en-form Projects

Active Projects

Local food Project

This will include the production of a local Food Directory and box scheme. Full Details.

A paint reuse project under the RePaint scheme operated by SWAP will be set up in Colchester and Tendring.

Waste Minimisation Project

This project will include a waste exchange website, a recycling directory in website and booklet format.

The business waste materials exchange was set up and is operated by the Essex Community Recycling and Reuse Network (ECORRN) in April 2006. The site is at www.eastex.org.uk. en-form, whilst not actively involved in this project fully supports it.

This was a service suggested by our visitors and designed to offer a simple web based matching service for items people no longer want. It is designed to complement other similar initiatives such as Freecycle.

A number of our environmental information services for individuals have been grouped under the eco teams banner. Most notably the Harbour Ward Energy Project.

It has been decided that all our environmental education initiatives will now be delivered under the eco school banner. We are working with other partners including Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council and Chelmsford Environment Partnership to develop a 5 year project for the whole of Essex.

Future Projects

This section lists a number of projects that have been suggested and may be investigated and implemented in future. What projects do you think we should concentrate on ?

Waste and Recycling Projects

A wide range of projects are currently under investigation to reduce waste. These include:

1. Setting up electric appliance refurbishment Centre

2. Setting up a wood recycling service on the lines of the scheme operated by the Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project.

3. Plastics recycling in Colchester and Tendring. In conjunction with Colchester Borough Council, BB Recycling, Homestead School and Remade.

4. Setting up a paint recycling service on the lines of Re>paint. We have obtained a £3000 grant from Re>paint to set up a pilot project.

5. Fluorescent tube Recycling - We aim to collect and recycle hazardous waste such as fluorescent tubes and batteries.

6. Increase recycling of furniture with Shake, Emmaus and Colchester Borough Council.

7. Supporting and extending work carried out by the Scrapstore, Computer Recycling, Re-Cycle and Tools for the third world.

8. To investigate Community Composting, Junk Swapping and waste exchange.

9. To look into feasability of a Recycling park where voluntary groups increase their effectiveness by sharing resources.

1. We support Tendring Reuse and Employment Enterprise and have helped them obtain grant funding to set up and develop this project in North East Essex.

2. No progress yet made.

3. Both councils now collect Plastic and therefore en-forms involvement was not required.

4. RePaint Colchester and Tendring has now been set up - see active projects.

5. No progress yet made.

6. No progress yet made.

7. No progress yet made.

8. The waste exchange is now operational and run by ECORRN.

9. No progress made.

Battery Recharging Facility

In conjunction with the collection of old batteries (see local collection centre) we are considering offering a battery recharging facility. We are currently researching the best method and environmental implications.

Organic Gardening Club

En-form is considering re-starting the discontinued Colchester Organic Gardening club. The previous group though well supported folded because the set up was not right. The nearest groups are now at Ipswich & Southend. If the interest in a new group is there we will set this up during the year.EE

You can help by letting us know if you are interested in becoming a member of this local group.E

Setting up a Composting Project

This project is scheduled as a pilot project in September and October. It will take the form of a home composting workshop in 3 boroughs- old Heath, Great Horkesley and Tiptree. It will also include an energy efficiency and water awareness day. This project will be in partnership with Colchester Borough Council.

Setting up a Greengym facility

Community Garden

Centralised Heating Oil Delivery Service

Nature Reserve Directory

We are also in the process of compiling a comprehensive directory of all nature reserves and other wildlife areas in North East Essex. The directory will initially be listed on this website.

Completed and Discontinued Projects

Recommendations from this project were used to develop the eco teams project - see active projects.

Setting up Environmental Clubs at schools.

This project has been transfered to the eco schools project in April 2006

Education Service

To set up an integrated education service and resource centre as a one stop shop for schools.

Local Recycling Collection Point

We are currently setting up a local collection point at the en-form office for the following items:

• printer & photocopier toner & inkjet cartridges (waste reduction and fund raiser)

• stamps & postcards (waste reduction & fund raiser)

• mobile phones (waste reduction, fund raiser and pollution reduction)

• computer equipment - 486 and above (waste reduction)

• aluminium foil & cans (waste reduction & fund raiser)

• corks (waste reduction)

• batteries (pollution reduction)

• old spectacles, sunglasses and their cases (used in developing countries)

• CD Roms (eg free internet CD roms) (waste reduction)

You can help by setting up a mini recycling centre at your school, workplace or local shop.

This service was launched on 10th January 2002

With effect from 1st January 2003 collection of the following was discontinued - computer equipment, foil and cans and batteries.

24th April 2006 - the following itemas are still collected - toner and inkjet cartridges, mobile phones. All other items can still be collected but are forwrded to other groups. We encourage direct donation.

Theatre Screens

The Mercury Theatre currently disposes of scenery at the end of each production. They have approached us to see if other groups could make use of this waste material.

We are currently contacting local schools and drama groups to see if they wish to obtain some of this material.

You can help by letting us know of any group that would like to receive this material.

THIS PROJECT WAS TRIALED IN JANUARY 2002 AND FOUND TO BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN ITS CURRENT FORMAT

Real Nappy Week

We are currently developing a publicity campaign to publicise the benefits of using real nappies and highlighting the disadvantages of disposable nappies.

Real Nappy week is normally held at the end of April.

You can help by informing any mothers of young children the benefits of using real nappies.

The Real Nappy campaign is run by Essex County Council. Whilst en-form supports this campaign we are not able to add significantly to this campaign and the project is no longer active.

Publish Newsletter

We are currently working on providing a Colchester Based Environmental Newsletter which will be published quarterly. Spring (March, April, May) Summer (June,July,Aug) Autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov) Winter (Dec, Jan,Feb)

THE NEWSLETTER WAS SET UP IN MAY 2002 AND 1000 COPIES ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE EACH QUARTER. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM EN-FORM.

Funding for the newsletter and priorities were reviewed in Spring 2005 and the newsletter was discontinued. A monthly news article is still published monthly in the Weekly News which covers North East Essex.

Colchester Free Festival 2002

We will be involved in setting up the environment (greenfield) site at the Colchester festival in 2002.

The festival will be held on 26th August.

A VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY WAS HAD BY ALL AND MANY LESSONS LEARNT TO MAKE FUTURE EVENTS EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL.

The last festival was held in 2002.

Local Events Diary

We are currently working on a project to co-ordinate all local events by the numerous environmental groups in the area into one directory listed on this website and perhaps in a quarterly newsletter.

By listing all events organised by the Essex Wildlife Trust, BTCV, The Ranger Service, Colchester Cycling Campaign, The Ramblers Association, The Colchester Natural History Society and the RSPB in one place we hope to make the job of the media, environmental groups and the public keeping up to date much easier.

It will offer savings to the groups in publicity.

This service was transfered to the Whats On Colchester website in 2004. All local groups were persuaded to log their details onto this site.

Environmental Groups Directory

We are also look to set up a directory of national and local environmental groups with brief details of their work and membership details.

You can help us to research environmental groups and setting up this web directory. If you would like to help please let us know. You can work from home or from our centre.

This project has been set up on our website.

Secure Cycle Storage Area

We are currently looking at offering a secure cycle storage area in the centre of town to encourage greater use of cycling. If you have any ideas on how this project should be developed or would like to make use of this facility please contact us.

This service was never actively used and discontinued in 2004.

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