Reducing waste

You can reduce the amount of waste and rubbish you create and minimise the negative impacts on our environment by following these guidelines:

Reduce 

Avoid creating waste.

• avoid over packaged goods
• buy long-lasting goods that are energy efficient
• use a shopping bag rather than plastic carrier bags
• buy concentrated products and refills
• stop unwanted junk mail by contacting the Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 22, London, W1E 7EZ. Visit the Mailing Preference Service website This link will take you to an external website... for more information. For more information about how to reduce junk mail see the leaflet on the right of the page.
• use reusable nappies rather than disposable ones. Visit the Real Nappy campaign website This link will take you to an external website...  or see the leaflet on the right of the page.
• support recycling by purchasing products that contain recycled material

Re-use

Retrader is a free Oxfordshire based website you can use to exchange or give away old, unwanted items to people who could find a use for them.

If waste can't be avoided, re-use materials wherever possible.

• re-use shopping carrier bags
• re-use packaging material to send parcels
• re- use empty jars and bottles for storage
• repair clothes and other goods rather than throwing them away
• use the backs of paper to make rough notes, shopping lists or for children's drawings

Recycle

Many waste materials that cannot be avoided or re-used, can be recycled to form new products.

• use your kerbside recycling scheme and local recycling banks
• home composting is a form of recycling which turns organic waste into a useful garden product

Useful shopping tips

When you go shopping be aware of the way the products you choose are packaged. Refuse those items that have unnecessary layers of wrapping. Consumer pressure is an effective lobby for changing manufacturers' behaviour.

Don't take a fresh carrier bag every time you go shopping. A bag for life can be re-used at no cost to the environment.

Remember that up to 30% of food bought is not eaten before it goes off. Do you consume everything that you buy?