Mrs Green’s six stories
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Recycle your Ewaste with o2
Another week has passed and it’s time for my six green stories.
Each story will cover a reduce, reuse, recycle or compost theme and help us work towards a zero waste future!
Tesco say no to compostable packaging
At last some common sense about compostable packaging! As you know, we’re not fans of so-called compostable packaging. Most of it is great with industrial composting, but not successful in a home composting environment.
Tesco agree and their packaging technical manager has said that Tesco “does not see the value” in using packs that can only be industrially composted”.
He added “Local authorities do not want to touch it as it can contaminate existing recycling schemes.”
Tesco currently uses compostable cellulose-based based Natureflex for packaging of some of its organic produce range which is home compostable.
Read “Tesco: “no value” in packs that are only industrially compostable” for more information.
O2 to offer online recycling
Mobile phone operator O2 and electronic device recycling specialist Redeem have launched an online service that will recycle old handsets and other electronic devices in return for cash.
O2 Recycle will be open to anyone, regardless of the mobile phone network they use. As well as handsets, users will be able to recycle laptops, printer cartridges, mp3 players, digital cameras and satellite navigation systems.
There are an estimated 90 million handsets believed to be lying in drawers and cupboards across the UK and O2 said it was launching the online service to make it easier for people to recycle these types of devices.
Have a scout through your drawers and cupboards, see what you can find, and recycle them at O2 Recycle. or visit your local o2 store.
Reuse paper bags
Well I don’t need much convincing on this one. I LOVE paper bags and treat them like very special visitors in my house.
I get them from our local farm shop, where everything can be bought loose or in paper and I keep the bags for reuse.
If you have a stash of them and are wondering what to do with them all, before you recycle them, check out Re-Nest’s “13 great uses and reuses for paper bags” for inspiration.
Recycled presents from ‘junk’
I love the ideas that Sooz shared on her blog!
She has made a beautiful felt book for her cousin’s daughter from materials she found lying around her home. Then she made the cutest bunny for a school friend’s new baby.
These items are gorgeous and show that you don’t need to ‘buy new’ in order to give a beautiful gift to someone.
Have a peek at her creations with her “Home made presents” post.
McDonald’s aims for zero waste to landfill
I’m not sure how I feel about food waste to energy, so I’d love to know what you think!
McDonald’s has achieved a 48% reduction in carbon emissions by converting food waste from 25 of its London fast-food restaurants into energy.
The food waste is collected, sent to the South East London Combined Heat and Power plant and diverts 2,500 tonnes of waste from landfill annually. McDonald’s says it is generating enough energy to power the equivalent of an evening’s worth of light for every home in London.
McDonald’s is aiming towards a zero waste to landfill goal and this is the second phase of its energy from waste programme.
Packaging manufacturers benefit from online shopping
Shopping online is fast replacing the high street. When you go into a shop, you have a choice about whether or not to accept a carrier bag or whether you take the packaging home.
When you order something online, however, you have to accept whatever comes through your door.
As a result of more consumers buying goods online, Elliott Packaging (mailing and carrier bag specialist) is celebrating its most successful year ever.
It’s something I’d never thought about before, but as I’ve just given away yet another selection of jiffy bags and mailing envelopes on Freecycle, I guess I DO get a lot of packaging through the post. I wonder how much of it is reused and recycled?
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Mrs Green talks to Kenco about their packaging Toby Smart from Kenco answers our question about packaging and landfill
HI Mrs Green,
AD is the preferred choice for all food waste and there are many such developments starting up, or projected. Other options will hopefully disappear as the technology expands.
O2’s scheme will be very handy for consumers if the recycling facility includes shops. I have a few old digital phones, cameras etc. which might fit the bill.
Tesco’s view on ‘compostable’ packaging is spot-on since the problem lies in superstores, businesses who cannot think ‘outside the box’. Any such new packaging needs to be capable of sustainable usage to avoid unwanted, unexpected consequences.
I don’t know about food waste to energy either but I like the sound of it iyswim. The food isn’t going in the bin and I’ve always thought it helpful in terms of energy to think about how many homes it can light up/provide energy for etc.
Or am I just being naive?
Oh my gosh, I only just saw that you mentioned me here – Thanks Mrs Green 🙂 x