Publish and be damned!
Well I don’t know exactly what it’s like where you live, but in central London you can’t move without some poor sod thrusting some form of printed matter at you as though their lives depended on it. (I wonder if their loved ones are held captive ….and finger’s are at risk if they don’t manage to shift 5,000 copies a night?) These free newspaper touters are not only annoying but they’re also environmentally unfriendly.
On my way to and from work last week I set out to collect whatever free literature was offered to me. In just 5 days, I collected the following (see picture). I made it a rule not to accept copies of the same publications in the same evening. This is because my route home takes me past five London Nite vendors and 4 London Paper vendors – so in practice I would have ended up with more than 45 copies of the same publication!!
The Metro, the London Nite and London Paper, are practically the same publication, with similar advertisers targeting the same audience. The “News” is usually a day old, and certainly doesn’t compete with the BBC online – or any of the online news services for that matter.
So what’s the purpose of these newspapers? Well, it’s simply an advertising channel – and I would argue a completely “un-Green” one, at that! The amount of waste that’s generated is mind boggling. OK, the papers can be printed on recycled stock, but the effort and energy spent on collection and pulping - not to mention the bleaching agents used and chemical wastage created in the recycling process - seems to me to be ludicrously inefficient at best, and entirely unethical at worst.
There’s only one solution really and that’s to stop the demand for these papers. Say "No" to free papers – and turn your back on the vendors. (Just make sure your ruck-sack’s shut tightly!)
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Newspapers are very good for cleaning your windows.
By Daniel on 11.07.06 9:09 am
…also good for helping to light barbecues.
By Daniel on 11.07.06 9:10 am
…also good to add some shredded newspaper (not the glossy stuff though)to your compost, especially if it contains a lot of grass cuttings.
By Daniel on 11.07.06 9:11 am
So you think it’s a Big Issue?
By Daniel on 11.07.06 9:12 am
Other uses for old newspapers:
1. use as umbrella when caught in rain.
2. protect car seats from muddy or wet clothing.
3. spread over outdoor benches to protect clothing.
4. put into loose shoes to tighten.
5. stuff in leather shoes to preserve shape.
6. stuff in wet shoes overnight to dry and deodorize.
7. crumple and place in suitcase for couple of weeks to remove stale odors.
8. use as mat when polishing shoes.
9. stuff hats to keep their shape.
10. stuff leather handbags in storage.
11. wrap around candle bottoms so they’ll fit holders tighter.
12. store records between sheets.
13. use as padding under a table cloth.
14. cover shop windows when remodeling.
15. cover furniture when away on holiday.
16. cover furniture when sanding or painting.
17. spread on floor underneath rug when shampooing.
18. dampen and spread over window-panes before painting.
19. use to dry and polish window after washing.
20. dampen a bit and use to clean typewriter keys.
21. make a hat when painting.
22. fold to make a sheath for a knife.
23. place in closed windows to eliminate wind rattle.
24. stuff under doors and in cracks to stop cold wind from coming in.
25. use as a bounce reflector when taking flash photographs or use to reflect sunlight into shadow areas.
26. place a sheet in jar tops to tighten loose lids.
27. make unusual lamp shades.
28. make dress patterns.
29. protect table when children are painting or gluing.
30. use as wallpaper for a doll house.
31. make paper chains.
32. make paper dolls.
33. make paper mache handicrafts.
34. make kites.
35. make party hats.
36. occupy children by letting them color and paint the cartoons.
37. make a child’s play tent.
38. use to raise height of child at table.
39. use a pile as a step to reach high shelves.
40. cut out articles and make a scrap book on a specific. subject of interest to you.
41. emergency pot holder.
42. use to remove heavy grease from oven.
43. emergency dust pan.
44. roll, secure in middle with elastic and fringe one end to use to get rid of cobwebs.
45. start fires.
46. use as a fan to make fires burn better.
47. sharpen pencils by rubbing the point on newspaper.
48. muffle a loud alarm clock.
49. muffle the sound of a typewriter by using as a mat underneath.
50. place under heavy objects on wooden tables.
51. spread out between garden rows to discourage weeds.
52. use to wrap green tomatoes to ripen.
53. cover plants during a frost.
54. use as a knee pad when gardening or scrubbing floors.
55. roll and use as a funnel.
56. roll and use as a torch.
57. roll and use as a megaphone outdoors.
58. use folded sheets as a fan to keep cool.
59. use as sun shade at spectator events.
60. use as a mat for wet darkroom photographs.
61. shred and stuff in vases to help support fresh flowers.
62. put under car wheels when stuck in snow, mud or sand.
63. line storage boxes.
64. line bottom of bird cage.
65. line shelves.
66. line waste baskets.
67. line a pet’s sleeping box.
68. swat flies with rolled up sheets.
69. use to wipe paint brushes.
70. use as mat for wet, muddy boots.
71. shred and use for packing breakables.
72. wrap and store Christmas tree ornaments.
73. wrap around ice cream to keep frozen.
74. roll around baby bottle to insulate.
75. use as a blotter.
76. put inside coat for emergency warmth.
77. place on top of snow with bird feed on it.
78. place on windscreen to prevent icing.
79. make a litter bag for your car.
80. crumple and place in plastic containers to eliminate odours.
(http://www.astrostar.com/Eighty-Uses-For-Old-Newspaper.htm)
By Daniel on 11.07.06 9:19 am
Or you could move away from London. Problem solved. :0)
By Bev on 11.07.06 12:19 pm
That’d solve more than just the newspaper problem…
By Daniel on 11.07.06 12:26 pm
Yeh - but if I did move away from London I’d have nothing to moan about.
By Ian on 11.07.06 9:56 pm
I’m sure you’d find something.
I have…
By Daniel on 11.08.06 11:22 pm
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