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Recycle - part of the organic lifestyle

Just like your body, a household requires an input of material and energy and will then produce an output of waste products. Electricity and gas flow in along with containers of food, cleaning materials and a multitude of different consumer items. Out of the other end comes packaging, escaping heat and all manner of discarded objects.

Just wave a magic wand?

Our consumer society has developed a definite blind spot when it comes to the consequences of our convenience. We rarely have to think about what happens to the contents of our waste bins when they are whisked away, once a week, as if by magic.

However, unlike magic, the unpleasant contents do not disapear in a flash. They linger on in landfills, or emerge from tall chimneys in a decidedly non-magical puff of smoke. They haven't gone away and they remain closer than you would like to think.

Your drop in the ocean

Given the enormity of the problem we have created for ourselves it is tempting to believe that there is nothing that can be done by just one person or one family. But that's what we are, our nation is composed of lots of 'just one person or family', every one can take a conscious decision to do their part. Not to change the world single handed but to take responsibility for their effect on it. It's only a drop in the ocean, but its your drop!

Recycling ideas

There are many and varied ways to recycle and you probably do a fair few already, but here's a list that we came up with:

• Buy products that use recycled packaging, you've already helped before you get them home.

• Avoid fresh produce that comes in plastic containers. Brown paper bags or empty boxes contain the carrots just as well. If they aren't provided then ask for them!

• If it's compostable, compost it. (See our compost page)

• If your local council doesn't support bottle and paper collections complain! In the meantime get together with some neighbours to arrange regular trips to the nearest recycling centre. Make sure you go with car or van full, it defeats the object a little if you use a bucket of petrol to recycle a couple of wine bottles and a copy of the telegraph.

• Car boot sales are a great way of extending the life of household objects. You may have no use for it but there's a good bet that someone else will. If you don't fancy selling in a field, turn up early and offer the lot to one of the regulars. It should take you about 30 seconds!

• Do you subscribe to magazines? Don't forget the doctors, dentists and anywhere that people have to wait. They welcome a fresh supply of reading material.