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Question 3

I live in a flat without a garden but would love to compost my food waste. Do you know of any way that I can compost?

Steve Jones: Worm bins are popular, using the Brandling or Tiger worm - different from earth worms that live in soil - these ones live in decomposing matter, which they love to eat. Kept in special kind of bin they produce excellent compost and a liquid called vermiwash that is an ideal plant feed. As long as it doesn’t get too wet inside it should be smell-free and work perfectly for many years.

Alternatively, make friends with a neighbour who has a garden or an allotment where you could compost together. No keen gardener should refuse your contributions to their heap.

Question 4

What is the best energy saving light bulb on the market?

Steve Jones: Technology is changing fast and the compact fluorescent bulbs we are all switching to could be history in a few years. Much lower energy bulbs with LED technology (light emitting diodes) are already coming onto the market. I noticed recently they are using them on temporary traffic lights, so they can be powered by battery and not use a noisy generator.

There are all sorts of new, more specialist bulbs coming on the market as well. I have just replaced all my halogen 50w and 30w spot bulbs with 7w florescent ones, really excellent and saving loads of energy.

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