What is waste minimisation?
Rather than using up the earths' natural resources, waste minimisation aims to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the face place. This method allows us to save some of the raw materials and energy used in the production, the transport of goods and packaging, while at the same time protecting the environment we live in.
Good waste management practice is not all about recycling. It is also about reducing the amount of waste we produce. These are some handy waste minimisation tips to help "put your bin on a diet":
- Buy products with less packaging, such as loose fruit and vegetables, rather than over packaged varieties. Choose products packaged in materials which are easier to recycle. Use reusable shopping bags, recycle cardboards or paper packagings instead of plastic bags, plastic films or food trays.
- Buy in a large quantity, as this often reduces packaging, as well as cost.
- Choose reusable items such as refillable pens, reusable razors and "bags for life", rather than plastic bags.
- Use dish cloths instead of disposable wipes. Also consider to use old clothes and other textiles as dusters.
- Drink tap water rather than bottled water.
- Try using reusable nappies.
- Save money and reduce waste by thinking about how much you need to buy at the supermarket. Make sure to create a list before you go. This can avoid tou from purchasing too much and end up having to throw food away because it has passed its use by date.
- Store leftover food and packed lunches in reusable containers instead of foil wrapping.
- Use both sides of note paper and whenever you can buy paper which is recycled.
- You can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by contacting the Mail Preference Service.
- Contact your favourite charity organisations to see whether they will recycle your old mobile phones and used printer ink cartridges. Several charities now run such re-use and recycling schemes.
- Use home compost bin for your fruit, vegetable and garden waste, and use the compost on your garden. Avoid peat based compost, which depletes natural resources.
- Pass unwanted books, toys and clothes to friends and family, or give them to nurseries or charity shops. Textiles can also be recycled at many of recycling sites, if they cannot be reused by people that you know.