Date: 13/12/2007
High Peak Borough Council's Twin Bin scheme for collecting refuse is spurring committed Chapel-en-le-Frith recyclers Emma Dagless and Steve Hibbert to reduce even further the amount of waste they and their two young children throw away.
"Since the launch of Binnovation in our area this summer, we have set ourselves an extra challenge -- to fill both our green lidded bin and our black bin every four weeks instead of every fortnight -- and so far we've managed it," said Emma.
"We've found that sometimes, the black bin isn't full even then, because we have always aimed to reduce our consumption at source, rather than simply recycle and re-use. I know some people complain that their rubbish smells because it's left in the bin longer, but we haven't found that to be a problem.
"I heard recently that in the UK, on average, we throw away around a third of our food, but as a family, we discard very little and make the most possible use of the meat and vegetables we buy from the local butchers and greengrocers. I usually buy a joint of meat or chicken that, when cooked, will last a few days, and the small amount of vegetables that we don't eat goes straight into the garden composter."
Emma and Steve are both keen supporters of the Binnovation scheme.
"I think it's a really good idea, as I grew up in Richmond and Twickenham, where recycling has been operating for some years," added Emma. "Steve and I spent a lot of time travelling and working in Africa, where people tend to give away anything that is still useful. We used to buy meat wrapped in banana leaves, which was very practical, as the 'packaging' was biodegradable.
"In extreme cases, I won't buy things in shops here in the UK if I think they come with too much packaging, and will try to get them elsewhere. For example, when I buy my fruit and vegetables locally, they come in paper bags that can be recycled or composted. The twin bin system is a big help, because I can dispose of things in the green-lidded bin that won't just go to a landfill site. I used to feel guilty about it, because I think they are too valuable for that."
Thinking 'green' also extends to their two children, Lisa (5) and Oli (18 months), both of whom have benefited from pre-fold nappies that can be washed and used again.
Emma said: "Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it has proved very successful with both of them. Lisa was potty trained by the age of two, and Oli quite happily uses a potty.
"When the Binnovation scheme was launched, a lot of neighbours and friends asked me how I managed to throw away so little, and were interested when I explained. A few months on, I'm noticing that attitudes are changing and people are thinking how they can work with the new system, by considering everything from what they buy to how wisely they can re-use it."