Recycling is big business and particularly after the news that plastic and plastic waste is killing our wildlife, our oceans and our planet. And it’s no surprise to say that many of us were shocked at the images and news of what was really happening.
So, how can be more envi­ron­men­tally aware and just how can we recycle? The confusion surrounding bins and what can and can’t be recycled seems to be never-ending with more and more bins coming our way – but no real idea of what to put where!
Here at Designer Sofas 4U, we take our commitment to the environment very seriously and we’re well on our way to reducing our waste every single day as we adopt policies designed to make the planet a better place. So we’ve compiled a list of easy things you can do at home to recycle and be more ‘green’!
We’re all well aware of the plastic bag charge which came into effect earlier in the year designed to stop us from using as much as plastic. Plastic bags are now charged at five pence in most convenience stores and supermarkets.
Note down your shopping days on your calendar at home – doing this will help you to remember to take your bags from home and will avoid you having to purchase them in store. Even better, try and invest in cloth bags – not only are they much stronger, but they also last longer, meaning you can carry much more in them than in a standard bag and also you won’t have to fork out for another for a long time!
Whether it’s clothing, furniture, toys or even appliances – every little helps! Donating furniture to those who would like a second-hand sofa, or even to charities less fortunate means your old and unwanted items are less likely to go the tip and end up in a landfill.
There are plenty of ways to sell these days including online, on social media and some charities even arrange free furniture collections when you donate your items to their stores. Recycling your items has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground and with less and less space available in landfills, it’s one of the most effective ways to ensure others can benefit, too.
One of the biggest things you can do to help you with your recycling is to reduce, reuse and recycle. Firstly, reduce the amount of waste you consume so for example, attempt to buy in bulk as buying in bulk usually means you’ll be using a lot less packaging than individual or wrapped items.
Next, reduce your waste by attempting to fix things before throwing them out. If your favourite pair of shoes have broken, look into getting them resoled as opposed to reaching for the rubbish bin.
Many electronics can be returned to their retailer once they’ve reached the end of their life so be sure to investigate what you can do with larger items and appliances. Additionally, switch to paper-free billing for your household bills and bank statements. These will then be delivered to your emails instead and you’re reducing the amount of post you get. Plus, many suppliers actually give you a discount for switching so look into it!
Then, reuse. Reuse your old containers, particularly helpful for food, reuse bags and paper where possible. Don’t forget about water bottles! They can be reused hundreds of times, so fill it up before throwing it out!
Finally, recycle. Anything that can’t be reused will need to be recycled where possible. Check your local council websites and read up on the recycling rules for your area to ensure you follow their guidelines as best you can. If you have items at home such as a coffee machine, check the manufacturer website as some of the coffee capsules can be recycled in brand new schemes organised by them. Don’t forget to buy items that have been created through recycled materials, too.
How do you recycle at home? Get in touch on Facebook or Twitter and let us know and we could feature your tips soon!