CHEQS MARCH 2020 – SOMETHING TO DO
This month we have four R’s connected with becoming a bit more green – there are plenty of positive local initiatives through which we can all help improve the environment, including the litter picks in our villages. As Helen Wade reminded us last month: no-one can do everything, but we can all do something!
REDUCE
Most of us have a lot of stuff: decorative items, furniture, clothes, toys, shoes etc. One way to save the world’s resources is to buy fewer things. Many people are thinking seriously before buying plastic goods, but all new products have an impact on the environment. Continuing to use items which still work well, rather than following fashion trends, can help reduce waste. Some larger equipment (lawn mowers etc) could be shared with friends and neighbours, rather than each household having their own. If we do want to buy something different, have a look at some of the suggestions for re-using items, rather than buying new. There are some quality items and great bargains to be had!
REPAIR
When a household item breaks, we often throw it away and buy a new one. Years ago, items would have been repaired – to save both money and natural resources.
Tash Gasson, of Eastleach, is hoping to set up a Repair Café in the CHEQS villages. The idea is that people donate their time and expertise in mending portable household items, clothes, bikes etc. The Repair Café would be based at a village hall, and tea and cake would also be available to buy (proceeds to the hall).
People bringing their broken goods would have a designated slot, and be shown by an experienced person how to mend their item. Anyone who is willing to share their skills (not necessarily qualified or professional) should contact Tash with information about their areas of expertise, so that a resource database can be collated.
Not only are Repair Cafés a great way to help the environment, but they are also a lovely opportunity to get together and meet new people, and share skills with each other.
The Repair Shop on BBC TV is a great inspiration, but you don’t have to have quite such exceptional abilities as those on the programme!
Send Tash an email with your contact details and the set of skills you can offer: ncrowesis@gmail.com
REUSE
Many items can be used again for a different purpose – often people use old jam jars for storing nails, screws etc. It is much better for the environment if we reuse something, rather than recycle or throw it away. Items can also be reused by others – advertise on local shop notice boards, or use the following to give, sell or buy:
o Charity shops (2 in Fairford, about 15 in Cirencester)
o Car Boot Sales (monthly in Quenington from April – October)
o Auctions (Moore, Allen & Innocent, and Cotswold Auction Company) o Cirencester Antiques Centre
o Facebook Marketplace
o eBay and other online selling sites
RECYCLE
This month, changes will be taking place in the recycling services carried out on behalf of Cotswold District Council. Each household should have received an information pack last month, and also a new, larger, grey kerbside food recycling bin, and a new blue bag for cardboard. We will also all need one black box for glass, and one for paper.
At the Women’s Institute meeting in January about waste and recycling, Councillor Andrew Doherty stressed the importance of putting items for recycling in the correct receptacle, so that the system works as efficiently as possible. For instance, cardboard and paper should not be mixed. Food and garden waste must not now be mixed, but put out in their own bins. However, the large white bags can contain plastics and tins, as these are easy to separate with machines. Do keep hold of the information leaflets from CDC, or check online. Some of us will also have a new collection day, as CDC have re-structured
the rounds.
A new collection service being offered by the council is for batteries, Tetra Pak cartons, textiles, shoes and small electrical items. Please only put out items which cannot be reused – if you have something to dispose of which could be given to a charity shop, the editor will be happy to take it for you!
The main supermarkets in Cirencester now have collection bins for thin plastics such as carrier bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, crisp packets etc. Check the label on the bins to see which of these plastics can be recycled, then take them in when you do your shopping.
Margaret Stranks – Editor
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