Dear LPG,

Summer is fast approaching, and at last, I have decided to do at least five years of spring cleaning.  I am not saying that my home has never benefited from my efforts in the past but there is one aspect of the job I have been ignoring for years.  I have built up so much paper and I have decided that this is the year that I have to get rid.

I have managed to go through two shredders trying that gradual method, and I know I could invest in a third, but the paper is still there and I have an underlying fear that all the bits could be put back together.  I have spent a lot of time considering ways to deal with this problem with a ‘catch 22’ circle of thoughts going on in my head, and the solution has been to keep procrastinating until now.  To do the job properly and be sure that the papers are really gone perhaps incineration is the answer but how can you incinerate safely? This has been a question that has put me off dealing with the problem for years and putting it off also is the reason that I have let so much of the stuff accumulate.  Am I alone in this?

There are many incinerators available to buy in the shops and online so, in spite of the smoky side effects, I think it must be a legal thing to do.

My two most ‘burning’ questions are…’ When is the best time to burn stuff?’ and ‘What can I do with the ashes?’ 

With this thought in mind, I have recently decided to take an online look at the best way to go about doing this and I found some encouraging answers that may help anyone else with similar concerns.

TP, Deptford

Ps.  I have started my waste paper offensive just dealing with a little each week now and there is one bit of advice that I may have missed when looking online.  In my experience, if you sprinkle the ashes with a little water it is easier to move them without it flying all over the place.

TP offered these online avenues of advice…

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LPG found the government’s online take on this and asked the council who, listed the alternative ways of disposing of paper, and mentioned that it is a good idea to talk to and warn your neighbours and not plan long paper burning sessions on a daily basis.  Their environmental department will only get involved if there is a complaint.

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