LESS

[NickB]

Does the recycling group LESS (Luing, Seil and Easdale Solutions) still exist?

Does anyone ever visit their web page on this site?

If they have gone off the boil, do you think there is a need for another group to represent environmental interests on Seil?

- NickB

[a nonny mouse]

I think any recycling group is on a hiding to nothing much here, Nick.

We, or I anyway, recycle cardboard and paper because it's easy to put outside once every 2 weeks. Carting it to a another out-of-way place on the island is a bit more difficult, and a lot of us have got into the habit of using the facilities at Tesco and the Co.

I was watching a programme on TV the other night where they were talking about recycling plastic, and that's not as easy as it sounds. Apparently there's all kinds of different plastics which can't be recycled together. There are icons for each different kind on plastic bottles etc., but I don't think many people are going to examine each little bit of plastic they're chucking just to see what kind it is!

[Minimum]

L.E.S.S. is very much alive and kicking, Nick. However, to dispel any myth, the group is not about taking anyone's recyclate anywhere - that's down to the individuals, and I'm pleased to say that I see excellent use being made of the recycling bins on Seil and Luing.

L.E.S.S. is a loose group of folk keen to keep up to date on recyling matters. The web page was set up to give information on recyling matters. Some of us attend events in the area to do the same.

L.E.S.S. participants also attend the GRAB forum where recyling groups come together to report progress/discuss issues etc. Many groups struggle to meet tonnage targets and maintain funding streams, which is one reason why L.E.S.S. did not go down the same route. In this area the Council deals with all recycling services.

Glad to "hear" from Nonny that even those who may not take paper and cardboard eleswhere are puting it out for the doorstep collection. Like he/she says, Tescos (and the Co-op) are also a regular drop off point for folks from this area. Moleigh, too, is only a short distance away but really only useful for those with their own transport.

The latest push from the government is on reduction rather than recycling. Evidence suggests that whilst recyling has increased dramatically, so has the amount of general rubbish we throw out going into landfill. We, like others, are a throwaway nation and unfotunately, often repair costs to reuse items are higher than replacing them.

Thanks for pointing out that the web page could be updated. I'll see what can be done.

[a nonny mouse]

Thanks for all that Minimum, it's surprising all the things that go on around you that you don't know about!

One thing you might know the answer to - why aren't we allowed to put envelopes into the paper recycling bins? Somebody said that it was because they contained glue, but surely cardboard contains glue too?

Hope you have the info on this

[NickB]

.
If LESS is still alive and kicking why has no-one posted on the recycling forum in over a year???

(Which was set up at LESS's request)

I would have thought that getting the rest of us interested in recycling and renewable / low carbon issues was very much part of the group's manifesto, and that the forum was an ideal place.

Shoudl I delete the recycling forum, rename it or what

On another matter, your observation on

The latest push from the government

frankly astounded me. If the environmental movement is now taking their lead from politicians then the planet is most assuredly doomed.

(Although the paper recycling bins we have all been given by the council are at least a [very small] step in the right direction)


NickB

[Minimum]

Only giving information, Nick - I don't think L.E.S.S. has ever claimed to be a "movement".

Nonny, will look into it and let you know.

[Minimum]

Here's your explanation Nonny, and for anyone else with an interest. The reply is from a council official.

"Yes the envelopes one does seem to cause a bit of confusion which I can try and explain as follows:

Prior to Council starting kerbside paper and cardboard collections, I contacted Stirling Fibre (which is paper merchant where much of our paper goes to) re envelopes. They said they didn’t want envelopes because of either the glue or plastic window. The glue isn’t what paper mills (where stirling fibre pass on the paper too) want, although I am not sure what problem the glue actually gives the mill. As we were told no envelopes by stirling fibre we communicated that on blue bins.

That being said I am aware many people put envelopes in and I am not aware of any paper load rejected due to “envelope contamination”. The paper mills must have a process to deal with glue bits or plastic windows and don’t think a major problem for them.

The best advice would be to rip off the “glue bit” or plastic window and put rest in for recycling, but this may only be the more committed recyclers who will make the effort to do this. Personally I put envelopes (apart from plastic window ones) in home compost bin but if people can be bothered ripping glue bit or plastic window off, then rest will be fine for recycling.

The cardboard is separated at some stage from the paper and goes through a separate recycling process and is made into different products e.g. plasterboard. The glue on cardboard doesn’t seem to be a problem and I assume this is because mill processes is different as making a different product from the material. "

So, it seems the advice is to rip off the "offending" bits and recycle the rest. However, those that do get through whole don't seem to be causing a problem.

I do have other comments to add, which could have the potential to cause more confusion, so I'll run it past the council before I put it into writing!

[a nonny mouse]

Thanks Minimum, that clarifies the situation. I'll have to have a rethink about my glue bits

[NickB]

Why not post information like this on the Recycling forum, Minimum?

That is what it is there for . . . this thread was started to find out why no-one was using the recycling forum. Instead it is turning into the recycling forum!

I for one would like to see the recycling forum being used - if you like I can retitle it the Environmental Issues forum or something similar to give it a wider scope.

NickB

[Minimum]

Happy for wider consultation on this, Nick. Perhaps other forum members have a view on your proposal. I'll contact the L.E.S.S. gang.

[NickB]

Still confused . . . .

The Recycling forum was set up at the request of LESS (which is why it says 'sponsored by LESS')

Why do you (or anyone) need to consult with anyone? Anyone can post anything on any forum they like here if the content is suitable (eg stuff for sale on the 'For Sale' forum, recycling stuff on the 'Recycling' forum etc) - it was never teh intention that the Recycling forum should be only for use by members of LESS - if it was I would have made it a private forum.

Anyway, have started a new thread with a poll on this issue

NickB

[Minimum]

I completely agree - but isn't it better to ask folk anyway? I'm sure quite a few of the forum members will have lots to say on all things environmental.

Just for interest, and seeing as how government policy has cropped up- a comparison of the main political parties' environmental policies can be made by going on to www.grownupgreen.org.uk and then on to the newsletter. There are further links from there, although I guess it may be easier just to look at the parties' own websites.