Recycling - Recycling Tips

Shop smart; buy minimally packaged goods.
Avoid products wrapped in plastic or presented on a polystyrene tray; plastics contaminated with food cannot be recycled.
Buy food and products in bulk to reduce packaging.
Avoid processed meals that often have several layers of packaging to make them attractive to consumers.
Refuse the offer of free plastic bags at the checkout; instead, take your own shopping bag or basket.
Buy fresh fruit and vegetables loose.
Buy goods in refillable or returnable containers.
Drink filtered tap water instead of bottled, to reduce the packaging and transport costs of bottled water
Use metal cutlery and ceramic plates rather than disposable plastic items.

Use rechargeable batteries or reusable alkaline batteries that contain no cadmium or mercury.
Replace conventional light bulbs with low energy types, some of which last for years.
Buy a second hand car rather than a new one.
Have your shoes re-heeled and re-soled regularly to get more wear from them rather than throwing them out. Give unwanted shoes and boots to charity.

Alternatives to Disposables

Cut down what you need to throw away by making a few smart choices.

AVOID	USE INSTEAD
Plastic carrier bags	Canvas or string bags, baskets, or reuse plastic carrier bags
Bin liners	Recycled plastic bing liners
Paper towels	Terry towels, dishcloths, tea towels
Disposable cleaning cloths	Cotton cloths, clean rags, reuse old towels/tea towels
Plastic sponges	Cellulose sponges (biodegradable)
Paper or plastic cups & plates	Ceramic plates, wash & reuse plastic ones
Paper napkins	Cloth napkins
Teabags & coffee filters (bleached)	Loose tea, ground cafetierre coffee
Disposable nappies (bleached)	Cloth nappies
Baby wipes	Damp flannel or cloth
Tissues, cotton wool (bleached)	Biodegradable, unbleached versions, handkerchiefs
Batteries	Mains supply, rechargeable batteries
Nylon tights	Socks, durable leggings, cotton tights
Disposable raxors	Open razor, refill blades
Ballpoint pens	Refillable ink pens