The 3 R's

In addition to recycling, it is equally important to reduce the amount of waste you produce and re-use wherever you can. You may of heard of the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Check out the tips below to get started.

Reduce

• Stop junk mail coming through your letterbox by registering with the mail preference service.
• Buy products which are not heavily packaged - buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre packed.
• Avoid using disposable products such as razors, cameras, paper/plastic kitchenware etc.
• Try using washable nappies instead of disposable, this can save you around £500 for your first child!

 Re-use

• Re-use carrier bags by taking them with you when you go shopping. Alternatively invest in a 'bag for life' at your local supermarket.
• Write on both sides of a sheet of paper before recycling, and use scrap paper to make notebooks.
• Buy re-usable products, such as rechargeable batteries. This will also save you money.
• Donate magazines to doctors/dentists for use in their waiting rooms.
• Take old clothes, books, videos and CD's to charity shops or jumble sales.
• Repair broken items rather than buying new ones.

Recycle

• Use your kerbside recycling service. All residents can recycle paper (newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, catalogues, directories and yellow pages), plastic bottles and glass bottles and jars.
• Use the Community Recycling Centres and Recycling Bring Sites.
• Compost your kitchen and garden waste. You can also take your garden waste to your nearest Community Recycling Centre.

REMEMBER - THINK BEFORE YOU THROW!