Reduce, reuse and recycle, the Scouting way

Guest editor Joanna Boardman is a recycling council officer and Beaver Scout Leader. She shares the benefits of recycling and how it can be exciting.

There’s always a cross-over between my day job and my Scouting role. Our Group is becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues – especially around other people’s unwanted rubbish. This has given the Beavers in my Colony the opportunity to earn badges, help the community and learn more about our environment.

As a society, we are producing more waste than ever before. When we throw something away, it has to go somewhere. There is no such place as ‘away’, so we need to reduce the amount of waste we make.

It’s hard to avoid all waste, and one way to reduce it is to reuse it to make long-lasting products. Why not make ‘secrets’ boxes by decorating old biscuit tins with shiny paper and stickers, or pencil pots from kitchen roll tubes?

Young people, as well as adults, can help the environment by using rubbish as a resource. If we can’t reduce or reuse materials then we must try to recycle wherever possible.

There are lots of ways to get your Groups thinking environmentally, even if it’s simple things like using both sides of a piece of paper. Why not invite your local council to give a talk to your Group on recycling services in your area? It doesn’t all have to be altruistic either – collecting certain materials for recycling can earn your Groups some funds. Contact the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) with your ideas.

One Group already working with TerraCycle – the organisation that recycles the previously non-recyclable and pays you for it too – is 1st Thorpe St Andrew Scout Group. Stephen Clarke of TerraCycle told us:

‘This Norwich Scout Group joined TerraCycle in May 2010 and so far has collected 2,476 yogurt pots, 1,792 coffee T-Discs and 25 coffee eco refill packs, raising a total of £89.08 for the Group, which they are using towards essential building repairs. They have also recently signed up to collect baby wipes packaging, empty baby food pouches, used toothbrushes and empty toothbrush tubes.’

Great beginnings

1st Stubbington Scout Group, based in Hampshire, is eager to start recycling.

Group Treasurer Angji Carr said: ‘We’ve always been interested in recycling. Our Scouts should do good deeds to tie in nicely with our programme of activities.

‘The Group is planning to hold several activities throughout its 60th anniversary next year and is aiming to take on a recycling project to help give back to the community.

‘The Group hopes to work with TerraCycle by collecting empty Kenco packets and toothbrushes so they can be turned into eco-friendly products such as notebooks, pencil cases and bags.’

Did you know?

Sixteen pence in every pound spent in the shops goes towards packaging costs.

Christmas tip

Wrapping presents in fabric and ribbons means the wrapping is reusable and stylish. If you use a scarf, the wrapping can be an extra present!

Find out more:

www.terracycle.co.uk
www.wrap.org.uk