Waikato Hospital, Hamilton

1474 days ago

Wool is 100% Biodegradable

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

HOW DOES WOOL BIODEGRADE?
All materials of animal and vegetable origin have some degree of biodegradability, meaning that they are capable of being decomposed by the action of living organisms, such as fungi and bacteria. Wool is composed of the natural protein keratin, which is similar to the … View more
HOW DOES WOOL BIODEGRADE?
All materials of animal and vegetable origin have some degree of biodegradability, meaning that they are capable of being decomposed by the action of living organisms, such as fungi and bacteria. Wool is composed of the natural protein keratin, which is similar to the protein that makes up human hair. When keratin is broken down naturally by microorganisms, the products do not pose any environmental hazard.

WOOL READILY BIODEGRADES IN MOIST, WARM CONDITIONS
On disposal, if wool is kept warm and moist or buried in soil, fungal and bacterial growths develop which produce enzymes that digest wool. On the other hand, thanks to the unique chemical structure of keratin and wool’s tough, water-repellent outer membrane, clean and dry wool fibres do not readily degrade. This allows wool products to be resilient and long-lasting in normal conditions.

WOOL BIODEGRADES QUICKLY
Wool biodegrades readily in as little as three to four months but the rate varies with soil, climate and wool characteristics. This releases essential elements such as nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium back to the soil, able to be taken up by growing plants. Some studies found more rapid degradation after only four weeks’ burial in soils. Research has shown that processing treatments such as dyeing and anti-shrink treatment can affect the rate of biodegradation in soil, causing an increase in the initial resistance of wool fabric to degradation. However, this is a short-term effect, typically not persisting beyond eight weeks.

WOOL RETURNS ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS TO THE SOIL
On burial in soil, wool becomes a slow-release fertiliser providing nutrients for uptake and growth by other organisms. Some have even used wool fertiliser to foster herb and vegetable growth. This is known as natural closed loop recycling; restoring the initial inputs of soil and grass. Other beneficial effects of adding wool to soils include enhanced water holding capacity, improved water infiltration, soil aeration and reduced erosion. Ground-up wool carpet, when used as a fertiliser, increased the dry matter yield of grass growth by 24% to 82%.

WOOL DOES NOT ADD TO LANDFILL VOLUMES OR MICROFIBRE POLLUTION
Natural fibres biodegrade naturally in a relatively short period in soils and aquatic systems and therefore do not accumulate in landfill and oceans. Results from a University of Canterbury study demonstrate that wool degrades in a marine environment. In contrast, synthetic textiles persist for many decades and can disintegrate to small fragments. Commonly known as microplastics, or microfibres when less than 5mm in diameter, these fragments accumulate in aquatic environments and land disposal sites where they have negative effects on ecosystems when consumed by organisms. A single polyester fleece garment can produce more than 1900 fibres per wash. Ingestion has a negative impact on organisms, sometimes causing death through starvation as plastic replaces food in the stomach. Once in the food chain, microplastics potentially also affect human health via seafood consumption.



At Curtain Clean we are all about minimising waste and reducing the amount of uncompostable materials going into landfill. Keep in mind that a lot of fabrics can be washed and don't need to be thrown away! Call us on 07 579 0501 if you have something you'd like cleaned, we can treat almost all fabrics.

1474 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read now

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1475 days ago

Face masks for charity

Yvonne from Hamilton East

Triple layer reversible, fully washable face masks.
All proceeds go to Kiwanis club of Westside Hamilton to support children in our community

Price: $5

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1475 days ago

NumberWorks'nWords maths and English tuition.

NumberWorks'nWords Hamilton Central

NumberWorks'nWords can help by identifying gaps, explaining your child’s learning style, and providing you with recommendations.

Get in touch to learn how tutoring with NumberWorks'nWords can help your child

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1475 days ago

Great gift idea!

Naturally Healthy

Buy 2 or more essential oils and get 15% off.
Use this code at the check out: MQXW6DMD3S2A
Visit us in store or buy online
Naturally Healthy - Hamilton
www.naturallyhealthy.co.nz...
naturallyhealthy.co.nz......
t&c's apply
Promotion ends Dec 24th 2020

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1475 days ago

Reorganisation Consultation

Gillian Diprose

An exciting opportunity to have input into how education provision for South West Hamilton will look like in the future.

Have your say in our reorganisation consultation.

Complete the response survey via. our facebook page or visit in our website.

Consultation closes 20th November.

View more
An exciting opportunity to have input into how education provision for South West Hamilton will look like in the future.

Have your say in our reorganisation consultation.

Complete the response survey via. our facebook page or visit in our website.

Consultation closes 20th November.

Together we can shape the future!!
Have your say.

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1475 days ago

Buy a Christmas Gift Hamper and help breast cancer research

Jenni from Dinsdale

The Waikato Breast Cancer Research Trust is selling Christmas hampers full of delicious snacks to raise funds to help complete the final two years of follow-up and analysis for one of our sentinel node biopsy surgical trials called the “SNAC 2 trial”. This Breast Surgeons ANZ sentinel node … View moreThe Waikato Breast Cancer Research Trust is selling Christmas hampers full of delicious snacks to raise funds to help complete the final two years of follow-up and analysis for one of our sentinel node biopsy surgical trials called the “SNAC 2 trial”. This Breast Surgeons ANZ sentinel node biopsy trial (which is Waikato led in NZ) is looking at the safety of this reduced armpit surgery in women with larger or more than one cancer in the breast and more aggressive cancers.
The Christmas Gift Hamper includes delish local food products which come in a handcrafted wooden tray. The hamper retails at $177 and we are selling for $150 per gift hamper. For further information and TO PURCHASE + FOR MORE INFO VISIT: brightasabutton.co.nz/best-of-hamper-fundraiser

Give a gift, support local, save lives from breast cancer 12.11.20.pdf Download View

1475 days ago

Tree branches

Kiri from Bader

Hi, I am looking for a tree branch or branches almost similar to the picture. Genuine callers only, please. Alt text my daughter's mob 0275651021
Kiri

Price: $10

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1476 days ago

We Say, You Say: Fire burns in Waikato landfill since August

Neighbourly.co.nz

The Waikato District Council has issued a health notice to residents living within three kilometres of Puke Coal’s construction and demolition landfill in Pukemiro, where a fire has been burning since August.

The dioxin warning is a precautionary measure and the number of people the notice … View more
The Waikato District Council has issued a health notice to residents living within three kilometres of Puke Coal’s construction and demolition landfill in Pukemiro, where a fire has been burning since August.

The dioxin warning is a precautionary measure and the number of people the notice affects is low, with a total of 212 households within the buffer zone. Abatement notices have been issued to the landfill owner in relation to breaches of the Resource Management Act.

What extra precautions do you think should be introduced to prevent another environmental incident like this happening again?

*Please type NFP if you do not want your comment printed in our conversations section.

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1476 days ago

Fraud Awareness Week

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.

New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.

HOW TO AVOID… View more
This Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.

New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.

HOW TO AVOID A SCAM:

+ A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you to ask for your PIN, password or to move money to another account.

+ Never click on a link in an unexpected email or text – you could be giving access to your personal and financial details.

+ Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

+ Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic – just because someone knows your basic details (name and address, or mother’s maiden name) it doesn’t mean they are genuine.

+ Don’t be rushed into making a decision or financial transaction on the spot – a genuine bank or trusted organisation would never do this.

+ Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it generally is.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam you can contact Police and report the matter via 105.

For more info on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed, visit:

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1476 days ago

Lawnmowers, weedeaters

Colleen from Temple View

We have four four-legged weedeaters, (pet goats) available to eat your weeds and your kitchen scraps. Pets of 95 year old lady who can’t care for them any more. Small and friendly. Would like donation of $20 per goat for the collar and rope/chain etc.
Call 021-617-003

Price: $20

1481 days ago

First home buyer burned by sunset clause finally secures dream house in Lower Hutt

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Remember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. … View more
Remember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. She ended up giving me a bit of a masterclass in tenacity and not giving up on your home owning dreams.
Find out how Bailey found her first home, and what it means to her after such a big let down.

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1476 days ago

Watch Stuff Circuit’s new documentary, Emma

The Team Reporter from Stuff

At two weeks old, Emma was left at an orphanage in Russia. After three years, Emma was adopted by a New Zealand family and brought here for a new life - but that didn’t work out how it was supposed to. Emma was diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. Parenting her… View moreAt two weeks old, Emma was left at an orphanage in Russia. After three years, Emma was adopted by a New Zealand family and brought here for a new life - but that didn’t work out how it was supposed to. Emma was diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. Parenting her became a nightmare, and it ended in tragedy.

Emma has faced more challenges and rejections than most people could cope with. And now, she wants to take on the biggest challenge of her life - finding answers to those most fundamental questions: who am I? Where did I come from?
Watch now

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1478 days ago

Happy Diwali to New Zealand!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Diwali has different meanings worldwide depending where you live but primarily it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Whether you are celebrating at home by lighting lamps & eating treats, or you are going to a nearby festival, we'd love to hear about your Diwali celebrations. Feel … View moreDiwali has different meanings worldwide depending where you live but primarily it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Whether you are celebrating at home by lighting lamps & eating treats, or you are going to a nearby festival, we'd love to hear about your Diwali celebrations. Feel free to share your photos and best wishes to your community below.

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1477 days ago

Maintaining your Curtains after Cleaning

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Hamilton

Keep your newly revived curtains looking fresher for as long as possible with our tips!

Minimise the food sources that encourage mould growth
• Clean soft furnishings regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves a regular light vacuum, with less frequent … View more
Keep your newly revived curtains looking fresher for as long as possible with our tips!

Minimise the food sources that encourage mould growth
• Clean soft furnishings regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves a regular light vacuum, with less frequent dry cleaning or laundering.
• Regularly clean windows and wipe down window surrounds and venetian blinds or shutters with a mild detergent in warm water.
• Consider selecting window coverings manufactured from man-made materials, particularly in damp areas such as the bathroom, kitchen and on south facing windows.

Minimise moisture in your home
• Use lids on pots and pans when cooking.
• Never hang clothes to dry inside and vent your clothes drier to the outside.
• Keep your roof, cladding and guttering in good repair.
• Check that stormwater is being discharged to an appropriate outlet.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Replace any unflued gas heaters with flued gas or electric heaters.
• Avoid bringing wet clothes or shoes into your home.

Ventilate your home to reduce moisture build-up in the air
• Open north facing doors and windows when you are home during the day, even during the colder months.
• Use exhaust fans in areas where water vapour is created (e.g. the kitchen and bathroom).
• If all else fails, consider a heat recovery ventilation system to replace stale damp air with fresh air.

Maintain an even inside temperature throughout your home to prevent moist air from condensing onto cold areas like windows
• Insulate ceilings, floors and, where possible, walls.
• Improve the insulative properties of your windows by closing your curtains/blinds as soon as the sun goes down each day.
• Replace any thin or unlined window coverings with quality thermal or lined curtains or roman blinds.
• Fit your curtains or blinds as close to the wall as possible to trap air against the window and take your curtains all the way to the floor to prevent air circulating out from under the curtain
• If you are planning any home renovations, consider upgrading joinery to double glazing or installing a retrofitted secondary glazing.

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