NZ IoT Alliance website.
- earth-view-from-space-2
- : John McDermott
- : Executive Council Member
- : john+pr@johnmcdermott.nz
- : 0274100079
- : https://iotalliance.org.nz/nz-2019-iot-half-day-conference/
- @NZIoTAlliance | https://www.linkedin.com/company/nz-iot-alliance/
Cities Getting Smarter With The Internet Of Things
- : NZ IoT Alliance
- : 23/09/2019
The New Zealand IoT Alliance is showcasing how Internet of Things (IoT) applications can enable smart cities and improve industrial productivity at its second annual showcase event in Auckland next week.
IoT Alliance Executive Council member John McDermott says the event will feature a range of applications that help deliver better public services, improve health and safety, and enhance manufacturing performance.
“New Zealand is in the great position of having world class technology available, and plenty of situations that can benefit. Whether it is factory productivity to generate higher paying jobs, improved safety for the public or innovative products and services, we have organisations here that are leading the way,” he says.
LMAC’s work in the manufacturing sector is an example of how IoT can be used to improve productivity on the factory floor, McDermott says.
“Factory managers are in a continuous race to keep operating costs down and improve efficiency. The fuel for improvement is data – you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Managers know their operations in detail but it can be overwhelming when searching for additional efficiencies. What if that cost advantage is hiding in plain sight?” he says.
“LMAC achieved over 37% improvement for a production line by taking as much data as was available from existing operations and applying new metrics generated by smart technology. It used an artificial intelligence system to mash data and come up with predicted improvements. The new system also allowed experiments to be tested to find extra productivity with new combinations of workflow management and batch production, resulting in quicker job turn-around and better asset utilisation.”
Another innovative use of IoT is KotahiNet’s work with Transpower, who are responsible for moving power from where it is generated to where it is consumed. The challenge is that as more power is consumed the power cables sag lower towards the ground because of temperature rises. KotahiNet is providing a remote sensing solution that monitors the distance of the lowest transmission cable from the ground, to ensure it doesn’t dip below the safe limit.
“By knowing the ambient temperature in real time, Transpower is able to correlate it with transmitted power so as to maximise power flows without impacting safety or asset performance. The KotahiNet solution uses low cost, long range wireless sensors deployed on the cables with real-time data for immediate notification if safe limits are approached,” McDermott says.
Meanwhile, ASG Technologies has been working with industrial partners and government agencies, especially those with significant infrastructure assets to manage. By deploying IoT solutions, ASG has improved asset performance, reduced operational costs, and enhanced staff and public safety.
“In the early stages, these projects have a high degree of uncertainty and can be perceived as too risky, but in a tech-disruptive environment, failing to adapt becomes the biggest threat to an organisation. ASG believe that taking measured risks with trusted partners is a necessary element to technology development and should be the preferred method of managing the disruption landscape,” McDermott says.
These are three examples out of the eight projects that will be featured at the IoT Alliance half-day event on Thursday 3 October, 2019 in Auckland.
You can learn more here [link: https://iotalliance.org.nz/nz-2019-iot-half-day-conference/ ]
- transpower2
- : John McDermott
- : IoT Alliance Executive Council member
- : john@johnmcdermott.nz
- : 0274100079
- : https://iotalliance.org.nz/
- @NZIoTAlliance | https://www.linkedin.com/company/nz-iot-alliance/
TPC Labour campaign targets light rail and water
- : TPC Labour Christchurch
- : 01/09/2019
Two massive issues the People’s Choice-Labour campaign intends to focus on for the 2019 local body elections are water quality and transport, People’s Choice chair Keir Leslie said today.
The People’s Choice-Labour campaign launch on August 31 heard plans for light rail and People’s Choice Candidates also made water a priority issue.
“The People’s Choice campaign is totally committed to pushing light rail,” said Mr Leslie.
“To future proof Christchurch for climate change it is necessary to go back and look at the options of a light rail network.
”We need light rail from Hornby to Riccarton running into the central city. Light rail also needs to extend to Papanui and the trains need to be integrated with bus services.
”Long term this network needs to extend down Colombo St to Cashmere and also take in important hubs such as the University and Linwood.
”A light rail system may not happen immediately but Christchurch needs to start planning and preparing now,” said Mr Leslie.
The People’s Choice campaign launch also served as an opportunity for People’s Choice Environment Canterbury candidate Jenny Hughes to highlight that water quality is a top priority for all the People’s Choice Environment Canterbury candidates.
”The People’s Choice candidates are offering a group of strong candidates dedicated to saving our water and upholding democracy – a task which no independent candidates can promise,” Jenny Hughes said.
For copies of the speeches, or photographs from the People’s Choice campaign launch please feel free to contact:
The People’s Choice chair, Keir Leslie – (027) 309 3322
Media Advisor, Kevin List – (021) 426 902
Authorised by Jake McLellan 6 Braddon St, Addington.
- : Kevin List
- : Media Advisor
- : Kevinlist145@gmail.com
- : 021426902
- : http://www.peopleschoice.org.nz
Beware the Risk 5G Poses to Rural Internet Users
- : WISPA.NZ
- : 02/08/2019
Despite the hype surrounding Vodafone’s launch of the next cellphone technology, it risks a serious downside to thousands of rural broadband users, according to the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA.NZ).
“Vodafone and its competitors are putting huge pressure on Government to reallocate radio spectrum so they can run 5G more cost-effectively,” WISPA Chairman Mike Smith says.
“However, some of the spectrum the mobile companies are trying to claim is already used commercially by about 30 regional WISPs, who collectively service many tens of thousands of rural customers. These customers are farms who use the Internet for business management, rural kids who use it for study, and rural people who depend on it for social inclusion. Most cant get Internet any other way.
“If the government responds to the cellphone companies’ land grab, some of those users could face more expensive Internet or even lose their hard-won connectivity altogether.
“The advantages of 5G are very much in the future. By contrast, WISPs are solving the connectivity issue for rural New Zealand here and now.
“It makes no sense to slow or reverse the progress made in connecting our major export sector, just so that some online games will work a nanosecond faster or city people can connect their home air conditioning to their car GPS. The benefits of 5G are marginal and futuristic, but basic connectivity for rural families and businesses is here, now, and economically essential.
“WISPA seeks a clear assurance from Minister Faafoi that no decision will be made to reallocate spectrum until the issues have been thoroughly aired in public.”
ENDS
Contact: Mike Smith 0274503504 mike@ubb.nz
Alternative: Ernie Newman 0223764363 ernie.newman@wispa.nz
- : Mike Smith
- : Chairman
- : mike@ubb.nz
- : 0274503503
- : https://wispa.nz
TUANZ to host symposium looking at the future of TV and media in this converging world
- : TUANZ
- : 01/08/2019
TUANZ, the association for users of digital technology and connectivity, is inviting anyone interested in hearing about the future of TV and media to the 2019 Digital Convergence Symposium on Tuesday 6 August.
TUANZ CEO, Craig Young says that the theme of this year’s event reflects the fast-changing nature of media and how users access content in 2019.
“The biggest talking point at the moment is how viewers will watch this year’s various world cups including Rugby, and how the continued convergence of communications and broadcasting will play out after October this year,” says Young.
Attendees will hear from several industry leaders including Carolyn Luey, Consumer Director at Vodafone, Michael Boggs, CEO of NZME and Kevin Kenrick, CEO of TVNZ. Representatives from Spark and Sky TV will also present their views during the afternoon.
New in 2019, the TUANZ Digital Convergence Symposium aims to help users make sense of the digital future where there is an increasing convergence of digital technologies. This convergence reached a tipping point in 2018 in relation to the use of broadband to deliver content to users from broadcasters and companies alike.
Those interested in attending can view the full programme and register for the event by going to the Events page on the TUANZ website.
About TUANZ
TUANZ is the group helping users make sense of the digital future through sharing experiences and knowledge about current and new technology. It is the voice of its members and all users in a complex digital world. TUANZ is the only truly independent and representative voice for all users, both corporate and individual.
- : Craig Young
- : CEO
- : craig.young@tuanz.org.nz
- : 6421488182
- : https://tuanz.org.nz
- @tuanzceo
NewzEngine makes public relations support accessible and affordable for all
- : NewzEngine.com
- : 03/07/2019
NewzEngine.com, an online service that enables companies, organisations and individuals to write and distribute media releases, has been launched today.
The subscriber-based service provides an easy way for NewzEngine’s customers to create regular, cost-effective, and professional communications about their activities, products and services.
Media releases are created through NewzEngine’s platform, then quality-checked by experienced editors, distributed to a network of journalists/editors, and listed by global information aggregators.
NewzEngine is created by Newztec Developments Ltd directors Selwyn Manning and Sarah Putt, who between them have over 40 years media and communications’ experience. Manning’s career includes roles as a journalist, editor, New Zealand Government press secretary, and news media specialist. Putt has worked as a journalist, public relations specialist and technology commentator.
Manning says: “Organisations and companies require a public profile to grow. Their voice is a valuable complement to the national debate. But reliable media relations support is often expensive and beyond the reach of many.”
“We have launched NewzEngine to help organisations pitch their news to targeted media, and, through syndication and aggregation, supercharge their message so it can reach an audience wider than they thought possible.”
To ensure their message reaches the desired audience, subscribers can select the geographical location and/or sector where they want their media announcement to be delivered within New Zealand.
NewzEngine’s online service includes a guide to writing media announcements, as well as media release templates. This ensures subscribers can create an effective and professional release. In addition to text-based releases, NewzEngine provides the ability for subscribers to upload photographs and video links to accompany their message.
Putt says: “Effective announcements are short, sharp and compelling. Our guide is designed to help subscribers inform professional media practitioners about their organisation’s new product, service, event or milestone achievement.”
“But when required, NewzEngine also provides a writing and media relations service,” Putt says.
Organisations can subscribe to NewzEngine as a monthly or annual service, starting from $70 per month. For more details, visit NewzEngine.com.
- : Sarah Putt
- : NewzEngine CEO
- : sarah@newzengine.com
- : 0276177235
- : https://NewzEngine.com