One fifth of food is wasted in the UK

Reduce, reuse, recycle. One fifth of all food bought in the UK is thrown out and nearly two thirds of all household rubbish can be recycled. Being conscious about how you consume things can save a world of energy and raw materials. Avoiding waste is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Reduce Waste

Cutting down on waste is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint. Imagine all the energy and raw materials it takes to make the goods that ends up in your bin. Avoid excess packaging and unnecessary carrier bags, or buy products which you can use again instead of disposable items. Buy your groceries carefully to avoid throwing away unused food.

Here are a few tips on reducing your waste:

avoid buying heavily packed goods buy 'loose' food rather than pre-packaged stop faxes and junk mail through the mailing preference service cancel delivery of unwanted newspapers try reading your news online instead of buying a paper bring reusable shopping bags when visiting the supermarket have a garden and grow your own vegetables

Recycle More

Studies have shown that by placing recycle bins at the point of waste disposal, households can triple the amount it recycles. Paper, plastics, compost, and glass are all recyclable items that can be picked up at your doorstep. Even items such as wood, clothes, shoes, textiles, electrical equipment, fridges/freezers ect. can be recycled. So many items are wastefully thrown into waste bins to take up space in our landfills. Most councils run doorstep collections and can be contacted by checking out your local civic amenity site.

Here are a few tips on improving your recycling:

Choose products that are in packaging which can be recycled. Lots of kitchen waste can be composted. Contact your local council for details of composting schemes in your area. If you have a garden, learn how to start you own. Buy products made from recycled materials. Find out where your nearest recycling facilities are and use them.

Re-use and Repair

Repairing or re-using items means that you won't need to buy new things as often. The things you don't need anymore can be given to charity or sold on-line or at a boot sale.

Here are a few tips on helping you to re-use and repair:

reuse carrier bags. The average UK citizen uses over 130 plastic bags each year reuse paper for writing notes reuse envelopes by sticking labels over the old address borrow and lend items you don't use very often - e.g. party decorations, tools, gardening equipment. Some catering companies hire out glasses and plates for parties, saving on disposable cups and plates donate old computers and audio visual equipment to schools or community centers. buy rechargeable items instead of disposable ones e.g. batteries and cameras buy things in bulk, and refill your containers. e.g.-washing powders, hand soap buy concentrated products which use less packaging host a neighborhood car boot sale as a spring cleaning event when buying new electrical items, buy energy efficient appliances that will last a long time

Products made from recycled goods save on raw materials and increase the demand for recycled materials. Buy incorporating waste reduction, reusing and recycling into you daily life, you can reduce you carbon foot print.

More green tips articles.