Waste Reduction Tips

We are becoming an increasingly disposable society and every year the nation throws away 3% more rubbish than the year before. We need to STOP making so much rubbish in the first place. We also need to reduce and re-use wherever we can.

Wasted food?
On average, £420 worth of food per family is thrown away each year. Only buy and cook the food you really need by making a shopping list and weighing out the correct portions. Visit Love Food Hate Waste for lots of ideas and recipes to help cut out food waste!

Too much packaging?
Buy fruit and vegetables loose, it’s cheaper and less packaging means less waste!

Too many disposable items?
Consider buying products that can be reused such as rechargeable batteries and try not to use disposable items such as razors, plastic cups and plates.

Buy concentrated!
Look for refillable and bigger value packs. They last longer, have less packaging and save you money too!

Too much plastic?
Over 290 carrier bags per person go to landfill every year and the plastic bag is used for an average of 7 minutes before its thrown away. Why not buy a bag for life!?

Don’t want all that junk mail?!
Sign on to the Mail Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk, email mps@dma.org.uk or call 02457 034599.

Home composting!
Buy a home composter, great for your garden waste, vegetable waste and cardboard. For more information please visit our home composting information page.

Unwanted furniture and electricals
Try the British Heart Foundation at www.bhf.org.uk/collection or click on the pdf for more information british_heart_foundation_leaflet_pdf.pdf (484KB - 31 January 2012 - PDF Help)

Unwanted furniture and toys?
Pass on to friends, charity shops or post an ad at www.freecycle.org

Unwanted clothing?
Take to the clothing bank or charity shop if they are still in good condition or put them in your recycling box and we will recycle it into sound proofing!

Starting a family?
Use real nappies rather than disposables. For more information please visit the Real Nappies information page

Useful external links

Recycling in Devon
The Waste Book
Recycle Now!

Do you have any tips? Email them to waste@eastdevon.gov.uk, subject, ‘Minimisation Tips’ and we can share them.

Page last updated on 25 May 2012