Making recycling electric goods easy

To help recycle even more, residents in Kesgrave, Saxmundham and Martlesham will be able to dispose of their small electrical items through a new trial scheme. Bright pink bins have been installed at three sites across East Suffolk and residents can drop off their small electrical appliances, such as toasters, kettles, hair dryers and electric toothbrushes to be recycled.

Discarded electrical items, known as e-waste, are one of the fastest-growing sources of waste in the UK, with over 155,000 tonnes of household electrical waste thrown away every year and 527 million electrical items hoarded in UK homes.

Electrical and electronic items, including both mains and battery-powered devices, contain small quantities of hazardous materials and so cannot be disposed of through general waste or recycling bins at home.

Instead, items which are in good working order can be sold or donated to charity, or they can be taken to a local repair café to be mended and then donated. Items can also be taken to the nearest Suffolk Recycling Centre, as well as the new pink bins. It is hoped that the trial bins will encourage residents to recycle more electrical items, removing clutter from their homes and enabling the valuable materials such as precious metals contained in electrical items to be reused in the manufacture of new items.

Cllr James Mallinder, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for the Environment said, “Recycling old electricals is better for the environment, saving carbon dioxide emissions and ensuring valuable materials contained within them such as plastics, gold, copper and aluminium can be reused. Small changes make a big difference and I would encourage residents in Kesgrave, Saxmundham and Martlesham to recycle their electrical items through the new bins and if successful, we can consider expanding the scheme into other locations.”

The bins are located at Tesco in Martlesham, Tesco in Kesgrave and Market Place, Saxmundham.

Larger electrical items, such as microwaves, cannot be disposed of in these bins and should instead be taken to a Recycling Centre. Packaging and batteries should not be placed in these bins either. Once full, the bins will be collected by East Suffolk Norse and disposed of through a partnership with waste specialists European Recycling Platform (ERP). Any issues with the electrical recycling bins should be reported to East Suffolk Council by calling 0333 016 2000 or emailingoperations@eastsuffolk.gov.uk www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/electrical-waste

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Flower Club Meeting

The next Deben Flower Club meeting will be held on 11th April at 7.30pm in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU.

The demonstrator this month will be the Club’s very good friend Pat South from Felixstowe. Pat will be demonstrating “This and That” and we know whatever

Energy companies will begin writing to customers within the coming days to warn them of their energy bill increasing in April, according to the BBC.

This comes as the Government’s energy price cap is due to be removed, and the end of the £400 winter discount scheme.

As homeowners continue to search for ways to save on their energy freezer door. So, when your freezer is full, there is less room for warmer air to come in, and the items that are in there will help to cool down any warmer air that does sneak in. she does it will be a colourful and fun filled evening so why not come along, you will be made most welcome. bills, Sam Whillance, a savings expert at discounts platform Deal. Town shares his expert tips on how keeping a freezer full can make it work more efficiently and keep bills down.

“Try organise your goods so you can still pack just as much in, while keeping track of everything you’ve got. Any bulky foods can be repacked into reusable freezer bags - try squeezing the air out and sealing.

“Also, try to put any foods you know you won’t use for a while at the back of the freezer, meaning you don’t need to keep rearranging it to get the food out.

“Newspaper is also a great item to use if you want to keep your freezer full. Simply move food items towards the outer sides of your freezer and stuff the interior spaces with newspaper. This way, you are keeping your freezer at maximum capacity.

Visitors £6. Tea coffee and biscuits will be available after the demonstration and Pat’s beautiful arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening.

Email Wendy at wa@ sandlings.co.uk or telephone Sandy on 07910463158 for further information or just come along on the evening. No prior booking is required.

Flower arranging tip of the month.

Your cut flowers will benefit enormously from the addition of some flower food to your vase. To make your own flower food just combine the following. 1 litre of tepid water, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of bleach, and 1 level tablespoon of sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and just add your flowers.

“Stocking up your freezer can save money in several ways. Firstly, purchasing freezer foods in bulk can be cheaper than buying fresh produce (which can also go to waste a lot quicker).

“Foods you stock up your freezer with can help lower the costs of running it. By organising your freezer space, using more frozen products, and freezing leftover fresh food where possible, we can reduce our food waste and save money.

“Firstly, aim to unclutter your fridge, especially near the ventilating outlets as keeping space at the top and sides of your fridge helps the cool air move around easier.

“Most of the energy your freezer uses goes towards cooling down the air that comes in when you open the

“Another way to do this is by using packaging peanuts - small pieces of Styrofoam often used to fill up space, provide cushioning, and help prevent shock in moving boxes. They are also, in fact, a great space filler for a freezer.

“Essentially, keeping it full and compact means less energy will be used - reducing your bills.”