Why Recycle?

• There is limited space in current landfill sites and places for new sites are scarce – not many people want a landfill site near their house.
• Burning rubbish pollutes the atmosphere with toxins which we then breathe in.  
• The gradual increase of Landfill Tax makes disposing of waste more and more expensive. In 2011/12 the cost for Gedling Borough Council to dispose of your waste at the Dorkett Head landfill site near Arnold was £56 per tonne, which will increase by £8 per year until 2014. This amount does not include the cost of collecting the waste from your house.  
• Valuable materials are being buried or burned - wasting natural resources, money and time.  Future generations could use these materials and as resources are depleted it will become more vital to utilise all materials fully.

The 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce

It is important to reduce the amount of waste produced by consuming less or not creating the waste in the first place. You can do this by: 

• Choose products with minimal packaging, for example buy your fruit and vegetables loose.

• Buy in bulk.

• Buy better quality items, which will last longer and therefore not need to be replaced so frequently.

• Choose concentrated products to save on packaging, such as cordial drinks, washing up liquid, laundry liquid and fabric conditioner.

• Refuse plastic carrier bags and buy a ‘Bag for Life’ or cotton shopping bag.

• Order a veg box, which will bring fresh and often locally grown vegetables and fruit to your doorstep – it saves on packaging and you know where it’s coming from. Look on the internet or ask if your local health food shops run a scheme.

• Rather than buy an over-packaged present for a birthday, why not give an ‘experience’ such as theatre/cinema tickets or a day out instead?

• Try growing your own vegetables and fruit to save on packaging – they taste infinitely better than shop bought ones, will not have travelled thousands of miles to your plate, will save you lots of money and improve your health.

Reuse

It is a waste of natural resources to use something just once and then throw it away. Reusing items also saves you money in the long run, so why not try some of the following:

• Use a handkerchief rather than a tissue.
• Charity shops – give them your unwanted clothes, shoes and bric-a-brac and have a browse whilst you’re there, you might find something you like …… at a bargain price.
• Use reusable nappies – Check out the Go Real Nappy Information Service website for further information. Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) also offer £25 cashback when you spend £50 or more on real nappies - visit the NCC website for more details.
• Use a washable cloth or flannel instead of a baby wipe. It’s even cheaper if you make them yourself out of an old towel or dressing gown!
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Share a magazine between friends – you could take it in turns to buy it and save money as well! Pass is on to the waiting room at the doctor’s or dentist, or even your local hair salon.
• Make your own lunch (and drink) and take it to work or school in a reusable lunch box and flask to save unnecessary packaging.
• Buy refillable products such as washing powder or washing up liquid.
• Get a needle and cotton to mend that hole in your clothes.
• Ditch the disposable party plates and cutlery - buy sturdier, washable ones instead.
• Rent or borrow items that you don’t use often, such as a DVD, DIY tools or an outfit for a special occasion – it’s cheaper and you then don’t have to store it!
• Use a mug rather than disposable cups where possible.
• Car boot sales – the best place to pick up a bargain and a great way to get rid of your unwanted items, whilst making a bit of money in the process! Car boot sales are advertised in the local paper.
• Baby equipment and children’s clothes rarely get worn out, so pass them on to a friend or relative who’s pregnant or has a younger child.
• Remember to take carrier bags with you when you go shopping. Spend a few pence on a sturdier ‘bag for life’ – these are available from supermarkets and some shops. Alternatively buy a reusable cotton shopping bag.
• Save paper that’s only been used on one side, tear in half and staple together to make useful notepads.
• Save old envelopes – you never know when they will come in useful.
• Reuse parcel packaging.
• Save wrapping paper that’s in good condition and reuse it for the next birthday or at Christmas.
• Sell unwanted items on internet auction sites – you might be surprised what other people will buy!
• Pass your magazines onto friends or waiting rooms.

Recycle

When you have reduced your waste, reused an item and decided that it’s no longer needed, then it is time to recycle and get the item made into something else that will be useful once again. The energy required to recycle an item is a lot less than is needed to obtain it in the first place. Recycling also means that we are leaving more natural resources available for future generations.

Buy recycled

Close the recycling loop and buy goods made from recycled materials, such as toilet roll, kitchen roll, paper, refuse sacks, stationary, glass wear, garden furniture and clothing. If you cannot find such recycled items in a shop, ask their Customer Services so they realise there is a demand for recycled products.