GLASS
Sand, Limestone and Soda Ash are quarried in huge amounts for glass production. The production process uses vast amounts of energy: 1 ton of new glass requires 0.5 tons of coal or 1000kw of electricity. If recycled energy in production is reduced to 25%; with much less pollution as a result. For General Information:
www.glasspac.com - Info on Glass Packaging
www.britglass.co.uk - Directory of recycling
www.wrap.org.uk
www.letsrecycle.com - Collectors
www.wasteonline.org.uk - Companies involved
GOVERNMENT - LOCAL & CENTRAL
The fact that both Labour and Tory governments have the same foreign policy involving the colossal waste of life and money we have seen in recent years with the concomitant economic impact (10 billion pounds is a conservative estimate for the cost of the Iraq war), the same nuclear energy strategy (without public or even high level ministerial debate), the same policy on Trident (over 40 billion pounds of public money squandered on an obsolete weapons system) would seem to suggest that we do not really have 
any say in changing the way major decisions are made. However, it does seem that when direct action threatens governments they start to listen; the 1980s riots and poll tax riots of 1990 have more or less proved that phenomenon as they led to changes in policing and taxation. One thing government is sometimes good for is providing a certain amount of information; although it has to be said that government websites are generally useless and involve the bread and circus approach favoured by governments of all colours. That is they only give the minimum of detail and repeat themselves as much as possible without telling anyone anything. Here are some of the more useful sites:
Energy Information Administration
www.eia.doe.gov
Environment Agency:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
This is handy for checking whether your property or that of one you wish to purchase is in a flood zone.
Other useful information can be found at:
www.dti.org.uk
www.netregs.gov.uk
www.neighbourhood.gov.uk
Fly Tipping Action hotlines: 0800 807060
0845 3000630
GROCERIES
Ethical shopping is now mainstream. See:
www.eattheseasons.co.uk
www.lfm.org.uk
www.abel-cole.co.uk
www.bigbarn.co.uk
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Ensuring the continuity of our architectural heritage is not just vital culturally; it is also necessary for a truly sustainable approach to the built environment as refurbishing and caring for old buildings means we will not be wasting energy on building new ones. This has been especially true where local communities have saved their community from demolition by mass development. A good example is Black Road in Macclesfield; famous for being saved by it's residents in the 1970s and for it's support by Prince Charles. Refurbishing historic properties has never been more popular but good practice is vital.
Related websites: www.english-heritage.org.uk - guidance & technical
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
www.spab.org.uk - Society for the Protection of Ancient buildings
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk
For companies that specialize in refurbishment and technical support see restoration and refurbishment.
HOUSEHOLD
There are a great many sites catering for all tastes with respect to home and furnishings etc but some useful ones are:
www.naturalcollection.com
www.ecocentric.co.uk
HOUSING - CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES
For any housing project attempting to gain environmental credentials this is now the national standard; there are 6 categories with Code 6 being the highest attaining credit and indicating a scheme closest to the aim of being carbon neutral. This impacts on many other areas; for general info see::
www.energistuk.co.uk
www.greenmoves.com
www.gn2design.co.uk
www.ecoshomes.co.uk
INFORMATION – MEDIA etc
We are what we read and see to a great extent; our consumption of news and information is phenomenal and greater than ever before. So why is it that few seem to feel that they are fully informed especially in relation to the environment. The following sites may give some small spyhole into the reality of the current situation.
Association for Environment Conscious Building:
www.aecb.net
Centre for Alternative Technology:
www.cat.org.uk
Consumer issues: www.ethicalconsumer.org
www.newbuilder.co.uk
Ecology: www.theecologist.org
www.ecobooks.co.uk
www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk
Intermediate Technology: www.itdg.org
Lifestyle: www.oneworld.org
www.lowimpact.org
www.fooocus.com
Media Services www.ems.org
www.whizzywig.co.uk
Organic gardening: www.organiccatalog.com
Recycling: www.letsrecycle.com
Sustainable Agriculture, Science and local farming:
www.permaculture.co.uk
Urban Regeneration: www.newstartmag.co.uk
INSULATION
Most of the main insulation companies provide wall, floor and roof insulation which is non-CFC, non-HCFC and has zero ozone depletion. However, they are still not as environmentally sound as sheep's wool, warmcell and other cellulose based products as they use more energy in production. Environmentally friendly insulations include: flax, cellulose (eg Warmcell), and wool (e.g. Thermafleece).
www.penycoed-warmcel.com
www.lowimpact.org
www.excelfibre.com
www.naturalinsulations.com
www.naturalresourcegroup.co.uk
www.knaufinsulation.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
Kitchens- refurbishment: www.sinks.co.uk -Brass & Traditional Sinks on this site
www.kitchenrestoration.com - Kitchen Refurbishment
Woodworking: www.acornfinewoodwork.com
Worktops: www.bordercraft.co.uk
www.barncrest.co.uk