AGM & Small Electricals Recycling

Thanks to the nearly 30 people who turned up for our AGM and some brainstorming afterwards: ideas aired there will go forward to help shape what we do. And particular thanks to those attending who 'stepped forward' by indicating interest in discrete areas of our activity. 'Food' and 'recycling' were the two most commonly-expressed areas of interest and, in the wake of that evening, our food and recycling sub groups have both arranged imminent get-togethers to consider 'next steps'. If you want to know more, let me know.

If your interest is biodiversity, you may wish to know our colleagues at Transition New Mills are holding another 'balsam bashing session at The Picker, on Monday 1 August 18:30 – 20:30, The Picker, New Mills. Meet at bridge between Dye House Lane and Hyde Bank Rd. In truth, you don't need to 'bash', you pull up easily. It's a good cause and it making a difference in reducing the spread of this invasive weed, which smothers almost every other plant once it's established. Wear sensible footwear and gloves.

On the recycling front, do you know about the positive new service run by High Peak Council's contractors? You can now leave surplus small electrical items for collection, by placing them alongside your black or green bin on the appropriate collection day, saving you a trip to 'the tip'. Items which can be left out are listed below (leave plus/cables intact but remove batteries, which can be recycled at the library):

• Kettles, toasters, irons and other small kitchen appliances, hairdryers, hair straighteners and clippers, clocks, watches, calculators and torches, remote controls, mobile phones, cameras and chargers, radios, CD and MP3 players, small electronic toys e.g. remote control cars, small power tools, smoke detectors and thermostats

The council's contractors won't collect: anything larger than 30cm x 40cm, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, televisions, computer monitors and laptops, fridges and freezers, washing machines, cookers and microwave ovens, glass or ceramic items e.g. slow cookers or glass kettles. If you leave them out, you'll just have to take them back in again and dispose of them via other means.