|
Graphical version | Email this page to a friend | Send us your comments | Latest News Time: 05:10 04/06/2004 | ||||||
|
Home |
In Your Area |
@Home |
@Work |
@The Shops |
Recycled Products The Future of Kitchen Design is Lurking in the Dustbin Designer and BBC Changing Rooms presenter, Oliver Heath has unveiled the world’s first recycled kitchen at the Ideal Home Show at Earls Court. “It doesn’t look like rubbish …. but it is!” said Oliver. “The sleek and stylish kitchen units, the cutting-edge flooring and the fashionable accessories all owe something to your household dustbin.” But this isn’t ‘Junkyard Wars’, the Recycled Kitchen is a realistic design proposition with the race on to find new and innovative uses for our rubbish. “There are fantastic and exciting opportunities out there for manufacturers and designers working with recycled or reclaimed materials,” continued Oliver. “Ideas are constantly being re-invented and retro has never gone out of fashion, so the Recycled Kitchen represents the next step in modern design.” Oliver, a regular on BBC’s ‘Changing Rooms’, has used reclaimed materials to great effect both on national television and in his own apartment and studio. He is currently transforming his own home using a range of recycled products along with energy-efficient appliances. “I always try to apply the principles of the 3Rs” he said, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” The Recycled Kitchen, developed by WRAP – the Waste & Resources Action Programme, features products from up-and-coming designers and smaller enterprises such as award-winning Green Glass, exhibiting glassware made from glass bottles using a top-secret manufacturing process. Products from a number of high street retailers including John Lewis, IKEA and Habitat, are also displayed and are widely available. Julie Parry, head of communications at WRAP says: “The Recycled Kitchen is based on obtaining a balance between the unusual and the practical. The kitchen is unusual in the sense that it will challenge people's perceptions of recycled materials through showcasing what can be achieved. It is practical because this kitchen can be easily recreated in the home, and is both attractive and desirable.” The world’s first recycled kitchen has been made possible by advances in technology over the past few years which have transformed recycling into a technologically advanced and burgeoning industry, manufacturing highly engineered and 'clean' products. With Government targets set at recycling or composting 25% of our rubbish by 2005 in the UK and our current recycling rate standing at 13%, the opportunities for new product development using reclaimed or recycled materials are set to increase. TOP TIPS FOR RECYCLING IN THE KITCHEN First Things First…. Gone are the days of letting your waste paper and bottles pile up around you – these days recycling in the kitchen is a cinch. The following simple steps make it even easier … Consider a bin with separate compartments for your recyclables . Most new kitchens can now be fitted with integrated bins with separate sections for your recyclables. For the high-tech look, trendy stainless steel bins are now available with separate compartments for recyclables. If you are short on space in your kitchen, contact your council and find out what service they provide. Some local authorities provide large external containers for your recyclables. Alternatively try to remember to drop before you shop- take your recycling to your local supermarket’s recycling facilities whenever you’re going. Food for Thought… Get your milk delivered. The average milk bottle is re-used 20 times before being recycled – unlike paper cartons that are used only once. Cancel the cling film and forget the foil. Storing food in re-sealable containers is cheaper and will keep your bin slim. Take packed lunches in re-sealable containers rather than forking out extra cash on cling-film or foil. Green is the new black (bin bag that is..) You’d be surprised at how much you can reduce the amount that goes in your black bags or wheelie bin, if you follow these tips you’ll notice the difference (and more importantly you’ll be making difference.) Glass jars and bottles, steel food tins, aluminium drink cans, plastic containers, card and paper, are all easy to recycle. Take full advantage of your council’s doorstep collection scheme Re-use notepaper that’s only been used on one side, for shopping lists. Use glass jars to hold your spices, pasta or homemade jams. In the Garden You don’t need to be Alan Titchmarsh to make your garden grow – start a compost heap and not only will you cut down on your kitchen rubbish but before you know it, everything will be coming up roses. Start a compost heap for your kitchen and garden rubbish. Vegetable and fruit peelings, eggshells, teabags, coffee grindings, grass cuttings, paper towels and even pure old wool jumpers can all be composted. Many local councils can provide subsidised compost bin, or most garden centres now sell them. If your limited for space, why not use the small space saving kitchen composter. Start As You Mean To Go On If you try to cut down on the amount of rubbish you pick up at the shops – that way there will be less for you to get rid of. Much of our fresh fruit and veg comes pre-packed, which means even more rubbish in our dustbins. Buy fruit and veg as mother nature intended instead of covered in plastic. Big is beautiful - buy refill containers or bulk buy, as both mean less packaging. Drop then shop – remember to take your recyclables to the nearest supermarket recycling point. Keep plastic bags or a re-usable ‘bag for life’ to whip out for those shopping emergencies. Buy recycled goods - there are loads of products made from recycled or reclaimed materials ranging from trendy wine glasses or coasters made from juice cartons, to gorgeous goblets. Log onto www.rethinkrubbish.com for the full range.
Links for the @Home section.
B a n k L o c a t o r Find the nearest recycling bank to you
Back to the top | Feedback | Register for Green House | Terms and conditions | Disclaimer |