Cut the Crap was a pop-up exhibition centred on reducing waste. It toured the seven towns of Ealing. Cut the crap highlights the huge damage waste does to the environment, nature, wildlife and us. It gives us solutions on how to reduce our waste and look after our precious resources better.
Exhibiting at Boston Manor Walled Garden Workshop, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9J. More details at “Cut the crap” exhibition- how to reduce, reuse and recycle more easily!
If you are interested in having the Cut the Crap exhibition, please contact us as we do pop up events.
For more information on the issues and how we can cut the crap, read on.
About
ActForEaling has created Cut the Crap to encourage everyone to pull together and help achieve Ealing’s goal of net zero by 2030, as well as increase nature restoration. Cut the Crap is a pop-up exhibition that will be touring the seven towns of Ealing, starting at the café lounge of ActOne cinema in Acton High Street and progressing around the borough. The focus is on reducing waste and the huge damage it does to the environment, nature, wildlife and us. The interactive display takes a critical look at our lifestyles and shows what we can do to reduce our waste and its impact.
Is Waste a Problem?
Yes, it is. A stroll through our streets and parks shows us there is important work to do. One example: in an exciting conservation project at Paradise Fields, a beaver colony has been established, but before this could happen volunteers and rangers had to clear 1,149 bags of rubbish. There are many ActforEaling local partner groups caring for nature and intrepid volunteers from CURB and LagerCAN who do a fabulous job removing litter, but how much better the environment would be if there wasn’t any waste.
‘I was horrified by a film showing plastic waste in our oceans . If we carry on, there will be more plastic than fish! ’ Enid commented. While plastic has revolutionised our way of life since it was invented in the 1950s, the problem is that most of the plastic that’s been made still exists. The amount of plastic in the ocean is expected to double in the next 15 years, and it’s estimated that by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight) (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2016).
Inspiration to act
Unfortunately, waste is everywhere. After a visit to the Materials Reprocessing Facility (MRF) in Crayford, which sorts our borough’s recycling, ActForEaling was inspired to spread the message that recycling is not enough. No matter how well our MRF functions, repurposing 48.89% of household waste, the sheer volume of rubbish is staggering. Instead of consuming so much, we could all – as individuals – make different choices, opting to reduce and reuse instead, reducing waste as a result. This video at Veolia’s site in Southwark gives you an insight on what happens to our recycling and how its sorted. It also gives some tips on what can and what cant be recycled.
Reducing Waste
Every time you spend money you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want. To stop buying stuff is the obvious solution. Infrequently used items for DIY, cleaning, gardening and much more could be borrowed and shared. The Library of Things Ealing is open for lending in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre in partnership with Ealing Council. There you can borrow household and garden items such as carpet cleaners, hedge trimmers. Why buy when you can borrow?
Reuse and repair
But what of essential items? We need clothes, but our addiction to fast fashion is harming the planet and, worse still, many of our purchases are unworn. A more sustainable choice is to opt for pre-loved clothes, which can be just as stylish and fun to source. And instead of recycling worn-out clothes, why not give them a new lease of life? Ealing Repair café is a wonderful way to learn the skills to mend and darn, plus you’ll meet new friends.
Get creative in the kitchen
More food is wasted than you’d imagine. The average family in the UK spends £1,000 a year on food they never eat, so instead of throwing it away why not turn unused veg into soup and try out new recipes devised by LoveFoodHateWaste. Better yet, aim to be more accurate in your shopping orders and only buy what you need.
Recycling is not enough
Recycling is the last line of defence to keep plastic from harming nature, wildlife and human health. If plastic isn’t recycled it can end up in the oceans and our food chain. To recycle effectively, check out the council’s website for guidelines on doorstep collections. We have our own guidance on Recycling in Ealing.
Cut the Crap Ealing Borough Tour
ActForEaling is coordinating the tour of the exhibition around the borough. It has visited:
- ActOne Cinema, Acton
- St Mary’s Church, Acton
- Acton Market Reduce and Recycle Hub
- St Andrew’s Church Ealing
- Northfields Library, Ealing
- Dominion Centre, Southall
- Perivale Library. Perivale
- Northolt Leisure Centre, Northolt
- Northolt library, Northolt
- St John’s Church, Ealing
- Greenford Baptist Church, Greenford
- Parkside Yards, Southall
- Boston Manor Gardens
- St Stephen’s Church, Ealing
Please contact us if you or your community group are interested in having the exhibition visit you.