Waste Minimisation

We all know that disposing of rubbish is becoming an increasing problem and that recycling waste is a great way to ease the pressure on the environment.

But is there anything even better than recycling? In short, the answer is YES.

By reducing and reusing your rubbish as well as recycling it, the amount of waste that will need disposal will inevitably fall. Waste costs money, consumes scarce resources, is difficult and expensive to dispose of and can lead to environmental damage. It is therefore clear that, more emphasis will continue to be placed on waste avoidance and minimisation and we will be under greater pressure to adopt sustainable waste management strategies. The positive side, and the most important basic consideration, is that resource efficiency saves vast sums of money. Whether you are an environmentalist or not, waste minimisation makes good sense!

Reducing the amount of waste we produce can be done in many ways including those listed below. It is better to reduce the amount of waste we produce in order to cut down on the amount of waste we have to dispose of.

• Shop smart, consider the packaging that foods are contained in
• Consider buying in bulk to minimise packaging waste
• Don’t buy disposable items such as nappies, razors and pens
• Use re-usable boxes for packed lunches and storage of food in the fridge rather than foil or cling film
• Stop junk mail. Contact the Mailing Preference Service, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS. Telephone 0207 291 3310, or visit their website at www.mpsonline.org.uk
• Buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than over packaged pre packed varieties and choose other products packaged in easy to recycle material
• Plan your meals ahead, avoid waste and use all fresh ingredients before the best before dates passes,
  also see our page on Love Food Hate Waste
• Compost at home. Home composters can be purchased at a much reduced rate to find out more go to our Compost Bin Promotion page.
• Pass unwanted toys and clothes to neighbours, nurseries or charities
• Use concentrated products, they give you more active ingredient and save on packaging - but make sure you do not use too much. Always follow instructions
• Buy energy efficient, long life products such as light bulbs. Energy saving light bulbs last up to12 times longer than normal light bulbs and each bulb can reduce your electricity bill by £7 every year
• Consider buying a re-usable bag or take your own rather than reaching for a plastic bag at the supermarket
• Please use your kerbside recycling scheme
• Recycle as much as you can
• Fit a food waste disposer to reduce kitchen waste
• Buy recycled or re-useable goods
• Ensure your house is insulated
• Choose a 'green' energy provider
• Use a water butt to collect rainwater

Waste Minimisation is sometimes harder to understand, but it is more rewarding when you realise how dramatically you can reduce your impact on the environment. All it takes is thought.

Waste minimisation begins in your mind, thinking your choices through before you act, do you need to buy a product with excess packaging or is there an alternative? Could you take your own bags when you go shopping? How often are you going to use the item, would it be cheaper to hire it?

At the supermarket, we are often bombarded with attractive but unnecessary packaging, but don´t be fooled, you are paying for it and will it just end up in the bin? Buy what you need in as little packaging as you can. Don´t buy it to bin it.

Waste is a MASSIVE problem and it’s everyone's problem.....

...it’s a problem we must all do something about.