Freecycle time: Do you have an old but fully functional TV, couch or PC which you can neither use nor sell? Maybe you should consider freecycling it.

The Freecycle Network aims to divert usable goods from landfills and strengthen local reuse and recycling communities. The site continues to grow in popularity in Ireland and provides a way for people to offer and receive free items for reuse or recycling. There are nearly 2,500 members signed up to the Irish community, which can be accessed at www.freecycle.org.

Bye to batteries

An EU-wide crackdown aimed at reducing the number of batteries ending up in landfills has been agreed by MEPs. The deal sets new collection and recycling targets in an effort to combat growing levels of mercury, cadmium and lead pollution. Under the terms of the deal, by 2016 at least 45 per cent of all batteries in use in the EU - from car batteries to torch batteries - will be saved and recycled rather than incinerated or dumped in landfill sites.

Chat on Skype

Skype, the company that allows users to place phone calls over the Internet for free, has just released an early beta version of its latest software. It's designed to be even easier to use than before, and has new features, including enhanced text messaging facilities. The free software can be downloaded from www.skype.com.

Bread runner

A Ridley Scott directed ad for Hovis from the early 1970s featuring a boy pushing a bike has been voted Britain's favourite commercial, according to a survey carried out on behalf of, er, Hovis.

Funny how companies which sponsor surveys so often get the results they'd hope for.