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  1. The Ultimate Guide To Sustainabili-TEA

    Comments Off on The Ultimate Guide To Sustainabili-TEA

    Erthygl Gymraeg yma

    This article was written by Victoria Williams during a recent workshop held at the EVI. Community members volunteered themselves to create content focusing on environmental issues. During these video and blogging workshops they were taught the skills to create their own online content. This was all made possible with funding from the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme. Check out the related articles at the bottom of the page.

    We all aim to be eco-friendly and make a positive impact on our Earth, but did you know that by drinking your regular brew you could be doing more damage than good? 

    Why’s this? Whilst Britain is the third-most tea-drinking country in the world (just behind Turkey and Ireland), that tea is not homegrown. Most of it comes from Africa (especially Kenya), Sri Lanka, India and China. This means a lot of travel-time for our favourite hot drink. 

    What’s more is that the bags often contain plastic and do not compost properly- thus the millions we consume each day generally go to landfill. And that’s before we even think about all the extra electricity needed to power a million kettles at half time when the football’s on.    

    According to the BBC’s Climate Change Food Calculator, drinking a few cups a day, every day, for a year emits 30kg of carbon a year- as much as driving a petrol car 78 miles. The good news is that’s not nearly as bad as the equivalent amount of coffee, beer or wine.  

    An eco-conscious cuppa

    But there are some companies who are trying to make a difference. If you want to make a more sustainable choice when it comes to your favourite brew then take a look at the list below.

    Box of Cornish Tea for sustainabili-TEA article
    Image from Cornish Tea Co

    1. The Cornish Tea Company  

    Buying and using tea bags is something you just have to do if you want to drink tea. In order to help the environment switch to biodegradable bags. Cornish Tea’s signature “fusion bags” feature a variety of flavors and the bags are created from 100% biodegradable cornstarch. 

    Teapigs logo for Sustainabili-TEA article
    Image from teapigs

    2. Tea Pigs 

    Another sustainable brand is Tea Pigs. They create a wide variety of flavors for every mood and situation. They believe tea should be pure and simple, and they keep it this way by never adding anything harmful. Their packaging is 100% plastic free and they are the brand first brand to be awarded the Plastic Free Trust Mark. 

    Clipper logo for Sustainabili-TEA article
    Image from Clipper

    3.Clipper Tea 

    Clipper is a natural and completely organic brand. They’re guided by organic principles and are committed to being GM-free whilst using ingredients from non-GM sources. The brand itself focuses on constantly finding new ways to be natural. 

    Numi logo for Sustainabili-TEA article
    Image from Numi Tea

    4.Numi Teas 

    Numi delivers on every aspect when it comes to sustainability. Not only are their ingredients 100% real coming straight from the plants but they also feature sustainable packaging. They also make donations to offset their carbon emissions and support environmental nonprofits.   


    So, there you have it, the best brands to allow you to enjoy a cup of tea free from environmental guilt. Enjoy!

    Related articles:

  2. Thank you for your feedback & informing our plans for EVIs development

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    During a recent survey, you told us that you would like EVI to…

    • Create a Community Garden (57%):
      We hope to transform the unused land out the back to create a community space for recreation & activities, whilst enabling access to EVI via the Mount Street car park.
    • Develop our Live Music Venue (55%):
      We’d like to refurbish our venue and equipment to attract larger acts and audiences whilst diversifying our arts programming.
    • Create Art & Photography Exhibition space (45%):
      We’d love to host regular art exhibitions in an affordable way for the community.
    • Improve our training and reception facilities (40%):
      We’d like to refurbish our training and reception facilities and improve our free WIFI service, attracting more training and development opportunities.
    • Install solar panels, improve our heating & lighting & replace our roof (48%):
      This will help us become more energy efficient, keeping all our rooms warm and comfortable.

    We’d love to hear more about what you think :

    • What do you think of the plans above?
    • How will these improvements impact you?
    • How would you like to use the community garden?
    • Do you have any other ideas ?

    Please let us know your thoughts by emailing info@evi.cymru, or leave your comments below – your input directly informs our plans for developing EVI.

  3. Lot’s of fun & information at the EVI Family Fun Day…

    Comments Off on Lot’s of fun & information at the EVI Family Fun Day…

    Thank you to everyone who took part in our Family Fun Day !

    It was great to see families explore the EVI building during the Easter Information Trail, asking questions about the support services available and taking part in the activities !

    Arts & Crafts Workshop…

    Dance…

    Wrestling…

    EVI Easter Information Trail:

    Lot’s of organisations were at hand to provide information on support services available, both within EVI (Barod Cymru Gwent N-Gage project, BGCBC Youth Services, Changing Minds, ACT Training and Llamau)

    and external to EVI:

         

    EVI TV

    EVI TV is now live, providing information on EVI services, news, classes and events !

    With the funding support received from the Police & Crime Commissioner Partnership Fund, EVI was able to develop this TV system to help make information and support services easier to access.

    We will soon be showing our archive of local history / community films on our EVI Youtube channel – watch this space !

  4. EVI awarded £4,000 from Police & Crime Commissioners for Gwent Partnership Fund

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    ProMo-Cymru, the charity that runs Ebbw Vale Institute has been awarded £4,000 from the Police & Crime Commissioner for Gwent Partnership Fund which is funded by the proceeds of crime awarded to the police and from the sale of unclaimed found property.

    With this support, EVI will provide an ‘information point’ for visitors to find out more about the services available within EVI, particularly around supporting vulnerable people, crime prevention and community cohesion.

    • BGCBC Youth Services: offers information, guidance and support including Anti-Social Behaviour prevention and Health & Well Being to young people.
    • ACT Training: provides opportunities for young people who are looking to get started in the world of work or improve their career prospects.
    • Gwent-N-Gage: offers free, confidential and friendly one to one specialist support for young people who use substances and for their loved ones.
    • Changing Minds:  provides support to young people aged 14-25 who have or are experiencing mental health difficulties.
    • Llamau SY/MF project provides young people [16-19yrs] who have offended and those leaving the care system greater access to employment and training by undertaking a six month paid work placement.
    • Expressions: helps people deal with the root causes of anti-social behaviour, depression, anxiety and many other problems though CBT.
    • NHS Road to Wellbeing: Stress Control & ACTivate (Mental Health Support for adults)
    • Youth Offending Service (Community Panel)
    • GDAS: Provides direct support & intervention to service users and families.
    • And many more…

    In celebration of Easter and with thanks to the key services provided to support the community (located within and external to EVI), we will hold a Family Fun Day  on Wednesday 28th March 2018, from 3pm – 6pm.

    Free activities include sumo wrestling, dance mats, arts & crafts, sugar craft demonstration, goodie bags and more – the first 50 people to complete the trail will receive a free Easter Cup Cake.

    All ages welcome, cafe with WIFI available.

    I would like to congratulate all the projects funded on their success.  I know that small amounts of funding can often make a big difference to people’s lives and can sometimes be the catalyst which can help small community projects to develop, grow and help even more people.  The Partnership Fund is a fantastic way of putting money we have seized from criminals back into the public purse so it can be used for positive community action.  The Police & Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert.

     

Foundation Funders:

National Lottery Community Fund Logo
Welsh Government Logo

Current Funders:

Lloyds Bank Foundation Logo
Landfills Tax Scheme Logo
WCVA Logo
Blaenau Gwent County Council Logo
UK Gov Wales

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