Jo Williams

Jo Williams, from Norfolk, is a keen recycler. Abigail Saltmarsh asks her why she believes the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) are so important.

Q: Could you tell me a little about yourself?

A: I'm Norwich born and my interests are travelling, writing, volunteering, the environment and development issues. I try to be as ethical a consumer as possible.

Jo is sitting on the car boot sale drop end sofa (£25) wearing RSPCA Gap cords (£2.50) next to the Samaritans pine shelves (£4).

Q: Why is living your life by the three Rs so important to you?

A: Actually I've built the three Rs into my lifestyle as it saves me money, enabling me to live the lifestyle that I choose and helps me to feel like I'm doing "my bit". Through my travelling in developing countries, I've seen just what the global environmental impact has on peoples' lives.

Q: What do you recycle at home?

A: All that I can through my local council - cardboard, paper, plastic bottles and cans - and I take my glass to a bottle bank. I resist buying over-packaged items as much as possible and buy from alternative sources such as farmers markets, car boot sales and charity shops. Out of the three Rs, reducing and re-using are the most important.

Q: How else do you reduce your household waste?

A: Basically, I'm a conscious consumer, being very strict about what and how much I buy. For example, I don't buy take-aways (apart from fish and chips, which comes in paper) because of the plastic containers. I prefer to re-use - I use unwanted wood in my burner; I sand and repaint furniture; keep a stash of bags in the car to re-use when I go shopping. I only buy loose fruit and veg.

Q: Describe your home and some of the pieces of furniture/furnishings you have?

A: Although my home is 1950s', everyone agrees that I've achieved a real cottage feel. I have accumulated some lovely pieces - a handmade set of Samaritans reclaimed pine shelves and curtains from Save the Children for £4 each. I also have a 1940s' drop-end sofa for £25 from a car boot sale. My latest purchase was a satinwood wardrobe from Oxfam for £30.

Q: What are your sources for second-hand household items?

A: Through a combination of good luck and perseverance, most of my lovely furniture is from charity shops, car boot sales, auctions and friends and family's "pre-loved" items. There is also freecycle, a free website (www.freecycle.org.uk) for giving and receiving second-hand items.

Q: Any particularly clever ideas around the home/ garden that you can tell us about?

A: Everyone seems to have a cupboard full of leftover paint so why not mix colours together? Or if you need a lighter shade buy white to mix in or buy a tester to get a darker shade. I've done this with emulsion and gloss. Old garden furniture looks great after being repainted.

Q: Tell me about your wardrobe and some of your best buys/finds?

A: I read an article in the Guardian about a 1950s' Horrockes dress that was being displayed in the V&A Museum and I'm sure it was one that I'd bought second hand for £3! I've bought some bargain labels through the years including a shot silk Whistles trouser suit and very new Diesel jeans.

Q: What are your top tips for busy people who want to reduce the amount they throw away at home?

A: Just do your bit: stop and think before you buy for convenience or from habit. We can all make a difference, don't underestimate the power of the consumer.