I have to thank explorer and travel guidebook co-author Cameron Hewitt for his picture and clever observation of the nation that hosts that giant of cleaning shows, (taking place this year from 14th - 17th May) - Interclean.

"The Dutch," he says, "famed for their pragmatic problem-solving, are at it again. Walking through Amsterdam's Vondelpark, at first I didn't know what to make of this unusual garbage can - which appears to have a built-in beverage caddy. But then, it dawned on me... This ingenious trashcan solves multiple problems at once. The Netherlands has a new-ish deposit system for bottles and cans: €0.15 is added to the cost when you buy a drink, which you can reclaim later by returning the vessel. This system, in place in many European countries (and US states), is designed to reduce waste and encourage recycling. The problem is, not everyone is willing to carry around an empty bottle until they reach a deposit-reclaim point. It seems wasteful to trash these, and doubly so when you're essentially throwing real cash into the garbage along with it.

These 'donation rings' (doneerringen) make it much easier for people in need to gather these unwanted items and collect the deposit. You don't have to carry around an unwanted bottle; the bottle is more likely to actually get recycled; and someone who could really use the money gets to pocket it. These days, societies struggle for a win. In Amsterdam, this simple invention has created a win-win-win. To me, this simple sight illustrates how, in a highly functioning society, a good idea, smartly executed, can creatively chip away at problems... both small and big."

A simple idea, but such a good one! Why on earth, if it's proving successful "in many European countries and US states" as Cameron says - hasn't it been adopted in the UK? Who's making the bins? If it's your company, or you know the manufacturer, please let me know!

Back to Interclean - or not, in mine and John Austen's case, anyway… Sadly, because of a health scare on John's part and an Achilles tendon injury on mine, neither of us is going to be at the Show this year. To say: "we're gutted" is something of an understatement! If you're going to be there either as a visitor or an exhibitor, have a good one.