The Plastic -free team are having a makeover and have decided to re-brand our activities as the Waste Matters team. Why you may ask? The reasons are as follows:
What is waste?
There is often a misconception that waste is all about packaging material- paper, card, plastic, foil etc. but it is actually anything that is thrown away. This therefore includes electronics, textiles, toys, garden rubbish and of course food.
In Buckinghamshire we are fortunate to have kerbside waste collection that enables us to dispose of recyclables, small electrical appliances, batteries, garden waste, food waste and non-recyclable waste. The goal here is to use this service properly and reduce the amount that goes into the general waste bin. There is still confusion amongst residents as to what can go in each collection bin.
For example: Buckinghamshire Recycles reports that over 1000kgs of non-recyclable waste is collected every home each year (ie. In general waste/black bin).
Of this: 15% is actually recyclable
32% is food waste
2% is garden waste
We are working closely with Buckinghamshire Recycles to improve these figures, help people cut back on all waste and understand what happens to our waste and why it is so important for us all to be invested in getting it right. There is lots of information on their website, www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk and the Waste Matters team will regularly attend sustainable events and our own Repair Cafes to answer questions on how to reduce waste, recycling dilemmas and how to live more sustainably. Come and chat with us or better still, join our team and help make a difference.
By counting all the plastic you throw away for a week, you can help gather the vital evidence we need to convince UK ministers, supermarkets and big brands to lead the way at global talks that could finally phase out plastic production for good.
Let’s get counting!
We took a stall at the regular Amersham market to promote No Disposable Cup Day and support the two independent cafes who were helping us trial a ‘ borrow cup’ scheme for the day.
The Plastic Free team worked with the Amersham School Eco-Council to stop using disposable bowls at lunchtime, replacing them with a re-usable porcelain bowl . The
Do you want to try to have a greener Christmas this year? Try these tips for a more sustainable festivities!
Sustainable Amersham participated in the Big Plastic Countdown organised by Everyday Plastic and Greenpeace to uncover the truth about how much we throw away and what happens to it
