Recycling bins at train stations? April 16, 2008

A campaign by the local green party in the area of St Albans have been successful in winning recycling bins at their train station.

 

Spokesmen Simon Grover has said: “It’s an opportunity to recycle a huge amount everyday”.

 

However, I find this new system somewhat strange. Placing recycling bins in train stations may reduce the amount of newspapers being littered, mainly the free London papers, but I don’t think it will reduce the amount of paper being used in total, if anything it will increase it.

I’ve always liked the idea of reusing anything that can be reused, and a newspaper is one of those products that can be reused numerous amount of times. So why place a bin which is going to encourage commuters to dispose their paper rather then leaving it on the seat for someone else to read. Seeing as we all do pick up newspapers on tubes, trains, trams and busses I think it’s an unintelligent step to take.

 

That is my opinion and I would be very interested in hearing some of yours, some comment away and let me know of your thoughts.

 

=)

Ditch Plastic Bags… April 13, 2008

At the check out point in the supermarket today, I noticed plastic boxes used instead of plastic bags to carry the shopping in. At £1 a box, it’s a very good investment as they can be reused many times, and will most defiantly be a step forward in reducing the waste in landfills, many of which are plastic bags.

 

I personally have made a start and purchased two boxes, and I found to be much easier to carry then carrier bags.

It would be great if one by one we could change our old habits and notice the problems we are causing subconsciously.

 

=)

Grow your own produce to reduce household wastes. April 10, 2008

Today’s episode of Loose Women on ITV1 starred guest Kim Wilde, an 80’s pop singer and current professional gardener. She made a very interesting point which got me thinking about other ways which we could REDUCE the need for recycling.

Growing our own produce would mean less packaging and hence less waste for recycling.

Growing your vegetables is very easy as you can use pots on your windowsill, balconies and gardens. There are many useful websites which advice you on how to grow produce such as herbs, peas and salad ingredient: http://www.ehow.com/how_2148816_grow-windowsill-herb-garden.html.

 

This approach of home produced goods would decrease household wastes and slowly help environmental issues such as global warming. It is cheaper, healthier and more exciting than buying your vegetables or herbs from Tescos.

 

So would you consider growing you own produce?