Tip of the Week
I know everyone is banging on about recycling, but do you recycle all you can? Can you recycle more with a little bit more effort, another trip to the recycling centre? I have just walked the dog and it is bins/recycling day here. I was still amazed at how much rubbish is still being put out - 7 bags at one house (OK, it may have been all their rubbish for the entire year, but I doubt it, there was no sign of any recycling out) that is in a borough where the council are good at recycling most things. Have a look at the recycling page, perhaps it will prompt you with something else you can do.
Hello Russell,
I feel that I need to raise the issue of buying recycled goods as well, in order that demand for recycling increases. This is necessary to drive the market, and therefore make it less likely that the stuff that you put out to be recycled gets dumped somewhere. I am not suggesting that the councils do this, but some of the companies that they sell onto have done so in the past, as they claimed that there was no market (although instances of this are getting fewer). Closing the loop will help to prevent this further, and will reduce the amount of raw materials that need to be used to produce stuff. There are more ad more things being made from recycled products. I think you can even buy recycled kitchens now...
Like it or not, pay as you throw may well be coming, due to the increasing costs of sending stuff to landfill. It will either be this, or charging everyone more council tax, as will happen when councils start getting fined for not hitting landfill reduction targets. Unfortunately, it may only be this that will make some households try and think more about their rubbish.
Cheers
Mel
Posted by: Mel | March 25, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Thats so true, well said. I have just bought a top that has been 50% made with recycled plastic cups!! It is a technical top from Patagonia so not a silly looking 'eco clothes' top that eco friendly clothes often have the reputation of being.
Posted by: russell | March 25, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Yes, that's true. It does annoy me that things that are ethical or environmentally friendly often feel the need to look like hair shirts...
Maybe by buying more recycled things we can drive the market in clothes that are actually wearable as well...
Posted by: Mel | March 25, 2008 at 05:51 PM