Wasting Away
The art installation above, Mount Recyclemore, was created for the G7 summit in Cornwall and used 20,000 pieces of discarded tech.
Dealing responsibly with our waste is a huge issue and our collective failures are having big impacts on the environment ranging from pollution from clothes factories, potent greenhouse gases being emitted by refrigerants to the plastics in our oceans.
Undoubtedly, part of the solution must come from government imposed change but we can all do our bit too. Here are a few ideas:
Can we donate or upcycle any of our waste?
Can we switch from a disposable product to a reusable or packaging free alternative?
Are there any products that we can cut out entirely?
Devon County Council runs a number of recycling centres.
Exeter City Council provide recycling banks across the city e.g. Tetra Paks can be recycled at Heavitree Park.
Terracycle recycle all sorts of products from toothpaste tubes to Pringles pots and you can find drop off locations on their website
We can purchase products that are designed with recyclability in mind, like LiveCoco, who recycle their own products at the end of their life.
Sainsbury’s now collect and recycle flexible plastics.
B&Q recycle waste electrical items, batteries and light bulbs.
Any of us who have the spare cash can invest in a compost bin or Hotbin for food waste.
Claire Williams