Re-use Instead of Recycling to Reduce Waste
Recycling is Not Only About Sorting Waste into Separate Bins
Sep 15, 2009
Before putting plastic bottles, milk containers, takeaway boxes, cardboard shoeboxes, newspapers into trash bins or even recycling bins consider whether they have a use in the home. Recycling is not just about sorting waste into environmentally friendly disposal methods but consideration for re-utilising these items within the home, even items that would traditionally be immediately disposed of. A few examples follow:
Plastic bottles and drinks containers can be used for the reservoir watering of container plants in hot spells. Although not particularly attractive, this is an ideal method of watering plants whilst on holiday. Firstly prick a few smallish holes into the neck of the drinks container and then turn it upside down and bury it within the garden plant pot. Fill it with water and this will ensure a steady drip of water into your plant pot for days.
Also:
- Free issue plastic carrier bags from supermarkets can be re-used for shopping – thus saving the supermarkets money. Finally use the bag as a waste paper bin liner.
- Yoghurt pots and dessert pots have a variety of uses within the kitchen for individual homemade desserts or even freezing small meals for babies.
- Plastic takeaway boxes from the local Chinese Takeaway are an economical solution for kids packed lunch containers or freezer boxes.
- Cardboard shoeboxes are ideal for small storage within the home. They are neat and stackable and ideal for holding kids craft items and pens and pencils.
- Clothes, spectacles, mobile phones and numerous other mass-produced items are in demand in the Third World. Charities are grateful for any donations and often opticians have arrangements for sending waste spectacles to Third World countries.
Shopping
When shopping for groceries consider the benefits of a monthly rather than weekly shop. Also shopping online reduces need for a car journey at the same time, and the goods will generally be delivered free of charge.
The Paper-Free Environment
Whist the paper free office is slowly becoming a fact, consideration can also be given to the paper free home. The small task of purchasing a daily newspaper is obviated by the fact that many major newspapers now issue on-line copies either by subscription or freeview.
In the Garden
Nothing beats the taste of homegrown food, whether it's potatoes, beans, carrots, peas or even fruits or, for the ambitious, grapes, so try to incorporate a small vegetable patch in your garden. It's a great project for kids to run too, as their excitement when seeing the seeds sprout will become infectious. Although be prepared for them to lose interest when it comes to the weeding!
- Try solar lighting in the garden; it can be quite romantic.
- Composting: Waste vegetable matter from the kitchen, such as peelings or leftovers from meals, can be added to the compost bin and helps provide a nutritious base to the mix. Also use foods that will rot down easily, in an attempt to minimize food waste within the home.
- Grass cuttings compost really quickly, although from a gardener's point of view compost from grasscuttings alone may not be that nutritious to the soil.
- Newspaper does not always need to be thrown into the paper recycling bin, small amounts can be composted, as they will break down easily with vegetable matter.
- Don't waste tap water for watering gardens in hot weather. Use waste water in the garden during hot spells, the plants won't die if you water them with your leftover bathwater. Bark chippings on top of soil in the garden borders ensures the retention of the maximum amount of moisture and also benefits gardeners by cutting down weeding. Even during hot weather it can be amazing how moist the soil is underneath the bark. The bark also rots down into compost over a couple of years.
Finally, Leave the Car at Home
Where possible, consider the benefits of leaving the car at home, it is amazing how much can be discovered around the neighbourhood when walking and the health benefits are great too.
For the times when driving is essential, think about car sharing, or offering lifts around the local community, a full car is a more environmentally friendly car. Elderly people in the community often enjoy trips to city centres or out of town shopping parks.
See also: Energy Efficiency in the Eco Home for ideas on how to start an energy efficient lifestyle
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