This month we have a guest blog from local Critical Mass organiser, cycling campaigner and part of Travel Well, Samuel Shoesmith has saved hundreds of items from going to landfill by using the free OLIO app.
It is easy to say you intend on following the first ‘r’ and reducing consumption. I convince myself I will. I spend too long debating whether I really do need that extra pair of slightly different shaped or coloured jeans. I usually resist.
But on a house move last year, I saw the reality as all my ‘stuff’ was laid out before me and I wondered how? Just how? How did I end up with all of this stuff? Despite my best efforts, and I am sure it is similar with you, through life you accumulate bits and bobs and they often end up in drawers and cupboards.
Move over to the next R. Reuse!
I strongly recommend downloading the app OLIO. I am not sponsored by them, I just love the concept it. I was actually inspired to download it after my friend Seb Wilkins starting using it about 5 years ago to distribute food waste to local food banks. (https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/sherwood-cyclist-uses-mobile-app-2475971), I had downloaded OLIO but it was dormant on my phone as at the time I used to live in a small town with low membership. Nottingham has a critical mass of users with the mindset of giving stuff away.
Reusing items from student accommodation
What led me to becoming a super user of OLIO was when I moved up here and started working for a large student accommodation provider. At the first round of check-outs I was absolutely flabbergasted at how much stuff is just left behind. An incredible amount ends up in the bin as there are not enough staff to sort through it, list it somewhere, and arrange for collection.
Earlier this year as check-out season started, I braced myself and prepared a system. Finding an area in the building, I would put the items here, take a photo, upload it and list it on OLIO and wait. Usually within the day it was gone! This year alone, I listed 500 items on OLIO including, pots, pans, bins, ironing boards, (lots and lots and lots of) hangers, computer chairs, exercise mats, bowls, shoe racks, face masks, fans, Ikea desks and so, so much more.
I have now actually left the student accommodation company but I asked my colleagues to take on the task next year. Keep your eyes peeled. It may be worth finding out the check out dates of some student accommodations, and asking if they will have a collection point of all the good possessions which otherwise would be destined for the bin. It is helping them as it is reducing what would otherwise contribute to overflowing their bins. It helps the community with free items, and helps the planet as the items are not needlessly incinerated, resources do not need to be extracted to make new items and do they need not be transported.
Just a fraction of the items Samuel recycled from Nottingham student accommodation
Reducing food waste
But do not wait until check-out, start now. Residents are always using it to put items on. Also, some local supermarkets have signed up and ‘Food heroes’ put anything on which may be past the ‘best before’ date but perfectly edible. I recently got a punnet of pears.
And of course, the final ‘R’. Recycle. Remember to recycle everything you can. Information on what can and can’t be recycled is here:
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/nottinghamrecycles
Got worn out clothes or material not suitable to give to charity?
Some other resources:
In Primark, located by the downstairs tills are two bins to put clothing in which goes to be shredded and used as house insulation.
https://www.primark.com/en-gb/a/inspiration/sustainable-fashion/let-your-pre-loved-be-re-loved
Got a small electric item? Take your electrical items down to the special recycling points. A central one is in Loxley House.
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/smallitemrecycling
By Samuel Shoesmith