Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.

Reduce the amount of the Earth's resources that we use.
Reuse Don't just bin it, could someone else make use of it?
Recycle Can the materials be made into something new?

The harsh reality of the way we consume in this country, is that it is beyond what our natural resources can cope with.  In fact, if the rest of the world consumed the way we do in Europe, we would need two additional planets to cope with the dependence on natural resources and space for waste.

Consumption…. that is everything we buy and use, from electrical devices to cars, from the food we eat to the flights we take.  It’s a bit more in depth as a concept but it really encourages us to think about what we buy, what it took to make it, where it came from, how much energy while I use it and what happens after we finish with it.

Here is a calculator for you to try out:  http://calculator.bioregional.com/

Reduce

The average person in the UK buys 2.8 new electrical items per year!

Start to consider the broader implications of a purchase.  Is there a more ethical/sustainable* option?  Is it a necessary purchase?  What is going to happen to it when you are finished?
For example: try to resist buying fruit & veg products in non-recyclable plastic trays. Buy loose fruit & veg or from stores which use paper-based trays. Waitrose is setting a good example with paper-based trays for many products - why can't other supermarkets follow suit?!. Steer clear of plastic egg-trays - traditional paper ones are recyclable. Remember - if you don't buy products in unsuitable packaging the stores won't stock them!

Reuse

Before you throw something away, can it be used for something else or by someone else? Charity Shops are the obvious choice but they are generally unable to accept electrical goods and generally prefer clothes or small bric-a-brac. Freecycle is a brilliant scheme for passing on serviceable but unwanted goods to someone who will appreciate them. There is a local group based in Farnborough and Aldershot and another based in Wokingham. Links to these are in the "Useful websites" panel on the right.

Recycle

1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours!

1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes!

1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours!

70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials!

Many things can be recycled now, some will be taken by your refuse collectors, others will require a little more effort.  Here are just a few examples:

• Mobile Phones

Many charities collect old mobile phones for recycling and can make money from  them.

• Shoes and Trainers

Most recycling "bring" sites have facilities for recycling old shoes and trainers.

• CDs, Games and DVDs

Old CDs, games and DVDs could be worth some money!  

http://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/?source=webgains&siteid=17373

Alternatively  take them to your local charity shop or sell them on ebay!

What can be done with the free cd’s that come with magazines?

Here are some ideas to get you thinking ...

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/cdcrafts/tp/CDCrafts.htm

http://crafts.kaboose.com/compact-disc-crafts.html

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/top-5-most-creative-uses-for-old-cds

http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/cd.html

• Spectacles!

Donate your old spectacles to Vision Aid, they will go to good use in developing countries.

http://www.secondsightproject.com/envelope.php

• Batteries

Household batteries used in remote controls and other small electrical items should not be placed in your bin.  There are battery recycling bins at the Civic Offices and in each of the Leisure Centres.

• Composting

Rather than throwing waste food away, why not start composting.

Follow this link to find out more:

http://www.recyclenow.com/applications/home_composting/get_advice.rm?tags=size

If in doubt, follow this link and check what can be recycled and where!

http://www.recyclenow.com/

"Sustainability"

This is a word that we hear a great deal...so what exactly does it mean?  When we say we want something to be sustainable, we actually mean we want its existence to have no negative effects on the planet. For example, sustainable paper is made from trees that are replaced continuously and sustainable energy comes from sources like wind, sunlight and hydro-power rather than fossil fuels like oil and coal which will eventually run out.