Many of us are becoming very concerned about the amount of rubbish we all create. Getting rid of rubbish is costly, harmful to the environment and a waste of resources.  

Although we encourage everyone to recycle as much as possible, it is also important to reduce and reuse your waste as well. Reduce is to minimise waste or avoid producing it in the first place and reuse is to give an item a second or third life.

In our throwaway society it has been all too easy to bin it. We cannot stop waste production entirely, but everyone can make a significant contribution. Think before you bin!  It saves energy and natural resources, helps to reduce pollution, reduces the need for landfill as there is less to throw away and will probably save you money.

Here are some ways in which you can help:

At home

Try some of the suggestions listed below:

Reduce

  • Avoid giving presents with excess packaging  - why not give a token for a special experience or treat, such as an activity day or facial
  • Have a go at making your own presents or cards
  • Reduce unsolicited mail by registering with The Mailing Preference Service.  Register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk  phone tel: 0845 7034599 or write to:
    The Mailing Preference Service,
    Freepost 29,
    LON20771,
    London,
    W1E 0ZT
  • Consider using doorstep delivery services for organic vegetables, milk and other fresh produce - goods often come in little or returnable packaging
  • Consider growing your own vegetables - many varieties can be grown in small gardens

Reuse

  • Repair broken items rather than buy new ones
  • Take old carrier bags to the shop with you to use again or use them as bin liners
  • Scrap paper can be used both sides, for children's drawings, shopping lists
  • Re-use containers like margarine tubs for storage of nails or colouring pencils
  • Donate unwanted clothing and small household items to charity shops and jumble sales. Clean clothes, sheets, handbags, blankets, belts, towels, shoes (in pairs) and other household linen etc can be placed in clothing banks throughout the county
  • Reuse items wherever possible. For example yoghurt pots are ideal for growing seedlings, swap magazines with friends, or give them to surgeries for waiting rooms

Recycle

  • If you can, compost your garden waste and vegetable peelings or take your garden waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (rubbish tip)
  • Use local recycling facilities such as glass bottle banks, plastic bottle banks, can banks, shoe banks, textile banks etc
  • Participate in any recycling service your district or borough council may offer from your home

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When shopping

Shopping provides many opportunities for using your power as a consumer to choose low-waste products.

Reduce

  • Many products can be bought loose e.g. DIY products, such as screws and paint brushes; fruit and vegetables; stationery
  • Buy concentrated products or products sold in refill packs such as detergents, fabric conditioner, household cleaners and herbs and spices
  • Avoid buying lots of different cleaning products which are designed for different purposes, choose one multi-purpose cleaner instead
  • Avoid buying mini portions of food such as cereals, jam and coffee on a regular basis
  • Consider buying items which come in less packaging, eg buy loose fruit and vegetables or meats and cheeses from the deli counter
  • Use crates to take home your shopping, or support 'bag for life' schemes
  • Buy re-useable products instead of disposable ones, like rechargeable batteries, plastic picnic tableware instead of paper ones

Reuse

  • Buy products made from recycled materials e.g. toilet/kitchen rolls
  • Reuse carrier bags as bin liners or take your reusable bags with you to the shops

Recycle

  • Choose products that come in packaging which you know can be recycled

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For your family

Reduce

  • Consider using a nappy laundry service and save the disposables for holidays or long journeys. Please contact us for details on the local Notts Nappy Project
  • Buy fewer baby toiletries; water on it’s own or a very mild soap is often sufficient.

Reuse

  • For babies, consider buying good quality, second-hand clothing and baby equipment
  • Donate or loan unwanted baby equipment and clothes to your expectant friends

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At school

Reduce

  • To provide low waste packed lunches you can pack your lunch and drink in a reuseable lunch box and flask

Reuse

  • Use pencils or refillable fountain pens, ball point pens, wooden rulers and leather pencil cases
  • Pass on good quality school uniforms and school books to school sales or younger pupils

Recycle

  • Write on both sides of a piece of paper, use paper as scrap before recycling it, and avoid over reliance on hand-outs

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At work

There are many ways you can help your employer or business save money on waste disposal costs.

Reduce

  • Pack your lunch in a reusable box rather than foil or cling film
  • Avoid wasting paper and other materials - use only what you really need
  • Encourage your company to adopt waste reduction techniques throughout the organisation
  • Share memos, journals and other publications rather than everyone having their own copy. Make better use of notice boards for shared information
  • Avoid using paper when a phone call, e-mail or personal visit might do instead
  • Only photocopy when really necessary - use the double-sided and/or reduction facility whenever possible

Reuse

  • Choose refillable items such as printer cartridges, glue etc

Recycle

  • Recycle toner cartridges
  • Purchase recycled and low waste products. A detailed Guide to Recycled Products is available. See www.recycledproducts.org.uk for more information
  • Recycle cans, plastic and glass bottles, paper, card, etc

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In your garden

Gardeners are very good at finding all kinds of new uses for items that might otherwise end up in the bin. Here are some suggestions:

Reduce

  • Remember to compost your garden, vegetable peelings and kitchen waste.

Reuse

  • Empty, cut-down mineral water bottles can be used as mini 'green houses' for young plants
  • Old carpets, cardboard, newspapers, lawn mowings and shredded prunings make excellent mulch and are useful for killing off weeds
  • Use old wood and pallets to build your own compost bin
  • Metal coat hangers can be used to pin down plastic covers, etc

Recycle

  • At the garden centre look for products that are made from recycled materials such as plant pots, containers and garden benches made from recycled plastic, recycled paper liners for hanging baskets and compost and soil conditioners made from recycled organic materials.

Also remember to take care of the environment when outdoors

  • For picnics, barbecues, camping and parties employ reusable items
  • Avoid throwaway crockery, cutlery and cups. Use colourful plastic plates and cups instead if china is not practical
  • If you use paper napkins and table cloths, make sure they're made from recycled paper
  • Avoid 'single use' barbecues
  • Don't forget to take your rubbish home!

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General tips on reuse

Just because you no longer need something doesn't mean it has to be thrown away.

  • Items in very good condition could be sold via a second-hand shop, small ads in the paper or local newsagent
  • If you are having a big clear out, why not attend a car boot sale or hold a garage sale
  • Take bric-a-brac to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (rubbish tip) - the site often has an area set aside for this type of material.

Instead of buying expensive items which are often used for only a short period of time - eg chain saws, hedge trimmers, cement mixers etc - why not consider:

  • Hiring
  • Buying them second-hand
  • Sharing large purchases with friends, neighbours or family

When buying items that are intended to be used regularly, invest in better quality items with longer guarantees. It may cost more, but the item will last longer and may enable you to sell it on when you no longer need it.

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Electronic goods

Computers - If you are buying a computer, enquire whether it can be upgraded easily without the need for a complete replacement. This means you will only need new components rather than a completely new computer.

When choosing new electronic goods:

  • Buy solar-powered items such as pocket calculators and watches.
  • Choose products that can use mains power rather than batteries.
  • Use rechargeable batteries when appropriate. (N.B. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended for some children's toys.)

If you no longer need a piece of electronic equipment, try selling it or donating it to a charity shop or reuse project before taking it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (rubbish tip).

Local groups are very good at all kinds of waste reduction activities including bring and buy sales, jumble sales and collecting items such as used stamps, milk bottle tops or aluminium cans which can be sold to raise funds.

Charity shops usually collect used postage stamps, foreign coins, post cards and aluminium foil as well as good quality clothes, toys and bric-a-brac. New gifts and stationery are generally available.

So remember:

  • Reduce the amount of rubbish you create in the first place
  • Reuse and repair goods whenever possible
  • Recycle what cannot be avoided or reused

For the Nottinghamshire waste management strategy to succeed everyone has to play their part, to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle as much as possible.

By using the Household Waste Recycling Centre (rubbish tip), home collection systems and recycling banks together with other initiatives in your area, you are contributing to make your local environment more sustainable and helping to protect it for the future.

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