Smart ways to reduce waste and recycle more

If you are looking to waste less in your home, you can:

1. reduce the amount of waste you create
2. reuse items to give them a second life
3. recycle the item responsibly

Reduce

Find simple ways to reduce the amount of waste you create at home and when you are out and about.

To reduce:

• avoid excessive food packaging
• carry a reusable bottle or cup
• avoid throwing away good food
• start home composting
• buy concentrated products that use less packaging
• try to hire rather than buy items you will only use once or twice
• cut down on unwanted mail
• use rechargeable batteries
• avoid disposable nappies, consider using cloth nappies
• forget fast fashion. Repair, reuse and recycle the clothes you already have rather than buying new
• take any unwanted clothes and textiles to a recycling bank to be used by someone else

Reuse

Reuse means giving items a second life by repairing, sharing, donating or selling them instead of throwing them away.

To reuse:

• try repairing your household items rather than throwing them away
• take items to repair cafes and workshops
• pass on good condition, unwanted household items and clothing to reuse organisations
• give away unwanted, good condition items through social media marketplaces, notice boards, or "freebie" groups
• go to or host swapshops or "swishing" clothes events
• find pre-loved items at car boot or jumble sales
• join and use a tool library
• donate unwanted items to charity and buy second hand items rather than new
• sell your unwanted items on online stores and social media or at car boot sales, via notice boards or in local newspapers

Recycle

Recycling helps turn waste into new products. Use your bins and local recycling points to recycle as much as possible.

To recycle:

• use your household recycling bins to recycle as much as possible
• make use of your nearest Recycling Points and Centres
• many charities will recycle your old mobile phones
• charity shops will accept a lot of items you no longer want
• use your food waste collection service if this is provided in your area

Find out more on the circular economy from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

More tips to help you reduce, reuse and recycle at home and work.