Forum Topic

Recycling fallen fruit ...

It is that time of year again and the ground under our trees is covered with apples.  I read somewhere that you can't put fruit in with general rubbish bags as it gives off gas under ground.The Council web site is not clear as it says I can place it in black bin bags or home compost bin, but does not mention the food recycling bin.http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/environment_and_planning/recycling/garden_waste.htm"Fallen fruit: this is classified as food waste and cannot be accepted for composting with garden waste. Please dispose of in your black rubbish sacks, or in your home compost bin"Before I fill the food recycling bin and have it rejected - is this right?  I am sure somebody asked for donations of windfalls which could be used for cooking last year ... was it for the Boston Manor cafe?

Sarah Felstead ● 6114d9 Comments

The forecast I heard didn't sound very chilly !

Tim Henderson ● 6106d

Still have a few "courgettes"  Well, that's what they were when the grower last looked - turned his back and now they are marrows!  Think vegetable soup might go back on the menu this week as it is starting to get chillier.

Linda Massey ● 6106d

Bump cos it couldn't do it on its own.

Philippa Bond ● 6106d

Mmm  chocolate and courgette cake.  I tried it for the first time this year and it was decidedly yummy.

Philippa Bond ● 6106d

The box was emptied but in doing so they dropped at least 6 apples and numerous plastic bottles along the street.  There is no way they didn't see the rubbish strewn behind them (I always have my neighbours observation of 'making two jobs out of one' ringing in my ears).  Complaint made - 427085 along with the question as to whether they will be fined for dropping litter - to which I was told they would be!Now that the next day street clean has been abandoned (a few years ago some clever people arranged for street cleaners to come along the day after the rubbish collections but sadly this was abandoned in this latest contract) it is really important that they clean up as they go along.How much is a litter fine these days?

Sarah Felstead ● 6112d

The cafe is now only open at weekends but we would be glad to receive any unwanted fruit and vegetables.  We are busy making chocolate and courgette cakes for the festival from donated vegetables.  Come and try it out either in the walled garden surrounded by acoustic music with a cup of tea or a glass of pimms or in the Pavilion Cafe this  Sunday at the Brentford Festival.

Linda Massey ● 6112d

I like the idea of the community apple press :http://www.cambridgegreens.org.uk/localsites/cambridge/your-area/abbey/the-apple-press.htmlGet your windfalls converted into freshly squeezed apple juice.Or, I guess, cider, if you're prepared to wait a bit.....

Tim Henderson ● 6113d

Some enterprising and charming new residents opposite the Wycombe House Cricket Club have found that their newly acquired garden was full of fruit.They've washed and sorted their apples, pears and plums and packed them into lots of clear see through plastics bags, Then last week ,donned with their "Cancer charity" T shirts went door to door down the road to introduce themselves, offered the fruit to residents and raised money for their chosen charity."Knock on our door anytime" "We have more!"they said.  That's community adhesion at work.Is it no mad that we are throwing away local fruit that has fallen to the ground..and yet we are buying from our shops  imported apples and pears from overseas?

Jim Lawes ● 6113d

The year before last we didn't have any apples because the parakeets lifted the lot.  Last year and this we have left many apples on the ground for any of the wild life to munch (stopped putting out sunflower seeds in feeders and the parakeets have moved on) but the most rotten ones need clearing.I rang the Council and after going through the automatic queue was told I was third in the queue (so pleased to have this improvement to the queuing system - well done whoever won this change!) then the voice said there was a fault and to ring back!I tried again and got straight through.  After our conversation I was told to use the food recycling bins and they have asked for the web site to be amended.

Sarah Felstead ● 6113d

Holly Hodges came and collected all our excess plums and apples last year Sarah for a charity dinner she held.Not so muny plums this year but plenty of apple crumbles so far.

Paul Fisher ● 6113d