‘Smart’ recycling bins unveiled in bid to help thousands more young people across Scotland

A charity dedicated to helping young people across Scotland has unveiled, in partnership with Nathan’s Wastesavers new state-of-the-art clothing collection points across the region.

The ‘Netbin nLoK system’ recycling bins are being rolled out across ASDA supermarkets following a substantial rise in donations to Children’s charity Cash for Kids.

The devices use cutting-edge technology linked to a smartphone app enabling the charity’s team of workers to remotely unlock and lock bins, as well as monitoring when the bin is near capacity, to avoid it overflowing.

The new initiative, in partnership with textiles recycling leader Nathan’s Wastesavers and Egbert Taylor Holdings, has been introduced after Cash for Kids have received record clothing donations in 2017.

Emma Kemp, Regional Charity Manager for Cash for Kids, said: “In 2017, Cash for Kids broke new records with over £5.8 million raised and more than 268,000 young people receiving assistance from the charity across Scotland.

“Clothing donations played a significant part in helping us help even more people and we want to ensure that our recycling bins are fit for the future with greater capacity and better technology to speed up the process of collecting donations and turning them into the cash that provides such vital support.”

Kevin McBride, VP Retail North, at ASDA, commented: “Asda has been working with Cash for Kids for many years now and in the last 10 years the textile Bank scheme through Nathan’s Wastesavers has helped to raise over £750,000 to support disadvantaged children across Scotland.

“It therefore makes sense to launch this pioneering new system with two organisations that we have such a successful relationship.”

Peter Page, National Recycling Manager at Nathan’s Wastesavers, added: “The technology is pretty transformational as it increases security, safety and efficiency.

“By using a simple smartphone application, everyone involved in the management of the recycling process is in complete control, cutting down in wasted time checking bins, avoiding any unsightly overflows and ensuring that the bins are locked and always secure.”

Communities: get stuck in to the Big Lunch!

The Big Lunch encourages Scots to get numbers climbing and boost community spirit!

Organisers of the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours are calling for at least 10% of Scots to get stuck into a day of food, friendship and fun on Sunday 7 June.

The call to action was launched on Thursday – the ‘100 days to go’ mark before the big day. It is hoped that millions of neighbours across the UK will again be getting together in an effort to boost community spirit where they live. A massive 4.83 million people took part in the lottery funded initiative in 2014.

Emily Watts, Communications Manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland encouraged more people in Scotland to get involved this year. She said: “C’mon Edinburgh! We want to see the number of people taking part in Scottish communities climbing to 10% of the population. Year on year, feedback from previous participants is very positive, with people feeling more connected to their communities after a Big Lunch. People start new relationships that continue after the day too.

“We know Scots are friendly but we all recognise the feeling that we could make more effort with our neighbours. The Big Lunch is an excuse to chap the door and ask if they’d like to get together.”

The Big Lunch, partnered by Halifax and ASDA, is now in its seventh year. Big Lunches can be big or small, take place on a street, park or community venue and be as simple and inexpensive as you like. There are no rules to getting involved besides that people are the key ingredient!

In 2014, thousands of communities from all across the country took part in the big event. Lou, who organized her street’s first ever Big Lunch street party in Edinburgh last year, said: “Before our Big Lunch I knew the neighbours near our house to speak to, but not further up the street. Now we all know each other and feel able to stop and say hello, which I wouldn’t have done before.

“Our neighbours really got into the spirit of contributing something on the day, bringing lovely food to share and helping with party tunes and activities for the kids. This made it really easy and inexpensive to pull together. Looking back, it felt like a day from a bygone era and I’m glad we put the time aside to get to know our community better. I really recommend getting involved in 2015!”

Edinburgh neighbours who are interested in getting involved this June can register for a free pack, now available from www.thebiglunch.com or on 0845 850 8181. Packs include invitations, posters, recipes and activity ideas, as well as lots of information to get events off the ground. All pack materials are undated so communities can have Big Lunches when best suits them if they can’t join in on Sunday 7 June.

Footage from previous year’s Big Lunches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un-ooSya828

The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in 2009 with the belief that we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges we face when we face them together.

The Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and supported by Halifax and Asda.

Find out more about The Big Lunch at www.thebiglunch.com

Lizard found lounging in local loo!

Lizard found in local loo

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a lizard was abandoned in the toilet of an Edinburgh supermarket. Scotland’s animal welfare charity was called to rescue the female bosc
monitor from Asda on Newhaven’s Sandpiper Drive on Thursday afternoon (27 June). The reptile is now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where she has been named … Lulu!

Inspector June Chalcroft said, “Lulu was discovered in the disabled toilet at around 1pm. She was making her way out of the white sack she had been left in when a member of the public found her. The shop would have been fairly busy at the time, so we’re hoping members of the public may have noticed someone carrying the sack in to the store.

“In September 2011 I was called to rescue a bearded dragon which had been left in a white sack in the male toilets of Morrisons on Ferry Road, which isn’t far from where Lulu was dumped. Unfortunately, we never received the information we needed to identify the person responsible, but we do have to consider that these abandonments may be linked.

“Reptiles have very specific needs in terms of their environment, nutrition and care and anyone thinking of taking on this type of pet should do their research to make sure they have the time and resources
to give their animal the life it deserves.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information should contact the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.