15. Recycling + Waste
Objects we no longer want
turn into waste all too easily, and we expect someone else ‘to take it away and
deal with it’ – the energy used up in the manufacture, transport, and whole
life cycle of objects creates greenhouse gases, that’s why it’s so important
to:
Reduce,
Re-use, Refill, Repair and Recycle.
Reduce – the amount of packaging you get, refuse plastic bags (take your own bag) – buy in
bulk, shop at markets far less waste and local.
Re-use – buy
second-hand. share your resources, refill containers (see below), paint objects
to change appearances.
Repair – Use
Shrewsbury’s
shops to repair old bikes, re-sole shoes, mend lamps, TVs, washing machines
etc.
Refil – you
can refill your bottles with cider vinegar, soy sauce, Faith Shampoo and Ecover
at Wild Thyme.
Recycle – At
the end of December 2006, Shrewsbury
recycled almost 29% of its waste from households. This is lower than other
Shropshire areas, and only average in national terms, and the UK is pretty far down Europe’s
recycling performance list! So, lots more people to involve, and to complete
the cycle, it’s essential to buy objects that contain recycled materials – like
computer paper, plastics and glass.
ALTERNATE
WEKLY COLLECTIONS FOR RECYCLING
From
October 1st, 2007, the Borough Council has started a Fortnightly / Alternate Weekly Collection at
your doorstep, like the rest of Shropshire!
This
scheme is used all over the UK and Europe, and it works, to encourage people to
sort, save, collect and recycle more of the stuff they use, and put it out on
alternate weeks. The other week we put out the stuff we really can’t recycle…
this will encourage more thoughtfulness about the materials we use and buy and we
will have to take more responsibility for our choices… and why not?
SHREWSBURY PEOPLE ASK –
“WHAT HAPENS TO OUR WASTE – DOES IT REALLY GET
RECYCLED?”
Yes it does, and here’s where, and it’s all in the UK!
Cans to Alu Trade, Oldbury – Steel and aluminium mills for
re-manufacture.
Fridges to Wolverhampton – CFC
extraction & recycling of components.
Garden waste & card – On-farm, to Ford, to make in situ soil
improver.
Glass to Berryman/Britsh Glass (S.Yorks). – to make new.
Paper to Shotton Paper, Deeside – to produce newsprint.
Plastic bottles to Preston,
Lancs, – granulating and processing.
Local
CONTACTS
Recycling Officer & Sustainability Officer
Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council,
Guildhall, Frankwell Quay Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ
T:
01743 281155
E:
recycling@shrewsburygov.uk
Scrappies
Lutwyche Road, Church Stretton,
Shropshire, SY6 6AT
T:
01694 722511
W:
www.scrappies.org
Collects worthwhile scrap (and mobile phones and
computer cartridges) and sorts it to sell to members, who in their turn use it
for the benefit and education of children. Businesses can donate spare
materials. Open - 10-2 Sat, and 11-7 Weds.
Shropshire Community
Recycling Network (SCRN)
T:
01743 284 290
E:
louisahumphreys@shropshirewt.cix.co.uk
Support network for community waste organisations.
Shed-Masters
6
Centurion Park, Kendal
Road, SY1 4EH.
T: 01743 466328
Sells wooden containers for 2 bins and recycling boxes.
HARM (Hanwood All Recycling More)
Actively promotes recycling in Hanwood, and has a
recycling point at the Cock Inn for aluminium cans and foil.
Cae Post
Trewern
Depot, Nr Welshpool, SY21 9JX
T: 01938 570426
W: www.cae-post.org.uk
Excellent
Powys social enterprise that collects, sorts and bales all sorts of materials,
including plastic for recycling.
Freecycle very
local, internet based give-away unwanted goods scheme (see below under Freecycle)
WRAP, Waste & Resources Action Programme
Helpline: 0808 100 2040
W: www.wrap.org.uk
Help
with recycling and using more recycled materials, for business, the general public,
schools and
local authorities.
Safe Waste in Shropshire - new campaign to stop the incenerator
proposed for Battlefield. 01743 243167 www.safewasteshropshie.co.uk
The ever
progressing plastic bag campaign, excellent website,
see www.plasticbagfree.com
www.efreeko.co.uk is a free version of ebay, so
giving things away, not selling them
Tools for
Self-Reliance
local contact John Riley 01743 341912
Brita Water
Filters. You no longer need to post them back free. There should be
recycling bins in Argos Claremont Street. And later, in Cargo and
Robert Dyas, and supermarkets.
www.Brita.co.uk
Compost toilet
specialists 01686 412 653 www.natsol.co.uk
Tetra Pak and
drinks cartons can be recycled at skips at Sainsbury, Asda, Radbrook Co-op,
Frankwell Car Park, and Minsterley Parish Hall
