Daffodils shooting up at our heels can mean only one thing: spring is around the corner and with it the dreaded Spring Clean. Resource eases the pain with a selection of products from five eco-cleaning companies
RISE ’N’ SHINE
Vileda’s green ‘Naturals’ range uses renewable and recycled materials for all of its products including cloths, mops, buckets and brushes. Available from Homebase, the SuperMocio mop has an extendable, 100 per cent recycled steel handle, and a refillable, super absorbent cloth head. It works smoothly over floors, clearing stains and grains alike, and the bucket wringer comes complete with a handy mop holder. The mop is £15.99 with refill heads half the cost, and the recycled plastic bucket is £8.49. www.homebase.co.uk
SQUARE PEG, SQUARE HOLE
Sometimes only a flat mop will do to slide under heavy furniture or between small gaps. Now, Lakeland Plastics has designed an exclusive Squizzo rectangular mop bucket, perfectly fitting a flat mop. Made from recycled plastic, and with wheels to push it, you’ll also give your back a break from lugging dirty water around. Purchase for £12.99 and use with Vileda Naturals organic cotton Flat Mop (£15 from Homebase). www.lakeland.co.uk
SPARKLE AND SHINE
Leave your kitchen sparkling with Ecoforce’s extensive range of recycled products for scraping and sponging, dusting and dish washing, polishing and... wiping! The sponge could be a little more flexible to get in and around crockery, and it has a tendency to crumble on overuse, but the scourers work a treat. Buy direct from Ecoforce from £1.25 per product, ranging from one to 10 items per pack. www.ecoforce.co.uk
PUMP IT UP
An unusual contraption made from recycled plastics, the Adjustable Bottle Sprayer is designed to attach to any plastic bottle (thus doubling recycling) and turn it into a cleaning accessory. The bottle can be filled with water or a cleaning solution of your choice, but the cleaning action is rather complex, as you must first pump and release the air before getting the liquid spray. While inessential for the spring clean, the Resource office found it came into its own as a gentle plant atomiser, the misty spray evenly coating our somewhat wilting peace lily. Available for £4.99 at www.recycleworks.co.uk
IN A NUTSHELL Michael’s Original products are from a family-run, Fairtrade business in the Philippines using locally-grown luffa, sago and coconut plants. The coconut Oven Tray Scraper, made from husks that would otherwise have been burned as byproduct waste, can be used to tackle dried-on food: the fibrous part bubbling up a lather and the rough end scouring off burnt bits – it really works and is comfortable to hold. The Washing Up Luffa is surprisingly adept at combining the absorbency of a sponge with an efficient abrasiveness and will, evidently, last for up to a year before it needs to be popped onto the compost heap. The range is available for around £2 each from www.biggreensmile.com or www.greenbrands.co.uk
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.