How green are you?

Top tips to help you Reduce, Re-use and Recycle

Recycling processes are generally carried out by commercial or governmental organisations; however, the entire process starts with you. Besides recycling, you can help protect the environment by reducing and re-using. The following tips might help you.

REDUCE

Change your perspective. Before you buy or agree to sign-up for anything, consider reducing your consumption and the impact your decision will have on the environment.

At home

Figure 1 Stop junk mail being delivered to you by writing to the Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 29, LON20771, London, 1E 0ZT or phone 020 7291 3310, or e-mail www.dma.org.uk

Figure 1 Sign-up to emailed newsletters and downloadable information instead of selecting printed material

Figure 1 Do not unwittingly sign up for unsolicited mail when completing surveys or questionnaires

Figure 1 Whenever practical, buy family sized products to cut down on packaging you have to recycle or throw away. Only buy what you need

Figure 1 Consider the effect of sell-by dates

Figure 1 Buy concentrated and refillable products

Figure 1 Consider using a multi-purpose cleaner

Figure 1 Buy products loose – remember you pay for the packaging

Figure 1 Think durability – buy rechargeable batteries; refillable ink cartridges and re-useable cloths instead of disposable paper tissues

Figure 1 Hire equipment you use infrequently

Figure 1 Buy recycled goods if you can

Figure 1 Use cotton nappies rather than disposables – they are much better for your baby and the environment

At work and school

Figure 1 Share reports, handouts, journals, and other publications

Figure 1 Make more use of notice boards and shared information

Figure 1 Use the phone or e-mails instead of writing letters

Figure 1 Only photocopy when necessary and use the double sided facility

Figure 1 Avoid wasting materials like paper – use only what you need

Figure 1 Choose refillable and recycled items

Figure 1 Write on both sides of a piece of paper and use scrap for drafts

RE-USE

Change your lifestyle. Before you throw anything away consider whether the item has an alternative use or value for you or someone else.

At the shops

Figure 1 Consider durability and repairability when you’re buying something

Figure 1 Avoid buying single use items like disposable nappies, plastic cutlery and cameras wherever possible

Figure 1 Buy products that can be refilled

Figure 1 Use your own carrier bags, either plastic or fabric

Figure 1 Use re-usable rigid plastic boxes with handles for loading goods when shopping

Around the house

Figure 1 Re-use plastic bags as bin liners

Figure 1 Re-use margarine tubs and other strong containers for packed lunch boxes, for storing nails or buttons or the contents of half opened tins for freezing

Figure 1 Pack school lunches in a reusable lunch box instead of using plastic bags

Figure 1 Fill a flask with your favourite drink each morning instead of buying cans or cartons

Figure 1 Give school uniforms that don’t fit any more to friends or to your local charity shop

Figure 1 Avoid using cling film and aluminium foil to wrap food – use boxes with lids instead

Figure 1 Re-use glass jars and margarine tubs for storing household items

Figure 1 Swap magazines with friends or take them to doctors surgeries

Figure 1 Take unwanted clothes, shoes, books, and spectacles to charity shops or have a stall at a local car boot sale

At work and school

Figure 1 Write on both sides of a sheet of paper

Figure 1 Use pencils or refillable fountain or ball point pens

Figure 1 Use paper as scrap before recycling

Figure 1 Pack your lunch and drink in a reusable lunch box and flask

In the garden

Figure 1 Compost your garden and green waste

Figure 1 Empty, cut down mineral water bottles can be used as mini green houses for your young plants

Figure 1 Old carpet or cardboard can be used to insulate compost heaps or places on the ground to clear areas of weeds

Figure 1 Old wood and pallets can be used to build compost bins

Figure 1 Cracked and broken crockery can be smashed and used for drainage crocks in plant pots

Figure 1 Use yoghurt pots for planting seedlings

Figure 1 Avoid throw away barbeques

Figure 1 Metal coat hangers can be used to pin down plastic covers

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