Recycling at Home

As our political leaders discuss and debate, and the media and scientific world volley information regarding climate change, overflowing landfills and ocean debris, it is becoming more evident that as individuals we need to do our bit to help with the global situation.

There are four main benefits to recycling, these are:

* Resource Conservation
* Reduction in Landfill
* Protecting the environment
* Saving Energy

Recycling within the household is one small contribution we can all make to the escalation that could destroy the planet.

Once you realise what you can recycle it can become part of your daily routine, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Many people use the three ‘Rs’ when they describe positive recycling.

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle.

Reduce the amount of waste we produce.

Reuse certain products before throwing them away.

Recycle, using the labelled bins that our local councils provide for each of our homes, on street corners and other locations.  

What can be recycled at home?

* Plastic bottles
* Cardboard, paper, magazines, newspapers and junk mail
* Glass
* Tin containers, aluminium

1. Local councils provide community tips for larger items and a pick-up service for the likes of white goods (this could be at a cost). 

2. Try purchasing recycled products instead of new, saving money and reducing landfill.

3. Recycle food waste by throwing it in the compost bin.  

* Fruit and vegetable peelings, seeds and cores
* Tea bags
* Coffee grounds and filter papers
* Paper towels or tissues (not if they have touched meat)
* Egg shells

Recycle garden waste such as weeds, fallen leaves, trimmings and the contents of the lawn mower. Most can go into the compost bin.

You cannot compost: cooked food, fish, meat or dairy products.

4. Think about packaging when you’re shopping.  Re-use plastic bags instead of buying another one or better yet buy a bag-for-life and carry it with you.

5. Use less paper, if possible, try to go paperless at home or at the office.

6. When you have a clear out or spring clean, donate rather than bin it.

7. It has just become a lot easier to fix an electrical appliance when it goes wrong as the Government has just issued the Right to Repair Legislation.  Making it easier to buy spare parts rather than replace the whole thing for new.

8. Use rechargeable batteries.

9. Buy second hand rather than new.

10. Use stainless steel containers or glass lidded jars rather than plastic zip-lock bags and plastic boxes for storing food.

11. LED light bulbs – They may be more expensive but are energy saving and last longer.

As a population around the globe, we are growing faster than the earth can sustain and everything we do has a dramatic effect on our day to day lives.  A little effort can go a long way in the struggle to save our planet.