Ever wondered why you can’t recycle your black plastics? Officers from Wiltshire Council’s Waste and Recycling team were on hand to answer these and other questions, plus give some tips and do a bit of myth busting at April’s W.I. meeting. Most of us know that we will be moving to 3 weekly collections, leaving many wondering how they will manage; concerned about overflowing bins, smells as the temperatures rise and vermin. Analysis of our grey bin contents carried out in 2022 showed that food waste made up a shocking 51%. A move to kerbside food waste removal looks set to reduce that and we’re not talking about another huge bin to lug up and down our steps and driveways; a small canister for indoors fits into a slightly larger one to put out on “bin day”. A small bag for soft plastics will also be coming on board. How often do we hear: “We go to all that trouble to sort our waste and then it gets shipped abroad” In fact 91 % of our recyclables are processed in the UK; about 9% in Europe and less than 1% to India; these are commercial contracts. Other changes that have reduced rubbish going into landfill include: a giant “shredder” for use on large items such as sofas the material then going for incineration, the emergence of charities that will refurbish and sell such items, and “swapping” facilities at the recycling centres, you can even go and get half used tins of paint for free. Time allowed for only a brief mention on the responsibility of manufacturers to reduce/change packaging and of course the environmental effects of transporting/ incinerating waste makes for a whole new talk. That black plastic? The technology behind the waste sorter cannot yet distinguish between a black sack and its conveyor belt! Final tip: screw up those little bits of foil/cardboard into small balls or they will fall through the belt.
The skittles season is in full swing, out of three matches played we have won two and drawn one; fuelled by beer and chips!
The monthly walks are increasing in popularity with growing numbers of non-members joining us; see elsewhere in the News and on the village noticeboards for more details.
In May we will hold our Annual Meeting, with the election of a new committee. We will also consider the Resolutions put forward at National W.I. level to be the basis for our Campaigns.