Powys Green Guide

Powys Green Guide Blog

Summer in all its glory!

We hope you have an opportunity to enjoy nature at the end of one of the sunniest Springs on record.

On 20th May, Ashley Collins, PCC Waste and Recycling Manager gave a presentation to the PACE AGM via Zoom, covering various issues related to the managing waste and recycling. The recording can be found here on Youtube and is well worth watching.

Carbon Costs of Electricity Comparison

Image shows energy generated by various methods, including mining, fuel transport, infrastructure, maintenance and decommissioning . The figures are global averages. They originate from reports to the IPCC.

Some people question if wind turbines actually deliver very low carbon energy considering the amount of steel and concrete used - gas fired power stations also use lots before a single kw is generated - but you can work out yourself how much power a single 6 MW rated turbine will generate over its 40 year lifetime. Assume it generates an average of 2 MW. Then multiply by 11 gm per kw. The numbers are huge. Then take another look at gas and coal.

A Fascinating look into Recycling in Powys

On 20th May, Ashley Collins, PCC Waste and Recycling Manager gave a presentation to the PACE meeting via zoom, covering various issues related to the managing waste and recycling. The recording can be found here on You Tube and is well worth watching.

Ashley started by describing the Powys Sustainable Resources Strategy, covering issues such as how we are performing relative to the new Welsh Government targets which are now for 70% of domestic waste to be recycled, plus the targets we now have for re-use and what is happening at the HRCs to encourage this. Note that what used to be called Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are now called Household Recycling Centres (HRCs).

Welcome to our new members!

A perfect time now to enjoy the many 'Places for Nature' Powys offers. How about a family day on the Montgomery Canal? Download their easy to use app from App Store or the Play Store.

"We work with producers, who we believe share our commitment to responsible and sustainable farming. Our fresh produce is sourced with enormous care from farms within the UK and with a minimum of Red Tractor Accreditation." Their factory uses systems to minimalize energy waste and support their local community by mentoring young people and supporting local charities.

Presteigne & Norton become first Community in Wales to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community

On the 11th January 2024 Presteigne and Norton became the first community in Wales to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International.

Plastic Free Party Planning

Ok prepare yourself. Parties are probably one of the most contentious areas if you are trying to cut down your reliance on single use plastic and it can make you really, really unpopular if you aren’t careful. Parties can be rife with single use plastic items and a truly plastic free party is rare.

Extensive Algal blooms in England’s Lakes: Here’s why...

This year has seen growing public concern over the state of England’s largest lake, Windermere. Campaigners, local residents and visitors have reported extensive blooms of blue-green algae at the site, with concern for its impact on health and ecology.

Reposted with permission from The Conversation Stephen Thackeray, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

The Meaning of The Colour Green

I thought I would kick off our Powys Green Guide blog by musing on the colour Green. Environmental issues are always associated with the colour green, so let's look at the colour green and its use, associations, and whether it's a positive thing.

Colours are the way our eyes perceive different wavelengths of light, and in humans, more shades of green can be perceived than any other colour. Every creature has a different range of wavelengths it can perceive, but for humans, the colours we see range from the short, blue ultra-violet waves through to the long, red infra-red waves. In the middle of this range are the greens. They are perceived in a light range where both kinds of photoreceptors in our eyes (rods and cones) function, giving this extra sensitivity.

The Powys Green Guide has received funding from the Mid Wales Community Energy Trust to cover website support and maintenance in Montgomeryshire

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund
Mae’r prosiect hwn ei ariannu’n rhannol gan Lywodraeth y DU trwy Gronfa Adfywio Cymunedol y DU