WHEN a ripped beanbag sent thousands of tiny polystyrene balls flying through her garden, Kate Hughes decided to make a decisive break with the throwaway society.

As a result, the freelance journalist, who lives and farms near Roadwater, has greened every aspect of her family’s life – and recorded it in a new book Going Zero: one family’s journey to zero waste and a greener lifestyle.”

Kate will share her journey with the Exmoor Society at 6.30pm on Thursday, February 2, at the society’s offices at 34 High Street Dulverton. Reservations for the talk are essential through the website, www.exmoorsociety.com

As part of the family’s revolt against everyday pollution, Kate and her husband ditched plastic and shunned supermarkets. They cooked all meals from scratch and made their own cleaning agents.

They bought second-hand clothes and washed them naturally. Reaching deeper, they switched to renewable power, pulled their savings out of banks, and ran an electric car.

Exmoor Society chair Kate O’Sulivan said “This is the inspiring story of an ordinary family who rebelled against the waste of a lifestyle wrapped in plastic.

“Packed with handy tips, it reveals much about what makes a fulfilling modern family – and how readers can empower themselves to preserve the climate, forests and seas.”

Please note the amended date, not February 3 as inadvertently reported in last week's West Somerset Free Press.