Inspirational Recycling - Tin Cans

The recyclying of tin cans seems to be getting a bit of a theme here at

Renaissance Little Green Book. Following on from this post and this one

I've found yet another beautiful image this time by

photographer Burcu Avsar.

Inspirational Recycling - Wellington Boots

Fun huh?

Reminds me of a story I used to read to my children when they were little.

About working boots and Sunday Boots, the Sunday boots were horrid to the working boots but guess what one day the Sunday boots were relegated to working boots and the working boots became flower planters.

(image found via The Tao of Dana)

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Flower Thugs

These very lovely Windflowers have been rather thuggish and nearly taken over

a whole border. But they are so pretty it's hard to get ruthless with them.

I am a little more ruthless with this yellow daisy.

My husbands' Aunt gave us a root years ago and every year we do battle

to prevent it from taking over completely.

My neighbour decided that her hydrangea had gotten out of control this weekend.

She pruned it ruthlessly much to my benefit as I managed to rescue the blooms

before they went into the recycle bin. I've decided to dry them with the intention

of making my own wreath this Christmas.

Instructions here - HOW TO DRY HYDRANGEA FLOWERS

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Recycle your old mobile phone and help save endangered wildlife

Did you know your old mobile phone could help FFI to save gorillas and other endangered wildlife around the world?

Why recycle?

In the UK alone, over 15 million people replace their phones every year, yet only a small percentage of these phones are recycled. Refurbishing or recycling these phones will remove an estimated 7,500 tonnes of landfill, and will prevent the potentially hazardous materials found in phones from degrading and seeping into the environment.

Reusing old mobile phones also creates social benefits for developing countries. Research shows that the high cost of handsets is the single largest barrier to mobile phone use in developing countries. By sending your old phone to FFI, you help make low cost handsets available to support development and close the digital divide.

Phone facts

An estimated 1.75 billion mobile phones are in circulation around the world, with 45 million in the UK alone.
Every hour, 1,712 mobile phones are replaced in the UK.
An estimated 90 million phones lie unused in the UK.
The cadmium from one mobile phone battery is enough to pollute 600,000 litres of water, which would fill 1/3 of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
If all the mobile users in the UK threw away their old mobile phones when they upgraded, there would be £650,000 worth of silver sent to landfill a year.

For every phone received, FFI will receive about £5.

Charlotte Whitwell, fundraising officer for FFI, said she hoped schools and businesses, as well as the general public, would join the effort, and collect up old phones. "With an estimated 90 million phones lying unused in offices, drawers, cupboards and landfills across the UK alone, the potential is huge,” says Charlotte. “However, we need people to dig around and send their old phones in to us to make it happen."Schoolchildren can act as 'phone recycling representatives' to encourage their companions to bring their old mobile phones to school. Any school can take part. We are also particularly interested to hear from businesses who want to do their bit for the environment and help a good cause.

HOW TO DONATE YOUR OLD PHONE

Simply pop the phone in an envelope and post it to: Fauna & Flora International, FREEPOST ShP Solutions, Lancaster.Contact Charlotte Whitwell on (01223) 579471/ charlotte.whitwell@fauna-flora.org to request a free supply of freepost mobile phone recycling bags.

Find out more about phone recycling with FFI here

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New Season - Victoria Plums

Victoria Plums are now being picked.

They have such a short season so be sure to get some while you can.

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New Season Bramleys

New season Bramleys are now being picked,

not too many as they are still growing.

But enough to make a pie or two.

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Recommended Reading - The Thrifty Gardener

The Thrifty Gardener - How to create a stylish garden for next to nothing

by Alys Fowler

I liked this book a lot though if I'm honest it hasn't much to offer the experienced gardener other than some recycling inspiration. But Alys Fowler has a nice way about her, you've probably seen her on Gardeners World, her passion for gardening shines through the pages and she does inspire.

I think this book would make a super present for a first time gardener.

My copy came from The Works for only £6.99 so it would make a fairy economical gift.

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