Our Parish, Our Climate
On 6th July 2024 from 10-11am, A councillor surgery was held regarding the environmental future of our village under the new ‘Our Parish, Our Climate’ program. here’s our analysis of the key points of the meeting.
Terracycle
The surgery started with an introduction from two members of sussex greenliving, focusing specifically on TerraCycle, a recycling program focusing on the ‘unrecyclables’. Examples include toothbrushes, pringles, BabyBels, and more! Here’s Southwater Green Project’s Review of how it works and what we think of it.
How It Works
You put your waste that can’t be recycled into a terracycle bin. The bin gets sorted by volunteers, and then used to make more products. I know what you’re thinking: Terracycle is a corporate company, so how does it make profit? Now for the interest part. Terracycle partners with major companies such as Ariel, Pringles and Lenor. These Corporations want materials for cheap, so Terracycle sells the materials back to them!
What Can I Recycle?
Your Local Terracyle bin is located at the Holy Innocents Church, Which is on Church lane. The first bin is for crisp and snack packaging of all brands and sizes, while the second is for the following:
Ballpoint pens, felt tips, biros, correction fluid, markers, glue sticks and highlighters
Plastic wrapping for; sweet biscuits, cakes, crackers, chocolate, popcorn & nuts
Fruit & Vegetable baby food pouches – Ella’s Kitchen and other brands (no pet food pouche)
Plastic Milk Bottle Tops
Southwater Repair Shop
We then had a talk from Matt, who runs Southwater Repair Shop, a local business striving to repair electrical appliances. The shop operates a no fee-no fix policy, meaning that if the product cannot be fixed, you will not be charged!
Refill Station & Community Fridge
Currently, Southwater has a community fridge but plans were discussed at the surgery for a refill station, allowing any member of the public to fill containers with substances such as shampoo instead of buying a new product and therefore also the packaging involved. We’ll keep you updated if we find any future progressions. For now, here’s Southwater Green Project’s review of how it works and, well… if it works!
So, back to the how. Unfortunately it isn’t just a portable mini-fridge placed in Lintot Sqare. The idea is, if you have any food which you, chances are, aren’t going to use, you give it to the community fridge and collect (for free) any produce that you want to use, and many supermarkets also participate as well!
But does it work? Well, yes! Southwater’s community fridge, held on the second Saturday of every month in the church hall, had a record number of visitors totalling 97 this August!
Trip To Ford Recycling Centre
Plans were discussed for a trip to Ford Materials Recycling Centre (MRF) to help out. The Vice Chairman (Steven Lewis), running the new ‘Our Parish, Our Climate’, stated that the initiative would be organising the trip. He once again pointed out that the initiative doesn’t have a budget, however can apply to Horsham District council for an exclusive event.
