Well, this is something new – I hope I manage to keep posting as I can be rather forgetful! I’m assuming this is my page to post my thoughts/comments/rants about the world of recycling, as I see it. As such here’s my first:
I’m a single person with my own home and garden now, having moved up here from London 18 months ago. One of the things I hated in London, in fact I hate it everywhere, is that if you live in a flat you have no alternative but to throw your food waste in the bin. It is such a waste: increasing the amount of rubbish when it could be put to such good use. If there were some way councils could set up collections for food waste that could be composted it would save them money in their work in the municipal gardens etc, and they could sell it back to residents, at a reduced or no cost, encouraging people to use the green space they have, rather than concrete it over.
So one of the first things I looked for, once I’d settled in, was a composting bin. I checked with Sustaining Dunbar as they’d had a scheme before (which my parents had used) but sadly weren’t offering them any more (it would be great if you could re-start it SD!). but I thought it would be easy to find one (in a garden centre or similar shop). Not a thing! Anywhere! I couldn’t believe it so I tried searching online: no retail outlets seemed to do them, only online companies. And they weren’t cheap – and of course you have to pay for them to be delivered. So I had to continue to through my food waste out.
Then I found, outside one of the “Factory Shops”, one lonely composter. I couldn’t believe my luck and bought it then and there (I was too worried that if I went away to think about it someone else would come along and take it!).
I proudly set it up in my garden and started to use it. My next problem was what on earth do I use to keep the peelings etc in, in the kitchen? I tried to look for that (online and in stores) but again there didn’t seem to be anything – though I knew there was as my mum and other family members had them. I had to consider other options and have ended up using a lidded container which, while it does the job, isn’t ideal.
Why is it so difficult to find the things that will help you recycle more, help the environment – and help your garden? Seems so silly as it could easily be marketed and sell very well.
But I’m now able to do my bit and the difference is amazing: I’ve never produced a lot of rubbish (as I’ve always recycled bottles/paper etc) but it’s almost halved! It can take 2 weeks for me to fill one bin liner – most peculiar to not have to put my bins out every week.
