Peoples Republic of South Devon

Green travelling or time travelling?

February 27th, 2006

“I had always anticipated that the people of the year Eight Hundred and Two Thousand odd would be incredibly in front of us in knowledge, art, everything. Then (.) a flow of disappointment rushed across my mind. For a moment I felt I had built the Time Machine in vain.” H. G. Wells, The Time Machine

Every country always makes a first impression. Casting some stereotypical notions aside, when I moved to England from Finland it must have been that of the above quote from H. G. Wells book The Time Machine.

The Time Traveller of Wells had great anticipations of the people of the year “Eight Hundred and Two Thousand odd”. But even though tranquil and peaceful at first, the future world soon shows to have a dual structure. The race Eloi inhabit the beautiful earth, childish and leading an easy life. But below the earth, in deep tunnels, lurk the sinister Morlocks, who were out to feast with the Eloi. I can’t help thinking this duality serves as a metaphor when one considers countries that are fond of wasting.

Back in Finland recycling has been made easy enough to lead to simple habits. All discarded food is put in a bio bin and then to an outside container. Glass, metal, paper, cardboard, and batteries go to their respectful banks; often in your own backyard. Glass and plastic bottles even have a deposit, whence no-one really forgets to return them. The thought of not doing these tasks is frankly ridiculous.

Now let us contrast the previous to England. Entering my flat in Plymouth I found all trash goes to a black bag, period. Obtaining a green bin for household recycling seemed near impossible, though we’ve finally gotten a green bag. Even now some are not using it because it is lacking the most trivial instructions; should you separate the recyclable trash and when is it to be taken out, for instance? Recycling banks for glass are all over the city, but a newcomer is going to have difficulty in finding them. Not to add that almost everything you buy at the shop is packaged with plastic to the hilt.

But who cares, right? Some city planners are actually encouraging you to just toss everything away. For instance, dozens of British cities are contemplating burning to cope with increasing amounts of commercial and household waste. It is “cheap, efficient and clean,” say the proponents. But it also does set an example of the rather symbolic kind: “don’t think about wasting, give no meaning to it in your everyday life”. Yet a material world you don’t think about does not disappear like under a magician’s spell. Instead it keeps lurking in the dark understructure of society, just like the Morlocks.

Plymouth Environment Centre, where I volunteer, has fortunately set to provide alternatives. We are preparing a Plymouth Green Guide of not only recycling, but also restaurants, cruelty-free cosmetics, environmental groups, energy, animal welfare et cetera. I would like the writing process to be collaborative, coming from the community, going to the community. If you think you could write, or even if you’re just interested to check it the Wiki page with instructions can be found here: http://asilvast.kapsi.fi/green_wiki/. Hope to see you there!

Posted by Anti S

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Entry Filed under: Environment