Waste Warriors

Richard Webster is a self-declared Waste Warrior. “I was a waste consultant for many years and worked to reduce our environmental footprint by reducing waste.” At his home in Beulah Park there is a tub under the kitchen sink for yellow bin plastics and an old bag for soft plastics (which go the local supermarket for recycling). “All our food waste goes to our chickens. They are easy to maintain and we get the benefit of freshly laid eggs.”

His son Tom is following in his footsteps. “I just had to adapt,” Tom says. “It’s easy really – all the paper, cardboard cartons and bottles go in the yellow lid bin.” Tom takes all the lids off and stores them in an ice cream container, then into the bin. “The small items can clog up the sorting machine,” Tom says, “so it is important not to put them in loose. Remember that if soft plastic can be scrunched up then it should not go on in the yellow bin.”

The whole family (including Mum Clara and younger brother Nico) are well educated and diligent in handling their household waste. So much so that they rarely put their red lid bin out as it is usually empty. “We might have a few old clothes or some foam food packaging which can get a bit smelly,” says Richard.

Tom, 14, says he and his brother make a game out of it to see who does best with recycling and waste disposal. And he has protested against climate change in the organised ‘School Strike 4 Climate’. “My friends are conscious we are inheriting the planet and we are scared about our future. The earth will be three to four degrees hotter if we don’t take serious climate action.” Tom is pushing for his school (Marryatville High) to introduce yellow lid bins to encourage students to recycle.