From Rockets to Fossils – A Sustainable Route

I’m all for sustainable living as you’ve probably gathered. And, unlike the old adage, I like to mix business with pleasure. I find it’s the best way to keep a balanced lifestyle. So for the following 10 days or so I’m going to do just that.

On Saturday (30th May) I’m jumping on a ferry and hauling my camera kit and notebook out to Lundy Island, a nature reserve off the North coast of Devon. Not that I expect to see too much of the local wildlife – although I’ll certainly try to find time. The most important aspect of this little jaunt is to find out how they are getting on with their Rocket composter after installing it 6 years ago.

Rocket composters are great things. Developed at the height of the foot and mouth crisis in 2001, Rockets recycle food waste into nutritious compost in just 14 days. A great addition to any companies waste management strategy, especially if you’re on a small island like Lundy.

That same night I’ll be heading to another part of North Devon to start my very first National Trust working holiday at Arlington Court. I admire the work the National Trust does in the UK and thought it was high time I rolled up my sleeves and lent a hand. So for a week I’ll be learning how to fix fences and hang gates, far away from computer screens but close to some very good weather – I hope.

Then it’s camping for a couple of nights and fossil hunting on Charmouth beach on the Dorset coast. I’ve been wanting to do this for many years and have finally found time to fit it into the schedule. Only trouble is, after fossil hunting I have to be up at the crack of dawn to get the ferry to Jersey.

The Parish of St. Heliers has just implemented a food waste recycling scheme using a Rocket so I’m going to see how they’re getting on – and pass on any knowledge that the Lundy Island folk have acquired since starting their scheme.

I’ve chosen to camp while in Dorset rather than stay in a B&B or hotel. Not only is the cost so very much cheaper, it’s also more sustainable. No linens or towels to be sent for cleaning after only one use, no lights, no plug sockets – just me and my little tent.

The way I figure it mixing business with pleasure in this way will drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the entire trip. It wasn’t that long ago in the history of humanity that living outdoors was a natural part of our lifestyle. I’ll let you know how it goes, and whether this is an option I’ll use in the future.