Transition in Action, Totnes 2030, an Energy Descent Action Plan

2026-2030

Plastics Past has formed which allows people to bring their plastics and recycle them in a remoulding machine forming whatever shape they have selected on the computerised menu and then customised. Some interesting items are being created.
Most businesses have also reached zero waste. Some old stock and supplies are still proving difficult to replace with biodegradable or recyclable products, but with customers refusing ‘goods that carry waste problems’, the pressure has reduced the problem of waste.
People no longer feel judged on material possessions. Less is better. More is greedy.
Under the LETS Barter scheme, people can trade used goods against time debits.
All manufactured goods can be repaired and recycled. Difficult materials such as laminates can be returned to the producer for recycling.

A monument to waste is built on the plains in Totnes. The tall column made from a variety of products previously considered throwaway are encased in recycled glass. Older people have contributed dolls, plastic bags and televisions stored in their attics. The monument has a very surreal look, as the contents appear to float forever in time. It has found a use, for marking the water heights of tidal surges and floods.
Community groups that once profited from waste recycling now make money from producing goods from old materials. Totnes Townswomen’s Guild makes one exquisite quilt a year to raise funds for flood victims.
KEVICCS annual fashion show 2028 features recycled T-shirts; students parade some of the early protest T-shirts belonging to their great grandparents.

PCTs around the country have now switched from plastic disposables to mainly glass, rubber and other reusable and recyclable materials. Hospital and public health waste has declined dramatically.
Based on 2005 figures, DCC estimates it has saved over £5 million a year in Landfill tax since 2015 and this has been reinvested in creating a lot of new employment, mainly in the resource-recycling sector.
A number of materials have been put on a new international limited resources list. This will form the basis of the revisions to the resource and carbon taxes.