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Reduce waste

Recycling can help save materials and energy, but cutting down on food and household waste in the first place is even better. When you are shopping you can choose items with less packaging and take your own shopping bags. You can also try to buy products which you can use again instead of disposable items.

• Reducing waste, reusing and repairing
• Love Food Hate Waste Opens new window

Reuse and repair

Repairing or reusing items means that they will last longer and won’t need replacing with new items so soon. Even when you have finished with something, someone else will often be able to use it.

Why not sell it, give it to charity or pass it on via sharing schemes like Freecycle or Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS)?

• Freecycle Opens new window
• Find a local reuse charity Opens new window

Recycle

If you haven’t already started, find out how to recycle your waste.

• More on recycling
• Recycle Now - find out more about recycling Opens new window

Recycle more

seven out of ten people in the UK say they recycle

An average family can double or even treble the amount they recycle.

Most councils run doorstep collections for paper, glass, plastics and cardboard. Local civic amenity sites (your local tip) can also accept many other materials for recycling.

Everything can be recycled, from wood, shoes, textiles and TVs, to electrical equipment, light bulbs, fridges and freezers. Even small items of furniture can sometimes be recycled.

Check with your local council to see what can be recycled in your area.

• A to Z index of what can be recycled Opens new window
• Find your local council

Compost your garden and food waste

More than a third of household rubbish can be turned into compost, including garden and food waste. If sent to landfill, organic waste produces methane which has strong climate change effects. Composting waste like tea bags, vegetable peelings, shredded paper and egg boxes reduces these climate change effects and saves valuable space in landfill sites.

It's easy to make compost, and it provides a rich and natural source of nourishment for your garden. Many Councils provide compost bins at a reduced rate, so contact your local council to find out what is available in your area.

• Composting
• More on composting from Recycle Now Opens new window
• Get a compost bin from your local council

Dispose of hazardous waste items safely

Some items contain hazardous materials and need to be carefully disposed of to avoid environmental problems like water pollution. For example, paint, batteries, electrical equipment and oil need to be disposed of at a proper facility.

• Hazardous waste disposal
• Reusing and disposing of electrical equipment

Buy recycled products

Products made from recycled goods save raw materials and increase the demand for recycled materials. As well as paper products, you can buy recycled household and fashion items like shoulder bags, plastic trays, pencil cases and aluminium foil.

• Buying recycled products