Reduce

Increasingly we are recycling waste. However, there is an even better environmental option - waste minimisation. This is the prevention or reduction of waste being generated in the first place.

Our top 20 tips on how to reduce your waste

1. Shop smart! Consider the packaging that foods are contained in - e.g. buy loose fruit and veg
2. Take your own shopping bags to the shops
   
   
   
   
3. Consider buying long lasting items like washing powder, pasta, cereal and biscuits in bulk - to minimise packaging waste
4. Buy milk in returnable glass bottles from the milkman, rather than plastic bottles, card or cartons.
   
   
   
   
5. Don't buy disposable items such as razors and pens.
6. Make fresh, homemade drinks in reusable, sealable containers, rather than buying separate cartons, cans and bottles - it will be cheaper too.
   
   
   
   
7. For packed lunches and picnics use a reusable airtight container, rather than aluminium foil or cling film wrapping.
8. Use rechargeable batteries. Batteries contain toxic/hazardous chemicals - the more you buy, the greater the impact on the environment.
   
   
   
   
9. Return unused medicines and tablets to your pharmacy.
10. Visit our Stop junk mail page to find out how you can reduce the amount of paper sent to your home
    
    
    
    
11. Don't be fooled by 'buy one get one free' offers on fresh fruit/meat/dairy products - you may not get round to eating them before they pass their use by date and they will end up in the bin. Visit our Love Food Hate Waste page for tips on how to get the most from the food we buy.
12. Buy long-lasting low energy light bulbs.
    
    
    
    
13. Use handkerchiefs rather than throwaway tissues.
14. Use washable cutlery, cups and plates at parties and barbecues, rather than paper plates and plastic cutlery and cups which are only used once before they are thrown away.
    
    
    
    
15. Buy concentrated detergent.
16. Check your local library for newspapers and books - rather than buying them.
    
    
    
    
17. Say no to paper bags or plastic bags in shops if you don't need them.
18. Rent or borrow equipment which you use infrequently. It may be possible to share items such as lawnmowers, shredders, hedge-trimmers, etc. with friends or neighbours.
    
    
    
    
19. When buying electrical goods see if there are any devices on the market which use alternative power sources, e.g. clockwork radios, solar calculators, manual watches.
20. Buy a home composter to divert your garden and fruit and veg peelings from landfill - visit our composting page to find out more.
    
    
    
    

More information:

Visit our reuse and recycle pages for more ways to reduce your waste.