Well, the Russell family are now the very proud owners of a home composting kit - or rather we will be when it arrives.

Last week I said that I was going to look into whether there is a municipal composting facility in our home town and it would appear that there currently is not (for this post visit my Sky News Blog). So I have done a little research and found that there is presently a heavily subsidised composting set up available via RecycleNow (check with your local council), writes Claire Russell. For a total outlay of only £23 (!!) we have been able to buy (I hope) everything that we need to get started.

I have been reading up as to what we can and cannot compost and how to achieve the best result (you have to get the right mix of 'greens' and 'browns') and am raring to go....as soon as it arrives. The only thing that we haven't worked out is the best place to put the thing - I suppose we'll have to figure that out when it arrives.

Husband has been given instructions that only that which cannot be recycled or composted may go into the dustbin and I am hoping to drastically reduce what we are still throwing away. I'd like to be reviewing this in a couple of weeks time and to be able to report that we are only taking a small bag out to the dustbin each week. I'll keep you posted as to how we get on!!

Have a look at our recycling pages for more information.

We'll be posting new tips and hopefully some new videos soon.

My quest for a simple Christmas is also going well - my suggestions to our family and friends seem to have been well received. I think it is fair to say that most of us are affected one way or the other by the current economic climate - most people I know are feeling the pinch so it's worth remembering that in having a greener Christmas (think less expense, less waste, more fun) you can also have a less costly Christmas.

One idea that I have had is to collect up shoe boxes to decorate with the children. I am thinking of re-using old gift wrap and gift bags and bits of sparkly stuff that we've collected up. Then I will fill them with little gifts for each of the friends and relatives that we usually buy for. I think we will spend less money, put together something much more personal for each person and there'll be much less waste (no wrapping paper for a start!). It might be a little 'Blue Peter' but I think it'll be great fun. I will post some pictures of our creations soon....before we hand them over to Santa of course.

See you soon… Claire xx