Not producing waste in the first place is the obvious solution and we can all play a part by thinking about how and why we produce waste.

 

·         Always try to use both sides of a sheet of paper or, if only one side has been used, you can cut it up and make notebooks.

·         Share a newspaper or magazine with a relative or friend rather than both of you buying one.

·         Buy re-usable products instead of disposable ones, such as re-usable instead of plastic razors and rechargeable batteries. Only use disposable items if you really have to.

         

·         Say no to junkmail by signing up to the Mailing Preference Service (details below).

     

·         Buy products with the minimum amount of packaging. For example, when you buy vegetables in the supermarket, do not take a plastic bag for each item. Instead place the vegetables loose in the trolley.

    

·         Buy products packaged in recyclable materials e.g. paper. Remember that paper and cardboard packaging can be easily composted. Simply tear into small pieces and add a little at a time to your compost bin or heap.

    

·         Try to avoid disposable plastic bags by choosing stronger shopping bags that can be used over and over. If you have to use disposable bags then re-use them as many times as possible.

     

·         Buy products with packaging that can be recycled in your Black 'Kerbie' Box or Blue Bin kerbside collection scheme or your local recycling centre.

·         Compost your garden, fruit and vegetable waste in your compost heap or Home Composter.

     

·         Use Tupperware containers for lunches, storage of food and leftovers, instead of sandwich bags or throwaway plastic containers.

     

·         Try to avoid take-away foods when possible as they produce a lot of excess packaging. For example: Why don’t you ask for your bags of chips to be wrapped together instead of separate?

·         Repair things if they break.

 

Look out for the EU Eco-Label which is the guarantee that a product has a reduced impact on the environment.

 

About the Mailing Preference Service (MPS)

The Mailing Preference Service allows consumers to register, free of charge, their wish to be removed from up to 95% of direct mail lists in the UK. It helps to ensure that the direct mail consumers receive is welcome mail, while also helping the direct marketing industry to reduce its wastage. This does not include companies with whom a consumer has dealt with in the past, or unaddressed mail.

Research shows that 35% of consumers are aware of the MPS, with currently 1.2 million names registered.

Consumers can register via the website www.mpsonline.org.uk or request an application form by phone on 0845 703 4599.

www.mpsonline.org.uk or request an application form by phone on 0845 703 4599.