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Original poster

what to do with plastic milk jug things....

32 replies

fryalot · 11/01/2008 09:50

We go through about ten six pinters a week and, whilst we do have a recycling bin to put them in, it's only collected once a month and we are supposed to put paper, plastic and tin cans in it as well, so it would be full after a week. Council will not give us any extra bins.

We live ten miles from the recycling centre, and it's not on the way to anywhere, so it would be a twenty mile round trip just to recycle them.

We have an open fire and can burn them as soon as they are empty.

If they get put in the normal waste bin, it is full to bursting every week and if they're going in the bin, they're not getting recycled.

Am currently burning them on the fire but not 100% sure that this is the most environmentally friendly thing to do.

Any advice?

OP posts:
ShrinkingViolet · 11/01/2008 10:01

obv you're squishing them down? Apparently you can fill them with boiling water which makes them shrink even more, haven't tried that though.
Ohterwise, do you have milk deliveries in your area, as the glass bottles would be more efficiently recycled? Not much help I'm afraid.

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 10:32

well, I don't bother squishing them down when I'm just putting them on the fire, but if I try another method of disposing of them, yes, I rinse them out and squish them.

No deliveries of any kind in my area (I live in the middle of nowhere) so glass bottles from a milk man wouldn't be an option.

Thanks anyway

OP posts:
Tnog · 11/01/2008 10:48

I wouldn't burn them, Squonk.

It's not good to breathe in burning plastics at all.

Can you buy some form of storage, which you could keep in the garden for your recycling and do it once a month?

Hook up with a neighbour and take it in turns to go to the centre?

brimfull · 11/01/2008 10:50

you need a cow in your garden!

Tnog · 11/01/2008 10:51

Ideal

No more plastic.

PrincessSnowLife · 11/01/2008 10:52

do you buy them from a supermarket? if so, could they be hassled persuaded that having a plastic recycling bin in their car park could be useful?

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 11:04

oh, PSN, that is a fab idea.

Yes, I generally get them from tesco - will investigate.

OP posts:
Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 11:04

and if anyone knows of a cow needing a home, let me know...

(if tnog can have a donkey, I can have a bloody cow )

OP posts:
PrincessSnowLife · 11/01/2008 11:25

glad to be of help
I don't often end up with any of them but when I do I cut them up and make scoops (for chicken feed etc). I would, however, most definitely run out of ideas if I had ten a week though!!

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 11:30

the children have a surfeit of shakers, scoops and plastic dog-type toys all made out of them

OP posts:
Zazette · 11/01/2008 11:44

our council will collect things put in plastic bags/other containers next to the recycling box, would yours not do that?

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 11:55

possibly, but as they only collect them once a month, there would be so many extra bags, this isn't feasible. Plus, we have nowhere to store them for the month.

OP posts:
sophy · 11/01/2008 12:31

can you buy your milk in tetrapaks instead? these can be stored flat and returned to tetrapak for recycling if your local council does not collect them.

lulumama · 11/01/2008 12:35

can you do a rota with neighbours or friends of one of you going to the recycling centre every week or so?

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 12:35

I will look into that... do you know how I get them back to tetrapak though?

OP posts:
sophy · 11/01/2008 12:40

info here:

www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk/home.asp

i've also heard that they make good firelighters but i haven't tried it myself.

sophy · 11/01/2008 12:43

also i would definitely talk to tesco about recycling bins -- we should be putting pressure on the supermarkets about this kind of stuff, and if enough people do it they will respond.

sophy · 11/01/2008 12:43

also i would definitely talk to tesco about recycling bins -- we should be putting pressure on the supermarkets about this kind of stuff, and if enough people do it they will respond.

DoubleBluff · 11/01/2008 12:45

CAn't you but a bib storage lidded box nad keep it outsied by our bin and put it out for recycling when they come?

allmytimeonmumsnet · 11/01/2008 13:22

We have a big plastic bucket outside and fill that with recycling and take once a week (or 3!). They can definitly recycled in the plastics bins.

Have to admit though I do use mine as fire lighters when I've got no sticks and they do work really well. One 4 pinter is enough to get my woodburner going with nothing else added. Although its not good to burn plastic, firelighters as petroleum based so just as bad. Therefore I do think its an OK option (but sticks are obviously better). You shouldn't breathe the fumes as it will go up the chimney and coal or firelighter fumes would be just as bad.

Its not a great solution but would solve your problem. If you have to go out of your way to recycle then perhaps by the time you factor in fuel and the recycling costs themselves its not so bad. But better to get into a routine and take them with you when you go shopping. I am sure your tesco will have recycling facilities.

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 13:34

thanks, guys. Will deffo check out tescos.

Am liking the fact that they make good firelighters... I often run out of sticks and am cold for a day or two till I can get out again.

Some good ideas here, ladies, thanks a lot

OP posts:
Tnog · 11/01/2008 14:18

Squonk - Do not burn TOXIC plastic on your fire

< tut >

Tnog · 11/01/2008 14:19

And I'll see if I can source you a cow.

Original poster
fryalot · 11/01/2008 14:38

gah! anyone would think that toxic milk jugs were poisonous or something!

Yes, auntie tnog, I will be a good little squonk

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 11/01/2008 14:49

Keep your eyes open for Tetrapack recycling points though (if you can buy your milk in their packs) as I've noticed a couple near us recently.

In our case they were near the park with the bottle banks and clothing bank not at the main recycling centre.