Waste Minimisation
Most of the UK's waste is still sent for disposal in landfill sites. There is now a growing consensus that rubbish should be considered as a valuable resource and that the amount we landfill must be reduced. Although the recycling rate in West Sussex is above the national average, nearly half a million tonnes of rubbish are collected each year and dealing with our rubbish by burying it is unsustainable .
What can we do?
By learning to manage our waste more effectively and moving away from a 'throw away' culture we can all reduce the amount of waste we dispose of.
Remember the 3 Rs: REDUCE, RE-USE and RECYCLE
REDUCE
- Stop junk mail. Contact the Mailing Preference Service to remove your name and address from direct mailing lists. Visit http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/ or email: mps@dma.org.uk or write to MPS, Freepost 29, London W1E 0ZT
- Avoid buying over-packaged items
- Choose loose food rather than pre-packed
- Compost your garden and green waste
- Use real nappies instead of disposables
RE-USE
- Re-use plastic carrier bags or purchase a 'bag for life'
- Buy concentrated and refillable products
- Re-use scrap paper for writing notes etc. Place some next to your telephone
- Buy rechargable items and avoid disposables e.g. batteries, cameras, razors
- Donate unwanted items to charity shops, schools and community groups or use banks at the Bring Bank sites for items such as books
- Throwing a party? Hire glasses, crockery, linen etc. See Yellow Pages under catering equipment hire
RECYCLE
- Use the Acorn Plus collection from home in your blue topped bin
- Choose products whose packaging can be recycled
- Compost your organic waste
- Buy products made from recycled materials
- Use the Bring Bank sites for material that cannot be collected from home such as textiles and shoes
- To find your nearest recycling facility, go to the Recycle-More "bank locator" and enter your postcode