Please discover our interview with UK's Karen Cannard, blogger-in-chief at therubbishdiet.co.uk/ -- by Willi Paul.

What are the logical and illogical ends of our zeal to recycle? Is there a down side here Ms?

In a world faced with finite resources it is logical to recycle whatever we can, especially when the process also helps to conserve virgin resources, and energy consumption.. However, our zeal for recycling becomes illogical if opportunities to reduce our demands on consumption aren't considered as a priority first and foremost.

How do you get ideas for your blog? Friends? Other blogs?

The blog began in response to a local challenge to attempt a Zero Waste Week and has been influenced by everyday occurrences in my life as well as suggestions from readers. I try to keep the sense of the content original in nature, often with a lighthearted view on waste reduction, encouraging people to think differently about the stuff they throw away. I am always inspired by news of what others are doing, whether it's grassroots action, cultural change or manufacturing developments. I use the blog to promote positive stories that can help to empower others to make similar changes.

What are the top five zero waste blogs out there?

365 Days of Trash
The Clean Bin
Fake Plastic Fish
My Zero Waste
Our Rubbish Free Year

In terms of social values, what are the ones that mean to most to you?

Being active in my local community is one of the most fundamental aspects of my life. Community involvement provides the foundation for social belonging, which in turn creates purpose, systems of support and promotes sustainable well-being. The last 30 years has seen a progression towards a culture of independence, which undermines the benefits of social inter-dependence. As the economy changes, values change with it and it is great to see the emergence of localism in more recent times.

There is something that everyone can do to be involved, whether it's writing for a local magazine, becoming a school governor, contributing to a parish council, shopping locally, making use of public transport, joining a local wildlife group, contributing to a community recycling goup or supporting a local charity. The list is almost endless. There is something for all the family and my only regret is the lack of time to do more.

Is sustainability like a religion?

Sustainability is most definitely a distinct ideology, pulling together a comprehensive vision that allows individuals to share a common set of beliefs and work towards defined goals through politics, social cohesion and technological change.

This ideology can be likened to religion in many ways, especially in the promotion of positive social values. A religion shows us how to be good to our neighbor and the society within which we live. Sustainability programs guide our actions towards further protection of the earth, its biodiversity and its global population.

Additionally the attributes of sustainability and religion are both met by their own set of non-believers and definitions of sinners, not to mention feelings of shared guilt common amongst proactive supporters, when participants worry that they are not doing everything they should. And we mustn't forget the messages of doom should failure to support the ideology prevail.

However where sustainability and religion differ is in the perception of their delivery. Religion holds its roots in history, with many religions having been founded on a culture of rule-following, social control and punishment for individual failure. Sustainability programs are more progressive in nature. They are forward looking and flexible as well as inclusive of all societies and religions with rewards that transgress economic and social well-being.

Where is the planet gonna be in 3 – 5 years?

We are currently experiencing a major industrial revolution and social evolution that is focused on changing habits and processes that have become second nature to society. However, the power of social media and influential characters such as Franny Armstrong, (director of Age of Stupid) are raising the profile of the issues that need addressing and are empowering individuals to contribute in in their own way. Learning is everything at the moment and there is still lots to do in influencing public perception, supporting the enthusiastic and encouraging governments to have the strength of conviction to make the changes needed.

The face of "Green" is changing at a significant rate and in five years time, I believe that what would have once been considered fringe habits and attitudes will be integrated into mainstream lifestyles. Businesses will be operating differently, for example reducing energy wastage and incorporating new technologies in packaging that allow them to reduce the amount of materials used as well as reusing recycled resource to help close the loop. New products will also be developed thanks to upcycled innovations. We have companies such as TerraCycle to thank for that. Globalism will still exist, but local production will be valued more greatly, with an increasing number of people growing their own food.

Are green celebrities oxymorons?

It depends whether they can use their status to promote sustainable living in a sustainable way, in which case they cannot be considered an oxymoron.

How is your neighborhood doing in the recycling arena? Same question for your city? Country?

I live in a modern housing development in a large provincial town in the East of England. Locally we have fabulous facilities for recycling and my immediate neighbourhood has one of the highest recycling rates in our district, which in turn performs well in the national tables. Historically our country has had a poor reputation in the European tables, but due to pressures and targets from the European Union the UK is now working very proactively towards reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. This has led to new recycling programs and technologies being introduced across the country especially in relation to food waste and the rapid implementation of anaerobic digestion plants.

Are you interested in bartering? Tell us more!

Yes and I have been an active member of a Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) bartering group for 8 years. The benefits of bartering groups are immense. Not only are you able to support a local economy and sustainable trading, but in doing so participants are also able to enjoy a sense of community and good friendships. For anyone interested in setting up their own local bartering group, I can recommend a great book called The LETSaholic Twist, by James Taris, who even managed to travel around the world bartering his services for food and accommodation..

Are the schools teaching sustainability? Any examples?

Schools in the UK are proactive in the teaching of sustainability issues thanks to progressive developments in the National Curriculum. Our local primary school regularly features topics relating to the environment, food, recycling and energy reduction and encourages parents and local experts to contribute where possible. The UK has an excellent Eco-Schools program, designed to support the government's aim to make every school a "sustainable school" by 2020.

Our school, which is still relatively new, has recently joined this initiative, the first stage of which was to complete a self-evaluation indicating energy use, recycling behaviour and transport habits. The results are actively engaged children who are enthusiastic about what can be achieved.

How do you address the price vs. quality debate in the food community?

Before I started The Rubbish Diet, I used to buy a lot more food than our family needed. I would spend good money on cheap food that would end up in the bin. Much of this included meat which was cheaply priced due to intensive farming techniques and the purchasing power of supermarkets. Products would have often travelled great distance and were not necessarily well appreciated at home. It's a stark contrast to our current shopping habits, where I buy fewer items in a single shopping experience and focus on locally grown food that is in season. It is more expensive but is more flavoursome than much of the cheaper foods that I used to buy and is more greatly enjoyed. It is also good that the money is being fed back into the local economy.

"Organic!" Tell me what this conjures up!

Products that offer sustainable benefits in their production and consumption, but which are still regarded as a luxury by the majority of consumers.