A population of beavers, of unknown origin, has been present on the River Otter since around 2008. However, when video evidence emerged proving that the beavers had given birth to kits (young) in 2014, the UK Government initially planned to have them removed from the river.

DWT opposed their removal and after consulting with the local community, landowners and public bodies, presented an alternative plan: to turn the situation into a five-year trial to monitor the beavers’ effects on the landscape and learn how to manage any conflicts that may arise.

The River Otter Beaver Trial ran from 2015 to 2020 – it was England’s first wild beaver re-introduction project, with beavers not in fenced enclosures but free to establish territories along the full length of the River Otter and its tributaries.

Beaver kit on River Otter by Mike Symes

Starting with two family groups, who were health screened and then re-released on the River Otter in March 2015, by the end of the five-year trial there were an estimated fifteen family groups throughout the catchment.

‘If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse.’ Sir David Attenborough

The Bugs Matter citizen science survey is an important initiative measuring insect splats on vehicle number plates as a marker of insect abundance. In previous survey years, with the valuable contributions of citizen scientists across the UK, we have made significant strides in understanding the challenges facing our insect populations.

f you have a Smartphone you can take part following these easy steps:

🪰 Download the app which is available free in both IOS and Android.
🪰 Create an account to sign up.
🪰 Start surveying on any journey you make in a vehicle between 1 May to 30 September.

The more journeys you conduct the survey on, the better – and counts of zero bugs are just as important to submit.

The concept is simple:

🪰 Clean the number plate before making your journey in a vehicle;
🪰 When you reach your destination, count the number of bug splats across your entire number plate;
🪰 Use the “Virtual Splatometer” within the Bugs Matter App to get the best photograph possible;
🪰 The photo and details must then be submitted via the app;
🪰 You don’t even need to be the driver of the vehicle you are travelling in – but you do need their permission;
🪰 The app also includes a tutorial and some safety advice.

Why count squashed insects?

The methodology is based on the ‘windscreen phenomenon’, a term given to the observation that people tend to find fewer insects squashed on the windscreens of their cars compared to several decades ago.

The 2023 Bugs Matter findings, which are published in a report released by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife (Bugs Matter Summary Report 2023), show that the number of insects sampled on vehicle number plates by citizen scientists across the UK reduced by a staggering 78% between 2004 and 2023. These findings are consistent with research which has widely reported declining trends in insect populations globally.

Terracycle are an incredible organisation who partner up with many different companies to offer recycling schemes. Currently on their website you will find recycling schemes for: laundry items, Ella’s kitchen packaging, dental products, makeup products, water filters, beach plastic schemes, bread bags, Carex items, cheese packaging, coffee packaging, confectionary packaging, kids games, nitrile gloves and PPE (KIMTECH), marigolds, pet food packaging, medicine packaging, hygiene packaging, ring carriers, pens, balloons – the list goes on and on!

We’ve selected a few from the Terracycle website to feature below alongside some alternative products that can help you in reducing your waste. For more information and to visit the Terracycle website, click here.

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Contact Lenses

Many of us use contact lenses on a daily basis, but not many people may know that Terracycle and Acuvue have partnered up to create a free recycling programme for any brand of soft contact lenses and blister packs! There are over 600 participating Boots Optician stores and numerous independent opticians taking part throughout the UK. Even with the current pandemic, many are still participating and a postal scheme is also available. If you are unable to currently participate due to the pandemic they are still asking you to continue collecting! They can accept your recyclables at a later date. Just click here for more information.

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Pens and Stationery

Bic and Terracycle have partnered up to create the writing instruments recycling programme! From markers and highlighters, to pens and correction fluid pots; whatever the brand, they’ll take it! There are numerous drop-off locations nationwide and ways to get involved, so why not click here for more information on how you can more ethically dispose of your used writing instruments?

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Beauty Products

Did you know? A lot of animal shelters use old mascara wands to help care for baby animals! According to many organisations, the wands can be used to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur.

There are many shelters up and down the country and internationally who appeal for mascara wands at various points throughout the year, so why not take a look online and see if there are any you can help? Start collecting your old mascaras now to make a difference!

If that’s not enough, Maybelline and DECIEM have partnered with Terracycle to create two makeup recycling schemes that between them accept a majority of beauty packaging; from foundation, mascara and eyeshadow, to lipsticks, glosses and eyebrow kits. These schemes accept most items!

Just click here to find out more about the Maybelline recycling scheme, and click here to find out more about the DECIEM recycling scheme.

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Inhalers and Batteries

Did you know? Superdrug have an inhaler recycling scheme! Many people tend to simply bin their old inhalers, but Superdrug have over 200 pharmacies willing to take them off your hands. Superdrug state that:

“Both plastic and aluminium parts of inhalers are recycled and used in new products including garden furniture, plastic bottles or car parts. Waste that is non-recyclable is transformed to provide either electricity or heat through the ‘waste to energy’ process via incineration.”

Superdrug even recycle old batteries which can often cause soil and water pollution which effects our eco systems and wildlife due to leaching chemicals, however, materials in batteries can be recovered and recycled! Alternatively, many have also turned to rechargeable batteries in order to reduce waste even further.

Why not visit their website by clicking here for more information and to find your nearest drop-off point?

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Coffee Products

Whether you make coffee with fresh beans, from grounds in a bag/jar or out of a pod, there are ways to recycle the packaging!

From Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to Nespresso and Lavazza eco caps; many companies already have recycling schemes in place that are easy to participate in through drop-off schemes or via post, and you can find them by visiting the company website or by a quick Google search! However, did you know you can recycle the refill packaging, jar lids and pods through Terracycle too? Just click here for more info!

Another method to reduce waste from coffee capsules can be through reusable coffee pods. These can be purchased on sites such as Amazon and eBay, and you can get plastic and metal versions with varying life spans. The idea is, you can grind your own coffee beans, fill the pods (made to fit many different coffee machines now), and then wash them when you’re done, ready to re-use. Why not have a look online today?

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Bottle Tops

It’s reported that each year plastic bottle tops are often one of the five biggest contributors to plastic pollution, so we want to encourage everyone to change this!

Companies such as Lush will allow certain types of bottle tops to be taken into stores where they are taken off to be recycled and turned into items such as waterproof furniture. Some organisations collect bottle tops to raise money for charitable causes, and often the bottle tops are still recycled through this as well as helping to raise money for those in need.

Recycling of bottle tops can be dependent on your local council recycling rules as well as what schemes are going on at different points in the year; for that reason we suggest collecting your bottle tops and doing a search in your local area to see what’s available to you!

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Dental Items

Many of us create a lot of plastic waste through the use of dental hygiene products, so we wanted to introduce everyone to some great recycling schemes and new ways to reduce plastic waste.

Both Colgate and Phillips have developed recycling schemes with Terracycle which allow us all to reduce our waste from dental care products. Colgate accept ALL oral care products (regardless of brand) to their recycling scheme; from toothpaste tubes and caps and plastic toothbrushes, to plastic outer packaging and electric tooth brush replacement heads, whatever it is, they’ll take it! Just click here to find out more.

Phillips accept lots of different types of dental care which you may have previously just chucked in the bin; from electric toothbrush heads and electric flosser nozzles, to flossing sticks, interdental brushes and floss containers, they’ll take it all! Just click here to find out more.

Another great alternative to plastic dental items are those made from bamboo! You can now purchase bamboo toothbrushes, floss and toothpicks, all made from sustainably sourced bamboo and delivered in biodegradable packaging. You can purchase subscriptions that come straight to your door, you can buy large family packs online, or you can buy individual items which have now started to be stocked in the likes of Superdrug. Why not take a look and give it a go the next time you need some new dental products?

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Razors

Many people will finish their razor blade and simply chuck it in the bin or recycling, hoping that it will somehow be recyclable, but there’s no need to do this anymore! Gillette have teamed up with Terracycle to create a razor recycling scheme! You simply collect your razors, request an envelope, and send them off through the post; it’s that simple! For more information on this scheme click here.

There are also other companies who are pushing the more eco-friendly initiative such as Friction Free Shaving (FFS). FFS offer a razor subscription straight to your door that you’re completely in control of and can cancel anytime. You get a free gift each delivery, their products are cruelty free and they have vegan options. They use sustainable materials such as sugar cane for elements of their packaging, AND if that’s not enough you can collect your razors in the package they arrive in and send them straight back to be recycled – amazing! For more information, click here.

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Period Products

There are lots of different ways you can be more environmentally friendly when selecting your period products – all while saving you money!

Some of the latest options aren’t for everyone, but they’re definitely worth a mention. You can purchase reusable pads, underwear and even menstrual cups now to be eco-friendly. Such products can be washed, reused and therefore not only save you money but give you zero waste! However, if that’s not quite for you then there are some brilliant companies now creating biodegradable and ethically sourced period products.

Callaly – not only are these products biodegradable and made from ethically sourced materials, but they are delivered straight to your door! You even get 50% off your first box.
Yoppie – another great option that is also sent through the post! Cruelty free, ethically sourced cotton and biodegradable products means that you can have eco-friendly items sent directly to you without breaking the bank.

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Cotton Wool & Cotton Pads

A lot of us use cotton wool or cotton pads almost every day; from cleaning our faces and removing makeup, to applying skin care products, cotton wool is a common necessity for most! However, most of us will put these straight in the bin where they end up in landfill. Some people have in fact tried composting their cotton wool in their food waste bins and have seen some success, however, it’s very dependent on what products the cotton wool has been used on.

You can now purchase bamboo cotton buds that are biodegradable, but the best suggestion recommended by many to tackle cotton pad waste is to buy reusable ones! You can purchase these on Amazon for just a few quid and they even come with a handy drawstring bag to wash them in, so you can just pop them in with a wash you’re doing anyway without any extra hassle.

Why not take a look next time you run out? It will save you money and help the environment!

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Reusable Nappies

Many parents and guardians often throw their nappies in the bin thinking that they cannot be recycled and that there are no other alternatives, but this is not the case.

Many areas all over the UK are pushing for the implementation of nappy recycling after having seen our neighbours in Wales offering nappy recycling services with NappiCycle; they have now successfully implemented a curbside pick-up in all 22 local authorities in Wales which allows used nappies to be recycled. However, for those of us in England we are still lagging behind with such matters. As a result, there are numerous petitions available for everyone to sign to encourage the implementation of similar recycling services nationwide that can be found online.

For now, a great alternative to single-use nappies can be reusable ones! Many companies have designed various forms of nappies for varying ages to allow parents and guardians to reduce their wastage. You can buy these on sites such as Amazon, Totsbots, JoJo Maman Bebe and even on the Eden Project shop! Many independent shops also offer such products. Why not have a look online today and give a reusable nappy a try? It will save you money as well as reduce waste!

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Deodorant

A lot of us who use deodorants may use items which we think have recyclable packaging; however, unfortunately not all deodorant products can be recycled.

That’s where new companies such as Wild come in. Wild deodorant offer a to-your-door subscription service that can be cancelled, postponed or altered at anytime, is cruelty free, natural and great for the environment! You start by picking your reusable aluminum case and then select your refills. Each refill comes in plastic-free and compostable packaging so that when you’re finished with it you can throw it in your compost bin! For more information on Wild deodorants, click here.

Many other companies also offer this service now and provide eco-friendly packaging alternatives, so why not have a look online today? It can save you money, save you the time of having to go to the shops, and save the planet!