Zero Waste

kje_2

Imagine what would happen if a forward-thinking government introduced a 20p surcharge on plastic bottles/containers, cans and glass bottles. The 20p could be recouped at local recycling centres where the waste would be crushed/shredded and then sent off for recycling. What if this surcharge was applied restrospectively to all the rubbish strewn around our streets and parks ? Nobody in their right mind would walk around throwing 20p coins on the floor so why would they drop litter or put it in the bin when it had some value ? The country would be clean !

Just adding this link to a news item about a park that I cycle through in the morning. Turned into a complete rubbish tip by people leaving bottles and cans after they've enjoyed a day/evening in the sun. If each item of rubbish was worth 20p then the park would be spotless and the council wouldn't have to spend a small fortune cleaning it.

http://!!!!!!!.com/4tpf8n

geordie_joe

Moggles wrote: »

If we're serious about achieving zero waste, the profligate use of disposable plastic carriers and containers both need to be tackled.

I agree, but we have to be realistic. Carrier bags are a very small problem and plastic bottles are a much bigger problem.

Most people have just jumped on the Modbury band wagon and are shouting about carrier bags when they are not such a big problem.

If Modbury had banned plastic bottles then thats what we'd be discussing now, and not carrier bags.

Moggles wrote: »

As someone who lives minutes walk from a supermarket, I can assure you that carrier bags are strewn across the street and dumped in our front gardens (along with non-returnable bottles) on a daily basis. :mad:

I can't argue with that, as a binman in here, or a similar thread , said that he only ever saw carrier bags near supermarkets. Away from supermarkets, he didn't see them as a problem.

If you say you have a problem with carrier bags as litter then I accept that, but I doubt most people have.

I really think people have heard about Modbury going carrier bag free and jumped on the band wagon, without thinking about it.

For example, Modbury say the only viable alternative to the carrier bag is a wicker basket made from specific wood grown in the UK. Anything else causes more harm than it prevents. If you look at the Modbury site you will see they really looked into the subject, and thoroughly researched every alternative.

Yet people in here, and all over the country, are proudly announcing they don't use carrier bags and are now using something that causes more harm.

They have just heard about the anti-carrier bag campaign and jumped on the band wagon without thinking.

Most people reuse the carrier bags for something else, then eventually put their rubbish in them before throwing it away. Yet they complain that the carrier bags are going into landfill!

It's not the carrier bags that are the problem, it's the plastic inside them when you throw them away that's the problem.

If you haven't got a free carrier bag to put your rubbish in, then you'll use a bin liner. You're still chucking rubbish away in a plastic bag, but now it's one you paid for!

Am I the only person in this forum that can see the anti-carrier bag band wagon is heading over a cliff?

Moggles_2

kje wrote: »

Imagine what would happen if a forward-thinking government introduced a 20p surcharge on plastic bottles/containers, cans and glass bottles. The 20p could be recouped at local recycling centres where the waste would be crushed/shredded and then sent off for recycling. What if this surcharge was applied restrospectively to all the rubbish strewn around our streets and parks ? Nobody in their right mind would walk around throwing 20p coins on the floor so why would they drop litter or put it in the bin when it had some value? The country would be clean!

In Germany, recycling is made even easier. Consumers return their empties to the nearest retailer to be washed and refilled with the same product. Deposits that are not redeemed contribute to the cost of collection.

To my mind, this is a greener solution than our bottle banks which result in much broken, coloured glass, fit only for road-surfacing.

Moggles_2

Originally Posted by geordie joe
If you haven't got a free carrier bag to put your rubbish in, then you'll use a bin liner. You're still chucking rubbish away in a plastic bag, but now it's one you paid for!

Exactly and human nature being what it is, most of us tend to use things we've paid for more sparingly than things we acquire for free, as you yourself posted on another thread:

Originally Posted by geordie joe
About 8 years ago my local KwikSave used to charge 1p for the flimsy carrier bags and 3p for the stronger ones. People, including me, used to reuse the bags. They would get the shopping home and fold up the bags and stick them in their coat pocket and reuse them next time.

Then it got taken over by Somerfield and they started giving away carrier bags for free. Now nobody reuses their carrier bags, why should they bother sticking the bags in their coat pocket after they've got their shopping home when they will get another free one next time.

I don't think charging for carrier bags is the complete solution, but I do think it will help a lot.

So do I.

Purple_Sparkles

I love the idea of returning the bottles back to the retails for reuse Moggles. I think this is something that should be pushed forward. Locally recycling of plastics is virtually none - I know of one location where I can take it but that has to be a special trip, so I save them all up.

I think I'm becoming rather extreme now as I'm refusing to buy anything that comes with excessive packaging. I'm trying to do without buying anything in plastic at all now.

My local shops are getting used to me and I simply take my own containers to the butcher, fishmonger etc...that way I don't have to have the plastic bags.

For myself and my son who's 9 - it's quite a challenge at times but we are getting there. I find I plan my purchases much more and think about where I'll get them from. I've still not put any refuse out for collection, I simply don't have any. Maybe I should ask for a reduction on my council tax :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

OrkneyStar

Purple_Sparkles wrote: »

I'm trying to reduce the amount of 'rubbish' that I put out for the bin men, ideally I'd like to get it to zero.

Would anyone like to join me?

I already try to re-use things, not buy items with excess packaging, compost kitchen waste etc but I'm sure there is plenty of room for improvement.

Any ideas gratefully received

Can I join you ?
I recycle glass, plastic bottles, now starting on tins/cans- luckily there is a Civic Amenity site not too far away. I use reusable bags and don't put the loose fruit into a plastic bag to weigh etc. Still detest the amount of waste that we accumulate. Also have an 11 month old, we use reusable nappies and wipes a lot of the time, although disposable for night time. I have starting feeding any waste food to the cat, even if she doesn't like it her bowl is outside so anything she leaves some other lovely local feline will eat! What do any of you do with the wrappers that crisps and biscuits come in ?
Any uses for yoghurt pots as we go through a lot of those with us and LO!
Thanks in advance.

pmorrisjones

Re yogurt pots - seed/plant pots also I now use my yogurt maker (reusable pots). Plastic wrappers that are bag like - for doggy poo poos and cat poo - we must be the only cat owner that the cat poos in her own garden. My dogs (labradors) then eat it. Yuk - too much information I hear you say.My hubby doesn't really like it when an old bread bag comes out of my pocket, or frozen peas etc. but why not.Try to buy fruit and veg unwrapped but as on a tight budget, I do often have to go for cheapest - and wrapped ones invariably are cheaper. Still I'm now thinking more of reusing. My real small plastic plantpots I put on Freecycle and I now use all appropriate plastic packaging. Large pots I need to keep for tomato plants, potting up etc. I will continue challenge as although not putting out much less it all adds up.

Purple_Sparkles

Welcome Ornkeystar :T

I used terry nappies for my son, cotton wool and water. My MIL wouldn't hear of it though, she kept buying disposables, I think she thought I was poor!

To be honest I don't buy packaged biscuits & crisps, my son would scoff the lot if he had the chance. I do an awful lot of my own baking so he gets his treats that way, plus I know what's in my food. As for yogurt pots, I'm with pmorrisjones, I make my own yogurt, any old pots I use them for your seedlings etc...

I have 2 dogs, 19 rats, 4 cats (hopefully 4 chickens soon) who all welcome any extras as far as food is concerned! Anything else goes in my compost bin.

Plastic is my main bugbear - I reuse, reuse, reuse, reuse etc.......

I buy loads of things from carboot sales too, which is great as the packaging has already been got rid of

Lozza001

Purple_Sparkles wrote: »

I'm making over my garden too using as many recycled items as possible, slabs that were the path have made a wall to support the decking which is being made out of free broken pallet wood from a company about 1/2 mile away.
quote]

I am about to put some decking down but didn't even think about doing it with recycled wood. What does the company you get it from sell, and did you just go in and ask for it?

Purple_Sparkles

Hi Lozza001

The company I get the pallets from sells tiles, they just throw the pallets out. I went in and asked if I could have a few and they simply said take as many as you want, just help yourself anytime.

I've got pallets from all over the place, there are normally lots to be had on industrial estates, I just make sure I ask first, I've never been denied yet!