#RecycleWeek

This week is Recycle Week, an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling. 

It’s not just about recycling paper, plastic and glass. It’s also about finding different uses for items you own and donating or selling unwanted items to reduce waste, help the environment and put some money back in your pocket! 

Back to basics 

A lot of the waste that ends up in landfill can be harmful to the environment and the easiest way we can tackle this is by recycling properly. We’ve put some tips together that can help: 

• Check the packaging – more and more companies are swapping to recyclable packaging in a bid to reduce waste. You can find out what the different symbols mean here. 
• Rinse – items such as glass jars, yoghurt pots and milk bottles should always be rinsed and dried before going in the recycling bin. 
• Screw and squash – bottle lids often get rejected from recycling machinery due to their size, so, if the lid is recyclable, screw it back onto the bottle to ensure it goes through. It’s also a good idea to squash bottles to save space and stop them rolling off sorting machine conveyor belts. 

Donating and selling 

In a bid to reduce waste, many people are now donating or selling items they no longer use. Not only does this stop items going to landfill, it also supports the ongoing cost of living expense by helping people to get good quality furniture, clothes and other products for lower prices, as well as helping you get some money back for those items that you’ve no use for anymore  

Selling or donating is also a great way to de-clutter your home and there are lots of selling sites that can help you find a new home for unwanted items. If you just want to donate something, head to a local charity shop or get in touch with other charities who may be able to use your items. 

Upcycling and reusing 

We all have items that are either collecting dust or stored because we don’t know what to do with them. It’s becoming more and more popular to get creative and turn tired items into something new and exciting. Maybe you’ve redecorated and that old coffee table doesn’t fit with your style anymore or you’ve been collecting glass jars (just in case) and want to find a purpose for them. There’s lots of guidance online to help you get the most out of your belongings. 

Use #RecycleWeek as an opportunity to de-clutter and get creative! 

Food waste  

Did you know that in 2021, the UK generated over 9.5 million tonnes of food waste, with 70% of that coming from households? The amount of carbon generated by wasted food in the United Kingdom is comparable to that released by one fifth of the country's vehicles on the road. 

Not only does food waste have a huge environmental impact, on average, a British family discards approximately £810 worth of food each year. 

Here’s a few of our favourite ways to reduce food waste: 

• Get creative and try to make a new meal from your leftovers. 
• Look into what restaurants and shops in your area are reducing waste by selling items cheaper than retail price. 
• Look for the yellow sticker when shopping and remember the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘use by’. 
• Plan your meals for the week and stick to a shopping list to keep food wastage down by only buying what you need, when you need it. 

Fly-tipping 

Wouldn’t it be lovely to live somewhere clear of rubbish and fly-tipping?  

Recycle Week is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of discarding items responsibly. The more we recycle, the cleaner and tidier our communities can be. 

Local authorities can collect bulky items that are no longer fit for purpose, but you can often be charged for this. You can find your local authority here. Household waste recycling centres are also great places to discard of items you no longer need, but always check what they do and don’t accept first.  

If you’re getting rid of something that still works or is in good condition, lots of charities will collect items that they can sell.