March 19, 2019
5 ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce
The average person in England produces over 400kg of household waste each year. And, according to the latest estimates, 235,443 Tonnes of waste was produced in Lewisham and Southwark alone.
While these are shocking statistics, most of us, if we’re honest, would admit to being responsible for more waste than is strictly necessary.
There are many reasons to think about reducing your waste output. Not only does it bring environmental benefits, it can save you money too. So, read on for our top tips on reducing the amount of waste you produce:
1. Recycle as much as you possibly can
Make sure you’re up to speed with which materials can be recycled and always try to source sustainable products that can be reused. If you work in a commercial environment, did you know that glass, wood, aggregates, metals, cardboard and plasterboard can all be recycled? Bricks and concrete can be reused too.
When it comes to household items most of us are used to recycling our paper, glass, cans and plastic. But other items can be recycled too, including electronics, batteries and textiles. If your council doesn’t offer a collection service, take them to your local household recycling centre.
2. Don’t order more than you need
Home improvements such as renovation work and landscaping produce a lot of waste. You can lessen the amount of waste by only ordering what you need. This may take some careful planning on your part, but it will be worth it.
If you’re ordering a skip to dispose of building waste, you may be able to go for a smaller size, keeping your hire costs to a minimum.
3. Be a savvy shopper
When you’re out shopping, always opt for items that have less packaging. Buying in bulk, is a good way of doing this, as long as you don’t buy more than you need. Carry your items home in reusable boxes or your trusty bag for life.
There are many reusable products nowadays, which will reduce your plastic and paper consumption, such as reusable water bottles, reusable coffee cups and metal straws that you can carry with you.
4. Remember that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure
You don’t need to throw away the things you don’t want anymore. Somebody else might put them to good use. This doesn’t mean that you have to be a master upcycler (although it would be awesome if you were). As long as items such as clothing, furniture and electronics are clean, in good working order and safe to use, there could be someone ready to take them off your hands. Support a good cause and donate your unwanted items to charity or you might even make some money by selling them on eBay or at a car boot sale.
5. Don’t waste food
Have you heard the horror stories about the amount of food supermarkets throw away every day? The truth is, your average household throws away a large amount of food too. Don’t be a part of the problem. Use simple solutions to make your food last longer, such as freezing items and turning leftovers into a tasty lunch. If your council offers a food waste collections service for vegetable peelings, leftovers and tea bags, make sure you get on board.
Recycling isn’t always easy; you may need to make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of waste you produce, whether on a personal level or in a commercial environment. It may seem like extra work. But soon enough, recycling, reusing and choosing sustainable products will become habitual.
