Guest Editor's Spot - Alison Heaton
As an environmental education officer, I have spent most of my working life trying to encourage people to care for the environment and World Environment Day is a good opportunity to get people to think about making a positive contribution. Sometimes it is difficult to see how leading a more sustainable life can help the tropical rainforest, droughts in Africa, or melting ice caps but recycling and reducing waste at home is something that everyone can participate in directly that does have global beneficial effects!
The challenge in my job is to help people understand why recycling and reducing waste is important and to also make it fun. In our education sessions with children we play sorting games with waste items. The first is to sort items into groups - Animal, Vegetable and Mineral to understand that everything comes from the earth and is not waste – but a resource. They learn that some of these resources are renewable and that some are not and that reducing waste saves these resources for the future. We then have activities that help people to recycle accurately and end the session with a fun craft activity; for example – making gift bags out of unused rolls of wallpaper or cress seed caterpillars made out of old tights. So to celebrate World Environment Day - why not have a competition in your house to see who can find the wackiest way of reusing a waste item?
World Environment Day
Over half* of what is put in the dustbin could be put to good use – and it’s never been easier. Here are some suggestions to help you make a difference for World Environment Day:
1. Stop junk mail. You can stop unwanted mail from companies which may be directly sending you junk mail. Register with the Mail Preference Service on 0845 7034599 or visit www.mpsonline.org.uk. Also ensure that you write "return to sender" on unaddressed or wrongly addressed mail. You can post it back free of charge.
2. Start composting. Composting allows you to recycle your organic waste like vegetable peelings, egg shells and fruit skins. Composting at home prevents this waste from going to landfill and doesn’t cost you a thing. The resulting compost will provide excellent food for your garden, improving the soil and help your garden grow. Residents in Greater Manchester can buy a low cost compost bin. To place your order by telephone call 0845 1306090. Alternatively, to place your order online, visit the Greater Manchester Get Composting website.
3. Try to buy items with less packaging. If that's not possible, check if the packaging can be re-used or recycled before you buy.
4. Try to buy fruit and vegetables loose, but store them in loosely tied reusable plastic bags in the fridge to keep them fresh. This way you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in your bin.
5. Buy items like washing detergent, herbs and spices, coffee and hand-wash as refills. Look for concentrated squashes and fabric conditioners, they not only last longer, making them more cost effective, but they can also significantly reduce the amount of packaging u sed.
6. Use your bags for life when you go shopping to cut down on the number of single use carrier bags you bring home with you.
7. Avoid disposable items like paper plates, razors, batteries (try rechargeable batteries).
8. Donate unwanted items such as clothes, books and CDs to your local charity shop. Visit www.charityshops.org.uk to find you nearest shop. You can also donate your unwanted furniture and household appliances to community schemes or charity shops and help people in need.
9. Use ‘real’ nappies. Real nappies have come a long way from the days of terry squares and nappy pins with a wide ranging choice of fabrics and designs now available. Real nappies are now trendy, durable and excellent value for money. Home laundered nappies could save parents around £500 on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies. Visit www.goreal.org.uk for more information and to find your local supplier.
10. When you cook a meal, think about your portion sizes to reduce any food waste you may have. Find out more about our hints and tips on how to reduce your food waste and easy recipes using leftovers.
* - Recycle Now
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Welcome to the third edition of 'What Else Can I Do?', the quarterly newsletter dedicated to helping you reduce the amount of waste your household generates. This edition is all about World Environment Day and how you can get involved and do your bit!
