TOO much waste is ending up in landfill, at huge expense not only to Wiltshire Council (paid for through our council tax) but also to the environment.

Kitchen and garden waste that ends up in landfill gives off methane thus adding to the amount of gases contributing to global warming and climate change.

That was the scientific bit over and done with. From a practical point of view, throwing food away is also a waste of money. Buying only the amount of food you need and composting uncooked fruit and vegetables seems a simple concept and was one of the many topics that Emma Croft, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s waste minimisation officer covered in her informative training day.

Twelve people had signed up to be waste minimisation volunteers and the day-long training to get everyone rethinking rubbish – how to reduce, reuse and recycle more – with the option of disposal being the final solution only, proved insightful.

There were many issues raised, such as why only plastic bottles can be recycled in the blue topped wheelie bins or bags. Apparently there is only one reprocessor in the whole country that takes mixed plastic and so Wiltshire Council can only accept bottles (with the numbers 1, 2 or 3 marked on the bottom).

Labels are going to be issued by Wiltshire Council to clarify this as I cannot be alone at being confused by the amount of plastic that cannot be recycled.

To go one stage further, why are things produced that cannot be reused or recycled?

Of course the simple answer is cost and plastic is cheap, but if everyone rejected unwanted packaging more, perhaps manufacturers would get the message and look to compostable packaging.

Avoiding waste going to landfill is simple if you are already converted. Reduce the amount you buy, take your own reusable bags shopping, re-use clothes and books via clothing agents and charity shops, give an item a multiple life and buy recycled products, all this saves money too.

Look out for the volunteers at a series of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust roadshows and other community events. They can give advice on recycling and waste disposal including food waste in an environmentally friendly way. They will be easily recognisable in their dark green polo shirts.

* Information on the new household waste collection service is being sent out in January. The roadshows are planned for February in Salisbury and Amesbury.

Details will be published in the Journal nearer the time.