Every year the nation throws away 3% more
rubbish than the year before. Recycling and composting
helps to reduce the amount that gets sent to landfill sites, but we
all really need to reduce the amount that we create in the first
place.
The following information shows how each of us can help to make
a difference.
Each year we throw away up to 500,000 tonnes of disposable
nappies, accounting for 2-3% of all domestic waste. This costs
Councils up to £40 million every year to dispose of and is the
equivalent in weight to 70,000 double decker buses.
By choosing to use reusable nappies, you can help to reduce the
impact made by disposable nappies and can potentially make
significant cost savings. There are many different types of
reusable nappies to choose from and there are nappy laundry
services available for those who would prefer not to wash them at
home.
For further information please go to
Real Nappies
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Bath & North East Somerset Council have been working with
local primary schools to introduce the Zero Waste Lunch Project by
encouraging pupils to bring in a lunchbox consisting only of items
that can be recycled or composted.
So instead of crisp packets, sweet wrappers and non recyclable
drinks cartons, children may bring in things like home cooked
sausages, fruit and vegetables and drinks in reusable flasks.
Not only is it healthier for the environment, it's healthier for
the children too.
Schools who wish to take part or find out more can contact
waste_services@bathnes.gov.uk
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Zero Waste Challenge Week
The Zero Waste Challenge Week won the Valpak Best Waste
Minimisation Award at the National Recycling Awards in November
2007 and now Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership
with Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils are
inviting local residents to take part in this year's challenge
which is due to be held from Monday 29th September to
Sunday 5th October 2008.
The aim of the week is to see how little you can throw away in the
rubbish bin by aiming to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost as much
as possible instead. However much or little you usually throw away
we think that if you give this challenge a go, you'll be surprised
at how little you can throw away - on average those people who have
taken part in previous years have thrown away 1/4 of what they
would normally throw away. For more information about the
week please go to
Zero Waste Challenge Week.
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To remove your name from direct mailing lists contact the Mail
Preference Service at FREEPOST 29, LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT
(Tel: 0845 703 4599). http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/
You can also reduce the amount of mail you send to other people
by choosing email instead.
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Where there are reusable alternatives, try to avoid disposable
products. Some examples include:
- Shopping bags
- Cameras
- Razors
- Plates and cups for parties and events
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There are many charities and organisations who are keen to reuse
your old unwanted items. Try:
- Charities. Many charity shops will take items such as
clothes, bric a brac, books and music or look out for local jumble
sales.
- The SOFA
Project and Genesis Furniture
Project will both collect unwanted items of furniture and
appliances for reuse at their discretion.
- You can sell your old items through the classifieds sections of
local newspapers, the website or events such as car boot
sales.
- You can swap or exchange items or give them away. The
Bath Freecycle™ network is a local website for people wish
to give away or find things for free.
- If there's something you're only going to use once or twice,
you could hire it and save yourself the expense of buying it new or
you could choose to share items such as gardening tools with
friends or neighbours.
- Libraries are another great way to borrow items rather than
buying them from new.
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When shopping, choose items that are more durable and last
longer such as:
- Rechargeable batteries that can be used over and over
again.
- Low energy light bulbs that last much longer than conventional
light bulbs.
- Clothes that are likely to remain in fashion longer.
When things become damaged, rather than throwing them away, can
they be repaired instead?
- Shoes can be taken to the cobblers for repairs that will extend
their life dramatically.
- Clothes can often be repaired with simple sewing jobs.
- Furniture and appliances can often be repaired or refurbished
to help to give them a longer life.
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Using the same container over and over again rather than a new
one each time can help to reduce the amount we throw away.
- Use reusable flasks and bottles that can be rinsed and
refilled.
- Use plastic containers such as tupperware to carry or store
foodstuffs.
- Some environmentally friendly cleaning products are sold in
refillable containers that you can use over again
- The packaging from items such as coffee jars can make excellent
storage containers.
- If your milk round still uses glass bottles, opt for using the
milkman rather than the shop as milk bottles can be washed and
reused over and over again.
The Bath Green Companion has a directory that includes some
local shops that will provide refills. Go to www.greenbath.org for more information.
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In 2001, UK households produced the equivalent weight of 245
jumbo jets per week in packaging waste. If we choose items with
less packaging we have less to throw away and will probably also
save quite a bit of money.
- Buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than prepacked - many
don't need a bag at all. Some shops sell many other products such
as cereals etc. in this way too.
- Choose concentrated rather than diluted materials as they use
less packaging and buy in bulk in preference to lots of
individually packed items.
- Avoid products that are packaged excessively and choose
alternative items instead.
- Choose products that are packaged in containers that can easily
be recycled.
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Putting your old kitchen and garden scraps into the compost bin
at home, will ultimately provide you with a useful soil conditioner
for the garden rather than being throw away. See Composting
for further information about how you can start.
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Many presents that we buy for each other end up at best, being
ignored and at worst, being thrown away. Yet the following
ideas can help to reduce the chances of this happening:
- Choose an event rather than an actual gift. This may
range from a trip to the theatre or cinema to a weekend away or a
meal out. There are plenty of websites offering novel ideas
to make a truly memorable gift.
- Choose gift vouchers so the person can choose their ideal
present. There are many different types of gift vouchers
available to suit every taste.
- Sponsorship is another alternative to actual presents.
There are many charities that you can help to sponsor in return for
recognition of your help.
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