Brown is the New Green with Mr. Binman - Householders to get new Bin Service Free of Charge

Mr. Binman, the award-winning waste recycling company, is leading the “recycling revolution” by offering the people of South Tipperary a free organic waste collection service.

As one of the country’s most progressive and environmentally conscious waste management companies, Mr. Binman is hoping to help drastically increase Tipperary’s recycling levels by encouraging people to reduce, reuse and recycle more.

Joe Cleary of Mr Binman was delighted to introduce this ground-breaking free service to Tipperary. According to Joe Cleary, there are no hidden charges, no catches or small print here. “It’s very simple. Tipperary is recycling a lot but we feel we can increase it further by introducing an organic waste collection service to our customers. This is in line with Government and Local Authority driven legislation but we are introducing to our customers first so they will have the benefit of it.”

He added “We are rolling out this new bin service to our customers in the main towns in South Tipperary currently but we will be rolling it out to other areas in the near future. You will be getting a new bin, free of charge, to put all your food waste and garden waste into and this will be sent for composting which means the material will be re-used. This material would previously have ended up going to landfill which is detrimental to the environment”

According to Mr. Cleary, the organic material will sent for composting to another Tipperary based company, Acorn Recycling.

“Mr Binman currently delivers its brown bin waste to an EPA licensed composting facility owned and operated by Acorn Recycling in Littleton, Thurles, Co Tipperary. At Acorn Recycling’s facility, the organic bin waste collected from our customers will be turned into compost that is reused in the horticultural and amenity markets. This demonstrates our commitment to recycling as much material as we can and also our commitment o operating in compliance with current waste legislation”.

Cleary added “By making small modifications in our day to day practises, small but significant steps such as reducing, reusing and recycling our waste can make a big difference.”

Mr Binman has been honoured as Repak Recycling Contractor of the Year on three occasions and the more material that is recycled, the less waste going to landfill which is better for this and future generations.

Mr Binman is a family owned and run company and employs over 300 people in the Munster region in the waste collection and recycling business.

For further information and details of where to obtain details on Mr. Binman’s service or the new organic waste collection service, log onto www.mrbinman.com or call 1890 92 92 41.

Home Instead Senior Care highlights Osteo-care at Healthy Living Health Fair

A "Healthy Living" Health Fair will be held in Waterford Health Park on Saturday, January 29th emphasising the importance of exercise, fitness and good food for overall health and well being.

The Fair will be open to all members of the public and will feature a range of health and wellness stands, exhibitions and health talks. Information and sample sessions will also be available on acupuncture, pilates, physiotherapy, counselling, sports injuries, health screening and men and women’s health issues.

Home Instead Senior Care will be exhibiting at the Healthy Living Health Fair with information and tips on how to prevent osteoporosis and visitors will also be able to pick up free copies of “Beat the Break” – A Guide to Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention”.

According to Danette Connolly, Director of Care at Home Instead Senior Care, “The Irish Osteoporosis Society estimates that 300,000 people in Ireland have Osteoporosis. One in five men and one in two women over 50 will develop a fracture due to Osteoporosis in their lifetime. The disease can affect even children.”

Ms. Connolly added "A healthy lifestyle and a safe, hazard-free home are vital to healthy ageing and will help Ireland's seniors maintain their independence. There are many older people who are literally trapped in the home because they are too weak to perform many of the activities they need to remain independent, or even enjoy life. It is so important seniors do what they can to 'beat the break' and maintain healthy bones".

The good news is no one is too young or old to improve their bone health and there are a number of steps people can take to prevent Osteoporosis and avoid falls:

Healthy eating - Ensure your diet is rich in calcium and vitamin D as they help improve bone strength. Calcium is best absorbed from dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt and oily fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines are all excellent sources of vitamin D.

Appropriate exercise - Resistance training using weights promotes bone health by increasing muscle strength and bone density.

Avoid alcohol and smoking - Excess consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of fracture and reduce bone formation. Women should limit their alcohol intake to 14 units per week and men to 21 units per week. The toxins in cigarettes also negatively affect bone health and should be avoided.

Remove home hazards - At least one-third of all falls suffered by the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home so it is important to reduce clutter in the home, especially in walk areas such as hallways.

Light up your living space - Ensure your home is brightly lit and place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallway so you can see clearly.

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor - Poor vision can increase your chance of falling. An eye doctor will ensure you are wearing the correct lenses or check if you have a condition such as glaucoma or cataracts that limits vision.

For further information on bone health and general health information please visit the “Healthy Living” Health Fair at Waterford Health Park on Saturday, January 29th from 10am to 3pm or visit www.homeinstead.ie and download a copy of "Beat the Break: A Guide on Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention".

There may be Clouds, but the future looks clear for Waterford’s Businesses

Waterford native and MD of Microsoft Ireland, Paul Rellis, will address the region’s businesses on the future of “cloud computing” and the advances being made by Microsoft in this area.

The business briefing entitled “The Future is the Cloud” is supported by Waterford IT company, HCS Business Solutions and Waterford Chamber and will take place in the Tower Hotel at 8.30am on Wednesday, February 16^th.

Paul Rellis was appointed Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland in December 2007. As MD he is responsible for Microsoft Corporation’s business in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and also represents Microsoft on all strategic policy and communications issues in Ireland.

Prior to being appointed MD, Paul was the Managing Director for Microsoft’s European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operations Centre, based in Sandyford, Co. Dublin. His role includes overseeing Microsoft's channel partners, supply chain, finance and order management across the region. The EMEA Operations Centre services 131 countries across five time zones. Previously, he held the position of Finance Director for Microsoft Operations in EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

One of the most recent exciting developments in the IT sector has been the shift towards cloud computing, which ultimately has a simple purpose; it allows end users to securely leverage the Internet for application use, data storage, and other tools. Coupled with this, cloud options are more cost effective, there is no need for on site backup and no more costs associated with managing IT infrastructure.

According to Neil Phelan, Sales Director, HCS Business Solutions, there is huge anticipation ahead of the “cloud” amongst local SME’s. Mr. Phelan commented, “Cloud computing is, undoubtedly, the way forward and is being welcomed by companies of all sizes. Cloud computing will give users a more reliable, remote and transparent IT service resulting in greater uptime and more business stability, which in these tough times is crucial.”

Mr. Phelan added “As Certified Microsoft Partners HCS Business Solutions is delighted that Paul Rellis will join us to address Waterford’s business community about the significance of cloud computing and the huge commitment Microsoft is making to online services.”

Microsoft first opened its doors in Ireland in 1985 with a small manufacturing facility employing just over one hundred people. Since that time, Microsoft Ireland has grown to encompass four distinct operations at its campus in Sandyford in Dublin, employing over 1,200 full time employees and 700 full-time contract staff.

“The Future is the Cloud” briefing will take place in the Tower Hotel on Wednesday, February 16^th at 8.30am. This event is free. For further information or to book your place call Sheila Quinn at Waterford Chamber on 051 872639 or email sheila.quinn@waterfordchamber.ie

Family Workshop to provide vital information for Waterford’s Carers

With a significant rise in those who care for family relatives NAS Training Centre, Cleaboy Business Park has launched a “People Moving Workshop for Family Carers”.

This workshop will provide vital information for carers who provide a high level of care to a range of people including frail older people, people with severe disabilities, the terminally ill and children with special needs.

According to Danette Connolly, Director of NAS Training Centre, the workshop will cover a wide range of topics including Back safety, safe moving techniques and hoist demonstrations.

“There has been so much warranted publicity surrounding carers in the media lately, we feel that the “People Moving Workshop for Family Carers” is crucial to ensure carers are well informed, well trained and well looked after.”

Danette added “According to the Carers Association each week 3.7 million hours are worked by 161,000 family carers. In order to ensure they continue to provide vital support to those they care for a carer's good health and well being is paramount.”

The People Moving Workshops for Family Carers will take place in the NAS Training Centre, Cleaboy Business Park and will run during the day, evenings and weekends, the first workshops are scheduled for the mornings of Saturday the 23^rd and Friday the 28^th of January (10am to 2pm).

For more information about the People Moving Workshop for Carers call 051 – 333960 or visit www.nas.ie

Waterford Credit Union to refurbish Parnell Street branch

In order to make its service more customer friendly, to comply with new legislation and to take on board members’ comments with regard to privacy Waterford Credit Union’s Parnell Street branch will be closing from January 24th to 29th for refurbishment.

This refurbishment will principally concentrate on the counter area to make it more member friendly and to incorporate new cash handling machines which are required to comply with new EU banknote legislation. The layout will be more open-plan yet will also provide a private lending area where one to one communication will be made easier and more discreet. The revamp will brighten up the office which has serviced the members of Waterford Credit Union well since 1992.

Waterford Credit Union was established on 19th March, 1963. In 1968 premises were purchased at 22 Lady Lane and renovated to serve as a suitable office in which members could transact their business. Operating in the early years from Lady Lane Waterford Credit Union eventually moved to a modern purpose built office at a prestigious location on the corner of Parnell Street and Colbeck Street in 1992, such was the demand from members for service.

Due to its expanding membership and continuous aim to offer its members the best service possible, Waterford Credit Union opened a second office at Upper Grange, Waterford in April 2003.

In 2006 it entered into agency agreements with EBS Building Society and Eagle Star. To facilitate members with ease of access to their savings a local ATM network was installed. In 2007 Waterford Credit Union became the first Credit Union to have access to the bank clearing systems which enabled on line banking. And in 2008 Waterford Credit Union became the first financial institution to be awarded the ISO 27001 certificate for its Information Security Management Systems, thus ensuring the protection of members’ data.

General Manager Ilonda Parle is proud of this progressive tradition. “All of these activities have been part of Waterford Credit Union’s proactive philosophy and is what keeps our members supplied with the best personal and technical services.”

Ms. Parle added “While we apologise for the inconvenience this work will cause, the refurbishment in Parnell Street is both essential and appropriate, and because of decisions made in the past we are in a position to refurbish our Parnell Street branch while offering a full service in our Upper Grange Branch.” “It is also an opportunity for our members to try our on-line services”, she added.

All customer services will be accommodated by the staff at the Upper Grange branch. The opening hours for the week in question at Upper Grange branch are:
Monday January 24th 10am to 5pm
Tuesday January 25th 10am to 4pm
Wednesday January 26th 10am to 5pm
Thursday January 27th 10am to 5pm
Friday January 28th 10am to 7pm
Saturday January 29th 10am to 5pm

For more information check out www.waterfordcu.ie or call 051-861600