Recycling
Recycling tips
We can all make a huge difference by using these three simple rules in our daily routine:
- Reduce
- Re-use
- Recycle
Keep it simple, start by thinking of ways you can reduce the amount of waste that is brought into your household by choosing products with less wrapping on.
Re-use everyday objects such as food containers and jars wherever possible and if you're thinking of throwing anything away, check our list to see if it can be recycled first!
Top tips
- Ditch cling film and foil. Store food in re-sealable containers instead.
- Choose re-useable varieties of goods such as nappies and hankies, rather than disposable ones.
- Avoid throwaway items such as plastic or polystyrene plates and cups or disposable razors.
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging or choose items with less excessive packaging.
- Use the internet to read the latest news, instead of buying newspapers.
- Buy your milk in glass bottles from the milkman. Milk bottles on average are reused up to 24 times before being recycled.
- Re-use carrier bags. Or invest in a bag for life next time you go to the supermarket. Some supermarkets such as Tesco also offer points in return for your used carrier bags.
- Compost your kitchen and garden waste at home using a home composter. This can help reduce your waste by up to 25% and fertilise your soil for nothing.
- Don't throw your old clothes in the bin. You may not like those jeans anymore but someone else might! Give them to charity instead.
- Use recycled rags for cleaning rather than buying new cloths or paper products, even if they are recycled.
- Don't ditch electricals. If you're replacing electrical gadgets and appliances please bring your old model along to the Recycling Village where they will disposed of properly. You may also be able to buy a refurbished electrical appliance at the Best Shop while you visit.
- Buy refillable or remanufactured printer cartridges for home and at work and return used cartridges for recycling.
Buy recycled
As more and more consumers demand environmentally sound products, manufacturers will continue to meet that demand by producing high quality recycled goods and packaging. Take a fresh look at what you're buying next time you're out shopping and ask yourself whether you need to buy items individually wrapped. Is the wrapping material made from recycled materials, or could you buy a similar product somewhere else with recycled wrapping?
By collecting and processing our used materials and turning them into new products, we create a recycling loop. Buying recycled products completes the recycling loop and
The recycling loop:
Spread the word
Why not use your recycling knowledge to educate your friends and co-workers on ways to reduce their waste?
You could even tell them the benefits of using recycled goods and how important it is to recycle their unwanted items.
For example, nearly every office has a printer/photocopier. Does it use recycled paper? Has it ever been tried? What happens to scrap paper, does it get recycled?
This is just one idea to get you started. If you would like help with promoting recycling in your community, visit www.recyclenow.com
Good luck!
