Waste

As a nation we are producing increasing amounts of waste each year, which means we are using the Earth’s natural resources at a faster rate than ever before.

The majority of our rubbish is disposed of in landfill sites. As it decomposes it produces dangerous substances such as methane gas, which contributes to the greenhouse effect causing climate change; and leachate, which can escape from older landfills into our water supply and cause pollution.

The way we think about the waste we produce has to evolve. Rather than looking at it as a problem that we can bury away, we need to see waste as a resource that can be used again. A large majority of our waste can be recycled or re-used.

Reduce

Reducing the amount of rubbish we produce is the first step to reduce our impact on the environment. Here are a few suggestions of how this can be achieved:

  • Only buy what you need and don't buy those 2 for 1 offers if you don't need them. Every year around 1/3 of food grown in the UK for human consumption ends up in the bin at an estimated value of £420 per adult
  • Choose the products with the least packaging such as loose fruit and vegetables rather than the ones packaged in polystyrene trays and plastic wrapping
  • Contact the Mailing Preference Service to stop 95‰ of the junk mail you receive
  • Where possible use email to reduce printing and faxing and don't print e-mails out unless you really need to

Re-use

So many products we buy end up in landfill, whereas lots of these everyday items can be re-used instead of thrown away

  • Plenty of charity shops can find a good home for clothes you no longer need. Pop into any on your high street. Find your nearest Oxfam shop
  • The Furniture Recycling Network (FRN) co-ordinates over 300 projects in the UK. Items of a reasonable quality from businesses and households are readily accepted.
  • If your TV or stereo have stopped working think about repairing it before you buy a new one. It's often cheaper and cuts down on waste too.
  • Disposable nappies cause huge problems in landfill - they are hazardous and are not biodegradable. Change to real nappies – find out more about the Real Nappy Campaign
  • Many international charities or schools can benefit from you unwanted computer equipment. Take a look at Computers for Charity.

Recycle

Recycling is on the increase in the UK, but we can always do more. Below are some tips to get you started. To find out more about recycling facilities in your own area visit Recycle-More or contact your local authority.

  • Paper and cardboard - recycling paper reduces pressure on natural resources and uses considerably less energy than producing paper from virgin materials
  • Plastics – most plastics can be recycled, however, some are much easier to recycle than others. Visit Recoup for more details on the different types of plastic, where you can recycle them and how to buy products made from recycled plastic
  • Metals – tins and cans can easily be recycled, just remember to wash them out first
  • Glass – Bottles and jars can be recycled over and over and as such saves energy and raw materials. Make sure you wash the bottles and jars, and remove any tops or plastic attachments before recycling. Also make sure glass goes in the right coloured banks as contamination can lower the value of the recycled glass.
  • Electronic equipment - the EU WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive now means that manufacturers and retailers of electrical and electronic goods are obliged to take back these goods and dispose of them responsibly. Visit the Waste Online website for more information and a list of places that will recycle your electrical goods
  • Garden & kitchen waste - organic waste is the main cause of methane emissions from landfill sites. Instead of throwing it away, try composting - a satisfying way to turn daily waste into food for your vegetable beds! Not everyone has a garden to use compost; some local authorities have set up community composting sites. Take a look at the Community Composting Network or the Composting Association for more details.