Chicken on a mission Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 We have a collection every week but this alternates between the green bin and the standard black one. The green bin takes all cans, paper and card but not catalogues or phone directories. It doesn't take glass and only takes plastic bottles so no yoghart containers or other plastics. The council prefer this to be put directly in the bin, not in bags. The council also have a green bag scheme for garden waste. The green bags cost £1.20p each and collection is every 2 weeks. There are recycling facilities dotted about everywhere including for bottles and clothing (sally army). For those of you that are not happy that your council are doing all they can, don't just pester your council, please also think of your local nursery schools, most of whom are crying out for model making materials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 I did wonder if there was a link to how much council tax you pay as to what recycling services are provided, but I think we pay one of the highest in the country, so no link there then PS Thanks chicken on a mission for the tip on donating potential modelling items, I will give my local nursery a call after the Easter Hols. Yippeeee finished work until a week on wednesday, it will be nice to spend time at home with our girls P PS I know I am rambling now but does anyone know of anywhere that disposes of old Argos tomes, they are so heavy now I didn't even bring one home , I left it at work. I think they should be encouraged to provide a recycling bin in their stores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 We have a wheelie bin collection every week and a recycling collection every 2 weeks. They provided us with a large black box for recycling but you can ring up and get extra ones free - we have 2. We do have to separate everything and put each type of product in a separate bag before putting it in the box - they assume everyone has a regular supply of plastic carrier bags to use A special recycling lorry comes down the street and they empty the bags into separate containers in the lorry as a continuous process during collection. We can recycle paper but not card, glass, textiles, shoes, tins, batteries and plastic bottles (however I have contacted them about the latter and I can now put out plastic that is the same group as plastic bottles, but they haven't yet advertised this ) They don't collect green stuff, although all of mine is composted, but Gateshead over the river do. I have got on to them about cardboard because the coloured stuff can't go into my compost or worms but they just said it would be too expensive to collect that Still trying to get them to take all groups of plastic if people separate it into groups (but how many people would actually do that and lots of plastic STILL doesn't have the group listed) Re bags for buying veggies - I save the plastic wrappers that magazines come in and reuse those at shops where they don't provide paper bags - the worms love brown paper bags I just keep a pile of mag wrappers in the cloth bags I use for shopping and if I end up in a supermarket I usually get comments at the checkout and can then take the opportunity for a little friendly spreading the message Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 ps - if I get something delivered with polystyrene packaging I make the delivery man wait while I unpack it and hand back the packaging - lots of companies have arrangements to recycle polystyrene. Supermarkets recycle cardboard, so I'm trying to get our local Sains to have a bin for customers to put their cardboard in to be added to the store's cardboard - no results yet but I hope to grind them down eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 What a good use for plastic wrappers - I've just fished mine back out of the bin and put them in the calico shopping bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 What a brilliant idea motherhen. I am going to invest in a cloth shopping bag, as I don't have one , but I do recycle my plastic ones. I have also just bought H & J a magazine each for a day trip we have planned and will make sure I reuse the wrappers. I have picked up some great ideas on this link and will spread the word wherever possible. Thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 We have a branch of "Out of this World" in Leeds, Organic Faritrade etc. They sell a hemp shopping bag that holds way more than a standard carrier bag for £2.50. I just get one of those whenever I'm in and now have almost enough to do a weekly shop for 5, a lot of carriers I can tell you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 We have an Our of this World just 30 min walk away , or quicker by car It has been doing so well that they have moved to bigger premises in the middle of the shopping centre and are now just like an organic version of a supermarket Don't Omlet do a cloth shopping bag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Ours is in the centre of Leeds, on my route to the station so really handy. Our local organic farm are also trying to cloth bags. They pointed out that selling organic produce and giving people carrier bags to take it home in isn't really in keeping with their ideals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 I've just checked with the omlet shop and I can't find cloth shopping bags. I make my own, usually out of 2nd hand fabric from old clothes/curtains etc. Just a thought, would anyone be interested in me making one for you in return for a sae to post it to you and for you to send a donation to Battery Hen Welfare Trust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Thats a great idea! our bags come from France as they don't supply them you have to buy re-usable ones which 2 years later we are still using they have been packed for the beach rugby kits, dogs bits and bobs, Oh!and taken to the supermarket, where usually at least one person asks where the lovely coloured bags are from! Our council has also started 'bags for life' which lots of people are starting to carry around much nicer than plastic. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 What an interesting thread.... thanks for starting this Debs I'm another who gets irritated by the number of people who appear to recycle little or nothing. We're provided with a black crate for all our recyclables, I fill mine every week and almost always have to supplement it with a cardboard box (or 2 ) of additional recycling. They take most things in the boxes except telephone directories, glass, textiles and green stuff. They even take carrier bags Green stuff is rarely a problem for me.... I compost or shred it normally, but if I've been having a busy pruning session I occasionally have to drive it to their recycling centre. There are loads of bottle & textile banks around, so I tend to chuck them into a crate in the garage then stop of at a bottle bank probably once a month or so, because they're so plentiful I can generally do it en route to somewhere else. I agree with the comment about the Argos catalogues though... I've stopped picking them up now because they're such a pain. Just as easy to check on their internet site.... and check availability at the same time We have conventional & recycling waste collected weekly, on the same day, so no extra effort involved really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 I tell a lie, catalogues can be put in our green bin Thanks to this thread, I have learnt something new! They won't take the yellow page though because the yellow dye is difficult to remove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Darlington collect all clear plastic but not things like milk jugs. Our green bin is full every two weeks (wine!) and the paper bag is stuffed to overflowing due to me getting up to 10 newspapers every week due to my work. We're moving soon to Newton AYcliffe (actually Aycliffe Village), and they don't take plastic. Don't ask me why. It's two miles from where I live now. I even tear envelope windows out of envelopes to recycle envelopes, and remove the sticky latex glue bits 'cos it mucks up the recycling machinery. Don't recycle Pyrex (borosilicate glass) as it only melts at a much higher temp than usual glass, and a tiny bit of it in a batch can ruin tons of recycled glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Here in South Oxfordshire they collect cans,plastic bottles & paper on a weekly basis,as well as our normal rubbish once a week. No wheelie bins here in the sticks,although we would love them I also recycle my carrier bags at Tesco,along with old clothes,shoes & an embarassing number of wine bottles. There is a skip that comes once a month for garden waste,but Hubby generally takes that to the tip,as he is there most weeks anyway.+ Glass is my big concern.We replace windows & there is no sensible recycling system for the glass units we take out We break up any wooden frames for kindling,& give as much reusable stuff to a local charity that then forwards in onto those who can use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniMorris Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 hi, I live in Wigan, Lancashire and we only have a black wheelie bin for all our rubbish. We have bag for paper which is emptied every other week but thats it. We have different bins in the garage and recyle plastic, cardboard and glass. Our local recyle centre is good but only takes plastic bottles which means we have to put things like yogurt pots and marg tubs in the bin. Our council seems behind every one else but my kids quite enjoy trips to the tip where they can smash bottles. I have a composter in the garden which is great for my veggie patch and I always feel good when I put my bin out and its virtualy empty compared to the neighbours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 an embarassing number of wine bottles. don't worry about those Sarah - just do what Carl does........ He talks very loudly about me saying things like "I really wish you wouldn't drink so much" and really grumbling. I don't drink - it doesn't matter what i say - I always end up looking like a sad wino Carl just sniggers behind the bottles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 What I do is go to the bottle bank with the children & get them to drop the bottles in while I wait in the car. Saves me looking like a total lush,& they love the smashing noise it makes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 So much more gentile than sending them up chimmneys or down mines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 So much more gentile than sending them up chimmneys or down mines Believe me,if that was still legal I would try that too. Sorry - school holidays + rain + friends away = grouchy Mum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 Sorry - school holidays + rain + friends away = grouchy Mum [/color] It's meant to be nicer tomorrow We could try and cheer you up But I'll need you to sign a disclaimer first , just in case it all ends in tears you know the sort of thing 'I agree not to believe anything Murdo tells me unless it has been confirmed by at least 2 other sources' and 'I accept full responsibility for any actions I perform while under the influence of the forum' oh and 'please check with your GP before taking this medication' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 you know the sort of thing 'I agree not to believe anything Murdo tells me unless it has been confirmed by at least 2 other sources' Ah- Your other half is just like mine then It should be a better day tomorrow - Hubby stood out in the rain putting up the new trampoline for the girls. He broke the last one with a bonfire far too near it that shot sparks & burnt holes in it They all wondered why I was a bit quiet at supper. I tried to explain that they all were having lovely Easter baskets & gifts next week,but no-one ever buys me anything for Easter. or even considers buying me anything. The Hubbys reply of "I thought you didn't like chocolate" didn't help one bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiglet Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 Back on this thread then Our council (Tamworth) part of S. Staffs as debs said is quite good at recycling - we have 2 blue boxes for Card, paper, plastic bottles & glass. and a green and black wheelie bin which gets emptied alternnate weeks. But we had lots of irate letters when it first started about flies etc. and I really think it's only those that don't make an effort to sort their wastre who complain. They should be grateful their waste is being recycled without them having to take it anywhere. I am a staunch promoter of using you own cloth bags for shopping and I have made a point to all my friends that it doesn't cost much to take your own bags shopping, even if you only re-use ones like Next or such which were free anyway. Also, when in shops, I always make a point of telling the shop assistant and anyone else who is listening that I don't need a bag, I'm using my own to "help save the planet because they take 100 years to biodegrade" in a nice loud voice. (good practice for the "when I am old....." misbehaving lifestyle I intend to adopt Just a note, they may not be good at other things but Sainsbury's have a plastic carrier bag recycling unit in their store and it is always full to bursting. Also (last thing, promise) did you know.... we have just bought a new Brita water filter (hard water here, yukky, going to stop buying French mineral water now) and you can send off, in packs of 6, to a FREEPOST address, used Brita cartridges for recycling (new style ones only I think) so that's a good move from them isn't it? Happy recycling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 They all wondered why I was a bit quiet at supper. I tried to explain that they all were having lovely Easter baskets & gifts next week,but no-one ever buys me anything for Easter. or even considers buying me anything. The Hubbys reply of "I thought you didn't like chocolate" didn't help one bit! Oh how I hate that male logic thing mind you my day started with my best friend ringing up to gush about her delight at getting a Kenwood chef for mothers day, she got it today but she wasn't expecting it as 'she'd had the flowers already'. Don't know about you but I didn't even get the flowers Still if our hens ever get on with laying at least there will be somewhere for all the eggs to go I was making easter eggs with my girls today... fun but chocolate everywhere!! and tried dropping a hint about easter gifts the response was 'Easter gifts why would you do that' and I've lived with him 14 years thing is my mum always did easter eggs and then as we got older it became easter presents instead (3 daughters always on diets!!) I'm hoping I'll get up next sunday and there will be a beautiful Sussex Star in one of the eglus but that is a triumph of hope over experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted April 9, 2006 Share Posted April 9, 2006 The trick is to become as hard hearted and cynical as he is! I don't do Easter or Valentines because he doesn't. Birthdays are practical occasions too. This is after years of receiving "useful" presents, rather than the romantic ones I craved! We just have to accept that their tiny brains work differently from ours, bless them! after all, would you like to recieve a router for Christmas? A MP3 player for your car? Nope, neither would I, but I bet he would! Sad, but true! Save your money girls, and spend it on yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
