The saga of the zero waste parking ticket!This story starts on Monday, when on returning from a half-term visit to the cinema, I was met by a Parking Penalty notice ungraciously attached to my windscreen.With my blood pressure starting to rise, I spluttered the words made famous by Victor Meldrew...."I don't believe it!" I ranted, getting all hot and bothered in the car park.I was convinced I'd paid for the ticket and I was certain I'd placed it carefully on my dashboard, but with two children who were frollicking around like a pair of ferrets, who knows what could have happened.As I peered into...
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Sunday, 24 May 2009
When is a wheelbarrow not a wheelbarrow?
Well it might look like a kids' wheelbarrow, but those days are long gone thanks to a crack in its side. This children's gardening toy was bought brand new from the Early Learning Centre about five years ago. But after several years of wear and tear at the hands of our young bin saboteur, it finally gave up the ghost last year. It almost ended up in one of Fran Crowe's exhibitions, but it was given extended life in the garden and experienced a touch of reincarnation this weekend.You see it's no longer a wheelbarrow.Honest.Yes, yes, I know it still looks like a wheelbarrow.However, bung in some...
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
The boots that walked on landfill
They now stand proud with floral grace.even though they are broken and torn,with holes and gaps that let the water in.Yes they've been loved, adored and well-worn.They were bought at a country living fair,in the heart of our capital city.The next day they were spotted in a local shop,Shame I'd travelled so far. T'was a pity.But these boots weren't made for just walking.They were born to be centre-stage.They can brighten up the dullest of days,even when they've faded with age.They've even brightened up a landfill siteduring a visit I made last year.But they didn't distract me from all that wastewhere...
Monday, 18 May 2009
Check this out! I've made some zero waste crisps!
Well folks, if you squint and focus on the above picture, you'll see the results of my latest challenge and I am chuffed to bits!As you know I love crisps.But as you also know the packaging ends up in landfill.So, I've strived forth and attempted to make my own.And it's worked! What you see above is my third batch. The best thing is that they're so easy and cheap too and can be quickly baked in the oven while you're cooking something else. Using a couple of spuds from my latest sack of potatoes, tonight's batch must have cost about 10p at the most, including the spray of olive oil.So if you...
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Calling all eco-friendly credit-crunching media stars!
As most readers of The Rubbish Diet share an enthusiasm for either talking rubbish or saving their hard-earned cash - or indeed both - I'd like to alert you to a couple of opportunities where you can share your passion with a wider audience. That's right - an opportunity to grab a piece of the limelight on both the small screen and on a DVD.The first is a chance to star in a new TV programme, which is currently being developed for Channel 4, by London based production company Red House TV. The programme is described as a positive feel-good show which focuses on thrifty living and cost-effective...
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Thinking differently: An international perspective
(Photo credit: The Green Giving Company)Yesterday I had the privilege of giving a presentation about The Rubbish Diet to our local International Women's Group.I say it was a privilege not just because of the chance to share ideas about zero waste but because of the invaluable opportunity to find out more about other people with vastly different backgrounds. It was great to listen to their stories about how waste is regarded in the places they have lived or through which they have travelled.But what struck me most deeply was a conversation with a lady from Russia, who moved over to the UK about...
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Creating an edible garden in a small suburban space
It might seem like I've been in hiding this week and in truth I have. In fact, I've been busy focusing on the garden, trying to make the most of our space to grow a plethora of vegetables this year.I know it doesn't look much like a vegetable garden and indeed until now, our little piece of land has operated as a simple "snacking garden" with some rhubarb, blackberries, redcurrants, a pot of potatoes and a couple of pots of tomatoes as well as a few herb plants that have matured into shrubs, such as rosemary, lavender and sage.But behind the scenes - or should I say behind the bushes - the Almost...
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Compost 'n' Toilet Seats
"Just so you know, I've bunged the old toilet seat in the bin."Bloody hell, you'd think he'd have learned by now wouldn't you! It's been sixteen months since Mr A's bin-filling activities have been under close surveillance. However the King of Declutter has been let off for good behaviour in recent months thanks to a reduced propensity for landfilling all and sundry. Things are normally so good these days that Bin-watch Status in the Almost Average household has been reduced from Severe to Low.Well it looks like I've got to be on my guard again.You see Mr A took the trouble to replace our broken...
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