Asparagus tips madam? We do composting tips too...

 Market trader Julie Lightly at Queens Market in Newham, east London Photo credit: Geoff Caddick/PAInteresting research from WRAP reveals that over forty percent of us believe that because food is biodegradable, it is harmless when it gets thrown out and sent to landfill and are not aware that it can produce methane, a powerful global warming gas which damages the environment.  Of course the same waste composted at home produces no methane and provides free fertiliser and soil improver for our gardens.In a drive to raise awareness, market traders across the country are to back a campaign...

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A four-leafed clover for Suffolk's 'Green Oscars'

A very large four leafed clover, from a secret location in Suffolk.It might just come in handy for March. I am really proud to share the exciting news that I've been shortlisted for one of Suffolk's prestigious Creating the Greenest County awards.So how excited am I!Well, I know I said I'm proud...but the truth is I am totally chuffed to bits.Affectionately called the Green Oscars, the Creating the Greenest County awards are now in their third consecutive year, celebrating the efforts of individuals, businesses and communities who support Suffolk's aspirations to engage the whole county in responding...

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The Rubbish Diet Challenge: Week 7, The Big Declutter

Whoopadey woo, I've finally made it out from my piles upon piles and onto the blog to give you the big declutter update.  And look at the treasure I've found, a pair of sparkly shoes, which were stashed away in a box on top of the wardrobe.  They were placed there for safe keeping, but I forgot where I put them and have spent the last two years scratching my head wondering if I'm going mad.We only live in a three bedroom house,  so there's hardly any room for stuff to go amiss, yet in the last couple of weeks, I've also uncovered one of my favourite umberellas, three more pairs...

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Fill and go with Holland & Barrett

Wandering through the town centre today in Bury St Edmunds, I noticed that the health food and natural remedies store Holland & Barrett had finally moved from their side-street location into a prime hotspot in the Buttermarket, slap bang next to Marks & Spencer.Despite being in a rush, I couldn't resist popping in to see what they had on offer and I'm glad I did, because as I browsed the shelves, I was delighted to see their brand new refill concept called "Fill and Go", which is a self-service facility for dried cereals as well as a fabulous range of olive oils and vinegars. Empty bottles...

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Knock Knock: Who's there? It's a rubbish blogger in Brandon!

So today was the day I volunteered to help promote the Seven Suffolk Streets waste reduction project in Crown Street, Brandon, which is the area that's taking part in the Forest Heath district of Suffolk.And it was a cold, wet and snowy day, certainly not the weather for walking the streets.But it was a case of simply wrapping up warm and getting on with the job in hand, which was to knock on strangers' doors to raise awareness of the waste reduction project that's taking place in two weeks time.Despite having my official's badge, I must say it was rather a daunting task.  I might have got...

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The Rubbish Diet Challenge, Week 6: Up close and personal

One of these bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic.  Can you spot which one?Welcome back to the Rubbish Diet Challenge.  It's week 6 already and if you've been busy sorting out how you can reduce waste in the garden, you'll be grateful for an opportunity to relax and pamper yourself indoors.And there will be the chance to pamper yourself this week, plus time to browse the shelves for some beautiful cosmetics that are kinder to your bin as well as your complexion.  However, there are some hard decisions to make too, thinking about the kinds of things that would normally make...

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Decluttering: Poultry efforts in the garden

A scattering of snow doesn't quite cover the mud patch.Have I ever told you about my guilty pleasure? If I haven't perhaps now is the time to divulge and see if I can get you on board too.It involves Tom, Barbara, Margot and Jerry and I have to say I love them all. Now before you start thinking it involves anything dodgy like swapping car keys at parties, let me reassure you that it's all clean good fun. Well apart from the odd bit of dirt that is.I'm referring of course to the comedy series The Good Life, which I started watching thirty five years when I was just six or seven years old. ...

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On the street where I live

David & Halle, promoting the Seven Suffolk Streets projectIt's always great to see a friendly face when you're out and about and as it happens, just as I was arriving home yesterday, I bumped into David and Halle, a couple of our local master composters, who are promoting the Seven Suffolk Streets project on behalf of the Suffolk Waste Partnership.If you haven't heard of the project before, it's one of the Zero Waste places announced by Defra last year and which has received funding from BREW to help reduce the amount of waste across the county.Each of the seven districts in Suffolk has selected...

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The Rubbish Diet Challenge: Week 5, Dig for victory

Tomato seedlings on the windowsill in 2009Can you believe we're now at Week 5 of the Rubbish Diet challenge. How time flies. It doesn't seem that long ago, since I was challenging you to your first weigh-in. I hope all is going well with your efforts to slim your bin and that you're enjoying the mini-challenges.This week I hope to inspire you to make further inroads into your household waste by doing some extra things around the garden. That is if you happen to be blessed with a small patch to call your own. Even if you don't have a garden, you can still join in if you've only got a windowsill...

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Decluttering: Thank you Suffolk for making it easy to recycle hard plastic

I have to confess that my decluttering antics have not been going great this last week, partly because I've fallen into the zone of despair wondering where else to tackle first. And it's also been a mixed week with my youngest being off school poorly with an unknown allergy rash. While he insists that he's allergic to potatoes, I've spent my time looking after him and balancing all the other things that need doing such as washing pants and having the odd peek into Twitter.So can you imagine my delight whenI saw a very distracting tweet from @SuffolkHWRC that said [sic]"Hard plastic recycling...

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The Rubbish Diet Challenge: Week 4, cleaning up your mess

Well hello! How are you getting on with your mission to slim your bins? I hope the gradual steps over the the last few weeks have made it easier for you.Anyway welcome back to Week 4 of the Rubbish Diet challenge, where my alter-ego Delores, will be introducing all sorts of novel ways to tackle the crud that goes in your bin. Look at her! She's a force to be reckoned with and will be rooting through your bins if you're not careful, so if I were you, I'd have a good crack at taking in as many tips as you can from this week's challenge.Yes, this week's guide takes you through your domestic chores,...

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