Case study

Case study: The new mum

Kerry Middleton

Walton-on-Thames resident

We're going to help Kerry over the next few weeks to help her reduce the amount of waste - particularly food - her household creates. Check back regularly for updates on her progress.

About Kerry

Kerry is a new mum living in Walton-on-Thames with her husband Mark and baby Max. She is a committed recycler but, like a lot of Surrey residents, feels that there is more that she could and would like to do. She needs advice on simple changes that she can make to help her reduce the amount of waste her family creates - particularly the amount of food that goes in the bin.

Attitude to waste

Kerry has been aware of the need to reduce, reuse and recycle for a while and does what she can to create as little waste as possible. She always packs her shopping into reusable cotton bags, keeping them in the boot of the car so that they are there when she visits the supermarket.

She is very aware of excess packaging when shopping and chooses loose rather than pre-wrapped items whenever possible. She manages to recycle almost all of the waste that she creates, apart from food waste.

Having a new baby has made Kerry think even more about the environment and having done some research Kerry has decided to try putting Max into washable (reusable) nappies.

Future gazing

In the future Kerry would like to find a way to reduce or recycle her food waste and to reuse her grey water for watering the garden. She is in the process of doing up her garden and is investigating the purchase of a compost bin or wormery as part of the new look! She really wants to do more to reduce, reuse and recycle and will try putting into practice some of the tips and hints on reducing and reusing what she can.

Expert comment

As a first time mum, Kerry really has her hands full so it's admirable that she's trying to find ways of cutting the amount she throws away.

We're going to help Kerry set up a compost bin or wormery, and will also work with her on cutting food waste through some simple measures such as a weekly food planner and fast and simple recipes that will give leftover items a new lease of life.

As little Max grows up there will also be a great opportunity for her to reuse things like paper, plastic bottles, jar lids and so on for creative arts and crafts.

To receive free tips and hints on how to reduce, reuse and recycle your waste text REDUCE to 83010.

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