dealing with rubbish
Most suburbs in the area where I live, Perth, have several rubbish bins to enable green waste to be turned into mulch, available freely to residents of the suburb. Recyclable papers, plastics and other things go in a second bin and there is a smaller, third bin for food waste or non recyclable materials. We are encouraged to avoid food wastage and to compost what can’t be used. The access to three ways to limit landfill makes it very easy to sort out the rubbish.
Image Tom Fisk Pexels
So what is the problem with landfill? The problems range from odour, smoke, noise and water supply contamination. The three most worrying issues are toxins, leachate and greenhouse gases. Landfill emits harmful gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, polluting soil and water sources. Landfill also requires a lot of space. It is a popular way to deal with rubbish because it is cost effective and generally in outer regions of cities and towns.
Many materials dumped in landfill are a problem as they don’t breakdown for a very long time. Plastic is a particular problem. The environmental and technical problems with plastic waste include the formation and spread of microplastics, with well research health risks. Microplastics, by their very size, are quickly spread in the air and by leachate.
Image Sarah Chai Pexels
Plastic use is recognised in developed countries as a major problem. Plastic is everywhere, from cosmetics, cleaning materials, personal and pharmaceutical products, plus the fragmentation and degeneration of paint, waste water, fake grass and all plastic containers. A visit to a hospital reveals a shocking reliance on single use plastic. Recycling is not the answer as it creates major polluting problems itself, the answer is to find other less harmful materials to replace plastic.
Household chores
Christmas decorations have been put away. Apparently they should be taken down and stored by Twelfth Night, the 12th night after Boxing Day. Since I store most of the Christmas decorations in a very high cupboard, I took advantage of a very tall son to put them away. He was staying here until the 2nd of January so Christmas was packed up and stored by then.
The Christmas tidying up always reveals something I forgot to set during the festivities and this time was no different. I found a box of Cranberry, Pistachio and Cherry Nougat in the pantry. I was tidying up so thought it best to eat it immediately. It was delicious! Also tackled the fridge so some pretty odd meals have been served.
Another post Christmas treat was this Christmas Pudding, a gift from a neighbour who is a great cook. Although initially reluctant to ignite, it eventually got the idea and we enjoyed it very much.
My cousin caught up with us a few days after Christmas with a wonderful gift. She in the process of down sizing so gifted me these very beautiful Spode ginger jars. I really like blue and white china but these belonged to my beloved aunt, so a very special gift.
From very beautiful to very practical. Our son bought and cut a sheet of thick rubber to cover the tray of his new ute. There was a rectangle left over. I knew straight away I’d make a protective sheet to cover the carpet in the hatchback of my car. Using the existing piece of carpet as a template I cut the leftover rubber to fit, vacuumed the existing carpet and put it back in place with the rubber on top. Pretty pleased with the rubber cover!
Meanwhile, many other jobs getting done around the house. It is very hot here and paint and floors dry quickly as do skirting boards which have all been wiped with a damp cloth. Still a list of things I want done in the next few weeks.