Month: October 2021

Singapore is home to a third of the world’s diversity of coral species – a huge amount for a tiny country. Coral reefs protect the world’s coastlines, are home to thousands of fishes and are a vital part of the underwater ecosystem.

However, issues like coastal development, reclamation and pollution have caused Singapore’s reefs to deplete over the decades. But a group of scientists from the National University of Singapore is trying to change this – with the help of some Lego blocks.

The number of coral species around the world is about 800, but they’re delicate and easily-damaged. They’re home to many species of marine life and also play a part in reducing global warming.

(Read more about this coral reef restoration project) 

For the first time, Lego is being used for reef restoration. Scientists take loose bits of coral from the reefs, which are then broken up and attached to Lego blocks. These small pieces can then grow into larger colonies. 

Lego is fit for this purpose as it’s modular, scalable and so it can be worked up with larger pieces of coral, then more building blocks can just be stuck on. When working with smaller corals, smaller pieces can be used. 

This is called “vertical farming”, and it also helps save space. It’s not a new concept, but now the Lrgo blocks can be strung down to maximise space in the aquarium. 

Neo Mei Lin, a leading marine biologist and senior research fellow from the National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute said: “Detachable Lego bricks proved very useful in helping us to hold corals and giant clams in place.

“It’s easy to see why we should save marine creatures like dolphins and whales, but not many people realize that we first have to start with their habitats which are under threat from man-made activities.” 

(This living sea wall is bringing oceans back to life) 

At the moment, the coral pieces are just being used for research experiments at the St John’s Island National Marine Lab. But the hope is to one day grow enough coral to be transplanted back into Singapore’s waters. 

Singapore is strategically located at the crossroads between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. It’s unique position in the tropical South China Sea offers unprecedented opportunities for rapidly advancing research and discovery in tropical marine science. 

Similarly, in Hong Kong, marine biologists turned to 3D printing as a means of repopulating dead and damaged reefs. 

The scientists in Singapore also want to launch a ‘blue plan’ for their oceans and seas, to teach Singaporeans new ideas such as retention, rejuvenation and restoration, before it’s too late. 

You can learn more about the National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute here.

Two mums have set up a plastic-free party decoration business after being fed up with the amount of waste leftover from celebrations. 

The Conscious Party Box was founded by Rachel & Pippa, who didn’t want fun today to be at the expense of their children’s tomorrows. 

It’s important to celebrate the good things in life, they say, but it doesn’t mean it needs to cost the earth. And their combined skills as a web designer, and fashion and lifestyle designer, means they’re well covered to set up a small creative business. 

Having five children between them, they put on five birthday parties a year, and attend several more. “We know they come with a mountain of waste, from straws and plates, to party bag contents, which often don’t even make it home, or are chucked away within a day,” says Pippa.

(Here’s how Aldi is getting ahead on ditching plastic)

“The Conscious Party Box was created from our desire to encourage stylish themed events for children which didn’t result in a lot of landfill waste.”

The duo sell plastic-free party kits which are either reusable, compostable or recyclable. They also donate to Plastic Oceans UK, with every purchase of a party box and decoration kit, which works to end plastic pollution and foster sustainable communities worldwide. 

Their most popular theme is the rainbow kit, but people also love their party bag and stocking fillers. “A lot of people struggle with sending a load of rubbish home with party guests,” says Pippa. “A seasonal hit has been our new DIY reindeer crackers, the perfect Christmas Eve activity for any family!”

(Read more about the plastic hunting pirates) 

Pippa says people have been so positive about what they offer. “It seems we have solved a problem a lot of people have been facing,” she says. “We put paper clips in with our decorations which means that they can be put away and used again unlike so many single use decorations.”

With five children, a lack of time means running the business is challenging. But the pair still have big ambitions.

“We would love to expand our range of party bag fillers in the future, and even come up with some of our own kits,” Pippa adds. “We want to stock more decorations, too. We love decorations and there are so many out there. We are excited about future kits!”

You can find out more about The Conscious Party Box and purchase planet-friendly decorations here. 

Aldi is making moves to reach its ambitious goal of majorly reducing its plastic packaging by 2025 – and it’s hopefully one that will inspire other businesses to take note. 

The budget supermarket has announced its removing all plastic packaging from its entire wooden toy range. Its upcoming Specialbuy range includes 26 different items, including wooden medical carts and pirate ships. The range was originally launched in 2016.

Shoppers can also pick up giant soft toys, which have also had their plastic packaging removed, while an eco plush toy, made from recycled plastic bottles, will also go on sale.

Available either as a bear in Aldi uniform or a selection of endangered animals, including a Galapagos penguin, sea turtle and blue whale, the eco plush toys are made from 100% recycled polyester.

[Find out about other businesses that are giving back to people and the planet]

The changes across Aldi’s toy range will result in a 54 tonne reduction in plastic packaging each year. It has been achieved by a number of changes, including substituting paper tape for plastic, and replacing bubble wrap with paper wrap, meaning the range’s packaging is now made from 93% recyclable materials.

Richard Gorman, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: “Eradicating waste is a key part of Aldi’s Better Everyday sustainability strategy, and removing unnecessary plastic from our packaging is a fundamental part of that.

“In 2018, we pledged that all our packaging would be recyclable, compostable or re-usable by the end of 2022, so we’re continually reviewing all of our product ranges to remove unnecessary packaging. It’s by making small changes, like removing packaging plastic from our Specialbuy toys, that we’ll achieve our goal.”

Aldi also committed to halve the total volume of plastic packaging it uses by 2025. This will see the supermarket remove 74,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from products over the next four years.

[Discover more positive stories about the world at Smiley News]

Every year, the London Fire Brigade rescues hundreds of animals – many of which are much loved pets or strays. 

In 2021 alone, they’ve already saved 726 animals including 331 cats and 86 dogs, as well as plenty of others – from horses to birds to goats and even snakes. 

And they recently visited some of the animals they rescued, as well as dropping by Battersea Dog and Cats home to show support for their ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ campaign.

The campaign was launched to rally animal lovers across the UK to show their support for rescue by proudly wearing a special new ‘rescue symbol’, to celebrate all that makes rescue animals so special, and help spread the word that these underdogs deserve a second chance in life.

[Discover more positive news on the Smiley Movement homepage]

Leading Firefighter, Tom O’Connor, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Battersea’s Wear Blue for Rescue campaign. Firefighters love animals too and we are often called to assist distressed or injured animals when our specialist equipment is required. 

“These animals can unfortunately sometimes be strays, so it’s a real comfort to know there are charities like Battersea that are ready to help.

“It was a real privilege to meet some of Battersea’s current residents and see the fantastic work that’s being done there by the wonderful staff and volunteers.”

The rescue dogs lucky enough to spend quality time with the firefighters included Maxwell, an eight-year-old French Bulldog who’s been at Battersea for 163 days; recent arrival Troy, a very lively six-year-old Bichon Frise; young German Shepherd pup Rose, who has a home waiting for her once she’s ready; and delicate Ragu, a four-year-old Italian Greyhound who has already gone to a loving home.

[Find out about more fundraising initiatives you can take part in on Smiley News]

As a special surprise, the visitors were also introduced to two of Battersea’s smallest, and arguably cutest, residents – a pair of three-week-old puppies that are being hand reared by one of Battersea’s many foster carers.

Anyone can get involved with the ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ campaign, whether they own a rescue pet or not. People and their pets can show their support by proudly wearing the new Rescue symbol, whether it be on a pin badge, a t-shirt, tote bag or a pet collar tag.

To find out more about the ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ campaign and learn how to support, visit www.battersea.org.uk/wearblueforrescue.