I first took part in Zero Waste Week when I had 2 children in nappies. With 6 of us at home and I think no recycling (before the days of collections) I was really proud of our half a carrier bag full of rubbish at the end of the week. Fast forward to now and we have compost bins in our garden, cooked food waste taken by the council – as well as the recycling bin which takes paper, card, foil and some plastics. I know that we need to work on buying less, shopping in a zero waste fashion (I DO buy loose bananas but Tesco keep insisting on delivering them in a bag!) and taking our recycling further (I saw a great tip by local Green MP Cate Cody about collecting the staples and other bits of metal until there’s a decent amount to take to the local recycling centre (formerly known as the tip).
Zero Waste in 2017
When I was growing up there were lots of important messages passed on (even in schools) about the importance of not throwing litter on the floor – that we should put it in the bin. It is great and I watched so many children happily go and put their rubbish in the bin just the other day. BUT the message needs to change. We need to be telling children to really think about what they are buying. Do they need it, and what will happen to it after they have finished with it? I think councils are playing a good part by normalising it in their lives – but it is a shame that what is collected seems a bit of a postcode lottery – and what actually happens after it is collected we probably do not want to know (Birmingham are putting it in landfill at least currently to “catch up” with all the rubbish after the striking). Also I see a lot of confusion about what can be put where (in which “bin”) – especially where it concerns plastics. Either we need a simpler system or more education.
Zero Waste Week 2017
Zero Waste Week has been running for TEN years by Rae Strauss – the No.1 Mover & Shaker in the Waste & Recycling World. Each day she has come up with a new theme which will be promoted across various channels by herself and Zero Waste Ambassadors. Whether you are just curious, new or a seasoned zero waster just follow the #ZeroWasteWeek hashtag to join in. Share your tips or ask questions. Hope to see you there. For the future of our planet and the next generations.
For more information visit: https://www.zerowasteweek.co.uk/
paul morris
We took part in the very first Zero Waste Week (with one child still in nappies at night) and even appeared on TV with it! Recycling is a big part of our lives, but I know that there are many people who are still too quick to just throw things in the bin. Our council is improving its recycling collection further in a few weeks, so they will pick up clothing and small electricals. I hope that it will take away the temptation for people to just chuck a phone charger or a pair of old shoes in the bin because they can’t be bothered to go to the ‘tip’.
Oooh really are they – I hope that carries across to us. We have finally got a public recycling bin outside Tesco but it doesn’t say it takes paper which is odd.
Oh, it sounds like your local council is doing a much better job than ours at taking more recycling! I do my best but I definitely end up with too much waste, I must try to buy more loose veg. Although I have been buying an organic veg box lately from a friend instead of going to the supermarket so that definitely helps. We have always used cloth nappies too, and I’m hoping Lia will very soon be out of them at night as well so we’ll see the back of nappies all together. Fingers crossed!
Nat.x
I can’t believe it was that long ago when you started with ZWW! I love how you’re questioning the ‘norm’ and showing how the things we are teaching needs to be stepped up. Yes, littering needs to be discouraged, but you’re right – we need to take a step back and look at WHY the litter is happening in the first place. Thanks for the tip about storing things until you have a decent amount and thanks too for being such a passionate and enthusiastic ambassador 🙂