Revolutionise Your Waste Management: Join the BeChamp FEB-BBish Challenge and Win a Prize while Making a Difference

Rubbish has many names:  

English: rubbish, trash, garbage, waste, debris, litter

French: déchet, ordures, rebut, immondices

Chinese: 垃圾 (lājī), 废物 (fèiwù), 污物 (wūwù)

We all know that the planet is facing a trash crisis. Landfills are overflowing, oceans are filled with plastic, and our environment is suffering as a result. But what can we do about it? The answer is simple: we need to start thinking about our waste differently. We need to start seeing it as a resource, not a burden. And that's where the Feburary Rubbish Challenge comes in.

For the month of February, we're going to do a social experiment. The first week, we want you to simply observe the amount of waste your household produces. Take pictures and videos of your trash and recycling on collection day, and see just how much you're sending to the landfill.

But for the rest of the month, we're going to challenge you to use your ingenuity and creativity to 'internalize' and reuse as much of your waste as possible. This means finding new ways to repurpose packaging, cardboard boxes, bottles, jars, and more. We want you to take pictures and videos of your efforts, and share your tips and tricks with the community.

So, how do you get started? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of the BeChamp Rubbish Challenge:

Step 1: Take stock of your waste.

During the first week of February, simply observe the amount of waste your household produces. Take pictures and videos of your trash and recycling on collection day, and see just how much you're sending to the landfill.

Step 2: Get creative.

For the rest of the month, start thinking about how you can repurpose and reuse your waste. Look for new ways to use packaging, cardboard boxes, bottles, jars, and more. Be imaginative and think outside the box!

NYC artist Andrew Wong was recycling/ playing with carton boxes during covid lock down, see below, now his art has graduated to another level!

Step 3: Share your efforts.

Take pictures and videos of your successes, and share your tips and tricks with the community. We want to hear about your best ideas and see the results of your hard work.

Ah, the art of sharing! Some keep their treasures locked away, while others shower the world with their "crap'. Let's find a harmonious middle ground, my friend, share yours, trinkets of wisdom and experiences..

Some might consider over 50s should not write blog posts like this.. but I'm doing it.

Step 4: Get inspired.

Look for inspiration from others in the community and think about how businesses can also internalise and reuse waste.

Don't forget, some one's waste is others' treasure, especially food waste, we need more great initiatives like Tessa Clarke 's Olio:

And that's it! By participating in the February Rubbish Challenge, lets call it FEB-BBish (with a 'FAAABulous' posh accent), you'll not only be reducing the amount of waste you produce, but you'll also be helping to inspire change in your mind and maybe even in the community. The winner of the competition will be given a special prize donated by the community.

We believe that by taking part in this challenge, not only will you make a positive impact on the environment, but you might also learn valuable lessons that can be applied to your businesses.

Especially FMCG market where packaging is everywhere, and for businesses leaders, whether you outsource your rubbish or your council does it, once you done this challenge (even at your own home only) you might take a closer look at how your businesses can also internalize and reuse previously considered waste.

see how sweden does it:

So, let's all do our part to save the planet, one piece of trash at a time. Join the BeChamp Rubbish Challenge today and let's work together to make a difference.

Can you sponsor a prize? Ping me a message YesICanHelp@ToLast.org

I've already done this for years... some lessons learnt:

1) Hot composting is way to go, you don't need a big pile, I use 'Hot Bin' from UK

HotBin is a compost bin that uses heat to quickly break down organic waste into compost. It features an insulated design to maintain the heat generated by the composting process, which helps to speed up decomposition and reduces the need for manual stirring.

2) wormery is also easy

our home food waste are now 100% recycled

you might not need to buy any (UK council usually have heavily discounted ones on offer, just search online), or you could even use home made cup noodles wormery, perfect project with your younger generations or young adults.

3) jam jars, or bigger jars we can reuse for fermenting or keeping home made sauces / easy preservations

4) even cartons are not gone to waste, as they can be used for (making art, as above) and for sending things, to putting in hot compost/ wormery and even growing mushrooms (started experimenting November 2021...) and results so far:

5.) cook in bulk?

as though you have a big extended family (or why not form a neighbourhood meal-prep cook group, with extras to donate to local food bank?), as cooking 4 chickens/ducks meant you already saved 30/50+ smaller packaging that would have gone to the landfill?

In conclusion, exploring the mysteries of the recycling universe is like a wild rollercoaster ride! Don't even bother asking for permission from your significant other, because let's face it, conducting experiments at home will drive them up the wall.

But hey, saving the world is a noble cause, so a little domestic discord is a small price to pay, right?

Links:

Even in the wild: Flesh-eating bugs: new research shows how carrion beetles turn death into life