10 ways to help reduce your waste at home.

Here are some simple measures you can do right now.

10 point checklist
Cut down on wasted paper by removing yourself from junk mailing lists.
Cutting the junk through your letterbox could mean a big reduction in resource and energy needs.

Cut back on your carrier bag usage when you're out shopping
Consider using large canvas bags, cardboard boxes or other re-usable containers to carry your shopping.

Ditch the disposables
Use products with a longer life, such as energy saving light bulbs, which can last around ten times longer than standard bulbs. You could also buy more concentrated versions of many products such as your washing detergent or washing up liquid. Also use a digital camera instead of traditional film as film cameras use up chemicals and paper in the processing and printing phases.

Reuse where you can
Over 17.5 billion plastic bags are handed out every year (that’s more than 290 per person),. Reuse your plastic bags as often as you can or buy a stronger canvas or reusable shopping bag. Donate unwanted items such as clothes, books, CDs and furniture to charity shops.

Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
Fed up with the tons of packaging you’re left with after the weekly shop? Make this switch to try and cut down on the waste.

Cut out drinking bottled water to help reduce waste, energy and transport emissions.
Opt for water straight from the tap or from a water filter jug to reduce the needless waste associated with bottled water.

Use rechargeable batteries instead of wasteful disposable ones that often contain toxins.
For an even greener solution, invest in a solar-powered recharging unit for your batteries.

Join a library to borrow books instead of buying new ones.
Why waste money on buying books that you’ll probably only read once and then throw away?

A third of all household waste can be used to make compost for your garden.
Divert unnecessary waste from the landfill site and groom your garden with it instead!

Reusing leftovers
Wasted food is a waste of money and, when sent to landfill, a major contributor to climate change because it breaks down to produce methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas. If we in the UK stopped wasting food that could have been eaten, for example by reusing leftovers rather than throwing them away, it would have the same impact on carbon emissions as taking one in five cars off our roads.

source: Energy Savings Trust