Recycle for Cornwall
The Recycle for Cornwall campaign has been developed to raise public awareness of recycling and to provide consumers with a compelling reason to recycle.
at home
at work
at school
on holiday
Any waste that originates from a once living thing will biodegrade, or “break down” naturally.
This includes waste from our kitchen such as fruit and vegetable scraps; paper and cardboard which originated from trees; green waste from our garden and even some fabrics such as natural cotton or wool. We refer to this waste as organic waste and it equates to over 60% of an average household bin.
Organic waste which is thrown in our rubbish bin is taken to landfill sites where, as it is buried, it rots away, without any air, through a process known as “laxiviation”. This process produces harmful gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming; as well as a liquid waste product known as leachate. In a landfill site the organic waste rots alongside many different materials which can result in the leachate picking up toxins and bacteria from other waste streams. At modern landfill site measures are taken to combat the harmful gasses and potentially hazardous leachate from effecting our environment. However, these measures are expensive.
As organic waste takes up such as large percentage of our bins it also takes up a vast amount of space in a landfill site. If we can recycle this organic material it will significantly reduce the amount of waste at landfill. Through using one or a combination of the following methods all of our organic waste, is able to be recycled without so much as an apple core having to leave the county!
Home Composting
What’s it all about?
Home composting is a natural process which rots down organic waste to produce a soil type substance which can be used in the garden. Home composting is the ultimate form of recycling! The waste which a householder produces is able to be recycled into a new and useful product without having to leave the property. The end product also saves the householder money as negates the need to buy compost and also cuts down on associated packaging.
More information on home compost
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What materials can be recycled?
Garden waste, uncooked kitchen waste such as fruit and veggie scraps, teabags, egg shells, coffee grinds and much more.
What can’t be recycled?
In order to create easy, pest free compost we would advise you not to include cooked food, meat or dairy as well as persistent weeds, dog or cat faeces and inorganic matter.
Digesting
What’s it all about?
Digesters rot organic waste without producing compost as an end product.
More information on digesting
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What can be recycled?
All kitchen waste
What can’t be recycled?
It is better not to put in garden waste. Inorganic matter should not bet put in the digester.
Green Joanna
What’s it all about?
If a compost bin or a digester is not for you than you could try the Green Joanna. A Green Joanna is what is known as a hot compost bin, and has been designed to break down the materials quickly and efficiently. It is not only able to deal with all kitchen waste just like a digester but also produces compost just like a compost bin!
More information on Green Johannas
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What can be recycled?
All kitchen and garden waste
What can’t be recycled?
Dog or cat excrement, non organic items.
Wormeries
What’s it all about?
Wormeries can also deal with all organic waste including meat and produces a small amount of extremely nutrient rich compost as well as a liquid waste which can be drained off and used to feed the plants. Wormeries are ideal for smaller households where space is a problem.
Further information on wormeries
What can be recycled?
All kitchen waste
What can’t be recycled?
Levels of acidity need to be monitored and so it is best not to overload your wormery with citrus fruit or onion peels. Due to their size they are also unsuitable for excessive garden waste or any inorganic matter.
Probiotic Composting/EM/Kitchen Compost Units
What’s it all about?
Kitchen compost units allow you to compost all kitchen waste in a safe, indoor unit which once broken down can be added to your normal compost bin or buried in the ground. Kitchen compost units can offer the perfect accompaniment for people who like to use a compost bin but would also like to compost more materials.
More information on probiotic composting
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What can be composted?
All kitchen waste
What can’t be composted?
These units are very small and designed for use in the kitchen so large amounts of organic waste or garden waste should be omitted as well as inorganic materials.
On farm Composting
What’s it all about?
For those who produce too much garden waste for their compost bin or just don’t want to try composting; garden waste can be taken to any of Cornwall’s Recycling Centres for free, or in some areas collected from the doorstep. This green waste is then collected by farmers who compost it for use on Cornish farms.
What can be composted?
Any organic garden waste
What can’t be recycled?
Food, kitchen waste and any inorganic matter.
recycle for cornwall