Reduce waste, recycle more
We have become a throwaway society, both here in the UK and worldwide. However, most of what we call waste could be used again by someone else. Reusing or recycling waste brings many benefits, including helping to hold back climate change. This is because less energy is needed to reuse or recycle materials than is needed to mine or harvest raw materials; less energy means less greenhouse gases and less climate change.
Why recycle?
Because our waste is either dumped in landfill sites or burnt in incinerators. Both of these alternatives add to the problem of climate change and cause a number of other problems.
The problem with landfill sites
- They release the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) and so contribute to climate change.
- They release toxins. Rotting rubbish emits explosive gases and polluting liquids.
- The are smelly, unattractive, increase traffic, noise, litter and pests. No-one wants to live next to one, but it’s becoming harder to find new remote sites to put all our waste.
- It encourages more waste; Incinerators need a minimum of rubbish to operate.
The problem with incineration
- It wastes energy. Recycling saves far more energy than is generated by burning waste because it means making less new things from raw materials.
- It causes pollution; Smoke, gases and ash from incinerators can contain harmful dioxins which are a cause of cancer.
- It can be used to generate energy, but inefficiently, with more greenhouse gases released than gas-fired power stations.
Why waste it?
Most of the stuff that ends up in landfill and incinerators could be used again, saving huge amounts of energy, reducing waste and protecting our diminishing supplies of raw materials.
Paper
Demand for paper is putting immense pressure on the world’s forests, destroying these fantastic carbon sinks. Recycle paper and cardboard and make sure to buy recycled paper rather than paper made out of fresh forests!
Food
We throw away a third of the food we buy, 60% of which is untouched (WRAP, 2008). Check regularly to see what needs using up. ‘Use by’ dates refer to food safety issues but ‘best before’ dates are only a guide to eating quality. Make the most of what’s in your fridge and you will reduce your weekly shopping bill as well!
Kitchen and garden waste
Make your own organic compost from vegetable peelings, tea, coffee and garden waste. It reduces green house gas emissions from landfill and grows great plants.
Plastic
Using recycled plastics saves energy and 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions for every tonne of plastic recycled. It also saves oil, the raw material for plastics, which is becoming increasingly scarce. If plastic isn’t recycled, it takes hundreds of years to degrade in landfill or produces toxic smoke from incinerators. Recycle plastic when you can or try to avoid buying it in the first place.
Metals
Two-thirds of the metal wasted comes from steel or aluminium cans and foil. Recycling these is easy, profitable and saves energy and resources. Aluminium cans could be recycled indefinitely saving 95 per cent of the energy needed to make them with raw materials.
Glass
30 gallons of oil are saved for every tonne of glass which is recycled. For even greater energy savings and waste reduction, try reusing glass bottles or jars to store food or drink for example.
The rest
Many items can be re-used or recycled, saving energy, resources and landfill space. Maybe someone in your community could use something you might otherwise throw away - find out on your local freecycle site. Use local toy libraries or look in charity shops for furniture, clothes, books and much more. Look out for some of the new fashion collections using recycled fabrics. Many charities, schools and community groups recycle printer cartridges and mobile phones to raise funds.The possibilities are endless!
Making a newspaper out of recycled waste paper produces 60% less carbon dioxide.
The energy saved by recycling one aluminium can will operate a TV set for 3 hours
Further information
www.wrap.org.uk
Information for individuals and organisations on reducing waste and increasing recycling
www.recycling-guide.org.uk
Information on where you can recycle in your area
www.recyclingappeal.com
Recycle phones and printer cartridges.
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Practical information and recipes