News
Could your trash be turned into treasure?
This feature was added on 25th May 2010
Do you ever throw things away that could be mended, used in a different way or given to charity?
The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership is launching a campaign at this year's County Show (May 29 and 30) to encourage residents to reuse rather than waste materials.
A special display at the County Show will include a model 'Tyra', wearing a spectacular dress made from 259 reused ties. Representatives from the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership will be on hand to demonstrate a range of ideas, from making wind chimes from old cutlery to using worn out wellington boots as plant pots. Residents can also complete a survey on their attitudes to waste in order to win a battery re-charger.
To take part in the survey click here.
The campaign runs throughout the year and will include posters at supermarket recycling sites around the county which give advice on how to reuse rather than bin or recycle items. The posters demonstrate that with a little imagination, everyday objects can have an incredible range of uses. An empty cereal box can quickly become a useful box file. An old dress or curtains can make great cushions. Popping tea lights into old jam jars make ideal night lights for your garden.
"Reusing or repairing items are effective ways of keeping unwanted items out of landfill, as well as saving money," said Derrick Ashley, Chairman of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership and Hertfordshire County Council's Executive Member for Waste. "Simple actions by a lot of people can have a big impact on the amount of waste we produce and also on the environment. For example, passing on an unwanted T-shirt to a charity shop doesn't just mean one fewer item going to landfill. It takes 800 litres of water to make a T-shirt and 24 per cent of the world's pesticides are used to grow cotton, so the person buying your T-shirt is helping the environment and reducing their carbon footprint.
"Many people think that recycling is the only alternative to throwing things away, but re-using products is even better for the environment. The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership will be out around the county throughout the year promoting reuse ideas. Everything you need to know about the partnership and the campaign is online at www.wasteaware.org.uk". We would love to hear from you with your tips and ideas for the reuse of everyday items.
The Hertfordshire County Council marquee at the County Show is located on the Main Drive, stand number 170.